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Crafting Strategies for Innovation Initiatives for Corporate Entrepreneurs

This course focuses on enhancing your understanding of (1) how an internal venture is organized and (2) how to overcome resistance to your new venture ideas within the company. The course is specifically valuable for:

• Employees who have creative ideas important to their company;

• Managers seeking to assemble creative people and resources;

• Technical specialists desiring to become part of an internal venture; and

• Consultants who advise companies on ways to launch and grow internal ventures.

• Employees who have creative ideas important to their company;

• Managers seeking to assemble creative people and resources;

• Technical specialists desiring to become part of an internal venture; and

• Consultants who advise companies on ways to launch and grow internal ventures.

You will learn strategies to help you launch a corporate venture with coursework focused on four key areas:

• Examining how to audit a company's internal environment to establish a framework for its innovation capabilities;

• Creating a plan for an organizational structure and operational format that incorporates key roles and players for internal ventures within the company;

• Analyzing corporate culture to identify creative capabilities that leverage the company's best practices for innovation;

• Evaluating innovation portfolios and compose innovation strategies that are best aligned with the implementation potential within the company.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Innovation Environments and Capabilities

In this module, we will examine how to audit a company's internal environment to establish a framework for its innovation capabilities.

Organizational Structures and Operational Formats

In this module, we will create a plan for an organizational structure and operational format that incorporates key roles and players for internal ventures within the company.

Corporate Culture

In this module, we will analyze corporate culture to identify creative capabilities that leverage the company's best practices for innovation.

Creating an Innovation Strategy

In this module, we will evaluate innovation portfolios and compose innovation strategies that are best aligned with the implementation potential within the company.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores the optimal organization and operation of internal ventures within a company

Taught by Dr. Thomas J. Mierzwa, an experienced instructor in the field

Examines how to overcome resistance to new venture ideas within a company

May be especially valuable for employees, managers, technical specialists, and consultants

Covers key areas such as innovation environments, corporate culture, and innovation strategy

Provides strategies to help launch corporate ventures with a strong foundation

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Reviews summary

Innovation in corporate entrepreneurship concepts

Learners say this theory-based management course has interesting insights and ideas about innovation initiatives. However, students should note that it does not include empirical data and analytics but rather descriptive analytics and no maths or finances.

Course is best for those interested in theoretical ideas.

"if you want pure theory affecting your way of thinking"

Course provides lots of valuable insights on innovation initiatives.

"Very interesting"

"open my mind for new business ideas"

Course is purely focused on theory and descriptions.

"Remember. It is a management course."

"No maths."

"No finances."

"Only descriptive analytics."

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 Crafting Strategies for Innovation Initiatives for Corporate Entrepreneurs with these activities:

Network with Industry Professionals

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Expand your professional network and gain insights by connecting with individuals working in the field of corporate entrepreneurship.

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Attend industry events, conferences, and meetups
Join professional organizations and online communities
Reach out to individuals via LinkedIn or email to schedule informational interviews
Maintain and nurture your professional connections

Practice Ideation Techniques

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Reinforce your understanding of different ideation techniques by applying them to real-world scenarios.

Browse courses on Brainstorming

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Review common brainstorming methods (e.g. Mind Mapping, Scamper, 6-3-5)
Apply a specific technique to generate ideas for a given problem statement
Evaluate and refine the generated ideas based on feasibility and potential impact

Organize a Discussion Group

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Deepen your understanding of course concepts by engaging in discussions with peers, exchanging insights, and challenging perspectives.

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Gather a group of classmates interested in forming a discussion group
Establish meeting frequency and duration
Prepare discussion topics based on course materials or current industry trends
Facilitate discussions, encourage active participation, and synthesize key takeaways

Five other activities

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Learn Project Management Software

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Gain proficiency in using a project management software tool to enhance your ability to plan, execute, and track corporate ventures.

Browse courses on Project Management

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Familiarize yourself with popular project management software (e.g. Jira, Asana, Trello)
Complete online tutorials or courses on the chosen software
Apply the software to plan and manage a small-scale project or case study

Attend an Innovation Conference

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Expand your knowledge and network by attending industry events focused on innovation and corporate entrepreneurship.

Browse courses on Innovation

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Research and identify relevant conferences
Register and attend sessions aligned with your learning goals
Engage with speakers, attendees, and industry experts
Follow up with connections and explore potential collaborations

Develop an Innovation Proposal

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Apply the concepts learned in the course to create a comprehensive proposal for an innovative venture within your organization.

