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Thomas Houy, Laurent Gille, and Valérie Fernandez

Facebook, AirBnB, Tesla, Amazon, Uber. In just a few years, companies like these have changed the face of the global economy. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of start-ups are disrupting old business models, taking on centennial industrial groups – and winning. It’s clear that the rules of business have changed forever.

This MOOC provides a knowledge toolkit for the ongoing digital revolution. You’ll discover 10 concepts that are essential for understanding the new mechanisms of digital business and innovation.

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Facebook, AirBnB, Tesla, Amazon, Uber. In just a few years, companies like these have changed the face of the global economy. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of start-ups are disrupting old business models, taking on centennial industrial groups – and winning. It’s clear that the rules of business have changed forever.

This MOOC provides a knowledge toolkit for the ongoing digital revolution. You’ll discover 10 concepts that are essential for understanding the new mechanisms of digital business and innovation.

Each concept is explained in its own beautifully designed, content-rich instructional video, along with additional resources for you to explore. The ideas are illustrated with up-to-the-minute case studies and examples from a wide range of industries.

Week 1 : Why Digital Changes Everything

Week 2 : Creating Value in a Digital World

Week 3 : Thinking and Acting Differently

This MOOC is ideal for learners from a wide range of backgrounds. It is brought to you by three expert professors and researchers from IMT - Telecom Paris, a leading European graduate school in the field of digital technology and social science.

This MOOC is supported by the Patrick and Lina Drahi Foundation.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Why Digital Changes Everything
Many people have yet to realize just how rapid and profound the current digital revolution is, or how quickly it’s breaking down old institutions. Yes, we’re always hearing about Google, Uber, and all those “pirate entrepreneurs.” Yes, we know technology has something to do with it. But the future is approaching even more quickly that we think. Right now, all the pieces are in place to completely change the face of products, technologies, organizations, and entrepreneurship over the next few years. This module will tell you how and why.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores business changes caused by digitization, a rapidly emerging and relatively new phenomenon
Taught by 3 expert professors and researchers from IMT - Telecom de Paris, a leading European graduate school in digital technology and social science
Develops business principles for understanding emerging digital mechanisms and innovation
Introduces essential and contemporary digital business concepts in a beautifully designed, content-rich format
Recommended for learners from multiple backgrounds, such as business, technology, and social science
Supported by the Patrick and Lina Drahi Foundation

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Reviews summary

Digital business: foundational concepts and mindset

According to students, "Digital Business - Understand the digital world" offers a solid foundational understanding of how the digital economy impacts business. Learners appreciate its well-structured content and the use of relevant case studies that effectively illustrate new business models driven by network effects. The course is praised for providing a clear conceptual overview and fostering a crucial 'trial and learn' mindset essential for the digital age. While many find the course highly engaging and a great starting point, some reviewers note that it provides limited practical application or lacks in-depth analysis for those already familiar with the digital landscape, suggesting a focus on broader strategic understanding rather than specific actionable tactics.
Effectively promotes new ways of thinking crucial for the digital era.
"I particularly enjoyed the 'trial and learn' mindset module; it really shifted my perspective."
"The emphasis on thinking and acting differently was a key takeaway for me."
"This course helped me adopt a new mindset for navigating the fast-paced digital world."
Instructors are knowledgeable and present material clearly.
"The instructors were knowledgeable and made complex ideas accessible."
"I appreciated the clear explanations and engaging presentation style of the professors."
"The instructional videos were well-produced and easy to follow, which kept me engaged."
Illustrates concepts effectively with real-world examples.
"The case studies were really insightful and helped me connect theory to real-world examples."
"I found the up-to-the-minute case studies highly valuable for understanding the concepts."
"The examples provided helped solidify my grasp of complex digital business ideas."
Provides a strong conceptual understanding of digital business.
"This course provided a fantastic overview of digital business concepts."
"I gained a solid foundational understanding of how the digital world impacts business."
"It's a great starting point for anyone looking to understand the disruption in the digital economy."
While foundational, some elements might feel less cutting-edge over time.
"Felt a bit outdated in some examples, and didn't really offer much new if you're already familiar with the digital landscape."
"The content is relevant, but some parts felt a bit generic if you already follow tech news."
"I think the course could benefit from updates to reflect the very latest digital trends."
Offers broad concepts; some learners desire more practical application.
"Good for a beginner's introduction, but I was hoping for more in-depth analysis or practical tools."
"I found it to be a good conceptual overview, but if you're looking for actionable strategies, you'll need to supplement this course."
"Too much theory and not enough practical application. I needed more how-to guidance."

