Henley Business School briefing with Dr Grant Hatch.

Organisations typically follow rational approaches to implementing strategy that are manifest in annual strategy reviews, financial planning and budget reviews that create rigor and structure but also inflexibility that hampers creativity and the ability to target new markets. The shift in demand from developed to developing markets over the last four years points to a trend that is set to accelerate over the next ten years and highlights the need to change direction. Yet many organisations are unsure of how to prioritorise and to deliver on new growth opportunities. There is the clearly the need for a new kind of leadership and organizational culture to create the capability to capitalize on the changes in demand and herein lies the growth paradox – many organisations are clear on what needs to be done but are unclear on how. Are current paradigms of strategy formulation and leadership models relevant amid rapidly changing demand? How equipped are leaders and organisations to adapt to a changing external environment? What will determine who the winners are? The presentation will explore the link between strategy and leadership in more detail and seek to answer these questions.

Dr Grant Hatch, Senior Executive Strategy, Accenture, South Africa

Experienced strategy consultant, business leader and entrepreneur with highly developed analytical, programme management and team leadership skills. Ability to build relationships and deliver strategy at executive level across a range of sectors and in challenging markets. PhD in Agricultural Economics (Natal); MBA (Cape Town). Has led strategy consulting assignments across a range of industries and has worked extensively with consumer goods and retails companies. Formerly, Vice-President, Capgemini Consulting; returned to South Africa in 2006 after leading JP Morgan-Cazenove's Pan-European technology research team, London. Leads Accenture‘s Strategy and Sustainability service lines and Accenture's Africa expansion portfolio and works with a number of companies entering or expanding in Africa. Part time fruit farmer, long distance runner and aspiring wine maker.