SPS recently held its annual general meeting (AGM) and a subsequent executive meeting of the trustees. The focus of the AGM was a report on the progress made towards the goals outlined at the previous AGM, and to discuss future goals. We have made significant progress by introducing fellowships; attracting enthusiastic support for our business schools initiative and the establishment of SPS Strategy Clubs at business schools; from the first SPS Strategy Club event at Cardiff; and a pilot project for the establishment of overseas branches with developments in Ireland, Turkey and Brazil. It was also noted that membership revenue in the first five months of the financial year was up approximately 25% on a like-for-like basis with the same period last year. Taking account of income from new initiatives, this increase was closer to 50%.
However, there remains much still to do before our vision – to be the leading professional body for strategy and strategists – and our mission – to elevate strategy towards the status of established and recognised professional discipline – become reality.
A commitment was made to continue working on the initiatives already introduced, and to implement new initiatives identified over the past few months as central to achieving our mission.
New initiatives include the establishment of a ‘Body of Knowledge’, the establishment of standards (accreditation of courses, and possibly the certification of practitioners), and other such measures that might be expected within a profession. Committees of experts and recognised authorities on strategy are being invited to help design and develop the initiatives. We also plan a working conference with various constituents who may have an interest in what we are doing. A special issue of Strategy Magazine will provide context and detail to all these developments.