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Strategic Leadership and Management Capstone

Jeff Flesher

The capstone is a strategic leadership and management plan where you’ll apply what you will learn to an actual business situation with participation by one or more focal companies. The deliverable will be designed to create value from the perspective of potential employers while achieving pedagogical and experiential goals for learners.

This course is part of the iMBA offered by the University of Illinois, a flexible, fully-accredited online MBA at an incredibly competitive price. For more information, please see the Resource page in this course and onlinemba.illinois.edu.

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Syllabus

Module 1: Capstone Course Overview and Case Introduction

In this module you will become familiar with the Capstone course, your instructor, your classmates, and our learning environment. This Capstone course is based on an extended case study; through the module assignments you will have the opportunity to demonstrate learning gains from the courses that make up the Strategic Leadership and Management Specialization.

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Meets the needs of learners who want a virtual MBA in strategic leadership and management

Taught by Jeff Flesher, who is experienced in strategic leadership and management

Explores strategic leadership and management concepts based on an extended case study

Covers topics such as building leadership teams, identifying opportunities, optimizing support, planning for growth, and leadership development

Provides hands-on experience through assignments and a capstone project

Requires extensive background knowledge in strategic leadership and management

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Reviews summary

Practical strategic leadership capstone

According to learners, this course serves as an excellent culmination for the Strategic Leadership and Management Specialization, offering significant real-world application. Students praise its ability to help them synthesize previous knowledge into a comprehensive strategic plan. The capstone project is described as highly relevant to actual business situations, creating tangible value for potential employers. While the course demands dedicated effort and strong foundational knowledge from the specialization, many find it to be a rewarding experience that directly enhances their strategic leadership capabilities.

Requires dedication and prior specialization knowledge.

"Be prepared for a significant workload; it's a true capstone experience that requires deep engagement."

"I found that having completed the previous courses in the specialization was absolutely essential for success in this capstone."

"This course is demanding, but I believe the depth of learning and the skills gained make it entirely worthwhile."

Integrates learning from the entire specialization.

"This course truly helped me synthesize all the knowledge gained throughout the Strategic Leadership and Management Specialization."

"It's an excellent way to consolidate everything I've learned in the iMBA program's strategic track."

"I appreciated how it brought together diverse topics into a coherent and comprehensive strategic plan for a real company."

Creates a valuable deliverable for career enhancement.

"The final deliverable is designed to impress potential employers, making it a huge asset for my resume and interviews."

"I feel much more confident discussing complex strategic leadership challenges in interviews after completing this capstone."

"The practical project serves as a valuable portfolio piece, demonstrating my ability to apply strategic thinking."

Applies strategic theory to real business challenges.

"I found the capstone project incredibly helpful for applying strategic concepts to real-world scenarios. It wasn't just theoretical; it was actionable."

"This course allowed me to connect all the dots from the previous specialization courses and see how they integrate into a complete strategy."

"The focus on actual business situations made the learning highly relevant and directly applicable to my professional role."

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 Strategic Leadership and Management Capstone with these activities:

Review of Leadership Theories and Concepts

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Refresh your knowledge of foundational leadership theories and concepts to strengthen your understanding of the course material.

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Review textbooks and academic articles on leadership
Identify key leadership theories and their implications
Summarize and synthesize your findings

Explore Thought Leadership Articles and Videos

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Regularly engage with thought leadership content such as articles and videos to stay informed about current trends and perspectives in leadership and management.

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Identify reputable sources for thought leadership content
Read or view thought leadership content on a weekly basis
Reflect on key insights and implications for your own learning and practice

Compile Resource Materials

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Create a repository of materials including case studies, industry reports, and academic articles to support your learning.

Browse courses on Strategic Management

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Identify relevant resources aligned with course topics
Gather and organize materials into a central location or digital platform
Categorize and label resources for easy retrieval
Review and synthesize materials to enhance understanding

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Peer Discussion Groups

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Engage in regular discussion groups with peers to exchange ideas, share insights, and gain diverse perspectives on course topics.

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Form or join a peer discussion group
Establish ground rules and meeting schedule
Prepare discussion topics based on course readings and assignments
Actively participate in discussions, sharing your thoughts and listening to others

Develop a Business Simulation Plan

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Embark on a simulated business project that will challenge you to apply your leadership and management skills in a practical and interactive environment.

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Form a team and define project objectives
Research industry trends and competitive landscape
Develop a comprehensive business plan
Implement your plan through simulated business activities
Monitor progress and adjust strategies based on performance

Case Study Analysis Exercises

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Engage in regular case study analysis exercises to deepen your understanding of real-world business challenges and develop your analytical and decision-making skills.

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Read and analyze case studies provided by the instructor or external sources
Identify key issues and challenges faced by the organizations in the case studies
Develop and evaluate alternative solutions and strategies
Present your analysis and recommendations to peers or the instructor for feedback

Attend Industry Webinars and Conferences

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Participate in webinars and conferences hosted by industry experts to stay updated on current trends, gain insights from thought leaders, and network with professionals.

Browse courses on Industry Trends

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Identify relevant webinars and conferences related to course topics
Register and actively participate in live sessions
Take notes and summarize key takeaways
Network with speakers and attendees to expand your professional connections

Develop a Strategic Leadership Plan

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Synthesize your learnings by creating a comprehensive strategic leadership plan that outlines your vision, goals, strategies, and implementation roadmap for a hypothetical business venture.

