Launch Strategy: 5 Steps to Capstone Experience from Coursera

This course is the last course in this specialization before its capstone experience where you, the learner will launch your business. Consider all the activities associated with the final preparation for a NASA launch before the final countdown takes place. Those are the type of activities with respect to launching a business that will be covered in this course. The goal of the course is for you to have a document that details all the actions you need to take, and all the things that you need to think about before launching your business, with instructions on how to do those actions and how to thing about those things.

Specifically the course will provide you with five benefits or outcomes. First your attitude will be finely focused and tuned to the mindset concepts covered in course one that are likely to have the greatest impact on your business launch. Second in a similar fashion you will become keenly aware of those aspects of your business that directly impact its ability to create and deliver value on day one; and have actions plans to address each aspect. With your 'mind right' and your 'business right' the third and fourth outcomes of the course are actions plans to get your 'market connections' right. The course will allow you to explore strategies and tactics to engage the market, communication your message, and generate sales; and select those which give you the best opportunity to learn and establish a foundation for growth. Finally the course will walk you through a final checklist of operational issues that will allow you to enter the capstone course and your business launch ready to go on day one.

Throughout the course we have emphasized the importance of market engagement, allowing the market to provide feedback that sharpens your business and maximizes its chances for success. As with the entire specialization the feedback you will get through the peer review assignments for this course and the capstone course are an invaluable opportunity for for such engagement.

What's inside

Syllabus

Gearing Up Mindset: Strategy Focus

This module initiates a series of steps to prepare you for actually starting your business in the capstone experience of this course. The first step is to ready your mindset. To prepare yourself to take on a specific state of mind which will orientate your business startup activities in a way that will maximize its chances for success. We suggest this preparation take place in two parts: a focus on strategy, and a focus on resources. This module guides your focus on strategy. At the end of this module you will have a formalized and finalized vision, mission, objectives and goals, and a detailed documentation of these factors in a strategy statement.

Gearing Up Mindset: Resource Focus

This module continues the series of steps to prepare you for actually starting your business in the capstone experience of this course. Helping to complete the first step to ready your business for launch, 'to ready your mindset', this module guides your focus on resources. At the end of this module you will have formalized and finalized a resource inventory. This document details all resources at your immediate disposal or within your reach that can be dedicated towards your business.

Gearing Up Business: Funding Focus

This module continues the series of steps to prepare you for actually starting your business in the capstone experience of this course. This module is step two in that series. Having completed the first step, 'to ready your mindset', this module guides you in gearing up you business so that it is capable of creating and delivering value at launch. This required capability is threefold: finding funding to augment available resources; finalizing business model detailing execution strategy, and finalizing the operational tasks necessary to insure the business's product or service can actually be produced and delivered. This module deals with the first of these requirements. At the end of this module you will have a greater understanding of non-traditional funding sources to augment the traditional ones, putting you in the best position possible to find any additional funding you may need to launch your business.

Gearing Up Business: Design Focus

This module continues step two of the five steps to prepare you for actually starting your business in the capstone experience of this course. Step two is gearing up business. The focus of step two is insuring that your business is capable of creating and delivering its product or service at launch. As stated earlier this required capability is threefold: finding funding to augment available resources; finalizing business model detailing execution strategy, and finalizing the operational tasks necessary to insure the business's product or service can actually be produced and delivered. This module focuses on the second of these requirements. At the end of this module you will have a a business model adjusted to fit available resources that will guide your actions in starting your business.

Gearing Up Business: Execution Funding

This module completes step two of the five steps to prepare you for actually starting your business in the capstone experience of this course. As discussed in modules three and four there are three areas that must be addressed to help insure that your business is capable and ready to create and deliver its product or service at launch. As stated earlier this required capability is threefold: finding funding to augment available resources; finalizing business model detailing execution strategy, This module focuses on the third and final of these requirements: finalizing the operational tasks necessary to insure the business's product or service can actually be produced and delivered. Finalizing these operational tasks not only provides a checklist for launch, but a budget for launch as well. At the end of this module you will have a production plan and accompanying budget along with a startup budget.

