Business strategy

Developing a business strategy is a fundamental part both of achieving the vision that the council sets for itself, and for achieving the Council of the Future. The business strategy addresses what the organisation (possibly in conjunction with its partners) has to do to achieve the outcomes which the vision describes - this may often address the management capacity and structure, the core administrative services, the service planning process and its relation to the corporate plan. Fundamentally, the business strategy is about achieving a single strategy for the whole council, which enables it to move forward as a single customer-facing entity.

The challenges, however, are many and varied. Emerging policies in children's services, the need to cater for an ageing, diverse and mobile population, the rapidly increasing costs of waste management, the need to be green, and the demand from customers for 24x7 access to services are just some of them, all at a time when funding is increasingly under pressure.

Our clients recognise that in a fast moving society, value for money public services need to be innovative and open to best pratice. Strategies must be integrated within a businenss that is joined to its citizens, employees and partners. Delivery has to be prioritised and aligned to community needs, and the resources and infrastructure have to deliver effectively.

Getting your council to work efficiently and well needs vision. Socitm Consulting can help you:

• Develop and articulate your vision and tease out agreement amongst senior managers and partners
• Build a coherent and relevant business strategy
• Design an information management strategy that enables secure information sharing
• Build a customer access strategy to deliver efficiency and customer satisfaction
• Underpin your business and its vision with the right ICT strategy
• Develop mobile, home, remote and flexible working strategies to achieve efficiency, environmental and work/life balance gains.

Case studies relating to business strategy development (endorsed by the client) include:

Bromley LB - Corporate mobile and flexible working
Hackney LB - strategic advice to elected members
Northamptonshire Connects - Roadmap development - the way forward
Oxford City Council - e-procurement strategy

Other recent projects include:

 If you would like to discuss how we may be able to help you in this area, please call us on 0845 450 0904 or email info@socitmconsulting.co.uk