Strategic Business Growth – Workshop 9 (Managing Risks)

The Appleton Greene Corporate Training Program (CTP) for Strategic Business Growth is provided by Ms. Viswanath Certified Learning Provider (CLP). Program Specifications: Monthly cost USD$2,500.00; Monthly Workshops 6 hours; Monthly Support 4 hours; Program Duration 48 months; Program orders subject to ongoing availability.

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Learning Provider Profile

Ms. Viswanath is a Certified Learning Provider (CLP) at Appleton Greene and has over 20 years of industry experience helping Silicon Valley companies scale and grow. Her initial education was a BS in Nutritional Biochemistry from UC Berkeley and an MPH from UNC Chapel Hill. After some initial work in the medical field, she pivoted to technology where she has been aggressively helping companies with their go-to-market strategy, business development, product management, fundraising, and growth.

In 2020, she started her own consulting company, Viswanath Consulting, LLC which advises early and mid-stage companies on strategic growth, becoming profitable, and succeeding in the marketplace. She also advises and has helped over a dozen technology companies in the Plug & Play accelerator in Silicon Valley design their strategic growth plan and launch and scale successful products.

Though her work has primarily been in cities in the United States, such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, New York, and Miami, she has also worked with companies in Europe and Asia during her tenure.

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MOST Analysis

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Mission Statement

Part 1 Month 9 Managing Risks – Objective: Develop Strategies for identifying and mitigating risks during growth initiatives. Process: Study the Prosci ADKAR model to manage change effectively. Learn how to identify potential risks, create mitigation plans, and ensure smooth implementation. Intended Result: Participants will acquire the skills to manage risks associated with growth initiatives, ensuring successful outcomes.

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Objectives

01. Introduction to Risk Management in Growth Initiatives: departmental SWOT analysis; strategy research & development. Time Allocated: 1 Month
02. The Prosci ADKAR Model for Change Management: departmental SWOT analysis; strategy research & development. Time Allocated: 1 Month
03. Identifying Risks in Growth Projects: departmental SWOT analysis; strategy research & development. Time Allocated: 1 Month
04. Risk Assessment and Prioritization: departmental SWOT analysis; strategy research & development. Time Allocated: 1 Month
05. Developing Risk Mitigation Plans: departmental SWOT analysis; strategy research & development. Time Allocated: 1 Month
06. Integrating Risk Management with Strategic Planning: departmental SWOT analysis; strategy research & development. Time Allocated: 1 Month
07. Leveraging Design Thinking for Risk Management: departmental SWOT analysis; strategy research & development. 1 Month
08. Utilizing Data for Risk Analysis: departmental SWOT analysis; strategy research & development. Time Allocated: 1 Month
09. Continuous Monitoring and Reporting of Risks: departmental SWOT analysis; strategy research & development. Time Allocated: 1 Month
10. Case Studies: Managing Risks in Growth Initiatives: departmental SWOT analysis; strategy research & development. Time Allocated: 1 Month
11. Leadership Strategies for Risk Management: departmental SWOT analysis; strategy research & development. Time Allocated: 1 Month
12. Implementing Risk Management Processes: departmental SWOT analysis; strategy research & development. Time Allocated: 1 Month

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Strategies

01. Introduction to Risk Management in Growth Initiatives: Each individual department head to undertake departmental SWOT analysis; strategy research & development.
02. The Prosci ADKAR Model for Change Management: Each individual department head to undertake departmental SWOT analysis; strategy research & development.
03. Identifying Risks in Growth Projects: Each individual department head to undertake departmental SWOT analysis; strategy research & development.
04. Risk Assessment and Prioritization: Each individual department head to undertake departmental SWOT analysis; strategy research & development.
05. Developing Risk Mitigation Plans: Each individual department head to undertake departmental SWOT analysis; strategy research & development.
06. Integrating Risk Management with Strategic Planning: Each individual department head to undertake departmental SWOT analysis; strategy research & development.
07. Leveraging Design Thinking for Risk Management: Each individual department head to undertake departmental SWOT analysis; strategy research & development.
08. Utilizing Data for Risk Analysis: Each individual department head to undertake departmental SWOT analysis; strategy research & development.
09. Continuous Monitoring and Reporting of Risks: Each individual department head to undertake departmental SWOT analysis; strategy research & development.
10. Case Studies: Managing Risks in Growth Initiatives: Each individual department head to undertake departmental SWOT analysis; strategy research & development.
11. Leadership Strategies for Risk Management: Each individual department head to undertake departmental SWOT analysis; strategy research & development.
12. Implementing Risk Management Processes: Each individual department head to undertake departmental SWOT analysis; strategy research & development.