Gearing Up For Market Creation & ABC Plan

This module addresses the third (Get Market Created) and fourth (Get 'ABC' Game Plan) steps of the process to prepare for your capstone experience and business launch. These two steps prepare the business to connect with individuals and organizations in its market, form and nurture relationships and create customers. There is a saying in sports that winning cures all ills. There are several reasons that lead to business failures, most if not all can be cured with enough customers. Peter Drucker, who many describe as the father of modern business consulting, is famously quoted as saying, “Because the purpose of business is to create a customer, the business enterprise has two–and only two–basic functions: marketing and innovation. Marketing and innovation produce results; all the rest are costs. Marketing is the distinguishing, unique function of the business.” In essence a business is to create value, then create a customer. At the end of this model you will be able to develop a marketing plan and sales plan outlining the specific tools you will use to connect with and create customers.

Checklist for Launch

This module presents the fifth and last step to prepare for your capstone experience and the launch of your business. At the end of this module you will have a completed a formalized final launch plan laying out the execution steps for your capstone experience.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops skills to create a marketing and sales plan, which are core skills for entrepreneurs

Instructed by Ken Szymusiak and Forrest S. Carter, recognized entrepreneurs and educators

Examines real-world scenarios related to business development and marketing

Teaches methods for identifying resources, which is vital for startups

Builds on concepts and skills developed in previous courses in the specialization

Requires learners to have prior knowledge of business and marketing fundamentals

Reviews summary

Well-received launch strategy course

According to learners, Launch Strategy: 5 Steps to Capstone Experience is well-received and has a positive sentiment. The course is engaging and informative, offering step-by-step guidance in developing a strategic plan. Students appreciate the useful assignments, and the course prepares students for future endeavours. However, some students have raised concerns about technical issues, difficult quizzes, and the time it takes to complete assignments.

Course equips students with skills and knowledge for future endeavors.

"I am ready for the next course."

Assignments help students apply concepts and develop practical skills.

"love it, very useful"

Provides a clear and structured approach to developing a strategic plan.

"This course helped me develop skills to successfully undertake, making use of budgeting and marketing."

"It is a great course, which helps you develop the strategic plan of you brand step by step and takes into account all the areas necessary for it to be successful."

Course requires a significant time investment to complete assignments.

"It is a great course, which helps you develop the strategic plan of you brand step by step and takes into account all the areas necessary for it to be successful"

Some students have found quizzes to be challenging.

"the way information is delivered is not interesting"

"Peer-graded assignments waste a lot of time(up to 10 days), open end quiz questions sometimes make you spend time looking for the exact answer"

Some students have experienced issues with sound and video quality.

"There are a lot of issues with sound in videos"

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 Launch Strategy: 5 Steps to Capstone Experience with these activities:

Create a Course Resource Repository

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Organize and review course materials for easy reference and future use.

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Gather and curate relevant materials, such as lecture notes, slides, assignments, and readings.
Organize the materials into a structured and accessible format, such as a digital folder or notebook.

Review Business Strategy

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Review the basics of business strategy to ensure a strong foundation for course concepts.

Browse courses on Business Strategy

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Identify the key concepts of business strategy, such as mission, vision, and objectives.
Consider real-world examples of successful business strategies and analyze their key components.

Join a Business Strategy Online Course

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Seek out additional resources and support through guided tutorials on business strategy.

Browse courses on Business Strategy

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Identify reputable online courses or platforms offering business strategy tutorials.
Review the course content and instructors to find a suitable option.

Six other activities

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Form a Study Group

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Collaborate with peers to discuss course concepts and exchange insights.

Browse courses on Business Strategy

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Identify a group of individuals with similar interests and schedules.
Set regular meeting times and establish a study plan.

Attend Business Strategy Workshops

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Connect with professionals and experts in the field of business strategy.

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Identify and attend workshops that focus on relevant business strategy topics.
Engage with speakers and attendees to exchange ideas and expand your network.

Create a Business Plan Outline

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Develop a plan for a business venture to apply the concepts learned in the course.

Browse courses on Business Plan

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Determine the purpose and target audience of the business plan.
Research the market and industry for the business venture.
Outline the key sections of the business plan, such as executive summary, market analysis, and financial projections.

Analyze Business Case Studies

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Examine real-world business scenarios to develop analytical and problem-solving skills.

Browse courses on Business Strategy

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Select a variety of case studies that cover different industries and business challenges.
Thoroughly analyze each case study, identifying the key issues, stakeholders, and potential solutions.

