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Joel Lamendola

Leaders and product developers are asked to create value for their customers but often lack the background and tools to understand the markets they serve. This course explains markets and strategy by analyzing consumer and organizational behaviors.

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Leaders and product developers are asked to create value for their customers but often lack the background and tools to understand the markets they serve. This course explains markets and strategy by analyzing consumer and organizational behaviors.

Technology leaders and product developers are expected to create products for their organization that align seamlessly to business goals and product strategy, but many individuals find themselves in over their head with little or no education in product strategy or the market dynamics and business structure and processes that influence that strategy.

In this course, Business Basics, you’ll gain an understanding of markets as defined by consumer and business behaviors and recognize the broad influence of business purpose and corporate structure and governance on product strategy.

Many of us have unconsciously assumed models of how consumers and businesses behave, but we have no firm reason in mind as to why we expect these behaviors. This course provides a foundation for continuing exploration of product strategy under the constraints of business goals, corporate structure, and corporate governance.

This course is great for both technology leaders who are responsible for the direction of products and their impact on their business and for individual contributors that want to understand the context and potential impacts of their daily work on their business.

Explore the meaning of markets and learn a couple essential basic theories of business and consumer behaviors, discover how a business’s purpose is explicitly defined and shapes the behaviors of its employees, and identify the impacts of corporate structure and governance on your product strategy.

There are no prerequisites to learn the fundamentals taught in this beginner-level course.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview
Market Models and Their Influence on Your Product
Understanding Business Motivations and Goals
Corporate Structure as a Foundational Element of Business
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Corporate Governance’s Influence on Product Strategy

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Introduces the basics of product strategy, which is valuable for both technology leaders and those who want to understand the impact of their work on their business
With no prerequisites, this course is accessible to beginners
Teaches the models of consumer and business behaviors, which can help learners make informed decisions
Covers the influence of corporate structure and governance on product strategy, which is essential knowledge for technology leaders

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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 Business Basics with these activities:
Read 'The Lean Startup' by Eric Ries
Gain insights into developing and validating product ideas quickly and effectively.
Show steps
  • Purchase or borrow the book
  • Read the book at your own pace, taking notes and highlighting key points
  • Summarize the main concepts and their relevance to your learning
Review basic marketing principles
Gain a solid understanding of these core concepts for a strong foundation.
Browse courses on Marketing Strategy
Show steps
  • Read articles on marketing fundamentals
  • Review notes or purchase a beginner-level textbook on marketing
  • Complete online quizzes or interactive exercises on marketing concepts
Participate in a group discussion on market trends
Engage with peers, exchange ideas, and gain diverse perspectives on current market dynamics.
Browse courses on Market Trends
Show steps
  • Find a group of classmates or join an online forum dedicated to course discussions
  • Choose a specific market or industry trend to discuss
  • Prepare talking points and participate actively in the discussion
Six other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all nine activities
Develop a product strategy for a hypothetical company
Develop a deep understanding of the principles and processes involved in creating a product strategy.
Browse courses on Product strategy
Show steps
  • Define the target market and customer persona
  • Analyze the competitive landscape
  • Develop a value proposition and product roadmap
  • Create a financial plan and marketing strategy
Explore case studies of successful product strategies
Learn from real-world examples and see how these principles are applied in context.
Browse courses on Product strategy
Show steps
  • Identify a few well-known products or companies with successful product strategies
  • Read case studies or articles analyzing these strategies
  • Consider the market dynamics, target audience, and key differentiators in each case
Practice solving marketing case studies
Develop your analytical and problem-solving skills by working through real-life scenarios.
Browse courses on Marketing Case Studies
Show steps
  • Find a collection of marketing case studies online or in textbooks
  • Read the case study and analyze the situation
  • Formulate a solution and justify your recommendations
Develop a market analysis for a hypothetical product
Apply your knowledge to a practical scenario and identify potential opportunities.
Browse courses on Market Analysis
Show steps
  • Define the target market and product category
  • Conduct research on market size, trends, and competition
  • Analyze the results and identify customer needs and market gaps
  • Create a presentation or written report summarizing your findings
Develop a blog post or article on a specific market topic
Deepen your understanding by researching, writing, and sharing your insights on a specific topic.
Browse courses on Market Research
Show steps
  • Choose a particular market or marketing-related topic to focus on
  • Conduct thorough research to gather data and insights
  • Develop an outline and write a well-structured blog post or article
  • Publish your content online or share it with your peers
Contribute to an open-source marketing tool or project
Gain hands-on experience and connect with the wider marketing tech community.
Browse courses on Open Source
Show steps
  • Explore various open-source marketing tools and projects online
  • Identify an area where you can contribute your skills and knowledge
  • Join the project's community and start contributing code, documentation, or other support

