STRATEGIC CONSULTANCY

Strategy is daunting.

At its simplest, it is about structured, intelligent thinking.  It is not an exercise in goal setting but rather one of problem solving:
What are the changes needed for a not for profit organisation to increase its impact?

Telos favours the three-stage approach to strategy described in Richard P Rumelt’s book Good Strategy/Bad Strategy:

DIAGNOSIS

We work with leadership teams to analyse what is really going on, defining the problem that the organisation is here to overcome and the key obstacles to doing so.

We challenge existing assumptions and ensure that the right questions are asked.

GUIDING POLICY

Firstly, we ensure that a strong purpose and mission are articulated as the basis for the organisation’s guiding policy and that it clearly demonstrates the approach to dealing with the obstacles identified in the diagnosis.

Then we work with the client to identify the core activities (or competencies) that will deliver the guiding policy.

COHERENT ACTIONS

The next stage is to identify and develop coordinated policies, resource commitments and actions designed to carry out the guiding policy.  This results in the identification of a number of key supporting activities that the organisation requires in order to deliver its mission.

We do this within the context of our Strategy Alignment Model which puts equal emphasis on business strategy, people strategy and getting the business model right. Unless all three are addressed, the organisation will lack the capacity and resources to deliver on its strategic objectives.

In order to aid the strategy development process and wider communication of strategy we use simple one-page strategy maps to encapsulate the purpose, mission, core and supporting activities of the organisation in a powerful, visual format.

HOW WE WORK

At Telos we are flexible, adaptable and accustomed to the particular challenges faced by the not for profit sector.  We are experienced in working as independent consultants alongside the leadership team, or with a wider project team to deliver long term strategic change.

If you would like to discuss how we could help your organisation move forward with its strategy development please call Martin on 07855 460048 or email mclemmey@telosconsulting.co.uk.

Telos also offers support to the not for profit sector with transformation programmes and finance and operations development.