Smarter Operations: Strategic Moves That Free Up Time, Budget and Brainspace

An interactive session on exploring Strategic Thinking

Seminar Brief

When priorities clash, budgets tighten and teams are stretched, it’s leaders who need to step back and think differently. In this session, our experts share how you can tackle the root causes of operational drag — not through tech fixes, but by improving clarity, sharpening delegation and making best use of the people and skills around you. Using Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats theory, we’ll explore strategic thinking, the power of delegation, and the benefits of aligning personalities and specialist skills.

You’ll explore how joined-up thinking across workflows, team structures and decision-making can reduce pressure, cut unnecessary spend and free up time for genuine leadership. Whether you’re managing HR, finance, admin or all of the above, this session will help you identify what’s getting in the way — and give you tools to step into a more strategic role.

In this seminar, we will explore

• Why your role is the glue in the organisational structure

• Understanding who your ‘customer’ is and what they need — and how this streamlines tasks across HR, finance, admin and operations

• How to spot inefficiencies in your existing structures and team setup

• The power of delegation, clarity and communication in reducing workload

• Planning techniques to move from reactive firefighting to proactive leadership

Take-home points

• Practical strategies to improve efficiency without increasing pressure

• Tools to help you simplify operations and strengthen team performance

• First-hand insight from peers who’ve delivered real, sustainable change

• Tips to create more space for the strategic work only you can do

This session is for school business leaders who

Want to improve efficiency, reduce pressure and embed sustainable operational change — whether you’re in a maintained school, SAT or MAT