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Tasks

01. Create a task on your calendar, to be completed within the next month, to analyse Introduction to Risk Management in Growth Initiatives.
02. Create a task on your calendar, to be completed within the next month, to analyse The Prosci ADKAR Model for Change Management.
03. Create a task on your calendar, to be completed within the next month, to analyse Identifying Risks in Growth Projects.
04. Create a task on your calendar, to be completed within the next month, to analyse Risk Assessment and Prioritization.
05. Create a task on your calendar, to be completed within the next month, to analyze Developing Risk Mitigation Plans.
06. Create a task on your calendar, to be completed within the next month, to analyse Integrating Risk Management with Strategic Planning.
07. Create a task on your calendar, to be completed within the next month, to analyse Leveraging Design Thinking for Risk Management.
08. Create a task on your calendar, to be completed within the next month, to analyse Utilizing Data for Risk Analysis.
09. Create a task on your calendar, to be completed within the next month, to analyze Continuous Monitoring and Reporting of Risks.
10. Create a task on your calendar, to be completed within the next month, to analyse Case Studies: Managing Risks in Growth Initiatives.
11. Create a task on your calendar, to be completed within the next month, to analyse Leadership Strategies for Risk Management.
12. Create a task on your calendar, to be completed within the next month, to analyse Implementing Risk Management Processes.

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Introduction

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Business growth is an essential driver of long-term success and competitiveness, but it inevitably brings risks. As companies scale operations, introduce new products, or enter new markets, the risk landscape broadens and intensifies. Risk, in a business context, refers to any event or condition that can cause potential harm or disruption to an organization’s goals. Growth initiatives, by their nature, introduce complexities—whether it’s financial investments, operational scalability, customer demand, or market competition—that need careful management to avoid negative outcomes.

Effective risk management is a systematic process that helps companies anticipate potential challenges, reduce uncertainty, and make informed decisions. It serves as a safeguard against failures that could derail growth plans, tarnish reputations, or lead to financial losses. Growth initiatives, without structured risk management, can become costly missteps. From startups to multinational corporations, the lessons learned from past failures often underscore the importance of integrating risk management into growth strategy from the beginning.

For instance, operational inefficiencies may surface as businesses scale, making it harder to meet growing demand. Financial risks, like cash flow shortages, become more pronounced as growth initiatives require significant investments in infrastructure, human capital, or technology. Market risks, such as emerging competition or shifts in customer preferences, can alter the business environment faster than anticipated. For these reasons, managing risks isn’t just a safety measure—it’s a strategic advantage that drives sustainable growth.

The Importance of Identifying Risks Early

Identifying risks early in the strategic planning process is perhaps the most critical element of risk management. Early identification allows companies to either avoid potential risks or reduce their impact before they can cause significant disruption. By understanding and addressing risks at the outset, businesses are better equipped to maintain momentum and stay aligned with their growth objectives.

Risks can broadly be classified into two categories: internal and external. Internal risks are those that stem from within the organization, such as operational inefficiencies, employee skill gaps, or resource limitations.

These can often be anticipated and controlled, provided the organization has robust internal monitoring and assessment mechanisms. On the other hand, external risks come from outside the organization and can be harder to predict or control. These include changes in regulatory environments, economic downturns, competitive pressures, or technological advancements. While businesses have less control over external risks, they can still mitigate their effects through vigilance and strategic planning.

Several tools and frameworks can assist in the early identification of risks. The SWOT analysis, which assesses an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats, offers a structured approach to identifying internal and external risks. Another effective tool is PESTEL analysis, which focuses on understanding risks associated with the Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, and Legal aspects of a business environment. These frameworks not only provide clarity on the risks themselves but also help businesses understand the broader implications of growth strategies in different contexts.

Mitigating Risks: Proactive vs. Reactive Approaches

Once risks are identified, the next step is determining how to mitigate them. Risk mitigation strategies can be categorized as either proactive or reactive. The key difference between the two lies in timing—proactive strategies aim to prevent risks from occurring, while reactive strategies deal with risks after they have materialized.

Proactive risk management involves anticipating potential challenges and develo