Advanced Business Strategy from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Dynamic Strategy

Studebaker, Remington, Sears, Kodak. Companies that were leaders in their time but failed to adapt to change. In this module, we'll explore the impact of disruptive innovations and how companies can navigate these changes, evolve over time, and avoid the pitfalls of the competitive life cycle. By the end of this module, you will be able to complete a competitive life cycle analysis. Let's get started.

International Strategy

Welcome! Industry and firm globalization has taken off in the past few decades. Firms can realize great gains by moving into foreign markets, but they only do so if they act strategically. In this module, we'll discuss the rise of globalization and explore two primary strategic questions: Where to compete and how to enter that market. We'll consider the pros and cons of strategic options for entering foreign markets. By the end of this module, you'll be able to complete an internationalization analysis.

Diversification Strategy

Corporate strategy is often a question of diversification. How can firms leverage their current position across markets to build profits? In this module, we'll discuss firm scope and the financial, operational, and strategic reasons to expand and diversify. We'll explore the theory of the firm--or why firms exist and how this relates to their scope. By the end of this module, you'll be able to develop a diversification matrix.

Stakeholder Strategy

How can a firm's values add value to the firm? Stakeholder management is a way of thinking about ethical considerations impacting an organization's strategy. In this module, we'll discuss how effective business strategy considers the impact of a firm's decisions and actions on various stakeholders, both primary and secondary, and uses that knowledge to guide strategic actions. By the end of this module, you'll be able to complete a stakeholder analysis.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Introduces and develops core strategic analysis skills, which are indispensable for successful navigation through changing business environments

Taught by experienced faculty from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia, ensuring the transmission of industry-recognized knowledge

Covers vital concepts such as competitive dynamics, industry analysis, international strategy, diversification strategy, and stakeholder strategy, broadening learners' understanding of business strategy

Provides a framework for understanding how businesses can adapt to disruptive innovations and sustain their competitiveness over time

Explores the intricacies of international expansion and strategic entry into foreign markets, enhancing learners' global mindset

Reviews summary

Well-received business course

Learners say that this advanced business strategy course is largely positive, with many remarks being highly positive. The course is praised for its practical content and engaging assignments, and for being well-paced and well-organized. Many positive highlights are given towards the instructors, who are commended for their detailed explanations, real-world examples, and passion for the subject matter.

In-depth, well-rounded

"This course is enriched with core business strategy concepts, easily understandable lectures and materials."

"Its an excellent course for professionals into Business Development, and Marketing domains. Highly recommended"

"The course is amazing and both professors are really articulate and explain the topic very well making it easy to follow and remember. Thank you so much!!"

Well-organized, coherent

"Advanced Business Strategy is a great continuation for those who already attended the first course of Specialization."

"I appreciate the quality you brought to these courses because it motivates you when you are engaging in something with high standards."

"Top rated course! Very professional and structured excellently. I couldn't even point out anything negative about it."

Detailed, thorough

"I really enjoyed studying this course. I have learnt important skills that will take my business far."

"The lecturers give practical examples to deliver the content. this makes the course easier to understand."

"Advanced Business Strategy help you understand the way we can expand the business within an organization how, really good the explanation of the teachers! "

Real-world examples, applicable skills

"Great course and overall flow. Learnt a lot about business strategy, probably more than ever any book could teach me."

"This course will ensure you to understand business strategy with real examples."

"Thanks to the respected professors, I think this course provides a good perspective on understanding the concepts of founding and developing a competitive business position by introducing various analytics and researches method and tools."

Experienced, engaging

"The instructors have the best strategy to teach concepts and make them easy to understand."

"With this course I actually understood that how I can apply the theoretical part into practical/real-time world."

"Un curso totalmente completo, donde se aprende a analizar los ciclos de vida de las empresas, puedes aprender estrategias que ayudan a llegar a los mercados objetivos."

Career center

Learners who complete Advanced Business Strategy will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Corporate Strategy Manager

Corporate strategy managers develop and implement long-term strategies for their companies. They need to have a strong understanding of business strategy and financial analysis. The Advanced Business Strategy course can help corporate strategy managers develop the skills they need to succeed in their careers. The course covers topics such as competitive analysis, industry analysis, and corporate strategy. This knowledge can help corporate strategy managers make sound strategic decisions and help their companies achieve their goals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Strategy Manager

Product Manager

Product managers develop and manage products for their companies. They need to have a strong understanding of business strategy and marketing. The Advanced Business Strategy course can help product managers develop the skills they need to succeed in their careers. The course covers topics such as competitive analysis, industry analysis, and corporate strategy. This knowledge can help product managers develop products that meet the needs of customers and help their companies achieve their goals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Investment Banker

