The Queen’s study noted that "The Strategist focuses on defining the future of the company to enhance business performance and shareholder value. The Strategist provides a financial perspective on innovation and profitable growth, and leverages this perspective to improve risk‐awareness, strategic decision‐making and performance management integration. The Strategist translates the expectations of the capital markets into internal business imperatives. This role is oriented toward long‐term strategic issues, and is outwardly directed." Those who are successful - through generating bottom line results, improved market share, reinventing the corporate culture, and/or strengthening brand – move to the top echelons of their organizations. Reacting to everyday demands and crises often leaves little time to continuously evaluate your organization’s strategy. This cutting-edge residential program provides you with a rare opportunity to step away from the pressures of work to join a group of peers and focus on what you and your organization need to do to excel in today’s competitive business environment.

Are you your organization’s Chief Strategy Officer? Are you a leader in your strategic planning process? Are you looking to begin a ‘real’ strategic planning process within your current culture? Are you looking for feedback on your current strategies from a group of peers? Are you a CFO looking to clarify your role in the strategic direction of your company? If so, then this program was created with you in mind.

Why most strategic planning fails

• Strategy the most overused business term
• Understanding the difference between a strategy and resource allocation process
• Adjusting strategies for different environments
• Different models for different situations
• The importance of a Strategic Business Process

Stakeholders – A potential constraint

• Who are my stakeholders and why do I care about them?
• Relationship mapping – A tool that bring all stakeholders into focus
• Responsible for stakeholder relations – a critical selection?

Risk Management – a Strategic Constraint

• What is risk?
• Understand the different types of risk
• Who should be involved in the analysis of risk?
• Who should be responsible?
• Linking risk management with strategy

Politics and the Board – an important consideration

• Board of Directors Requirements
• Understand the politics of your organization
• Creating an effective strategy that will survive the political process
  
  

Keeping it Current: Fostering continuous innovation – a key to growth

• How to encourage continuous innovation as a strategy
• How to implement a program within your firm
• Where to improve your process
• What is strategic agility?
• Tools to let you know when your strategy needs to change
• Techniques to learn from all levels of the organization
• What feedback mechanisms are critical to success?

Getting everyone behind the strategy

• Where the rubber meets the road - understanding Leadership
• Best practices for successfully implementing any strategy

A Master Strategist – A continuous journey

• The role of a Champion
• Your action plan
  

To register, complete the form and return it via fax (416-962-9776) or email.

Sunday, August 18 - Wednesday, August 21, 2013. The program begins at 6pm on Sunday and concludes at 4pm on Wednesday

Program fees include the program itself, materials, meals and accommodations*.

An early-bird discount of $200 is available for registering 60 days in advance of the program start.

*Please note: A limited number of program spots are available to those who do not wish to have accommodations. As there may be evening activities (group work and/or networking opportunities), this option is recommended only for those who reside nearby.

The CFO as Strategist program will be held at the White Oaks Conference Resort & Spa, a premium, four diamond, five-star resort that has achieved a reputation for outstanding comfort, service and atmosphere to ensure a memorable learning and retreat experience for all executives who attend.

Program fees include meals, accommodations*, wi-fi access, use of basic fitness facilities, and a hospitality room for evening networking opportunities.

*Excluding registrants who have selected the non-accommodation option.

Getting There:

From Pearson or Buffalo airports:

The Niagara Airbus offers Shuttle Transfers to and from Toronto’s Pearson and Buffalo Niagara’s International Airports and can drop you off right at the facility front doors. If you book on-line you can get a 10% discount for Airport transfers. The Niagara Airbus website is www.niagaraairbus.com.

Another option is the Falls Livery & Taxi. They can offer private cars for transport to and from the airport as well. They can be reached at 905-356-4500.

From Toronto:

Average time to drive from Toronto to the Resort is an hour and a half*. Click here for a Google Map and directions.

*Please note that these directions are for planning purposes only. You may find that construction projects, traffic, weather, or other events may cause conditions to differ from the map results, and you should plan your route accordingly.)

Subject to Institute regulations, members may count up to 25 hours of verifiable CPD for the completion of The CFO as Strategist.

Our alumni include participants from: GE Canada, TVO, Starbucks Coffee Canada, ATB Investor Services, Durham Regional Police Services, Waterfront Toronto, International Association of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Grant Thornton LLP, Research in Motion Ltd., Hamilton Tigers Football Club, Algorithmics Incorporated, Synnex Canada Limited, Magna International, and others.

Here is what some alumni had to say about The CFO as Strategist:

• Larry is a wonderful facilitator - great material - knowledgeable, helpful, addresses specific attendees issues - is fantastic.
• Good to get fresh ideas, sit back and reflect on what others are doing.
• The networking is incredible at these sessions and I will use this tool belt of strategies for a very long time.
• We are struggling with strategic planning and this has provided me with some take-away tools/framework for making some strategic planning decisions.
• The program gave me confidence that you don't have to be a visionary to add value to strategy.
• I think it will allow me to set up a framework that has not existed in the past. Planning will make us more effective as a company.
• Definitely can make a difference.
  

For more information please contact Lawrence Wong, CPA, CA, at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario, at: 1-800-387-0735 ext. 343, or at lwong@icao.on.ca.