Write a Business Strategy Blog Post

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Summarize key concepts of business strategy in a blog post to reinforce understanding and enhance communication skills.

Browse courses on Business Strategy

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Choose a specific aspect of business strategy to focus on.
Research and gather information to support the blog post.

Participate in a Business Plan Competition

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Challenge yourself by testing your business planning skills in a competitive environment.

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Identify and research business plan competitions that align with your interests and goals.
Develop a comprehensive business plan that meets the competition's requirements.

Career center

Learners who complete Launch Strategy: 5 Steps to Capstone Experience will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officers are responsible for the overall success of a business. They must have a strong understanding of all aspects of business, including finance, marketing, and operations. This course can help CEOs prepare for launch by教导ing them about the different steps involved in launching a new business, including funding, marketing, and operations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Executive Officer

Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs are individuals who start and run their own businesses. They must have a strong understanding of all aspects of business, including finance, marketing, and operations. This course can help Entrepreneurs develop a plan for launching their own business and ensure that it is ready for launch on day one.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns. They must have a strong understanding of marketing principles and how to use different marketing channels to reach their target audience. This course can help Marketing Managers develop a marketing plan and sales plan that will help them reach their target market and generate leads.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing out projects. They must have a strong understanding of all aspects of project management, including budgeting, scheduling, and risk management. Project Managers should take this course to gain insight on how to effectively launch and execute a project, even in the midst of risk and uncertainty surrounding a new business.

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Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for planning and executing the day-to-day operations of a business. They must have a strong understanding of business processes and how to improve efficiency. This course can help Operations Managers develop a plan for launching a new business and ensure that it is ready for launch on day one.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Chief Marketing Officer

Chief Marketing Officers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns. They must have a strong understanding of marketing principles and how to use different marketing channels to reach their target audience. This course can help CMOs develop a marketing plan and sales plan that will help them reach their target market and generate leads.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Marketing Officer

Chief Operations Officer

Chief Operations Officers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a business. They must have a strong understanding of business processes and how to improve efficiency. This course can help COOs develop a plan for launching a new business and ensure that it is ready for launch on day one.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Operations Officer

Business Analyst

Business Analysts help companies streamline processes and improve their operations. They must think strategically about the operations of a company's processes, resources, and plans. It's important for Business Analysts to be well-versed in different funding sources, how to maximize resources, and how to think through operational tasks. This course offers Business Analysts a chance to brush up on those concepts to help maximize their effectiveness.

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Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officers are responsible for managing the financial resources of a business. They must have a strong understanding of accounting principles and how to use financial data to make informed decisions. This course can help CFOs develop a funding plan and budget for a new business, as well as a plan for maximizing resources.

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Sales Manager

Sales Managers are responsible for developing and executing sales strategies. They must have a strong understanding of the sales process and how to build and maintain relationships with customers. This course can help Sales Managers develop a marketing plan and sales plan that will help them reach their target market and close deals.

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Investment Banker

Investment Bankers guide companies with financial planning, mergers, and acquisitions. The material on funding sources, particularly non-traditional ones, will be highly helpful for understanding the broad range of ways to bring cash into a business. Understanding how a business secures funding is one of the most important elements of how a business operates, and it's essential to a career as an Investment Banker.

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Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for developing and launching new products. They must have a strong understanding of the product development process and how to bring a product to market. This course can help Product Managers prepare for launch by教导ing them about the different steps involved in launching a new business, including funding, marketing, and operations.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, clean, and analyze data to help businesses make informed decisions. They must have a good understanding of business operations and how to use data to improve them. This course can help Data Analysts understand how to use different kinds of data to gain insights that can help a business launch successfully.

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Consultant

Consultants offer advice to businesses in a variety of areas, including finance, operations, and marketing. An important part of consulting is helping businesses prepare for a launch. Every consultant can benefit from knowing how to prepare a business for its launch, and thus, should enroll in this course to help them advise their clients as effectively as possible.

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Chief Technology Officer

Chief Technology Officers are responsible for the development and implementation of a business's technology strategy. They must have a strong understanding of technology trends and how to use technology to improve business operations. This course may be useful for CTOs who are looking to gain a better understanding of the business side of things, particularly as it relates to funding, marketing, and operations.

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