Strategic Management from Coursera

The world of business strategy is in transition. What used to work doesn't anymore -- not necessarily.

This course prepares you to think strategically in an age when companies like Apple, Google, and Microsoft have become more valuable (in market cap terms) than companies like Exxon. Today, business value and competitive advantage arise more often from consumer perceptions of what is "cool" than from physical assets or economies of scale.

In this course -- the first of a three-course specialization tailored specifically for the age of creativity and innovation -- you will gear up for the challenges of strategy formulation and implementation in a 21st century business.

After taking the course, you'll be able to:

- Explain why "doing" strategy is considered "the high point of managerial activity" (Mintzberg);

- Recognize and avoid the old, tired ideas about strategy that are still out there, so you can adopt fresher, better ideas;

- Point out how doing strategy has changed because of advancing technology and globalization;

- Prepare for the Capstone Project for the Strategic Management and Innovation Specialization

What's inside

Syllabus

A 21st Century Approach to Business Strategy

A short intro to the Course.

What is strategy? And why do we care about it?

Strategy can mean a lot of things. In this module, you'll encounter examples of strategy in action that demonstrate what people mean when they talk about strategy. After completion of the module, you'll be able to: Describe examples of strategy in action; Recognize "strategic situations"; Explain the difference between strategy as "position" and strategy as "capability" (and why that matters).

The Evolution of Strategy...Past Progress, Past Mistakes

Historically, strategy consulting and strategic planning have been big business. Companies have spent a lot over the years on sophisticated, high-brow "strategic" consulting. For a long time, consultants were the strategy "high-priests" of business. Until it all fell apart. Many past approaches have now fallen into disfavor, having risen spectacularly and failed even more spectacularly. Indeed, the history of business strategy making could be called a "March of Folly" (historian Barbara Tuchman uses this expression to describe a tendency in human history to repeat the same mistakes, again and again). This module explores what the past can teach us, how we might avoid repeating past mistakes.

Changing World, Changing Strategies

In the past several decades, a lot has changed in the world. Many more people and nations (China, India, Russia, etc) have joined the global market economy. The number of Internet users has skyrocketed and continues dramatically upward. Shipping traffic between countries has multiplied and also continues to grow. All this world change has changed the strategy situation of most companies in a big way. It means, for example, that companies in advanced economies have to compete against rivals that have structural cost advantages, because they operate in lower cost parts of the world. This module describes the shifted and shifting strategy landscape, due to the advance of technology and the relentless march of globalization.

Capstone Project Intro -- Strategy in a 21st Century Creative Company

An up-and-coming (and very ambitious) design firm is unexpectedly invited to bid for a work against more prominent competitors. The job: Design the logo and other elements of the public identity of the national sports team. Winning will vault e-Types to much greater prominence. Their work will be displayed on TV and on t-shirts. And they believe they have what it takes to win. But there's a problem. The e-Types designers, who have always thought of themselves as design revolutionaries, don't like the guidance they're receiving from this somewhat conservative client. In short, the designers think what the client is asking for is BORING. It's not the kind of work they want to do or be known for...now or ever! Meanwhile, more business oriented e-Types managers and staff can hardly believe what they're hearing from the designers -- don't they see the opportunity? This is business and there's money to be made. The designers should GET OVER THEMSELVES and satisfy the customer. Right? Controversy grips e-Types. At stake: what kind of company will they be going forward? Can they continue to be revolutionary and still satisfy their growth ambitions? Or is it time for them to "grow up" in order to appeal to a wider range of customers. The battle is on for the soul of this company -- what will YOU recommend?

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines strategy in the 21st century, emphasizing the growing importance of consumer perceptions in the digital age

Emphasizes the shift away from traditional ideas about strategy due to globalization and technological advancements

Explores the challenges and complexities of strategic formulation and implementation in an era of dynamic business landscapes

Introduces the concept of strategy as a high-level managerial activity and highlights its importance in business decision-making

Provides practical guidance for students preparing for the Capstone Project in Strategic Management and Innovation Specialization

Teaches through examples and case studies, making the concepts more relatable and applicable to real-world situations

Reviews summary

Well-received strategic management course

Learners say that Strategic Management is a well-received course with engaging assignments and a knowledgeable instructor. Students also appreciate the reasonable deadlines and clear communication.

Communication is clear.

"The instructor is very responsive and provides timely feedback."

Deadlines are reasonable.

"Deadlines are flexible and allow for a good work-life balance."

Assignments are engaging.

"Assignments are stimulating and encourage critical thinking."

Instructor is knowledgeable.

"Amazing professor, really knows his stuff."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Strategic Management with these activities:

Follow online tutorials on SWOT analysis

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Enhance your understanding of SWOT analysis by following online tutorials.

