Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
Oxford Strategic Alignment Programme
Develop an intellectual toolkit to achieve your enterprise’s vision through the strategic alignment of its functions.
Start date
03 February 2021
Enroll by 26 January 2021
Course duration
6 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
7–10 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Programme overview
The number of business leaders from brands, such as Apple and Amazon, who have signed an open letter recognising that profitability should not come at the expense of organisational purpose.
Business Roundtable (Aug, 2019).
Research shows that as little as 10% improvement in employees’ connection to organisational purpose decreases staff turnover by 8.1% and improves profitability by 4.4%.
Gallup (Mar, 2019).
Strategic alignment is the careful arrangement of the various elements of an organisation – from strategy planning to systems management – in order to best support the fulfilment of its long-term purpose. It also ensures organisational capability and strengthens teams by driving individuals within the enterprise to work together toward a common goal. In a highly competitive, complex, and shifting marketplace, this alignment can determine organisational success or failure.
The Oxford Strategic Alignment Programme, based on active research at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, investigates each link of the enterprise value chain that forms the core foundation of every organisation. As you develop a mindset for purposeful, enterprise-wide transformation, you’ll gain the practical skills and frameworks to produce and apply a fit-for-purpose business strategy for your enterprise’s unique context. Place yourself at the intersection of leadership and strategy as you explore alignment and its role in driving change and success for the future.
Is this programme for you?
This programme is designed to facilitate strategic alignment in any enterprise, be it in the private, public or not-for-profit sector. While the practical application of your learnings, as well as stakeholder buy-in, is dependent on your level of influence, the principles taught are industry-agnostic. Heads of department, middle managers, and HR professionals will learn how to align and strengthen their teams or facilitate alignment between departments. Executives, directors, and business leaders tasked with operational transformation will benefit from the strategic approach to improving performance, creating future-facing objectives, and enhancing leadership skills. Consultants will explore the latest research and improve their ability to advise on clients’ organisational effectiveness.
Programme overview
Introduction
Strategic alignment is the careful arrangement of the various elements of an organisation – from strategy planning to systems management – in order to best support the fulfilment of its long-term purpose. It also ensures organisational capability and strengthens teams by driving individuals within the enterprise to work together toward a common goal. In a highly competitive, complex, and shifting marketplace, this alignment can determine organisational success or failure.
The Oxford Strategic Alignment Programme, based on active research at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, investigates each link of the enterprise value chain that forms the core foundation of every organisation. As you develop a mindset for purposeful, enterprise-wide transformation, you’ll gain the practical skills and frameworks to produce and apply a fit-for-purpose business strategy for your enterprise’s unique context. Place yourself at the intersection of leadership and strategy as you explore alignment and its role in driving change and success for the future.
Is this programme for you?
This programme is designed to facilitate strategic alignment in any enterprise, be it in the private, public or not-for-profit sector. While the practical application of your learnings, as well as stakeholder buy-in, is dependent on your level of influence, the principles taught are industry-agnostic. Heads of department, middle managers, and HR professionals will learn how to align and strengthen their teams or facilitate alignment between departments. Executives, directors, and business leaders tasked with operational transformation will benefit from the strategic approach to improving performance, creating future-facing objectives, and enhancing leadership skills. Consultants will explore the latest research and improve their ability to advise on clients’ organisational effectiveness.
What will set you apart
A comprehensive understanding of strategic alignment and its impact on an enterprise’s long-term performance and competitiveness.
An ability to motivate for, and implement, transformation throughout your enterprise value chain, by aligning enterprise purpose, business strategy, organisational architecture, and management systems.
An intellectual toolkit, along with practical frameworks, for developing strategies that support and fulfil the organisation’s purpose.
Enhanced knowledge supported by real-world case studies, guest experts from some of the world’s leading enterprises, and exclusive insights from Oxford Saïd.Programme curriculum
Orientation module
Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1
The importance of strategic alignment
Module 2
The purpose-led enterprise
Module 3
Crafting a winning business strategy
Module 4
Superior organisational capability and architecture
Module 5
Fit-for-purpose management systems
Module 6
Leading your enterprise to win
Get prospectus
Programme Director
Jonathan Trevor
Associate Professor of Management Practice, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
About the certificate
Learn how to implement strategic alignment in your chosen enterprise and earn an official certificate of attendance from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.
Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the programme handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the programme.
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Want to know more?
Why choose GetSmarter?
GetSmarter, a 2U, Inc. brand, is an online learning expert with over 10 years' experience in developing high-quality online short courses from the world’s leading universities. We deliver market-led courses that equip working professionals with the expertise required for the workplace of the future. Through a data-driven approach, we analyze future skills requirements and ensure all courses address this need.
Students are supported at every stage of the learning journey, enabling them to thrive professionally through increased relevance, competence, and confidence. Find out more about GetSmarter’s approach to digital learning, course design, and online delivery here.
Payment options
You can pay your course fees before the course starts, or you may opt for a split payment plan on courses that are nine weeks and shorter. For courses 10 weeks and longer, there is a three-part payment plan available. To find out more about payment options please visit our Payment and Financing FAQ, or contact an Enrollment Adviser, to find out which option you qualify for.
Manage your time
GetSmarter's learning model is designed to help you, as a working professional, improve your skills without compromising on work and family responsibilities. The course work is broken up into weekly, manageable bite-sized modules, with incremental deadlines, designed to help you pace yourself over the duration of the course and allow you the legroom to work when it suits you best.
At the beginning of each module you'll be presented with the course content and assignments necessary for completion. You also have access to your Success Adviser who will help you manage your time, and support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have.
Seek employer assistance
By improving your skills and industry knowledge, you'll have an influence on the success of your organization. Why wouldn't you ask your boss to help you fund your studies if it's going to have an impact on the way you do business?
Of our past students, 37 percent have received financial assistance from their employers. You can ask for help, too. Here is a guide to show you how to request financial assistance from your employer.
If you are a Learning & Development (L&D) manager, or involved in training and upskilling for an organization, you can request information regarding our corporate offering on our GetSmarter for business page.
How to change your start date
As part of our commitment to your professional development, GetSmarter offers you a two-week period to change your course start date or request your money back if you’re not fully satisfied.
To qualify for a deferral of your course start date, or to cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your course fee, your request would need to reach our Success Advisers before the release of Module 2. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.
Discover the Online Campus
The Online Campus will be your virtual classroom for the duration of your course. Through its easy-to-use interface you'll have access to a diverse variety of course content formats including: interactive videos, module notes, practice quizzes, presentations, assignment briefs, and additional web resources.
On the Online Campus, you'll also be able to ask questions and interact with your fellow students and teaching team through the discussion forums. If you are looking for your Online Campus login, please see the list of university partner login pages here.