Browse courses on Innovation Strategy

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Identify a problem or opportunity within your company
Conduct market research and develop a value proposition
Outline the business model, target market, and potential revenue streams
Address potential risks, challenges, and mitigation strategies

Mentor a Junior Colleague

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Enhance your understanding of course concepts by sharing your knowledge and experience with others, while also contributing to their professional growth.

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Identify a junior colleague or student who could benefit from your mentorship
Set clear goals and expectations for the mentoring relationship
Provide guidance, support, and resources to your mentee
Receive feedback and reflect on your own learning and development as a mentor

Launch an Innovation Project

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Apply the principles and strategies learned in the course to initiate and execute an innovation project within your organization.

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Identify a specific problem or opportunity within your company
Form a team and secure buy-in from relevant stakeholders
Develop an innovation plan, including a clear vision, roadmap, and milestones
Execute the plan, monitoring progress, and adapting as needed
Evaluate the project outcomes and learn from the experience

Career center

Learners who complete Crafting Strategies for Innovation Initiatives for Corporate Entrepreneurs will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Corporate Entrepreneur

This course can help you become a more successful Corporate Entrepreneur. The course will teach you how to launch a corporate venture, overcome resistance to your ideas, and create a successful innovation strategy. As a Corporate Entrepreneur, you will be responsible for identifying and developing new business opportunities within a large organization. You will need to be able to think creatively, develop a strong business plan, and build a team to support your venture. The course on Crafting Strategies for Innovation Initiatives for Corporate Entrepreneurs can provide you with the skills you need to succeed in this role. The course will help you develop a framework for your innovation capabilities, create a plan for an organizational structure and operational format, and analyze corporate culture to identify creative capabilities that can be leveraged.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Entrepreneur

Innovation Manager

Innovation Managers lead the innovation process within an organization. They are responsible for developing and implementing innovation strategies, and for managing the organization's innovation portfolio. The course on Crafting Strategies for Innovation Initiatives for Corporate Entrepreneurs can provide Innovation Managers with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in this role. The course will help Innovation Managers develop a framework for their innovation capabilities, create a plan for an organizational structure and operational format, and analyze corporate culture to identify creative capabilities that can be leveraged.

See salaries and explore the career path for Innovation Manager

Strategy Consultant

Strategy Consultants advise companies on their strategic direction. They help companies develop and implement strategies for growth, innovation, and efficiency. The course on Crafting Strategies for Innovation Initiatives for Corporate Entrepreneurs can provide Strategy Consultants with the knowledge and skills they need to help their clients develop and implement successful innovation strategies. This course can help Strategy Consultants understand how to align innovation strategies with the implementation potential within a company. The course can also help Strategy Consultants develop the skills they need to overcome resistance to new venture ideas, which is an essential skill for any professional who wants to help companies successfully implement new strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Strategy Consultant

Technology Manager

This course can help Technology Managers lead their teams in developing and implementing new technologies. The course will help Technology Managers develop a framework for their innovation capabilities, create a plan for an organizational structure and operational format, and analyze corporate culture to identify creative capabilities that can be leveraged.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technology Manager

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development and launch of new products. They work with a team of engineers, designers, and marketers to bring a product to market. The course on Crafting Strategies for Innovation Initiatives for Corporate Entrepreneurs can provide Product Managers with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in this role. The course will help Product Managers develop a framework for their innovation capabilities, create a plan for an organizational structure and operational format, and analyze corporate culture to identify creative capabilities that can be leveraged.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Research and Development Manager

Research and Development Managers lead and manage the research and development of new products and technologies. They work with a team of scientists, engineers, and designers to bring new products to market. The course on Crafting Strategies for Innovation Initiatives for Corporate Entrepreneurs can provide Research and Development Managers with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in this role. The course will help Research and Development Managers develop a framework for their innovation capabilities, create a plan for an organizational structure and operational format, and analyze corporate culture to identify creative capabilities that can be leveraged.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research and Development Manager

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns. They work with a team of marketing professionals to develop and implement marketing strategies. The course on Crafting Strategies for Innovation Initiatives for Corporate Entrepreneurs can provide Marketing Managers with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in this role. The course will help Marketing Managers develop a framework for their innovation capabilities, create a plan for an organizational structure and operational format, and analyze corporate culture to identify creative capabilities that can be leveraged.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Program Manager

