Professional Documents
Culture Documents
3 LEARNING OUTCOMES
After working through this learning unit and chapter 2 in David and David (2017),
as well as chapters 2 and 6 in Van Nieuwenhuizen (2017), you should be able to:
Achievable Challenging
Core values Cross cultural
Directional Global
Goals Measurable
Mission Objectives
Purpose driven Relevant
Specific Strategic direction
Timed Vision
2.1 INTRODUCTION
In learning unit 1, we explored the aspects of strategic, business, and safety
management as we looked at the broader concept of strategic management and the
different management concepts. In this learning unit we will explore how a strategic
direction is achieved and what planning is required to obtain a strategic direction.
This learning unit will utilise chapter 2 of each of the prescribed books for SMA4802,
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Open Rubric
Objectives outline the aims of the strategic goals as to what the realisation of
achieving the mission, vision and goals would look like. Goals suggest a path to be
taken and how an organisation could move along that path on its road to success.
Strategies help an organisation in determining how they would realise their vision
and objectives through the ‘nitty-gritty’ world of action (Centre for Community
Health and Development, Community Toolbox, 2020).
There are several criteria that should be met when formulating a strategy. The strategy
should give (1) an overall direction for the organisation, (2) fit the resources and
opportunities available in the organisation and (3) minimise all resistance, challenges
and barriers to success. Furthermore, it should describe (4) how to reach those who are
affected (e.g., currently unemployed) and (5) advance the mission of the organisation
(e.g. is the organisation able to make a difference in the unemployment rate) (Centre
for Community Health and Development, Community Toolbox, 2020).
Watch online: Watch the following video clip to gain an understanding of corporate
strategy. “How CEOs set strategic direction” by SBI TV (23:07). Available at https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LObhW3Vfl34
Website of interest:
To develop a successful strategy, you need a strong and successful manager. Mintzberg
outlines several management roles, namely:
• Role model/figurehead
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LEARNING UNIT 2: Formulating a strategic direction and strategic management planning
We will explore the process used to formulate strategic direction and investigate
its importance in the organisation.
• How are we
going to get
Tactics there?
Figure 2.1.
FIGURE 2.1
Please note the top two have been added as textbox on the jpeg
Strategic planning model
Opportuni-
Strengths
4 DISCUSSION 2.1: STRATEGIC DIRECTION
ties
Review your organisation’s strategic direction in line with the strategy planning
model in figure 2.1 and, in the discussion forum, discuss the gaps you have
identified .
Threats Weakness
Online discussion
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LEARNING UNIT 2: Formulating a strategic direction and strategic management planning
“Mission, vision, and values by 365 carers 2018 (5:57). Available from https://youtu.
be/8wem6FZAucw
“What is the difference between mission and vision”, by Bruce D Johnson 2020
(5:08). Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2MyaR0gMo0
It is important to remember that a vision statement directs the future and what the
organisation wants to become. In contrast, the mission statement concentrates on
the present and what the organisation has accomplished.
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The mission statement must communicate the vision of the organisation in realistic
terms, in concrete, goal-oriented language that is short and to the point (even if it
consists of just a single sentence). It should contain quantifiable, measurable and
attainable objectives. A mission statement must be communicated throughout the
organisation (internal and external) to be used by employees, shareholders, and the
leadership component. Each shareholder, manager and employee must be able to
assess if their own actions will help the organisation achieve its purpose. According
to Quain, (2019), a well-constructed mission statement embodies the following
characteristics:
Short: It needs to convey the purpose and the goals of your organisation in simple,
clear and easy-to-understand language.
Unique to your organisation: What makes the organisation different, unique, and
extraordinary?
Create Expectations: Create the expectation in the target audience that the
organisation is what they need.
Realistic: Provide a statement on what the organisation offers its clients at present.
Memorable: Should be able to associate key aspects of the mission with the
organisation.
