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Deepak Somaya
In this course you will learn how organizations create, capture, and maintain value. In doing so, you’ll develop an understanding of how and why this process is fundamental for sustainable competitive advantage. You will be able to better understand value creation, and capture and learn the tools to analyze both competition and cooperation from a variety of perspectives, including the industry-level (e.g., five forces analysis) and the firm-level (e.g., business models and strategic positioning).
You will be able to:
Read more
In this course you will learn how organizations create, capture, and maintain value. In doing so, you’ll develop an understanding of how and why this process is fundamental for sustainable competitive advantage. You will be able to better understand value creation, and capture and learn the tools to analyze both competition and cooperation from a variety of perspectives, including the industry-level (e.g., five forces analysis) and the firm-level (e.g., business models and strategic positioning).
You will be able to:
Read more
In this course you will learn how organizations create, capture, and maintain value. In doing so, you’ll develop an understanding of how and why this process is fundamental for sustainable competitive advantage. You will be able to better understand value creation, and capture and learn the tools to analyze both competition and cooperation from a variety of perspectives, including the industry-level (e.g., five forces analysis) and the firm-level (e.g., business models and strategic positioning).
You will be able to:
- Understand how managers coordinate different functional areas, resources, and systems inside a company and align them with the external environment to enhance overall performance
- Recognize strategic management tools and frameworks and apply them to real business contexts
- Process diverse business and industry information to diagnose strategic issues, evaluate strategic alternatives, and formulate a coherent and actionable strategic plan
This course is part of Gies College of Business’ suite of online programs, including the iMBA and iMSM. Learn more about admission into these programs and explore how your Coursera work can be leveraged if accepted into a degree program at https://degrees.giesbusiness.illinois.edu/idegrees/.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/tpi9aa/business
What's inside
Syllabus
Course Orientation
You will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course.
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Syllabus
Course Orientation
You will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course.
Read more
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Explores foundational concepts in business strategy and enables strategic thinking
Taught by instructors Deepak Somaya, who are recognized in the field of business strategy
Suitable for beginners seeking a comprehensive foundation in business strategy
Emphasizes real-world business contexts and case studies
Provides a holistic understanding of internal and external factors influencing business strategy
Requires students to engage in critical thinking and analysis of business scenarios
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Reviews summary
Strong foundation in business strategy frameworks
According to learners, this course offers a solid foundation in core business strategy concepts and frameworks, including Five Forces, PESTEL, and SWOT analysis. Students appreciate the clear explanations and the use of real-world examples and case studies, which help in applying the theory. Many found the course materials and lectures engaging and the content directly applicable to their professional roles. While some noted it serves primarily as a great introduction and might lack depth for advanced practitioners, the overall consensus highlights its effectiveness in providing essential strategic tools and understanding.
Good overview, but some desire more depth.
"While it's a good intro, I wished some topics went into more detail."
"The pace was generally good, covering a lot without being overwhelming for a beginner."
"It offers a broad look at strategy, which is perfect for getting started."
Concepts are explained well and are easy to follow.
"The instructor's explanations were very clear and concise."
"Lectures broke down complex ideas into understandable parts."
"Content is presented in a logical and easy-to-digest manner."
Excellent introduction to business strategy.
"Great course for someone new to strategy or looking for a refresh."
"It provides a solid base for understanding business strategy fundamentals."
"Perfect for beginners seeking a comprehensive overview."
Helps apply theory to business contexts.
"The case studies provided excellent opportunities to apply the frameworks."
"I can immediately use these tools in my current job."
"Real-world examples made the concepts much easier to grasp and relevant."
Provides essential tools for strategic analysis.
"The course covers key frameworks like Porter's Five Forces and PESTEL effectively."
"Understanding SWOT and VRI framework was very helpful for me."
"I found the explanations of strategic tools clear and applicable."
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 Business Strategy with these
activities:
Review Financial Analysis Techniques
Show steps
Strengthens your ability to analyze financial statements and make informed business decisions.
Browse courses on
Financial Analysis
Show steps
-
Review key financial ratios and their implications
-
Practice analyzing financial statements using real-world examples
Practice SWOT Analysis
Show steps
Develops your ability to identify and analyze the internal and external factors that affect your business.
