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Seth Godin

Bestselling author Seth Godin is back with a breakthrough course on strategy. Marketing isn't advertising or hype or hustle, and it begins with an understanding of the systems we seek to work with. Strategy is the ability to see how things change over time, to engage with tension, to offer audiences what they seek by bringing empathy to the work. Strategy is serious, but it uses what we know about games and scarcity and time. Learning how to talk about strategy is the first step in finding a path to make a difference.

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Bestselling author Seth Godin is back with a breakthrough course on strategy. Marketing isn't advertising or hype or hustle, and it begins with an understanding of the systems we seek to work with. Strategy is the ability to see how things change over time, to engage with tension, to offer audiences what they seek by bringing empathy to the work. Strategy is serious, but it uses what we know about games and scarcity and time. Learning how to talk about strategy is the first step in finding a path to make a difference.

In this workshop, you'll discover a new way to engage with the market and most of all, you'll find that the way forward doesn't have to be an endless grind. Through a series of thought-provoking lessons, real-world examples, and practical exercises, Godin will guide you in developing a strategic mindset that embraces change and leverages the power of systems thinking. You'll learn how to identify opportunities, create value for your audience, and develop resilient strategies that adapt to the ever-changing landscape. Whether you're an entrepreneur, marketer, or simply someone looking to make a positive impact, this course will equip you with the tools and insights needed to navigate complexity and create meaningful change. Join Seth Godin on this transformative journey and unlock your potential to make a difference in the world.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Understand the nature of strategy
  • Learn to see and understand systems
  • Create projects that make an impact
  • Discover how empathy can unlock systems change
  • See the game dynamics and change agents all around us

Syllabus

Introduction

Our introduction... let's discover what Strategy is and what it's for.

An elegant strategy helps us create the change we seek to make working with the systems around us.

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  • You don’t have to enjoy the game for it to be a game.

  • You’re playing a game whether you realize it or not.

  • The outcome of a game often has little to do with how much you want to win.

  • Everyone playing the game has a different perspective than you do.

  • Some games are easy to quit, other games are forever.

  • Not all players follow the same rules, even when playing the same game.

  • No game stays the same for long, because playing the game changes the game.

  • Short-term gains can lead to long-term losses, and vice versa.

  • Sometimes, the best way to win is to help others succeed.

  • Large games are made of smaller games, all the way down.

  • Most games are not fair.

  • The most valuable skills in one game may be useless in another.

  • If you see the game, you’ll probably play it better.

  • Your goals might not be the same as everyone else’s.

  • Some games become easier as you win, others more difficult.

  • Changing the game is often more straightforward than playing the game you’re offered.

  • Multiplayer games sometimes conceal themselves as two-player games.

  • We mistakenly spend more time figuring out how to win the game we’re in instead of choosing which game to play in the first place.

Talking about your strategy
Surfing works better when the waves are moving in the right direction.
Windmills and complicated games
Slogans along the way
Feedback loops and the delay
Systems and nodes
Pick your future
Eggs and chickens
Dancer #3
Elements of a system
Continue on your strategy journey
Kindling
Scaffolding
Information changes systems
Quality and spec
The status quo
Three thoughts on games
In the system or on it
What are you defending?
I will if you will
Thoughts on pricing
Now we're beginning to see how systems and games work together on strategy
Objectives
Systems traps
Embrace constraints
Systems under stress
Toward a strategic practice
Agents of change
Can I see the org chart?
The Moses Manipulations
It should all be fitting together now
Chessboxing
The cheese bullies
The birth of jaywalking
Insatiable
Elegant strategies
The clown car (and ludicrous)
Monty Hall and seeing the future
In search of genre
A key part of strategy is getting it done
Half a boat
Living in surplus
Thrash early
Decisions and projects
Charles Mochet and your bicycle
Good decisions
Creating assets
The Bene Gesserit
Seriously, not personally

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Emphasizes the importance of understanding systems, a crucial skill in marketing and strategy development
Focuses on leveraging empathy to drive strategy and create impactful projects
Highlights the principles of game dynamics and change agents, providing valuable insights for navigating complex environments
Taught by Seth Godin, a renowned author and marketing expert, lending credibility to the course content
Suitable for anyone seeking to develop strategic thinking and drive positive change
Note that this course does not provide a comprehensive overview of all marketing concepts

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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 This is Strategy with Seth Godin with these activities:
Review core marketing concepts
Reinforce your understanding of fundamental marketing concepts, such as market segmentation, target audience identification, and marketing mix, to enhance your strategic planning skills.
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Show steps
  • Review notes or textbooks on core marketing concepts.
  • Complete practice exercises to test your understanding.
Identify a mentor in the field of strategy
Seek guidance and support from an experienced professional in the field of strategy, gaining valuable insights and advice to enhance your strategic thinking and decision-making.
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Show steps
  • Research and identify potential mentors in your network or through professional organizations.
  • Reach out to selected mentors and schedule introductory meetings.
Review: 'The Innovator's Dilemma' by Clayton M. Christensen
Gain insights into the challenges and strategies involved in disruptive innovation, improving your understanding of market dynamics and the need for adaptability.
Show steps
  • Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
  • Summarize the main takeaways and apply them to your own business or industry.
  • Identify examples of disruptive innovation in your field.
Four other activities
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Peer group discussion: Debate the merits of different strategic approaches
Engage in critical thinking and collaboration by discussing various strategic approaches with peers, considering different perspectives and evaluating their strengths and weaknesses.
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Show steps
  • Form a peer group with classmates.
  • Select a strategic approach to discuss, such as market penetration or product diversification.
  • Prepare your arguments and research to support your position.
  • Engage in a constructive and respectful debate, listening to and evaluating others' viewpoints.
  • Summarize the key takeaways and insights gained from the discussion.
Blog post: Share your insights on a specific strategy case study
Demonstrate your understanding of strategic analysis by dissecting a real-world case study and sharing your insights with others.
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  • Select a case study that demonstrates a successful or failed implementation of a strategy.
  • Analyze the case study using the concepts and frameworks learned in the course.
  • Write a blog post that outlines your analysis and key takeaways.
Project: Create a strategic plan for a new business venture
Apply the concepts of strategy to a real-world scenario, developing a comprehensive plan that considers market dynamics, competition, and potential risks and opportunities.
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  • Identify and research a target market and business opportunity.
  • Analyze competitive landscape and key market trends.
  • Develop a clear value proposition and differentiation strategy.
  • Outline operational and marketing plans to execute the strategy.
  • Evaluate and monitor progress, making adjustments as needed.
Deliverable: Strategic analysis report on a chosen industry
Conduct in-depth research and analysis on a chosen industry, identifying key trends, competitive dynamics, and potential opportunities for strategic growth.
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Show steps
  • Select an industry of interest.
  • Gather data from market research reports, industry publications, and company websites.
  • Analyze the data to identify industry trends, competitive landscape, and customer insights.
  • Develop a comprehensive strategic analysis report that outlines your findings and recommendations.
  • Present your report to stakeholders or industry professionals for feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete This is Strategy with Seth Godin will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

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