Active: Make use active verbs that allow people feel that something is happening
now rather than in the past. For example, substitute a sentence like “these products
are made by the company to improve your lifestyle” with something like “Company
XYZ makes products to enhance your quality of life”.
Positivity: Conveys the message about how the organisation will solve problems and
fulfil wants and needs, as well as how it will make life easier for its target audience.
Targeted: It should speak to the target audience As such, the message should match
the wants and needs of the specific audience.
The vision and mission statement define what an organisation is, what it dreams of
being and what it wants to achieve through its core values and objective.
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LEARNING UNIT 2: Formulating a strategic direction and strategic management planning
• Integrity:
The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. Lying can become
an easy way for organisations to operate and eventually the organisation will no
longer be trusted by the workforce or its clients.
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• Accountability
The willingness to take responsibility for one’s own actions. It is quite easy to
fall into the blame game by placing blame upon someone else.
• Diligence
The quality of working carefully and with a lot of effort – diligence should
nurture the strength of an individual to make a difference. For example, Japan,
a formidable competitor in the electronic and automotive industries, has a dili-
gent commitment to improving their already powerful position.
• Perseverance
Continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or op-
position. The developers at the pharmaceutical company G.D. Searle knew they
had something indispensable (important) when they invented ‘aspartame’ as an
ulcer drug. It took years for them to discover that aspartame was not a treatment
for ulcers, but the revolutionary substitute for sugar known as NutraSweet.
• Discipline
The practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behaviour. Discipline
provides guidelines for employee performance and behaviour and serves as a
vital component of the overall management system (Dilenschneider, 2020).
Following the formulation of the vision and mission, the next step is the formulation
of the strategic goals, objectives and possible action plans to ultimately achieve this
vision and mission.
A strategic goal is developed to attain the organisation’s business strategy. The strategic
goal identifies the organisation’s achievable outcome. Examples of a strategic goal
could be to increase internet accessibility and traffic, to increase vendor performance,
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LEARNING UNIT 2: Formulating a strategic direction and strategic management planning
• Specific
Relates to how much is to be achieved (e.g., 10% of a specific behaviour of a
particular person or of a particular outcome, and by when it will be achieved
e.g. 2025).
• Measurable
Information about the objective can be collected, identified, or acquired.
• Achievable
Is it realistic and practical?
• Timed
A clear, specified timeline has been developed for the objectives, indicating by
when they will be achieved.
• Challenging
This will enable the organisation to set its target on significant improvements
within a shorter timeframe.
• Financial objectives
• Customer objectives
• Customer service objectives
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• Internal objectives
• Operational excellence objectives
• The use of competitive advantages and to differ from your main competitors
• Adaptation to your target audience and the offering of benefits to your main clients
• Adherence to the organisation’s main goals and objectives when developing a
positioning strategy (Sharma, 2018).
Virtually all strategic decisions are impacted by global considerations. Our imagination
is no longer limited by the boundaries of countries. Business survival is now dependant
on our proficiency at observing the world through the eyes of others. The bedrock of
strategic management is at the crux of a managers’ understanding of the organisation’s
suppliers, distributors, competitors, markets, creditors, shareholders, customers,
and governments worldwide. No longer can the quality and price of the product
and service depend on local markets; it must also be able to compete on a global
and international basis. Doing business globally is one of the best ways to stimulate
substantial revenue growth.
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LEARNING UNIT 2: Formulating a strategic direction and strategic management planning
2.6.1 Advantages
Reaching new customers. There will be an immediate expansion of your product
as the pool of potential clients has dramatically increased.
Spreading business risk. As you enter more locations, it will be easier to manage
the volatility of the marketplace.
Accessing new talent. International expansion could potentially give you access
to gifted new employees and business partners who can take your organisation to
the next level.
Amplifying your brand. You will be able to increase the visibility of your brand,
logo and philosophy. Going global can be a great opportunity to broaden the reach
of your intellectual property, trademarks and copyrights to new locations.
