Economic Research Center conducted strategic planning training for think-tanks

Economic Research Center ( ERC) conducted 3 days training for civil society institutions on “ Strategic Planning in think-tanks” within the framework of “Enhancing the effectiveness of government by strengthening the role of think tanks in decision-making arena” project funded by European Union on October 22-24, 2012. 
The managers and researchers from 17 partner non-governmental organizations, including 3 regions ( Ganja, Shaki) with 22 representatives participated at the training. The training was conducted by Rainer Heufers, the executive director of “ Siap Solutions Pte Ltd” consulting company. Siap Solutions Pte Ltd, a Singapore-based consulting firm that provides strategic counseling, public policy consulting, leadership training, and other services to international think tanks, political parties, corporations, and government agencies. Rainer Heufers is also senior consultant
He is also a Senior Fellow of the Atlas Economic Research Foundation where he leads the annual “Think Tank MBA”. Since the inception of that program in 2008, he has trained leaders of more than 100 think tanks in six continents to develop strategic business plans and to improve their leadership skills.
At the opening of the training, Gubad Ibadoglu, the member of ERC Management Board delivered his remarks before participants and talked about the development of think-tanks in and current issues in this field in Azerbaijan. He also conveyed his gratitude to European Union for having positive response to proposal of ERC on structuring think-tank towards international standards. G.Ibadoglu also presented trainer to participants.
Afterwards, Olaf Heidelbach, the representative from European Union underlined the significant role of think-tanks in public life and that governments have critical approach over opinions and recommendations of think-tanks as such: “Our main goal on funding this project is to improve think-tanks in Azerbaijan so that they can submit necessary recommendations to governments. This can be feasible when those recommendations are referred to appealing and depth studies and analysis.”
After opening remarks the training was unleashed and at the first day of the training R. Heufers provided participants about “Strategic thinking- Introductory to strategic planning”. Within tuthe frames of the topic attendees discussed over strategic planning, mission and statements. During discussions, the trainer informed participants about the significance of strategic planning, expected effects from this and others as well. Furthermore, they were divided into groups and prepared presentations, exchanged their views. In addition, at the first day of the training participants were involved to discussions over SWOT analysis, the key component of strategic planning.
The second day of the training was dedicated to the topics on “ Improving of strategic planning”, “ Formulation of strategic movements”, “ Objectives before strategic planning”, “ Target audiences” and at the same time group works and discussions were also held over these topics.
Finally, at the last day of the training the main focused topics were “ Strategic communication plan”, “ ways of integrating communication to strategic plan”, “ strategic assessment- outcomes, chain analysis”.
At the end of the training the member of ERC Board of Management Vahid Maharramov thanked to both the trainer and participants on behalf of ERC. He also presented gifts reflecting history and culture of Azerbaijan to Rainer Heufers.
For more information you can contact to project coordinator Dünya Camalova on the following contacts.
Tel: +99412 4651847, E-mail: office@erc.az