Strategic Thinking: Turning Complexity into Clarity
Turn competitive complexity into strategic clarity in the AI Era — and gain a winning edge
View session datesStrategic Thinking: Turning Complexity into Clarity
About the program
Strategy is a dynamic process, not a static plan. Managers must continuously reassess strategic priorities and make clear choices amid complexity. This program helps executives cut through complexity by providing practical tools to diagnose strategic challenges, identify root causes, and guide their organizations toward clear, actionable strategies.
Participants develop their strategic thinking skills through hands-on simulations and structured strategy design tools. AI is integrated in two complementary ways. First, AI-driven strategy simulations allow participants to practice decision-making in realistic business scenarios. Second, advanced AI tools support rigorous competitive and market analysis, enabling participants to assess market dynamics and identify meaningful opportunities for distinctive value creation.
Through hands-on exercises and guided simulations, participants move beyond superficial strategy statements and develop the ability to:
- Diagnose strategic problems and trace their underlying root causes
- Distinguish symptoms from fundamental strategic choices
- Clarify resource allocation priorities under uncertainty
- Evaluate and refine their strategic positioning relative to competitors
- Identify and assess unique strategic positions
By the end of the program, participants will be able to use AI not simply to generate information, but to structure strategic thinking, sharpen managerial judgment, and translate complexity into strategic clarity.
No prior AI background is required. Participants will be introduced to the relevant AI tools and will learn how to apply them effectively throughout the program.
Discounts & Grants Available
Volume Discounts
Queen’s Executive Education is pleased to offer a 15% discount for organizations that pre-pay for five or more seats on any of our programs within a 12-month period. Check your eligibility to receive a volume discount
Registered Charities
Queen’s Executive Education is pleased to offer a limited number of discounted seats in every program to employees of Canadian registered charities. Check your eligibility to receive a registered charity discount
A Recognized Symbol of Excellence
Participants who complete the program earn the Strategic Thinking: Turning Complexity into Clarity digital badge credential.
Participant Benefits
- Sharper strategic judgment — the ability to cut through complexity and focus on the few choices that matter most
- Improved diagnostic skills — distinguishing symptoms from root causes in strategic and competitive challenges
- Clearer prioritization — making disciplined resource allocation decisions when trade-offs are unavoidable
- Practical AI fluency for strategy — knowing what types of AI tools can support strategic thinking
Organizational Benefits
- Clearer and more coherent strategies — AI-supported sensemaking helps leadership teams reduce complexity, surface core strategic choices, and focus on a small number of coherent priorities rather than diffuse initiatives
- More disciplined resource allocation — AI-assisted evaluation of strategic options enables organizations to allocate resources toward strategically meaningful positions
- Enhanced strategic positioning — AI tools help visualize competitive landscapes, compare strategic positions, and identify distinctive value propositions
- Faster and more effective strategy implementation — shared AI-supported frameworks and simulations improve alignment across leadership teams, translate strategic intent into actionable priorities, and support ongoing strategic adjustment as conditions change
Day 1: Strategic Thinking in Action
- Decoding strategy
The fundamentals of strategic thinking: what makes a decision strategic, how to identify core strategic priorities, and how to assess strategy effectiveness - Diagnosing competitive challenges
Using AI-supported analysis to diagnose strategic challenges, distinguish symptoms from root causes, and clarify the nature of the strategic problem
Day 2: Strategic Positioning and Strategic Options
- Strategic repositioning and visualization
Mapping competitive landscapes, visualizing strategic positions, and understanding relative positioning using AI-enabled tools - Discovering and evaluating strategic options
Identifying viable strategic alternatives, testing repositioning options, and assessing their implications
In-Person Learning
Learn alongside fellow participants from across the country, discovering best practices that span industries and sectors.
Our in-person programs include classroom learning sessions led by award-winning Smith School of Business professors and industry experts. Practice new skills in breakout sessions, projects and simulations, and apply your learning toward real-world case studies.
SmithToronto
SmithToronto is located on the 30th floor, 200 Front Street West in the heart of Canada's financial centre and is easily accessible by GO, subway and the PATH system.
Smith School of Business delivers many programs and classes at SmithToronto and it is home to the Master of Finance, Master of Management Analytics, and Master of Management in Artificial Intelligence programs. The site includes classrooms, meeting rooms, staff offices, special events spaces, and a variety of multi-media presentation systems.
As well, it includes three Boardroom Learning Centres with fully interactive videoconference capabilities. These rooms are used to deliver classes for Smith’s Executive and Accelerated MBA programs.
Session Leaders
Session leaders include senior professors from Smith School of Business and knowledgeable experts from industry. These outstanding teachers are constantly in touch with today's business world through real-world business experience, Board memberships and their own consulting practices.
Goce Andrevski is an Associate Professor and Distinguished Faculty Fellow of Strategy at Smith School of Business, Queen's University, Canada. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky and teaches courses in competitive strategy, dynamic strategy execution, and business and corporate strategy across undergraduate, graduate, and MBA programs.
His research focuses on competitive strategy, competitive dynamics, alliance networks, and diversity management. Goce’s work has been published in leading academic journals, including the Academy of Management Review, Information Systems Research, Journal of Management, Journal of Personality, Journal of Business Research, and Strategic Organization.
Goce has received numerous accolades for his teaching and research, including the 2008 Provost’s Outstanding Teaching Award (University of Kentucky), the 2023 Distinguished Teaching Fellowship (Queen’s University), the 2009 Best Doctoral Student Paper Award (Academy of Management), the 2010 Best Published Paper Award (Information Systems Research), the 2011 Dorothy Harlow Best Paper Award (Academy of Management), the 2022 Best Paper Prize for Advances in Strategic Management (British Academy of Management), and the 2022 Best Proposal Finalist (Strategic Management Society). His research has also been supported by SSHRC grants from the Government of Canada, totaling $431,721.
In addition to his academic achievements, Goce has extensive consulting experience in business strategy and public policy. He regularly advises executives from diverse sectors, including the automotive industry, professional sports organizations, and government institutions. His expertise helps leaders address complex strategic challenges, enhance organizational performance, and develop innovative solutions to policy-related and business issues.
Upcoming Sessions
200 Front Street West
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