Why Change & Strategy Workshops are Popular for Companies in Singapore During Volatile Times
- Anagram Group
- Apr 15
- 7 min read
In 2025, Singaporean companies—like their counterparts across Asia—have been navigating an increasingly volatile economic landscape.
Global uncertainties, ranging from trade tariffs and supply chain disruptions to geopolitical tensions and inflationary pressures, have intensified the need for agile leadership and strategic clarity.
In this climate, two types of interventions have seen a surge in popularity among forward-thinking organisations: change management training and strategy workshop facilitation.
This article explores why change management workshops and strategic planning retreats have become critical tools for organisations in Singapore. We will also examine the benefits of engaging a professional facilitator, highlight key programmes from leading training providers, and share recent news that underscores the urgency of these initiatives.
Singapore’s Economic Landscape: A Volatile Backdrop
The economic headwinds facing Singaporean companies are not abstract—they are present and palpable.
1. Singapore's Export-Driven Economy Feels the Pinch
According to a recent article by The Business Times (March 2025), Singapore's non-oil domestic exports (NODX) fell by 3.1% in February, driven by weaker demand from China and continued tariff impositions in Western markets. This drop highlights the growing need for companies to pivot strategies quickly, especially in industries like electronics, manufacturing, and shipping.
2. Rising Operating Costs and Talent Uncertainty
A March 2025 report by Channel News Asia revealed that Singapore businesses are grappling with rising labour costs and growing talent uncertainty, especially in the technology and finance sectors. With hiring freezes becoming more common, companies are forced to rethink how they lead, motivate, and manage change with existing teams.
These real-world developments underscore why both change management training for leaders and strategic planning retreats are not just popular—they are essential.
The Rise in Change Management Training in Singapore
In times of turbulence, the most successful companies are not those with the best products, but those with the most adaptable people. Change is no longer an occasional event; it’s a constant. That’s why more HR leaders and L&D managers are turning to change management training to build internal resilience.
What is Change Management Training?
Change management training equips employees, managers, and leaders with the tools to navigate organisational change effectively. Whether it’s digital transformation, restructuring, or mergers, well-trained teams can handle uncertainty with confidence.
Why It’s Popular Now
Frequent internal changes: Restructuring and reorganisation are on the rise across MNCs and SMEs.
Digital transformation: The push towards automation and AI adoption requires mindset shifts at all levels.
Employee resistance: Teams often struggle to embrace change without structured guidance.
Our Trainer and Facilitator Mark Stuart at a session
Top-Ranking Programmes to Consider
In this unique 1 Day Workshop which is a blend of a half day Change Management workshop and half day facilitation, learn how to react to, manage and plan change in an organisation, and plan a strategy for moving ahead.
Duration: 1 day
Price: SGD $4,750 for up to 20 participants, average of $237.50 per pax
This experiential training is best for line managers and middle leaders. It blends theory with practical tools to help managers understand the psychology of change, and how to lead teams through transition.
Duration: 1 day
Price: SGD $4,500 for up to 20 participants, average of $225 per pax
Deep Dive: What Happens in a Change Management Workshop?
Whether you’re investing in change management training for managers or sending your leadership team to a facilitation-style change management workshop, it’s helpful to know what the day actually involves.
This engaging, hands-on workshop is structured around real-world application and human psychology. Participants explore the principles and practices of Change Management, with a strong focus on the emotional and behavioural aspects that determine the success—or failure—of any change initiative.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the session, participants will:
Understand the importance of Change Management and why it is critical for successful interventions.
Apply recognised Change Management frameworks (like Kotter’s 8-Step Model) to diagnose gaps in readiness.
Integrate strategies into project plans to ensure successful change adoption.
Sample Agenda of a Change Management Workshop
Icebreaker Activity: An energising opening exercise that encourages networking and sets the tone for collaborative learning.
The Human Reaction to Change: Covers psychological responses and how to overcome fear or resistance.
Identifying Gaps in Readiness: Helps participants assess organisational readiness and avoid common pitfalls like change fatigue.
Key Change Management Frameworks: Introduces structured approaches for managing change, anchored in real-world case applications.
Creating a Compelling Change Message: Guides participants on how to tailor messaging for different internal audiences and make change “stick.”
Stakeholder Management: Provides tools to map, engage, and collaborate with key stakeholders.
Next Steps: Encourages participants to draft action plans and integrate Change Management principles into ongoing initiatives.
Wrap-Up and Takeaways:
The session ends with a review of insights gained, tools for continued learning, and a clear path forward—making it ideal for organisations undergoing transformation.
Strategy Workshop Facilitation: Driving Alignment in Uncertain Times
While change management training focuses on people, strategy facilitation focuses on direction. During periods of volatility, companies are rethinking markets, product offerings, and operating models. A well-run strategy workshop provides clarity and alignment—especially when facilitated by a neutral, external expert.
Benefits of a Strategy Facilitator
Neutral moderation: A professional facilitator ensures that all voices are heard, not just the loudest.
Faster decision-making: Companies can make quicker strategic pivots when there is structured dialogue.