Investment bankers help companies raise capital and advise them on mergers and acquisitions. They need to have a strong understanding of business strategy and financial analysis. The Advanced Business Strategy course can help investment bankers develop the skills they need to succeed in their careers. The course covers topics such as financial statement analysis, valuation, and capital budgeting. This knowledge can help investment bankers make sound investment decisions and provide valuable advice to their clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Banker

Marketing Manager

Marketing managers develop and implement marketing campaigns for their companies. They need to have a strong understanding of business strategy and marketing. The Advanced Business Strategy course can help marketing managers develop the skills they need to succeed in their careers. The course covers topics such as competitive analysis, industry analysis, and corporate strategy. This knowledge can help marketing managers develop marketing campaigns that will reach the right customers and help their companies achieve their goals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Consultant

Consultants advise organizations on how to improve their performance. They may work in a variety of fields, including business strategy, information technology, and human resources. The Advanced Business Strategy course can help consultants develop the skills they need to analyze complex business problems and develop effective solutions. The course covers topics such as competitive analysis, industry analysis, and corporate strategy. This knowledge can help consultants provide valuable insights to their clients and help them make better decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Business Development Manager

Business development managers identify and develop new business opportunities for their companies. They need to have a strong understanding of business strategy and marketing. The Advanced Business Strategy course can help business development managers develop the skills they need to succeed in their careers. The course covers topics such as competitive analysis, industry analysis, and corporate strategy. This knowledge can help business development managers identify and develop new business opportunities that will help their companies grow.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Development Manager

Private Equity Investor

Private equity investors invest in private companies and help them grow. They need to have a strong understanding of business strategy and financial analysis. The Advanced Business Strategy course can help private equity investors develop the skills they need to succeed in their careers. The course covers topics such as financial statement analysis, valuation, and capital budgeting. This knowledge can help private equity investors make sound investment decisions and help the companies they invest in grow.

See salaries and explore the career path for Private Equity Investor

Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs start and run their own businesses. They need to have a strong understanding of business strategy and a variety of business disciplines. The Advanced Business Strategy course may help entrepreneurs develop the skills they need to succeed in their careers. The course covers topics such as competitive analysis, industry analysis, and corporate strategy. This knowledge can help entrepreneurs develop business strategies that will help their businesses grow.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur

Business Consultant

Business consultants provide advice to businesses on how to improve their performance. They need to have a strong understanding of business strategy and a variety of business disciplines. The Advanced Business Strategy course may help business consultants develop the skills they need to succeed in their careers. The course covers topics such as competitive analysis, industry analysis, and corporate strategy. This knowledge can help business consultants provide valuable advice to their clients and help them make better decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Consultant

Policy Analyst

Policy analysts develop and evaluate policies for governments and other organizations. They need to have a strong understanding of business strategy and public policy. The Advanced Business Strategy course may help policy analysts develop the skills they need to succeed in their careers. The course covers topics such as competitive analysis, industry analysis, and corporate strategy. This knowledge can help policy analysts develop policies that will achieve their desired outcomes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Sales Manager

Sales managers lead and motivate sales teams. They need to have a strong understanding of business strategy and sales management. The Advanced Business Strategy course may help sales managers develop the skills they need to succeed in their careers. The course covers topics such as competitive analysis, industry analysis, and corporate strategy. This knowledge can help sales managers develop sales strategies that will help their teams achieve their goals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Financial Analyst

Financial analysts provide financial advice to individuals and businesses. They need to have a strong understanding of business strategy and financial analysis. The Advanced Business Strategy course may help financial analysts develop the skills they need to succeed in their careers. The course covers topics such as competitive analysis, industry analysis, and corporate strategy. This knowledge can help financial analysts provide sound financial advice to their clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Operations Manager

Operations managers oversee the day-to-day operations of their companies. They need to have a strong understanding of business strategy and operations management. The Advanced Business Strategy course may help operations managers develop the skills they need to succeed in their careers. The course covers topics such as competitive analysis, industry analysis, and corporate strategy. This knowledge can help operations managers develop operations strategies that will help their companies achieve their goals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit managers lead and manage nonprofit organizations. They need to have a strong understanding of business strategy and nonprofit management. The Advanced Business Strategy course may help nonprofit managers develop the skills they need to succeed in their careers. The course covers topics such as competitive analysis, industry analysis, and corporate strategy. This knowledge can help nonprofit managers develop strategies that will help their organizations achieve their goals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Manager

Researcher

Researchers conduct research on a variety of topics. They need to have a strong understanding of research methods and business strategy. The Advanced Business Strategy course may help researchers develop the skills they need to succeed in their careers. The course covers topics such as competitive analysis, industry analysis, and corporate strategy. This knowledge can help researchers design and conduct research studies that will produce valuable insights.

See salaries and explore the career path for Researcher