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Planning for growth
Strategy and planning are at the centre of all future business success. Any new business that wants to succeed needs to develop an effective strategy from the start. With a clear strategy, success is within reach, and daily grind of running a business has meaning. Strategy is at the centre of the GreySky operation, and forms the core of the GreySky Business Workshop programme. The strategy workshop helps students understand how to create an effective and practical strategy for their business.
Practical techniques
Most of the models and techniques used for analysing and developing business strategy
were developed for major multi-
Genuine expertise
The GreySky Strategy workshop is based on extensive work with some of the world’s most successful businesses. We have taken the techniques used by the biggest companies and adapted them for the smallest.
Experience of working with BT, Sage, IBM, Cable and Wireless, and Microsoft has helped us to develop the approaches that large companies need to employ to reach small businesses. It’s also helped us to develop approaches to help give small businesses the edge!
Know the market
The need to know the market is obvious – but too many new businesses are content to compete locally on price. Really knowing the market takes a bit more work, and a different approach. With the market understood, it’s time to start planning some action. How to enter a new market (starting a new business, for instance) or how to grow market share?
Competitive advantage
What is the one thing that will keep the business going when it gets tough? What is the one clear thing that keeps the competitors at a distance and the customers coming back for more? Do all areas of the business understand the plan? This possibly sounds ridiculous to a small business of possibly only one or two people – but are the implications and requirements of the plan built into all areas of the company?