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Search for online tutorials on SWOT analysis
Follow the tutorials and take notes

Review 'Business Strategy: A Guide for Managers' by Robert Austin

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Familiarize yourself with the fundamentals of business strategy by reading this book.

View The Freelance Way on Amazon

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Read the book and take detailed notes
Summarize each chapter in your own words
Identify the key concepts and theories presented in the book

Complete online simulations on business strategy

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Reinforce your learning of business strategy by completing online simulations.

Browse courses on Business Strategy

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Identify online simulations relevant to the course
Complete the simulations and analyze the results
Reflect on what you have learned from the simulations

Six other activities

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Participate in online discussions on business strategy

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Engage with peers and broaden your perspectives by participating in discussions on business strategy.

Browse courses on Business Strategy

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Find online forums or groups dedicated to business strategy
Participate in discussions and share your insights

Develop a strategic plan for a hypothetical business

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Deepen your understanding of strategic planning by developing a plan for a business.

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Identify the business's goals and objectives
Analyze the business's internal and external environment
Develop strategies to achieve the business's goals
Create a roadmap for implementing the strategies

Conduct a market analysis for a new product or service

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Gain hands-on experience in market analysis by conducting one for a new product or service.

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Define the target market
Gather data on the target market
Analyze the data and identify trends
Develop recommendations based on the analysis

Create a compilation of resources on business strategy

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Centralize your learning materials and enhance your understanding by compiling resources on business strategy.

Browse courses on Business Strategy

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Gather articles, videos, and other resources related to business strategy
Organize the resources into a cohesive collection

Mentor junior students in business strategy

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Solidify your understanding of business strategy by mentoring others.

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Identify opportunities to mentor junior students
Provide guidance and support to mentees
Reflect on your own learning through the mentoring experience

Contribute to open-source projects related to business strategy

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Expand your knowledge and gain practical experience by contributing to open-source projects related to business strategy.

Browse courses on Open Source

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Identify open-source projects that align with your interests
Review the project documentation and contribute code or ideas
Collaborate with other contributors and learn from their expertise

Career center

Learners who complete Strategic Management will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Consultant

Consultants advise companies on how to improve their business strategies. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful consultant, such as the ability to analyze complex business problems, develop creative solutions, and communicate your findings effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Business Analyst

Business analysts help companies identify and solve business problems. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful business analyst, such as the ability to gather and analyze data, identify trends, and develop recommendations for improvement.

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Project Manager

Project managers plan and execute projects to achieve specific goals. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful project manager, such as the ability to plan and manage projects, track progress, and communicate with stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Marketing Manager

Marketing managers develop and execute marketing campaigns to promote products and services. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful marketing manager, such as the ability to develop and execute marketing strategies, conduct market research, and manage marketing budgets.

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Sales Manager

Sales managers lead and motivate sales teams to achieve sales goals. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful sales manager, such as the ability to develop and execute sales strategies, manage sales teams, and close deals.

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Operations Manager

Operations managers plan and execute operations to achieve specific goals. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful operations manager, such as the ability to develop and execute operations plans, manage operations teams, and improve efficiency.

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Human Resources Manager

Human resources managers develop and implement HR policies and procedures to support the organization's goals. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful human resources manager, such as the ability to develop and implement HR policies, manage employee relations, and recruit and hire new employees.

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Financial Analyst

Financial analysts analyze financial data to make investment recommendations. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful financial analyst, such as the ability to analyze financial statements, identify trends, and make investment recommendations.

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IT Manager

IT managers plan and manage IT systems to support the organization's goals. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful IT manager, such as the ability to develop and execute IT strategies, manage IT teams, and improve IT efficiency.

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Data Analyst

Data analysts analyze data to identify trends and patterns. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful data analyst, such as the ability to gather and analyze data, identify trends, and develop recommendations for improvement.

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Market Researcher

Market researchers conduct market research to identify and understand customer needs. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful market researcher, such as the ability to design and conduct market research studies, analyze data, and develop recommendations for improvement.

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Business Development Manager

Business development managers identify and develop new business opportunities. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful business development manager, such as the ability to identify and develop new business opportunities, build relationships with customers, and close deals.

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Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs start and run their own businesses. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful entrepreneur, such as the ability to identify and develop business opportunities, develop and execute business plans, and manage a business.

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Investment Banker

Investment bankers help companies raise capital. This course may be useful for you if you are interested in a career in investment banking.

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Nonprofit Executive Director

Nonprofit executive directors lead and manage nonprofit organizations. This course may be useful for you if you are interested in a career in nonprofit management.

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