Bill from Sales, Morrisey is a very good source
if you have time also look into the work of Hertzberg.

Entropy as in systems theory?

Nero

Nero,
Borrowed "entropy" shamelessly from 2d Law of Thermodynamics. In my use...the diffusion of ideas and information.

Great Idea.

Nero

In my opinion, strategic thinking also requires "brain training" to understand how you're accustomed to thinking and specifically what areas of the brain you need to activate to get strategic. Otherwise, the pursuit of strategic thinking can be an activity that wastes a lot of time.

I found an interesting webinar on this subject, for those that may want to "up" their strategic thinking abilities - I think this is particularly relevant given the current economic question and the need for training professionals to add more value to their organizations:

SmartBrief/KRM Webinar - 4 Secrets of the CEO Brain
http://online.krm.com/iebms/co...&eventid=15961&m=kmn

Thanks,
Morgan Rothstein

1. The advice about being clear on the course outcomes is critical. Otherwise, it's just entertainment.

2. I'm partial to the work that came out of Royal Dutch Shell on what they call "scenario planning." It's absolutely not about developing scenarios on everything or predicting the future. It's about identifying blindspots and learning what our mental models are.

3. Some great resources on this topic (thinking strategically) are:
--Chris Argyris (type I vs. type II thinking or metathinking)
--Arie De Geus (who Senge credits with coining the term "Learning Organization")
--Peter Schwartz (RDS alum, "Art of the Long View" author)
--Kees Van Der Heijden (Biz school prof, RDS alum, author of "Strategic thinking" and "Scenarios")
--Mintzberg up at McGill (who Peters loves to quote on how strategic planning is not strategic thinking and how strategic planning usually impedes strategic thinking).

4. Looking for unique delivery models? Don't do a class. Give projects with coaching. Projects could involve opportunities to look back at missed opportunities and then look forward for emerging opportunities. Lots of hard work, requires data to get any value out of it but it's practical and hands-on. Did this with one client, the President set in on final presentations by the group and finally blurted out to one exec "I need to talk to you after the session--we're thinking of doing what you said and you've given me a different perspective on it." It doesn't get any better than that. But it's a lot more heavy lifting than just going to a class.