PROGRAM DETAILS

Introduction:

There are many factors which contribute towards building a successful organisation that is commercially slick and fit for the future.  The one common factor which is evident in all, is the presence of a high performing management team who demonstrate shared values and common aims, consistent with the purpose of their business.

In today’s fast moving business world, it is important that the senior management teams take time out of their respective business’s to reflect on what is important to them and determine how well they are aligned in achieving their corporate goals.  We acknowledge that no two teams are the same and therefore we take pride in ensuring that the Senior Management Retreat is a 5-day strategic event, designed exclusively for the individual needs of each client.

Ultimately, the goal of this intervention will be to act as the catalyst to engage each senior manager and secure their authentic commitment to working towards successful interpretation and delivery of business improvement and promote relevant change initiatives within their sphere of influence.

The following represents our general approach in how best we can offer support in achieving this goal.  We do not underestimate the challenge of directing and supporting a population of senior managers, particularly in the current economic, social and political landscape.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this workshop, delegates will be able to:

• Agree the strategic aims, vision and business mission for the following 12, 24 – 36 months.
• Reflect on their personal and collective team performance in relation to agreed plans.
• Build a Management and Employee cultural strategy for business improvement.
• Develop a cross functional people development plan to support succession planning.
• Identify the strengths and limitations of their product and service offering.

Target Audience:

This workshop has been designed to run as an exclusive ‘in-house’ event, where only trusted members of the senior management team from one single organization are present.  Due to the potential sensitivity of subject matters covered, it would not be appropriate to open this program up to a mixed public forum with individuals representing multiple organizations.

 Training Methodology:

This practical and results-oriented program will be facilitated by one of our most senior and experienced management consultants who has significant experience and exposure working in the Corporate Community and/or Public/Government sectors.  Only senior consultants who can demonstrate commercial success and who have had responsibility for delivering bottom line profitability will be assigned to this event.

Program Content:

Unlike a traditional 5-day program of planned training & development, the very nature of running and participating in a Senior Management Retreat demands that there cannot be a fixed or prescribed agenda of activity.  Each and every Senior Management Retreat is different and therefore requires a different approach, by the retreat facilitator.

It is therefore essential that a core competence of the facilitator for such an event is, to be professionally flexible and capable to ‘work in the moment’ with a fluid agenda.

Through our experience of delivering such events we have developed a successful formula, which serves well to initiate constructive dialogue and provide a robust framework, giving clear direction from the outset. We will very quickly bring clarity to answering the three critically important questions, of Why; What and How.  This clarity will then encourage authentic commitment and encourage positive and relevant change where required.

Developing the Road Map:

Very quickly on Day-1 of this event, we will develop an agreed Road Map to success.  Using best practice strategy development principles we will set out the challenging, yet achievable route to follow for strategic success.

Our methodology is grounded in balancing an appropriate mix of concept, theory and latest thinking, with a highly pragmatic approach in how such activity can be applied ‘in the real world’.

Each retreat will always feature a broad range of learning mediums to appeal to the various learning styles and preferences of the participants.

This may include:

• Syndicate group work
• Team discussion
• Personal profiling and assessment tools
• Peer coaching
• Case study reviews
• Personal reflection
• Video excerpts
• Forum theatre & scenario-based simulations. 

Exploring Personal Preferences, Characteristics, Strengths and Allowable Weaknesses:

Within the environment of the management retreat, we will administer a number of enlightening personal profiling tools that will help to establish clarity and insight to individuals preferred methods of operating, leading and executing their tasks and responsibilities.

We would encourage the use of such profiling tools, specifically, but not exclusively to put the spotlight on:

• Leadership styles
• Team working preferences
• Influencing styles
• Cultural identity
• Conflict resolution 

Exploring the ‘Why’ questions.

We will begin by exploring the “Why” questions.

• Why should I as a senior manager be concerned with the successful cultural health within my organisation?
• Why should I as a senior manager take an interest in interpreting the corporate goals for people development?
• Why as an integral member of the senior management team should I take both an individual and collective share of the responsibility in pursuing these initiatives to achieve successful outcomes?
• Why is any of this really important to me?

 Exploring the ‘What’ questions:

Once we have established clarity around the “Why” then and only then can we start to explore the “What”.

• What does a “successful outcome” look, feel and sound like in our world?
• What am I currently doing that is supporting the successful delivery of real Cultural improvement and sustainability?
• What am I currently doing that is preventing the successful delivery of real Cultural Changes that may be required’?
• What actions should I be taking, in terms of Stopping, Starting or Continuing that will be consistent in supporting successful execution of our strategic intent?

Exploring the ‘How’ questions. 

The next logical stage following exposing clarity around the ‘Why’ and the ‘What’ is to explore options for ‘How’ to make a tangible and successful in-road to achieving synergy around the successful delivery of the planned initiative

• How can I practically interpret this initiative, to ensure that any actions I take are fully consistent with the purpose and strategic intent of my sphere of control?
• How can I influence others around me to be as fully committed to this as I am?
• How will I know that my actions have been successful?
• How will I ensure that such actions are sustainable for positive future growth?

Philosophy to Policy, Policy to Practice:

Reflecting back on the weeks previous activities, delegates will now:

• Classify all of the data created
• Consider the expressed tactical propositions made by each senior manager
• Assess the collective statements of intent given
• Develop a strategic blueprint for improvement.

This will involve the Senior Team working together as a relative peer group, to develop a Strategic Change Plan that will shape the cultural dimensions of the organization for both management and employee populations.

This plan will form the basis of a defined and measurable set of actions that each senior manager will accept accountability for delivering with the agreed timeframe and qualitative standard matrix.