Securing foreign investment. Access to investment capital beyond that which you
would have been able to secure in a local market.
Lowering costs. As the number of products and supplies increases, you will be able
to negotiate better prices when ordering in bulk.
Increased immunity to trends. Operating in more than one location will help you
to have some protection against ever-changing fashions, trends and fads.
Improved consumer confidence. A registered local business and office will increase
the trust of the global community, especially as after sales service is a prime factor in
continued confidence in your product/organisation (Open a European company.com,
2020).
2.6.2 Disadvantages
Foreign rules and regulations. Confusing paperwork regarding tax and employment
laws, as well as business registration and trademark considerations in a foreign
language, can be a very daunting task.
Monitoring currency fluctuations. A weak home currency may provide you with
an opportunity to offer products at a competitive price in another location. Making
use of currency fluctuations may ensure that you can time your business orders so
that these fluctuations benefit you.
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Mitigating credit risk. Non-payment of debt can have a serious effect on your
organisation as you have no assurance that you will be able to recover the bad debt.
Identifying the credit rating of new clients or taking out trade credit insurance may
help to mitigate the risk.
Following foreign politics. Political events in another country can have a detrimental
effect on your organisation. It is therefore advisable to stay current with the political
climate of the location where you have expanded to. In order to mitigate this risk,
it would be advisable to secure political risk insurance.
Gathering market research. You may need to rebrand your business/organisation in
order to make your products/services acceptable to a new culture. Response to your
product or service may involve costly research, but with some creative thinking you
may be able to keep this cost to a minimum (Open a European company.com, 2020).
Finally, there are advantages and disadvantages with any business expansion, and
international expansion is no exception. With thorough consideration and preparation,
your organisation can be elevated to the next level and benefit by a whole new world
of opportunities.
STUDY: David & David (2017, 68-74)
2.7 SUMMARY
Business success is increasingly dependent on offering services and products that
can be competitive in a global market. To make use of the opportunities offered in
the global market, a good strategic direction is essential in order to ensure that your
organisation, brand, product and/or service are recognisable and communicates
good service and business practices. Your strategic plan must consist of a defined
and methodical process which will show you the preferred future. This future is then
translated into a vision and mission statement, after which your goals and objectives
are formulated. Effective strategic planning is a crucial element of global success.
In the next learning unit, we will explore the context of strategic selection, ethics,
social responsibility and sustainability, as well as reviewing your organisation’s
strategic plan.
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LEARNING UNIT 2: Formulating a strategic direction and strategic management planning
2.10 REFERENCES
Achieveit.com. 2014. The link between mission, vision and strateg y. [Online] Available at
https://www.achieveit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/The-Link-Between-
Mission-Vision-and-Strategy.pdf. [Accessed on 28 April 2020].
An organisation’s mission and purpose – Searchcio.techtarget.com (1:59) https://searchcio.
techtarget.com/definition/strategic-management
Corporate strategy. How CEOs set strategic direction. [Online] Available at https://www.
youtube.com/watch?v=LObhW3Vfl34. [Accessed on 28 April 2020].
Developing Successful Strategies: Planning to Win. [Online]. Available at:https://ctb.ku.edu/
en/table-of-contents/structure/strategic-planning/develop-strategies/main.
[Accessed 28 April 2020].
Community Toolbox, University of Kansas. 2020. Strategic planning development strate-
gies. [Online]. Available at https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/structure/
strategic-planning/develop-strategies/main. [Accessed 28 April 2020].
Community Toolbox, University of Kansas. 2020. Vision and mission statements. [On-
line] Available at: https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/structure/strategic-
planning/vision-mission-statements/main. [Accessed 28 April 2020]
Corporate strategy. How CEOs set strategic direction. [Online] Available at https://www.
youtube.com/watch?v=LObhW3Vfl34. [Accessed on 30 April 2020].
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