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 Digital Business - Understand the digital world with these activities:
Attend Digital Technology Industry Events
Connect with professionals in the digital technology industry and gain insights into the latest trends.
Browse courses on Networking
Show steps
  • Identify and attend industry conferences and meetups.
  • Engage in discussions, share ideas, and build relationships.
Why Digital Changes Everything
Gain a deeper understanding of the fundamental principles of digital business and innovation.
Show steps
  • Read the first three chapters of the book and take notes.
  • Identify the key takeaways and summarize them in your own words.
Creating Value in a Digital World
Explore the concept of value creation in the digital world and the challenges faced by businesses in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
Show steps
  • Read the first five chapters of the book and highlight the key concepts.
  • Analyze the case studies presented in the book and discuss how they relate to the digital economy.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Digital Marketing Masterclass
Develop practical digital marketing skills and strategies for businesses in the digital age.
Browse courses on Digital Marketing
Show steps
  • Attend and actively participate in the workshop sessions.
  • Develop and implement a digital marketing plan for a specific product or service.
Design Thinking for Digital Products and Services
Develop your skills in design thinking and apply them to the creation of digital products and services.
Browse courses on Design Thinking
Show steps
  • Identify a problem or challenge in the digital space.
  • Brainstorm and generate ideas for potential solutions.
  • Develop and refine a solution through prototyping and feedback.
Contribute to Open-Source Digital Projects
Gain hands-on experience in digital technology development and contribute to the open-source community.
Browse courses on Open Source
Show steps
  • Identify a suitable open-source project related to digital business or innovation.
  • Contribute code, documentation, or bug fixes to the project.
  • Collaborate with the open-source community and learn from others.
Data Analytics for Digital Businesses
Enhance your understanding of data analytics and its importance for digital businesses.
Browse courses on Data Analytics
Show steps
  • Complete the tutorials on data analysis using Python or R.
  • Apply the techniques learned to a real-world dataset.
  • Present your findings and insights.
Digital Business Plan
Develop a comprehensive digital business plan for a new or existing business.
Browse courses on Business Plan
Show steps
  • Define the business goals, target market, and value proposition.
  • Outline the digital marketing and sales strategies.
  • Project financial projections and operational plans.