Career center

Learners who complete Business Basics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
CEOs have the overall responsibility for leading and managing organizations. They set strategic direction, oversee operations, and ensure the long-term success of their companies. This course provides CEOs with a comprehensive understanding of market dynamics, business motivations, and corporate governance, equipping them to make informed decisions, drive organizational growth, and create value for stakeholders.
Product Manager
Product Managers are responsible for developing and managing products that meet the needs of customers. They work closely with engineers, designers, and marketing teams to ensure that products are aligned with business goals and market demands. This course provides Product Managers with valuable insights into market dynamics, business motivations, and corporate structures, enabling them to make informed decisions and develop successful products.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts help organizations make informed decisions by analyzing their business needs, processes, and systems. They identify opportunities for improvement and recommend solutions to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. This course provides Business Analysts with a solid foundation in market analysis, consumer and organizational behaviors, and corporate governance, which are essential for understanding the context in which businesses operate and making informed recommendations.
Market Researcher
Market Researchers gather, analyze, and interpret market data to provide insights into consumer behavior, market trends, and competitive landscapes. This course provides Market Researchers with a comprehensive understanding of market segmentation, research methodologies, and corporate governance, equipping them to conduct effective research and make informed recommendations.
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
COOs oversee the day-to-day operations of organizations, ensuring efficient and effective execution of processes. They manage budgets, resources, and teams to achieve operational goals and drive continuous improvement. This course provides COOs with a comprehensive understanding of business motivations, corporate structures, and governance, enabling them to effectively manage operations and contribute to the overall success of their organizations.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers develop and execute marketing strategies to promote products and services, increase brand awareness, and drive sales. This course provides Marketing Managers with a comprehensive understanding of market segmentation, consumer behavior, and corporate governance, empowering them to create effective marketing campaigns that resonate with target audiences and align with business objectives.
Business Development Manager
Business Development Managers identify and pursue new business opportunities to drive growth and revenue. They develop and implement strategies to acquire new customers, strengthen partnerships, and expand into new markets. This course provides Business Development Managers with a comprehensive understanding of market dynamics, consumer behavior, and corporate governance, empowering them to effectively identify and capitalize on growth opportunities.
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
CFOs are responsible for managing the financial resources of organizations. They oversee financial planning, budgeting, and reporting, and ensure compliance with financial regulations. This course provides CFOs with a solid foundation in market analysis, business motivations, and corporate governance, enabling them to effectively manage financial resources and contribute to the overall success of their organizations.
Consultant
Consultants provide expert advice and support to organizations across various industries. They help businesses improve their performance, solve problems, and achieve strategic goals. This course equips Consultants with a strong foundation in market analysis, business motivations, and corporate structures, enabling them to provide insightful recommendations and drive positive outcomes for their clients.
Sales Manager
Sales Managers lead and motivate sales teams to achieve revenue targets, build customer relationships, and drive growth. They develop and implement sales strategies, manage pipelines, and provide coaching and support to sales representatives. This course provides Sales Managers with a solid foundation in market segmentation, consumer behavior, and corporate governance, enabling them to effectively lead sales teams and drive revenue growth.
Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
CTOs are responsible for leading and managing the technology functions of organizations. They develop and implement technology strategies, oversee research and development, and ensure alignment with business goals. This course provides CTOs with a solid foundation in market analysis, business motivations, and corporate governance, enabling them to effectively lead technology teams and drive innovation within their organizations.
Data Analyst
Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to identify trends, patterns, and insights. They help businesses make informed decisions based on data-driven evidence. This course provides Data Analysts with a solid understanding of market research, consumer behavior, and corporate governance, enabling them to extract meaningful insights from data and make effective recommendations.
Project Manager
Project Managers plan, execute, and oversee projects to achieve specific goals within defined constraints. They coordinate teams, manage resources, and ensure project deliverables are met on time and within budget. This course provides Project Managers with a solid foundation in market analysis, business motivations, and corporate governance, enabling them to effectively manage projects that align with business objectives and stakeholder expectations.
Operations Manager
Operations Managers oversee the day-to-day operations of businesses, ensuring efficient and effective execution of processes. They manage budgets, resources, and teams to achieve operational goals and drive continuous improvement. This course provides Operations Managers with a comprehensive understanding of business motivations, corporate structures, and governance, enabling them to effectively manage operations and contribute to the overall success of their organizations.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts evaluate and interpret financial data to provide insights into a company's financial performance and prospects. They develop financial models, conduct research, and make recommendations on investment decisions. This course provides Financial Analysts with a solid foundation in market analysis, business motivations, and corporate governance, enabling them to effectively analyze financial data and make sound investment recommendations.

Reading list

We've selected 13 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Business Basics.
This highly acclaimed book provides a practical framework for developing effective strategies. It complements the course's emphasis on business strategy by explaining the key elements of a good strategy and how to avoid common pitfalls.
This seminal work provides a foundational understanding of how to position your product or service in the minds of consumers. It complements the course's focus on market models and consumer behaviors by exploring the strategies and tactics used to create and maintain a competitive edge.
This practical guide provides a step-by-step process for acquiring customers for a new business. It valuable resource for product developers who want to launch their products successfully and build a sustainable business.
This best-selling book introduces the concept of the "lean startup" methodology, which emphasizes iterative product development and customer feedback. It provides valuable insights for product developers who want to create innovative products that meet market needs.
This practical guide provides a step-by-step process for developing value propositions that meet customer needs. It is particularly valuable for product developers who want to create products that are both desirable and profitable.
This practical guide provides a step-by-step process for using lean product development to create innovative products with less risk and uncertainty. It valuable resource for product developers who want to adopt a more iterative and customer-centric approach.
This classic work explores the challenges faced by established companies when they try to innovate. It provides a framework for understanding disruptive technologies and how to avoid the "innovator's dilemma."
Explores the characteristics of successful innovators and provides practical tips for developing the skills necessary for disruptive innovation. It valuable resource for product developers who want to create products that change the game.
Provides practical insights into the challenges and opportunities of scaling up a business while maintaining a culture of excellence. It valuable resource for leaders and product developers who want to build a scalable business without compromising on quality.
This thought-provoking book challenges the traditional view of competitive advantage. It provides insights into the challenges of competing in a rapidly changing business environment and offers strategies for staying ahead of the competition.
Argues that design thinking is not just for product designers, but is essential for all businesses. It provides a practical framework for using design thinking to solve business problems and create innovative solutions.
This business novel tells the story of a manufacturing plant manager who must find a way to improve productivity. It provides a practical framework for understanding the principles of operations management and how to optimize business processes.

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