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Professor Buck Goldstein
and
Dr. Holden Thorp, PhD
Whether your interest lies in solving the world’s biggest problems, creating the next commercial success or addressing something closer to home, this course will give you a toolbox to vet your ideas and test them in the real world.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/lfmgn0/what's
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What's inside
Syllabus
Think
We start at the beginning with your big idea and where it comes from: your everyday experience
and known sources of innovation as described by Peter Drucker.
Read more
Syllabus
Think
We start at the beginning with your big idea and where it comes from: your everyday experience
and known sources of innovation as described by Peter Drucker.
Read more
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Introduces key concepts of entrepreneurship, including innovation, strategy, and resource management
Designed for individuals looking to solve problems, create successful ventures, or address personal challenges
Structured with a clear and logical entrepreneurial lifecycle framework: Think, Listen, Plan, Clarify, Support, Iterate
Taught by experienced professors Buck Goldstein and Holden Thorp, who bring academic and industry expertise
Save this course
Create your own learning path.
Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
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Save
Reviews summary
Vetting your business idea
According to learners, this course offers a structured approach and a practical toolbox for anyone looking to develop and test a business or project idea. Students appreciate the way it breaks down the entrepreneurial lifecycle into manageable steps, providing helpful frameworks from thinkers like Drucker and Porter. Many found the content clear and easy to follow, making complex concepts accessible. While the core material is considered a solid foundation for vetting ideas and understanding market strategy, some reviewers noted that certain examples might feel slightly dated and that those seeking very deep dives into specific business areas might need supplementary resources. Overall, it's seen as a valuable starting point for turning a concept into a viable plan.
Excellent introduction to idea validation.
"This course is a great introductory overview for anyone with a business idea looking to refine it."
"If you are at the very beginning stages of forming an idea, this is a perfect place to start."
"It helped me to articulate my idea in a simple way for the first time."
"As a beginner, I found the course material easy to grasp and very encouraging."
Applies useful theories to real-world ideas.
"Applying Drucker's sources of innovation and Porter's strategies was incredibly insightful."
"I found the tools and frameworks shared in this course to be immediately applicable to my own idea."
"Learning about Michael Porter's work on strategy was a highlight for me."
"The course gives a toolbox to vet your ideas and test them in the real world."
Provides a clear, step-by-step process.
"It provided me with a very concrete and clear step by step way to move from idea to viable plan."
"I really appreciated the 6 steps of the Entrepreneurial Lifecycle. It provided a simple yet powerful framework to analyze my big idea."
"The course laid out a very clear path to validating your business idea."
"The framework presented for evaluating ideas is highly useful and easy to apply."
Some content feels a bit out of date.
"Some of the examples felt a bit outdated, but the core concepts are still relevant."
"While the principles are timeless, I think a few updated case studies would make it even stronger."
"The foundational theories are great, but the way they were presented in some examples could be refreshed."
"Found some content slightly dated."
May require further study for depth.
"This course is a solid starting point, but you'll need to explore other resources for deeper dives into specific areas."
"It provides a good overview, but don't expect exhaustive coverage of every business aspect."
"I would recommend this course as a prerequisite for more advanced entrepreneurship studies."
"Useful as an introduction, but further research is necessary for implementation."
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 What’s Your Big Idea? with these
activities:
Read 'The Innovator's Dilemma'
Show steps
Gain insights into the challenges and strategies of innovation from a seminal work in the field.
View
The Innovator's Dilemma, with a New Foreword
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read and analyze key chapters of the book, focusing on the concepts of disruptive innovation and Christensen's framework.
-
Identify examples of disruptive innovations in your own industry or area of interest.
Attend Startup Meetups
Show steps
Expand professional network, learn from experienced entrepreneurs and investors, and stay updated on industry trends.
Browse courses on
Networking
Show steps
-
Identify relevant startup meetups in your area.
-
Attend meetups and actively engage with attendees.
Practice Iteration (Plan, Listen, Iterate)
Show steps
Reinforce the iterative nature of entrepreneurship through practice.
Show steps
-
Design a hypothetical business idea.
-
Develop a plan for your idea, including target audience, value proposition, and revenue model.
-
Seek feedback from potential customers and make adjustments to your plan based on their input.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create an Elevator Pitch
Show steps
Solidify understanding of the core elements of an entrepreneurial pitch and practice distilling key points.
Browse courses on
Pitch
Show steps
-
Brainstorm and identify the key selling points of your Big Idea.
-
Craft a concise and compelling pitch that highlights the problem, solution, and benefits of your idea.
-
Practice delivering your pitch within the time constraints of an elevator ride.
Contribute to an Open Source Project
Show steps
Gain practical experience in software development, collaboration, and open innovation.
Browse courses on
Open Source
Show steps
-
Identify a project that aligns with your interests and skill set.