Browse courses on
SWOT Analysis
Show steps
-
List your company's strengths
-
List your company's weaknesses
-
Identify opportunities for your business
-
Identify threats to your business
Read "Good Strategy/Bad Strategy"
Show steps
Provides a clear and concise framework for developing and evaluating effective strategies.
View
The Crux: How Leaders Become Strategists
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read the book "Good Strategy/Bad Strategy"
-
Identify examples of good and bad strategies in your own experience
Six other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all nine activities
Review Porter's Five Forces
Show steps
Provides a structured framework for analyzing the forces that shape industry competition and profitability.
View
Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analyzing...
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read Chapter 3 of Porter's book "Competitive Strategy"
-
Identify and describe the five forces in your industry
-
Assess the strength and impact of each force
-
Draw implications for your own business strategy
Develop a Value Proposition Canvas
Show steps
Helps you articulate your value proposition and understand how it aligns with customer needs.
Browse courses on
Value Proposition
Show steps
-
Identify your customer segments
-
Define the customer's needs and pain points
-
Develop your value proposition
-
Map your value proposition to customer needs
Build a Strategy Resource Toolkit
Show steps
Compiles valuable resources and tools to support your strategy development and execution.
Browse courses on
Strategy
Show steps
-
Identify and gather relevant resources and tools
-
Organize the resources and tools in a central location
-
Reference and utilize the toolkit throughout your strategic planning process
Facilitate a Peer Discussion on Strategic Management
Show steps
Encourages active engagement with the course material and provides diverse perspectives on strategic management.
Browse courses on
Strategic Management
Show steps
-
Prepare discussion questions based on the course material
-
Organize and facilitate a peer discussion group
-
Summarize the key takeaways from the discussion
Explore the Blue Ocean Strategy Framework
Show steps
Expands your understanding of how to create and capture new market space.
Browse courses on
Blue Ocean Strategy
Show steps
-
Watch the Blue Ocean Strategy introductory video
-
Read a summary of the Blue Ocean Strategy book
-
Apply the Blue Ocean Strategy framework to your own business
Attend a Workshop on Strategic Planning
Show steps
Provides hands-on experience in developing a strategic plan for your business.
Browse courses on
Strategic Planning
Show steps
-
Research and identify relevant strategic planning workshops
-
Register for and attend the workshop
-
Apply the workshop learnings to your own strategic planning process
Review Financial Analysis Techniques
Show steps
Strengthens your ability to analyze financial statements and make informed business decisions.
Browse courses on
Financial Analysis
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review key financial ratios and their implications
- Practice analyzing financial statements using real-world examples
Practice SWOT Analysis
Show steps
Develops your ability to identify and analyze the internal and external factors that affect your business.
Browse courses on
SWOT Analysis
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- List your company's strengths
- List your company's weaknesses
- Identify opportunities for your business
- Identify threats to your business
Read "Good Strategy/Bad Strategy"
Show steps
Provides a clear and concise framework for developing and evaluating effective strategies.
View
The Crux: How Leaders Become Strategists
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read the book "Good Strategy/Bad Strategy"
- Identify examples of good and bad strategies in your own experience
Six other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all nine activities
Review Porter's Five Forces
Show steps
Provides a structured framework for analyzing the forces that shape industry competition and profitability.
View
Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analyzing...
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read Chapter 3 of Porter's book "Competitive Strategy"
- Identify and describe the five forces in your industry
- Assess the strength and impact of each force
- Draw implications for your own business strategy
Develop a Value Proposition Canvas
Show steps
Helps you articulate your value proposition and understand how it aligns with customer needs.
Browse courses on
Value Proposition
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify your customer segments
- Define the customer's needs and pain points
- Develop your value proposition
- Map your value proposition to customer needs
Build a Strategy Resource Toolkit
Show steps
Compiles valuable resources and tools to support your strategy development and execution.
Browse courses on
Strategy
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify and gather relevant resources and tools
- Organize the resources and tools in a central location
- Reference and utilize the toolkit throughout your strategic planning process
Facilitate a Peer Discussion on Strategic Management
Show steps
Encourages active engagement with the course material and provides diverse perspectives on strategic management.
Browse courses on
Strategic Management
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Prepare discussion questions based on the course material
- Organize and facilitate a peer discussion group
- Summarize the key takeaways from the discussion
Explore the Blue Ocean Strategy Framework
Show steps
Expands your understanding of how to create and capture new market space.