Cross-functional alignment: Silos are broken, and teams leave with clarity on next steps.
Why Companies Should Invest in Strategy Facilitation Sessions
Beyond the general benefits of strategic alignment, strategy workshop facilitation offers unique advantages that are especially relevant in today’s volatile business landscape.
1. Navigating Market Dynamics
In an era marked by rapid technological advancements and shifting market conditions, organisations must be agile. Strategy facilitation sessions enable companies to assess their current position, anticipate changes, and develop proactive strategies to stay ahead of competitors.
2. Enhancing Organisational Performance
By clearly defining objectives and aligning resources, strategic planning leads to improved efficiency and effectiveness. Companies can identify areas for improvement, prioritise initiatives, and allocate resources strategically, resulting in better overall performance.
3. Fostering Innovation
Facilitated sessions create an environment where creative ideas can flourish. By encouraging diverse perspectives and challenging the status quo, organisations can uncover innovative solutions and opportunities for growth.
4. Building Team Cohesion
Collaborative strategic planning strengthens relationships among team members. Engaging in open dialogue and collective problem-solving enhances trust and cooperation, which are essential for executing strategic initiatives successfully.
Recommended Programme
This workshop-style strategic planning retreat is designed for senior teams to recalibrate business strategy. It combines expert facilitation with activities to build trust and alignment.
Best for: Senior management teams, board members, and strategy leadersDuration: 1 day Price: SGD $4,900 for up to 20 participants, average of $245 per pax
For a longer duration, we also offer a 2-day workshop.
Duration: 2 days
Price: SGD $6,900 for up to 20 participants, average of $345 per pax
The Role of the Professional Facilitator
One of the most powerful enablers of successful workshops is the facilitator. In Singapore, organisations are increasingly engaging external facilitators with deep business acumen, strategic insight, and coaching skills.
Benefits of Hiring a Professional Facilitator
Objectivity: Facilitators do not carry internal bias or organisational baggage.
Structure: They ensure time is well spent, and outcomes are captured clearly.
Engagement: A skilled facilitator makes sessions interactive and inclusive.
Accountability: They follow up with leaders post-workshop to ensure execution.
In fact, facilitators from providers like Anagram Group often bring tools like design thinking, strategic mapping, and leadership frameworks to enhance the value of each session.
Case Study: Financial Services Firm Recalibrates Strategy
One leading bank in Singapore recently engaged Anagram to run a strategy facilitation workshop. The workshop helped leaders prioritise investment areas, redefine customer journeys, and align on KPIs for the next 12 months. According to the Head of Strategy, “Having an external facilitator gave us fresh perspective and kept the conversation focused.”
Popular Tools and Frameworks Used in Strategy Facilitation Sessions
To ensure structured, insightful, and actionable outcomes, professional facilitators often incorporate well-established strategic frameworks into workshops. These tools help leadership teams visualise the external environment, evaluate internal priorities, and align on direction. Here are five commonly used frameworks in strategy facilitation and strategic planning retreats:
1. PESTLE Analysis
PESTLE stands for Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, and Environmental factors. This macro-environmental analysis tool helps organisations identify external forces that could impact business strategy. In volatile times, it is especially useful for surfacing risks and anticipating disruptions.
2. Horizon Curve (Three Horizons Framework)
This framework helps companies think across time frames—what must be sustained now (Horizon 1), nurtured for growth (Horizon 2), and explored for long-term innovation (Horizon 3). Facilitators use it to balance short-term stability with long-term transformation.
3. Balanced Scorecard
Developed by Kaplan and Norton, the Balanced Scorecard aligns business activities to the organisation’s vision and strategy. It considers four perspectives: Financial, Customer, Internal Processes, and Learning & Growth. This tool ensures strategic initiatives are tied to measurable outcomes.
4. BCG Matrix
The Boston Consulting Group Matrix categorises business units or products into Stars, Cash Cows, Question Marks, and Dogs based on market share and growth potential. It helps teams make decisions about resource allocation, portfolio management, and strategic priorities.
5. Porter’s Five Forces
This model examines the competitive forces shaping an industry: Competitive Rivalry, Supplier Power, Buyer Power, Threat of Substitution, and Threat of New Entrants. It is often used in workshops to assess market positioning and rethink competitive strategy.
By applying these tools during strategy workshop facilitation, organisations gain clarity, alignment, and the confidence to act decisively.
Conclusion: Thriving in Uncertainty Starts with People and Purpose
Companies in Singapore that want to remain competitive in an unpredictable world are investing not just in tools or technology, but in mindsets and alignment. Through change management workshops and strategy facilitation sessions, organisations are building the muscle to adapt, realign, and move forward with clarity.
Whether it’s change management training for managers, a corporate retreat facilitation, or a strategic planning workshop, these interventions are proving to be more than just a trend—they’re a necessity.
Explore Anagram Group’s most popular workshops today:
✅ Corporate Retreat Facilitation – 1-Day or 2-Day Available
In times of change, let strategy work for you – not against you.
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