Organisation & People notes
Week 1 – Training and lecture
Assessment; within the SBD case exam
What is politicking? (Article: What is politicking? à Can be found on Brightspace)
Politics relates to who gets what, when and how. Politicking is the actions you can take to influence,
or attempt to influence, the distribution of advantages and disadvantages within your organization.
Much of politics is subtle, disguised or veiled in secrecy. Many successful politicians in organisations
are often highly adept at framing their political actions in non-political term. Political competence is
key within organisations.
How to become the best at politicking:
1. Effective politicking requires covering up self-interest
2. Developing the right image is essential
3. Knowledge and expertise are effective resources to control
4. Make yourself appear indispensable
5. Be visible is key
6. A mentor can be very helpful within the context of politicking
Machiavellisme
Italian diplomat, politician, historian, philosopher, humanist, writer, playwright and poet of the
Renaissance period. He has often been called the father of modern political philosophy and political
science. Machiavelli described in his book The Prince immoral behavior, such as dishonesty and the
killing of innocents, as being normal and effective in politics.
Week 2 - Lecture
Thinking strategically; The three big questions are;
1. Where are we now?
a. The “Mission Statement”
It deals with the present, while it says who we are, what we do, what our values are. It
explains the interface between the organisation and it’s environment. A mission
statement should be clear, distinctive and clearly state its purpose. The mission
statement should explain the relationships between all the companies stakeholders. A
good mission statement defines a company’s situation in 3 dimensions;
- What the company does for its customers
- What it does for its employees
- What it does for its owners
Better mission statements also include 2 extra dimensions;
- What it does for its community
- What it does for the world
2. Where do we want to go?
a. The “Strategic Vision Statement”
It deals with the future and it says where we are going as an organisation and what we
want to achieve. It is a roadmap of a company’s future. For example, the capabilities
to be developed and the kind of company management is trying to create. It uses the
mission statement as a starting point, developing a strategic vision that spells out a
course to pursue and communicate the vision in a clear and exciting manner.
3. How do we get there?
a. The “Strategy”
A company’s strategy consist of the set of competitive methods moves and business
approached that management is employing to run the company. Strategy is
managements “game plan” to achieve their goals.
, In theory there are 5 different Corporate Business Strategies
1. Product leaderships (differentiation)
a. Distinguish yourself from competitors via excellence product
2. Cost leadership/Operational Excellence
a. Everything in the company is focused on efficiency while controlling the cost of the
product
3. Customer Intimacy (differentiation)
a. When you can respond the most accurate to what your customer needs
4. Experience (differentiation)
a. Try to build such an experience around your company so customers want to stick
around your firm. The sum of every interaction a customer has with a business, both
pre- and post-sale, the customer experience defines the actionable plans in place to
deliver a positive, meaningful experience across those interactions.
5. Community Building (differentiation)
a. Build a community of customers, suppliers and stakeholders. Growing your business
by building and engaging a community
Week 3 – Training
Leadership is about vision, strategy, focus, motivation and inspiration. Understand yourself and
knowing what you want to achieve translates into the ability to understand others and to be
understood by others.
Leadership VS Management
Personal leadership à set direction
Inspiring leadership à inspire other
Management à based on hierarchy
Entrepreneurship à translate ideas into business
Book; The 7 habits of highly effective people
Week 1 – Training and lecture
Assessment; within the SBD case exam
What is politicking? (Article: What is politicking? à Can be found on Brightspace)
Politics relates to who gets what, when and how. Politicking is the actions you can take to influence,
or attempt to influence, the distribution of advantages and disadvantages within your organization.
Much of politics is subtle, disguised or veiled in secrecy. Many successful politicians in organisations
are often highly adept at framing their political actions in non-political term. Political competence is
key within organisations.
How to become the best at politicking:
1. Effective politicking requires covering up self-interest
2. Developing the right image is essential
3. Knowledge and expertise are effective resources to control
4. Make yourself appear indispensable
5. Be visible is key
6. A mentor can be very helpful within the context of politicking
Machiavellisme
Italian diplomat, politician, historian, philosopher, humanist, writer, playwright and poet of the
Renaissance period. He has often been called the father of modern political philosophy and political
science. Machiavelli described in his book The Prince immoral behavior, such as dishonesty and the
killing of innocents, as being normal and effective in politics.
Week 2 - Lecture
Thinking strategically; The three big questions are;
1. Where are we now?
a. The “Mission Statement”
It deals with the present, while it says who we are, what we do, what our values are. It
explains the interface between the organisation and it’s environment. A mission
statement should be clear, distinctive and clearly state its purpose. The mission
statement should explain the relationships between all the companies stakeholders. A
good mission statement defines a company’s situation in 3 dimensions;
- What the company does for its customers
- What it does for its employees
- What it does for its owners
Better mission statements also include 2 extra dimensions;
- What it does for its community
- What it does for the world
2. Where do we want to go?
a. The “Strategic Vision Statement”
It deals with the future and it says where we are going as an organisation and what we
want to achieve. It is a roadmap of a company’s future. For example, the capabilities
to be developed and the kind of company management is trying to create. It uses the
mission statement as a starting point, developing a strategic vision that spells out a
course to pursue and communicate the vision in a clear and exciting manner.
3. How do we get there?
a. The “Strategy”
A company’s strategy consist of the set of competitive methods moves and business
approached that management is employing to run the company. Strategy is
managements “game plan” to achieve their goals.
, In theory there are 5 different Corporate Business Strategies
1. Product leaderships (differentiation)
a. Distinguish yourself from competitors via excellence product
2. Cost leadership/Operational Excellence
a. Everything in the company is focused on efficiency while controlling the cost of the
product
3. Customer Intimacy (differentiation)
a. When you can respond the most accurate to what your customer needs
4. Experience (differentiation)
a. Try to build such an experience around your company so customers want to stick
around your firm. The sum of every interaction a customer has with a business, both
pre- and post-sale, the customer experience defines the actionable plans in place to
deliver a positive, meaningful experience across those interactions.
5. Community Building (differentiation)
a. Build a community of customers, suppliers and stakeholders. Growing your business
by building and engaging a community
Week 3 – Training
Leadership is about vision, strategy, focus, motivation and inspiration. Understand yourself and
knowing what you want to achieve translates into the ability to understand others and to be
understood by others.
Leadership VS Management
Personal leadership à set direction
Inspiring leadership à inspire other
Management à based on hierarchy
Entrepreneurship à translate ideas into business
Book; The 7 habits of highly effective people