Program Managers lead and manage complex projects and programs. They are responsible for planning, executing, and delivering projects on time and within budget. The course on Crafting Strategies for Innovation Initiatives for Corporate Entrepreneurs can provide Program Managers with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in this role. The course will help Program Managers develop a framework for their innovation capabilities, create a plan for an organizational structure and operational format, and analyze corporate culture to identify creative capabilities that can be leveraged.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Sales Manager

Sales Managers are responsible for leading and managing a sales team. They work with a team of sales professionals to develop and implement sales strategies. The course on Crafting Strategies for Innovation Initiatives for Corporate Entrepreneurs can provide Sales Managers with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in this role. The course will help Sales Managers develop a framework for their innovation capabilities, create a plan for an organizational structure and operational format, and analyze corporate culture to identify creative capabilities that can be leveraged.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a business. They work with a team of operations professionals to develop and implement operational strategies. The course on Crafting Strategies for Innovation Initiatives for Corporate Entrepreneurs can provide Operations Managers with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in this role. The course will help Operations Managers develop a framework for their innovation capabilities, create a plan for an organizational structure and operational format, and analyze corporate culture to identify creative capabilities that can be leveraged.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Business Consultant

Business Consultants advise companies on ways to improve their performance. These professionals work with companies of all sizes, across all industries. They help companies develop and implement strategies for growth, innovation, and efficiency. The course on Crafting Strategies for Innovation Initiatives for Corporate Entrepreneurs can provide Business Consultants with the knowledge and skills they need to help their clients develop and implement successful innovation strategies. This course can help Business Consultants understand how to align innovation strategies with the implementation potential within a company. The course can also help Business Consultants develop the skills they need to overcome resistance to new venture ideas, which is an essential skill for any professional who wants to help companies successfully implement new strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Consultant

Financial Manager

Financial Managers are responsible for the financial management of a business. They work with a team of financial professionals to develop and implement financial strategies. The course on Crafting Strategies for Innovation Initiatives for Corporate Entrepreneurs can provide Financial Managers with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in this role. The course will help Financial Managers develop a framework for their innovation capabilities, create a plan for an organizational structure and operational format, and analyze corporate culture to identify creative capabilities that can be leveraged.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Manager

Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers are responsible for the human resources management of a business. They work with a team of human resources professionals to develop and implement human resources strategies. The course on Crafting Strategies for Innovation Initiatives for Corporate Entrepreneurs can provide Human Resources Managers with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in this role. The course will help Human Resources Managers develop a framework for their innovation capabilities, create a plan for an organizational structure and operational format, and analyze corporate culture to identify creative capabilities that can be leveraged.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Information Technology Manager

Information Technology Managers are responsible for the information technology management of a business. They work with a team of information technology professionals to develop and implement information technology strategies. The course on Crafting Strategies for Innovation Initiatives for Corporate Entrepreneurs can provide Information Technology Managers with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in this role. The course will help Information Technology Managers develop a framework for their innovation capabilities, create a plan for an organizational structure and operational format, and analyze corporate culture to identify creative capabilities that can be leveraged.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Technology Manager

Project Manager

Project Managers lead and manage projects. They work with a team of project professionals to develop and implement project plans. The course on Crafting Strategies for Innovation Initiatives for Corporate Entrepreneurs can provide Project Managers with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in this role. The course will help Project Managers develop a framework for their innovation capabilities, create a plan for an organizational structure and operational format, and analyze corporate culture to identify creative capabilities that can be leveraged.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Reading list

We've selected ten 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 Crafting Strategies for Innovation Initiatives for Corporate Entrepreneurs.

The Innovator's Dilemma, with a New Foreword

Save

Explores the challenges that established companies face when it comes to innovation, and provides a framework for understanding how to avoid the innovator's dilemma. Offers insights into how to create a culture of innovation within a company.

The Innovator's Dilemma, with a New Foreword: When...

Hardcover

The Innovator's Dilemma, with a New Foreword: When...

Audio CD

The Innovator's Dilemma, with a New Foreword: When...

Kindle Edition

Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...

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Provides a practical guide to implementing the lean startup methodology, which is designed to help entrepreneurs and innovators build successful businesses with minimal resources. Offers insights into how to test and validate ideas quickly and cheaply.

The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...

Hardcover

The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...

Kindle Edition

The Crux

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Provides a framework for developing and evaluating effective strategies. Offers insights into how to identify and avoid common pitfalls in strategy development.

The Crux: How Leaders Become Strategists

Hardcover

The Crux: How Leaders Become Strategists

Kindle Edition