Mini MBA: Strategic Planning & Effective Budgeting

In the modern business environment, managers must balance strategic vision with effective day-to-day execution. This five-day DixonTech Mini MBA equips executives and managers with essential skills in strategic planning, risk analysis, negotiation, budgeting, and cost control. Through a practical and structured approach, the program enables participants to adapt quickly to uncertainty, address immediate challenges, and confidently manage long-term organizational responsibilities.

TRAINING TOPICS

• Module 1 - Strategy, Risks, Negotiation & Leadership
• Module 2 - Effective Budgeting & Operational Cost Control

By the end of this training course, delegates will be able to

• Gain an understanding of strategy and strategic thinking
• Learn about risk management and mitigation
• Practice negotiating and learn top tips for effective negotiations
• Develop skills in budgeting and cost control
• Understand how financial measurement supports strategic success

TRAINING IS TAILORED TO

• Current and potential Managers, and business Leaders at all levels
• Those responsible for developing and leading strategic changes
• Procurement and Client Service Managers responsible for negotiation strategies
• Functional Team Leaders in the governmental or private sector
• Staff Members responsible for budgeting and financial controls
• Non-finance Managers with financial responsibilities

TRAINING METHODOLOGY

The training adopts an interactive, hands-on approach that actively engages participants through practical exercises, group discussions, simulations, case studies, and role-playing. Trainers facilitate collaboration and peer learning, while interactive tools such as quizzes, polls, and breakout sessions enhance engagement. Continuous feedback is integrated throughout the program to support reflection and improvement, ensuring participants effectively understand, retain, and apply the learned concepts in their professional roles.

DAY ONE

MODULE 1 STRATEGY, RISKS, NEGOTIATION & LEADERSHIP

STRATEGY

• Introduction to strategy - background, historical developments, major theories
• Strategic Management – a practical approach for every leader
• A consistent methodology for strategy development
• The relationships between vision, mission and strategy
• The steps involved in developing a strategy

RISKS

• The meaning and nature of risk
• Identifying the risks in a given strategy
• Prioritizing risks
• Contingency planning
• Risk mitigation strategies 

DAY TWO  

NEGOTIATION

• The everyday role and attitude of ‘Win-Win’ negotiating
• Power - gaining a superior position
• Strategy and Tactics in negotiating
• Understanding your opponents negotiating style and tactics
• Negotiating Countermeasures

LEADERSHIP

• The strategic role and nature of effective leadership
• Charisma and how to earn it and use it effectively
• The role of the modern leader and how leadership has changed
• Innovative Leadership skills
• Maximizing the performance of each team member
• Motivating the 'Average' employee 

DAY THREE  

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP

• Intrapersonal style and skills
• Interpersonal and leadership communication skills
• Leadership and The Challenge of Change
• Strategic leadership for team development
• Developing a personal action plan for further self-development

MODULE 2:  EFFECTIVE BUDGETING & OPERATIONAL COST CONTROL

BUILDING A COMMON FINANCIAL LANGUAGE

• The key role of budgeting and cost control in contemporary organizations
• The 21st century business imperative:  delivering value added (but to whom?)
• Financial vs. Managerial accounting (for decision making)
• Understand your processes:  integrating financial and non-financial aspects
• The budgeting process
• Examples & Discussion

DAY FOUR  

THE BUDGETING PROCESS

• The key features of budgeting
• Advantages and concerns with budgeting
• Accountability and centers of responsibility
• Zero-based budgeting
• Budgeting and cost control
• Examples & Discussion 

COST ANALYSIS

• Different costs for different purposes
• Fixed vs. Variable costs
• The Cost-Volume-Profit analysis model
• Contribution Margin analysis
• Examples & Discussion 

DAY FIVE  

TRADITIONAL VS. ADVANCED TECHNIQUES IN COST-CONTROL

• Under-costing and over-costing:  the consequences for profitability
• Indirect (OH) vs. Direct costs
• Traditional Cost Allocations systems vs. Activity-Based Costing (ABC)
• Linking resources, activities and management
• Variance analysis
• Video, Case Study and Examples 

BEYOND THE BUDGETS:  BALANCED SCORECARDS AND SIX-SIGMA

• Broadening performance measurement systems
• Beyond budgeting:  Integrating financial and non-financial issues
• Introducing the Balanced Scorecard
• Introducing the Strategy maps
• Introducing Six-sigma
• Video, Case Study and examples