Episode E.002 Core Processes - Strategy & Finance

Core Systems & Processes
Strategic System

Strategy Formulation (S1) 
One of two processes for determining long-term brand identity and creating strategy or direction, and deciding on allocating its resources to pursue this strategy, including capital and people. Various business analysis techniques can be used in strategic planning, including SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats), ECCP analysis (Economic, Competitor, Customer, and Product (Service), STEER analysis (Socio-cultural, Technological, Economic, Ecological, and Regulatory factors), and EPISTEL (Environment, Political, Informative, Social, Technological, Economic and Legal). We use RESZ (Regulatory, Economic, Scientific, Zeitgeist), our own model for mapping the strategic landscape. 

S1 Competence Level

• Level 1: Business Wide
• Level 2: Departmental & Work Group
• Level 3: Individual
• Level 4: Vertical Alignment

Resource Deployment (S2)
The second of two strategy processes it focuses on making resource decisions. Also known as budgeting, the aim is to ensure major yearly initiatives are funded and everyone in the organization has a line of sight to achieve business results. Instead of using the traditional historical approach (last year plus), most successful organizations are using a "venture capital" or "zero based" approach. This has all of the parts of the company building implementation plans and competing for funding based upon results promised.

S2 Competence Level

• Level 1: Incremental
• Level 2: Activity Based
• Level 3: Values Based
• Level 4: Zero Based

Financial System
Financial Accounting (F1)
One of two financial processes that prepares financial statements for decision makers, stockholders, suppliers, banks, employees, government agencies, owners, and other stakeholders. It is also used to prepare accounting information for people outside the organization or not involved in the day to day running of the company. It is a trailing indicator or metric of past performance.

F1 Competence Level

• Level 1: Record Transactions
• Level 2: Actionable Reports
• Level 3: Forecasting
• Level 4: Return On Investment

Managerial Accounting (F2)
The second of two financial processes is concerned with the use of accounting information by managers within organizations, providing them with the basis of informed business decisions. It allows them to be better equipped in their management and control functions. In contrast to financial accountancy information, management accounting information is designed and intended for use by managers within the organization, instead of being intended for use by shareholders, creditors, and public regulators.

​F2 Competence Level

• Level 1: Cost Allocation
• Level 2: Cost Control
• Level 3: Cost Planning
• Level 4: Lowest Cost Producer