-
Familiarize yourself with the project's codebase and contribution guidelines.
-
Implement a new feature or fix a bug.
-
Submit your contribution for code review and merge.
Develop a Business Plan
Show steps
Integrate knowledge from the course by creating a comprehensive plan for launching an entrepreneurial venture.
Browse courses on
Business Plan
Show steps
-
Conduct market research to identify target audience, competition, and industry trends.
-
Develop a detailed marketing and sales strategy.
-
Outline operational plans, including production, logistics, and customer service.
-
Project financial performance and secure funding.
Mentor Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Show steps
Strengthen understanding of entrepreneurial principles by guiding and supporting aspiring entrepreneurs.
Browse courses on
Mentoring
Show steps
-
Volunteer as a mentor at a local startup incubator or accelerator.
-
Provide guidance and feedback to mentees on their business ideas, plans, and challenges.
-
Share your own experiences and insights to help mentees navigate the entrepreneurial journey.
Read 'The Innovator's Dilemma'
Show steps
Gain insights into the challenges and strategies of innovation from a seminal work in the field.
View
The Innovator's Dilemma, with a New Foreword
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read and analyze key chapters of the book, focusing on the concepts of disruptive innovation and Christensen's framework.
- Identify examples of disruptive innovations in your own industry or area of interest.
Attend Startup Meetups
Show steps
Expand professional network, learn from experienced entrepreneurs and investors, and stay updated on industry trends.
Browse courses on
Networking
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify relevant startup meetups in your area.
- Attend meetups and actively engage with attendees.
Practice Iteration (Plan, Listen, Iterate)
Show steps
Reinforce the iterative nature of entrepreneurship through practice.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Design a hypothetical business idea.
- Develop a plan for your idea, including target audience, value proposition, and revenue model.
- Seek feedback from potential customers and make adjustments to your plan based on their input.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create an Elevator Pitch
Show steps
Solidify understanding of the core elements of an entrepreneurial pitch and practice distilling key points.
Browse courses on
Pitch
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Brainstorm and identify the key selling points of your Big Idea.
- Craft a concise and compelling pitch that highlights the problem, solution, and benefits of your idea.
- Practice delivering your pitch within the time constraints of an elevator ride.
Contribute to an Open Source Project
Show steps
Gain practical experience in software development, collaboration, and open innovation.
Browse courses on
Open Source
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify a project that aligns with your interests and skill set.
- Familiarize yourself with the project's codebase and contribution guidelines.
- Implement a new feature or fix a bug.
- Submit your contribution for code review and merge.
Develop a Business Plan
Show steps
Integrate knowledge from the course by creating a comprehensive plan for launching an entrepreneurial venture.
Browse courses on
Business Plan
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Conduct market research to identify target audience, competition, and industry trends.
- Develop a detailed marketing and sales strategy.
- Outline operational plans, including production, logistics, and customer service.
- Project financial performance and secure funding.
Mentor Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Show steps
Strengthen understanding of entrepreneurial principles by guiding and supporting aspiring entrepreneurs.
Browse courses on
Mentoring
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Volunteer as a mentor at a local startup incubator or accelerator.
- Provide guidance and feedback to mentees on their business ideas, plans, and challenges.
- Share your own experiences and insights to help mentees navigate the entrepreneurial journey.
Career center
Learners who complete What’s Your Big Idea? will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Entrepreneur
Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurs are individuals who create and manage their own businesses. This course can help entrepreneurs develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their ventures. The course covers topics such as idea generation, market research, business planning, and fundraising. These topics are essential for entrepreneurs who want to launch and grow their own businesses.
Product Manager
Product Manager
Product managers are responsible for the development and launch of new products. This course can help product managers develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their roles. The course covers topics such as market research, product planning, and product development. These topics are essential for product managers who want to launch and grow successful products.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Manager
Marketing managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns. This course can help marketing managers develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their roles. The course covers topics such as market research, marketing strategy, and campaign management. These topics are essential for marketing managers who want to develop and execute successful marketing campaigns.
Business Analyst
Business Analyst
Business analysts are responsible for analyzing business processes and identifying areas for improvement. This course can help business analysts develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their roles. The course covers topics such as data analysis, process improvement, and project management. These topics are essential for business analysts who want to identify and implement improvements to business processes.
Consultant
Consultant
Consultants provide advice and support to businesses on a variety of topics. This course can help consultants develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their roles. The course covers topics such as problem solving, communication, and project management. These topics are essential for consultants who want to provide valuable advice and support to businesses.
Sales Manager
Sales Manager
Sales managers are responsible for leading and motivating sales teams. This course can help sales managers develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their roles. The course covers topics such as sales strategy, team management, and customer relationship management. These topics are essential for sales managers who want to lead and motivate their teams to achieve success.