Browse courses on Strategic Planning

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Define the scope and objectives of your strategic plan
Conduct industry research and environmental analysis
Establish clear strategic goals and objectives
Develop and evaluate multiple strategic options
Create an implementation plan with timelines, resources, and metrics

Career center

Learners who complete Strategic Leadership and Management Capstone will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Chief Executive Officer

A Chief Executive Officer manages the entire company. They develop strategic plans for the company and are responsible for the overall success of the organization. This course can help an individual become a better CEO because it provides them with the skills and knowledge needed to lead a team, identify opportunities, optimize support, plan for growth, and develop their leadership skills. CEOs need to have a strong understanding of business strategy and management, which this course can provide.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Executive Officer

President

A President is responsible for the day-to-day operations of a company. They work closely with the CEO to develop and implement strategic plans. This course can help an individual become a better President because it provides them with the skills and knowledge needed to lead a team, identify opportunities, optimize support, plan for growth, and develop their leadership skills. Presidents need to have a strong understanding of business strategy and management, which this course can provide.

See salaries and explore the career path for President

Chief Operating Officer

A Chief Operating Officer is responsible for the operational aspects of a company. They work closely with the CEO to develop and implement strategic plans. This course can help an individual become a better COO because it provides them with the skills and knowledge needed to lead a team, identify opportunities, optimize support, plan for growth, and develop their leadership skills. COOs need to have a strong understanding of business strategy and management, which this course can provide.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Operating Officer

Vice President

A Vice President is responsible for a specific area of a company's operations. They work closely with the CEO and President to develop and implement strategic plans. This course can help an individual become a better VP because it provides them with the skills and knowledge needed to lead a team, identify opportunities, optimize support, plan for growth, and develop their leadership skills. VPs need to have a strong understanding of business strategy and management, which this course can provide.

See salaries and explore the career path for Vice President

General Manager

A General Manager is responsible for the overall operations of a company's division or subsidiary. They work closely with the CEO and President to develop and implement strategic plans. This course can help an individual become a better GM because it provides them with the skills and knowledge needed to lead a team, identify opportunities, optimize support, plan for growth, and develop their leadership skills. GMs need to have a strong understanding of business strategy and management, which this course can provide.

See salaries and explore the career path for General Manager

Director

A Director is responsible for a specific area of a company's operations. They work closely with the CEO, President, and VP to develop and implement strategic plans. This course can help an individual become a better Director because it provides them with the skills and knowledge needed to lead a team, identify opportunities, optimize support, plan for growth, and develop their leadership skills. Directors need to have a strong understanding of business strategy and management, which this course can provide.

See salaries and explore the career path for Director

Manager

A Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of a specific area of a company. They work closely with the CEO, President, VP, and Director to develop and implement strategic plans. This course can help an individual become a better Manager because it provides them with the skills and knowledge needed to lead a team, identify opportunities, optimize support, plan for growth, and develop their leadership skills. Managers need to have a strong understanding of business strategy and management, which this course can provide.

See salaries and explore the career path for Manager

Consultant

A Consultant provides advice and guidance to companies on a variety of topics, including strategic planning, leadership development, and organizational change. This course can help an individual become a better Consultant because it provides them with the skills and knowledge needed to lead a team, identify opportunities, optimize support, plan for growth, and develop their leadership skills. Consultants need to have a strong understanding of business strategy and management, which this course can provide.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Analyst

An Analyst gathers and analyzes data to help companies make informed decisions. This course can help an individual become a better Analyst because it provides them with the skills and knowledge needed to identify opportunities, optimize support, plan for growth, and develop their leadership skills. Analysts need to have a strong understanding of business strategy and management, which this course can provide.

See salaries and explore the career path for Analyst

Project Manager

A Project Manager plans and executes projects to achieve specific goals. This course can help an individual become a better Project Manager because it provides them with the skills and knowledge needed to lead a team, identify opportunities, optimize support, plan for growth, and develop their leadership skills. Project Managers need to have a strong understanding of business strategy and management, which this course can provide.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Entrepreneur

An Entrepreneur starts and runs their own business. This course can help an individual become a better Entrepreneur because it provides them with the skills and knowledge needed to identify opportunities, plan for growth, and develop their leadership skills. Entrepreneurs need to have a strong understanding of business strategy and management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur

Business Development Manager

A Business Development Manager identifies and develops new business opportunities for a company. This course can help an individual become a better Business Development Manager because it provides them with the skills and knowledge needed to identify opportunities. Business Development Managers need to have a strong understanding of business strategy, which this course can provide.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Development Manager

Product Manager

A Product Manager develops and manages products for a company. This course can help an individual become a better Product Manager because it provides them with the skills and knowledge needed to identify opportunities, plan for growth, and develop their leadership skills. Product Managers need to have a strong understanding of business strategy and management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Marketing Manager

A Marketing Manager develops and executes marketing campaigns for a company. This course can help an individual become a better Marketing Manager because it provides them with the skills and knowledge needed to identify opportunities. Marketing Managers need to have a strong understanding of business strategy, which this course can provide.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Sales Manager

A Sales Manager leads and manages a team of salespeople. This course can help an individual become a better Sales Manager because it provides them with the skills and knowledge needed to lead a team. Sales Managers need to have a strong understanding of business strategy, which this course can provide.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

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 Strategic Leadership and Management Capstone.

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Written by a renowned strategist, this classic offers a comprehensive overview of corporate strategy, including industry analysis, competitive positioning, and the role of top management in driving organizational success.

Strategic Leadership and Management Capstone

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What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Practical strategic leadership capstone

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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