Career center

Learners who complete Digital Business - Understand the digital world will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Digital Marketing Manager
As a Digital Marketing Manager, you will use a course like this one to learn how new technologies are creating transformative changes for a variety of industries. You'll gain a better understanding of the global context of digital marketing and how to adapt to change. This course provides a thorough overview of the ongoing digital revolution, and how to use new media to enhance user engagement and brand value. Whether you are just entering the digital marketing field or looking to expand your skill set, this course will provide valuable instruction.
Software Engineer
To become a Software Engineer, it is imperative that you understand the full scope of digital business. This course can help bridge the gap between your technical expertise as a Software Engineer and the business side of things. You'll learn about digital business strategies and how to adapt to the new rules of business as a result of technology. This course will position you as a Software Engineer who understands the business' needs and can contribute on both technical and operational levels.
Business Analyst
As a Business Analyst, having a foundational knowledge of digital business is extremely important. This course will help you understand the digital marketplace and how it's caused change in industries across the world. With this course, you will learn best practices for creating value in a digital business environment and how to stay ahead of new trends.
Product Manager
As a Product Manager, it is important to understand how digital business works. This course will provide you with that foundation. You'll learn about the new rules of business innovation and value creation in a digital world. This course will provide you with a competitive edge in developing and launching successful digital products.
Data Analyst
As a Data Analyst, you can use a course like this one to stay ahead of the curve with new technologies. This course will teach you about the digital revolution and how to use data to make better decisions. This will provide you with a competitive advantage in any industry.
Project Manager
In Project Management, it is extremely important to be able to adapt to change. This course will teach you about the digital revolution and provide you with the tools to be able to digitally transform your business. You'll learn how to lead teams through the process of innovation and change.
Marketing Manager
As a Marketing Manager, there is no doubt that the digital world is a pivotal part of your practice. This course can help you stay ahead of the curve with new technologies and trends by teaching you about the digital revolution and how to use it to your advantage. Gain a greater understanding of digital business models and how to create value in a digital world.
Entrepreneur
As an Entrepreneur, it is extremely important to be able to understand the digital business landscape if you wish to succeed. This course will teach you the 10 concepts that are essential to understanding the new mechanisms of digital business and innovation. You will learn how to create value in a digital world and how to think and act differently.
Management Consultant
As a Management Consultant, you must have a strong understanding of the digital business environment. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to help your clients succeed in the digital age. You will learn about digital business strategy, innovation, and transformation.
User Experience (UX) Designer
As a UX Designer, it is imperative that you understand the digital world. This course will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the digital business landscape and how to design user experiences that are both effective and engaging.
Web Developer
Expanding your knowledge into digital business is highly advantageous for a Web Developer. This course will help you stay ahead of the curve with new technologies and trends by teaching you about the digital revolution and how to use it to your advantage. With this knowledge, you can make websites that are more engaging and user-friendly.
Data Scientist
As a Data Scientist, it's important to be aware of the digital business landscape. This course can be a valuable asset for learning about the digital revolution and how to use data to make better decisions. This foundational knowledge will help you build successful data science models and provide valuable insights for businesses.
Digital Transformation Manager
As a Digital Transformation Manager, you must stay on top of emerging trends to stay competitive. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to help your organization succeed in the digital age. You will learn about digital business strategy, innovation, and transformation.
Chief Digital Officer (CDO)
As a Chief Digital Officer (CDO), you are responsible for leading your organization's digital transformation. This course can provide you with the big picture view of the digital business landscape, and help you to identify opportunities and risks. You will learn about digital innovation, disruption, and ethical considerations in a digital world.
Digital Marketing Specialist
As a Digital Marketing Specialist, understanding digital business is very important. This course will teach you about the digital revolution and how to use it to market your products or services. You will learn about digital marketing channels, strategies, and measurement.

Reading list

We've selected 15 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 Digital Business - Understand the digital world.
Must-read for anyone who wants to understand how digital platforms are changing the economy. It provides a clear look at the different types of platforms, how they work, and how they can be used to create value.
This book, written by Clayton M. Christensen, classic in the field of innovation. It explores why large, successful companies often fail to innovate, and how they can overcome this challenge. It is one of the must read books for anyone interested in digital business.
Examines the rise of surveillance capitalism and its implications for our privacy, freedom, and democracy. It must-read for anyone who is concerned about the future of technology and its impact on society.
Provides a practical guide to building a successful startup. It must-read for anyone who is interested in starting their own business, or who wants to learn more about the lean startup methodology.
Must-read for anyone who is interested in starting their own business. It provides a unique perspective on what it takes to build a successful company.
Practical guide to getting customers for your startup. It must-read for anyone who is interested in starting their own business, or who wants to learn more about the customer development process.
Guide for digital business strategy where the author discusses the big ideas, frameworks, and strategies for creating successful digital businesses. Although this book is not as technical and focused on business, it is highly relevant.
Explores the potential impact of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies on our economy and our lives. It must-read for anyone who is interested in the future of work and technology.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of machine learning and its potential impact on our lives. It good choice for anyone who wants to understand the future of artificial intelligence.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the history of the digital revolution and its impact on our lives. It good choice for anyone who wants to understand the roots of the digital economy.
This report provides a comprehensive overview of the state of information technology development around the world. It good choice for anyone who wants to understand the global context of the digital economy.
Must-read for anyone who wants to learn more about leadership. It provides a clear and concise framework for understanding what motivates people, and how to inspire them to take action.
Explores the economics of artificial intelligence and its potential impact on our economy. It good choice for anyone who is interested in the future of work and technology.

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