Marketing Researcher
Marketing Researcher
Marketing researchers are responsible for conducting research to understand consumer behavior. This course can help marketing researchers develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their roles. The course covers topics such as research methods, data analysis, and consumer behavior. These topics are essential for marketing researchers who want to conduct research to understand consumer behavior.
Project Manager
Project Manager
Project managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. This course can help project managers develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their roles. The course covers topics such as project planning, risk management, and stakeholder management. These topics are essential for project managers who want to plan, execute, and close projects successfully.
Data Analyst
Data Analyst
Data analysts are responsible for collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data. This course can help data analysts develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their roles. The course covers topics such as data analysis techniques, data visualization, and data mining. These topics are essential for data analysts who want to collect, clean, and analyze data.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/lfmgn0/what's
Reading list
We've selected 40 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
What’s Your Big Idea?.
Provides practical advice for entrepreneurs on how to build a successful company. It covers topics such as hiring, firing, fundraising, and managing growth.
Provides a comprehensive guide to starting and running a startup. It covers topics such as business planning, finance, and marketing.
Provides a practical guide to building a successful startup. It teaches readers how to use the Lean Startup methodology to test their ideas, validate their assumptions, and iterate quickly.
Explores the reasons why successful companies often fail to innovate and provides a framework for understanding the challenges of disruptive innovation.
Provides a practical guide to building a successful startup using the lean startup methodology, which emphasizes iterative development, customer feedback, and continuous learning.
Provides a unique perspective on how to build a successful startup, based on the author's own experiences as a successful entrepreneur and investor.
Save
Provides a clear and concise framework for developing and evaluating good strategies. It is essential reading for anyone who wants to develop a successful business.
Provides practical advice on how to build a successful business, based on the author's own experiences as a successful entrepreneur.
Save
Provides a practical guide to getting customers for your startup.
Offers a contrarian view of innovation. It argues that successful startups should focus on building unique products and services that create new markets, rather than competing in existing markets.
Save
Provides a step-by-step guide to getting your startup off the ground. It covers topics such as marketing, sales, and customer development.
Save
Provides a practical guide to venture capital financing. It covers topics such as term sheets, due diligence, and exit strategies.
Provides a framework for understanding how established companies can avoid the innovator's dilemma, which is the tendency for large, successful companies to be disrupted by smaller, more innovative companies.
Provides a roadmap for marketing and selling technology products to mainstream customers. It must-read for anyone who wants to launch a successful technology product.
This ancient Chinese military treatise provides timeless principles of strategy and leadership. It can be applied to a wide range of situations, including business and entrepreneurship.
Provides a framework for understanding the challenges that companies face when they try to cross the chasm from early adopters to mainstream customers.
Provides practical advice on how to start a successful business, based on the author's own experiences as a successful entrepreneur.
Provides a practical guide to using the Lean Startup methodology to build and launch successful products.
Provides a practical guide to the challenges that startups face, and how to avoid them.
Save
This classic work of political philosophy provides a realistic and often cynical view of how power is acquired and maintained. It can be a valuable read for entrepreneurs who want to understand the dark side of business.
Provides a motivational guide to achieving success in business and life. It challenges readers to set audacious goals and to take massive action to achieve them.
Save
Provides a scientific look at the role that habits play in our lives. It explains how habits are formed and how we can change them.
This self-help book provides a framework for personal and professional success. It emphasizes the importance of principles, habits, and relationships.
Provides a framework for understanding the challenges of marketing and selling technology products to mainstream customers.
Provides a fascinating history of Bell Labs, one of the most innovative companies in history.
Provides a research-based framework for understanding the skills of disruptive innovators.
This ancient Chinese military treatise provides timeless wisdom on strategy and tactics.
This self-help book provides practical advice on how to become more effective in all areas of your life.
Save
Provides a practical guide to innovation.
Save
Provides a fascinating look at the two systems of thinking that our brains use.
Save
Provides a comprehensive history of the digital revolution, focusing on the people who made it possible.
Provides a framework for understanding the characteristics of exponential organizations.
Provides a behind-the-scenes look at how Pixar Animation Studios fosters creativity and innovation.
Provides a practical guide to using the Lean Startup methodology in large organizations.
Provides a comprehensive guide to the essential business concepts that every entrepreneur should know.
Save
Provides a framework for creating new markets and avoiding competition.
Save
Provides a framework for using design thinking to create innovative products and services.
Provides a practical guide to the psychology of invention.
Save
This novel provides a fictionalized account of how to implement DevOps practices in a large organization.
Provides a comprehensive guide to starting and running a successful startup.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/lfmgn0/what's
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Effort
11 hours to complete
Via
Coursera
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Instructors
Professor Buck Goldstein
Dr. Holden Thorp, PhD
Language
English
Transcripts
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