Browse courses on
Blue Ocean Strategy
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Watch the Blue Ocean Strategy introductory video
- Read a summary of the Blue Ocean Strategy book
- Apply the Blue Ocean Strategy framework to your own business
Attend a Workshop on Strategic Planning
Show steps
Provides hands-on experience in developing a strategic plan for your business.
Browse courses on
Strategic Planning
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research and identify relevant strategic planning workshops
- Register for and attend the workshop
- Apply the workshop learnings to your own strategic planning process
Career center
Learners who complete Business Strategy will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Business Analyst
Business Analyst
As a Business Analyst, you will be responsible for analyzing business processes and developing solutions to improve efficiency and effectiveness. The Business Strategy course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to understand how businesses operate and how to create and implement strategies that will help them achieve their goals. You will learn about the different types of business models, how to conduct market research, and how to develop and evaluate strategic plans. This course will give you the foundation you need to be successful in a career as a Business Analyst.
Consultant
Consultant
As a Consultant, you will work with businesses to help them solve problems and improve their performance. The Business Strategy course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to understand the challenges that businesses face and how to develop and implement solutions that will help them achieve their goals. You will learn about the different types of consulting services, how to conduct research, and how to develop and deliver presentations. This course will give you the foundation you need to be successful in a career as a Consultant.
Entrepreneur
Entrepreneur
As an Entrepreneur, you will be responsible for starting and running your own business. The Business Strategy course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to understand the different aspects of starting and running a business. You will learn about the different types of businesses, how to develop a business plan, and how to market and sell your products or services. This course will give you the foundation you need to be successful in a career as an Entrepreneur.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analyst
As a Financial Analyst, you will be responsible for analyzing financial data and making recommendations to businesses. The Business Strategy course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to understand financial statements, how to conduct financial analysis, and how to develop and evaluate investment recommendations. This course will give you the foundation you need to be successful in a career as a Financial Analyst.
Investment Banker
Investment Banker
As an Investment Banker, you will be responsible for advising businesses on mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, and other financial transactions. The Business Strategy course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to understand the different types of financial transactions, how to conduct financial analysis, and how to develop and evaluate investment recommendations. This course will give you the foundation you need to be successful in a career as an Investment Banker.
Marketer
Marketer
As a Marketer, you will be responsible for developing and implementing marketing campaigns that will help businesses reach their target audiences. The Business Strategy course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to understand the different types of marketing channels, how to conduct market research, and how to develop and evaluate marketing campaigns. This course will give you the foundation you need to be successful in a career as a Marketer.
Product Manager
Product Manager
As a Product Manager, you will be responsible for developing and managing products that meet the needs of customers. The Business Strategy course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to understand the different stages of the product development process, how to conduct market research, and how to develop and evaluate product launches. This course will give you the foundation you need to be successful in a career as a Product Manager.
Project Manager
Project Manager
As a Project Manager, you will be responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects that will help businesses achieve their goals. The Business Strategy course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to understand the different phases of the project management process, how to develop and manage project plans, and how to track and evaluate project progress. This course will give you the foundation you need to be successful in a career as a Project Manager.
Sales Manager
Sales Manager
As a Sales Manager, you will be responsible for leading and managing a team of sales professionals who are responsible for selling products or services to customers. The Business Strategy course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to understand the different types of sales channels, how to develop and manage sales teams, and how to develop and execute sales strategies. This course will give you the foundation you need to be successful in a career as a Sales Manager.
Operations Manager
Operations Manager
As an Operations Manager, you will be responsible for planning, executing, and controlling the activities of a business's operations function. The Business Strategy course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to understand the different aspects of operations management, how to develop and implement operations plans, and how to measure and evaluate operations performance. This course will give you the foundation you need to be successful in a career as an Operations Manager.
Human Resources Manager
Human Resources Manager
As a Human Resources Manager, you will be responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating the activities of a business's human resources function. The Business Strategy course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to understand the different aspects of human resources management, how to develop and implement human resources policies, and how to manage and evaluate human resources programs. This course will give you the foundation you need to be successful in a career as a Human Resources Manager.
Information Technology Manager
Information Technology Manager
As an Information Technology Manager, you will be responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating the activities of a business's information technology function. The Business Strategy course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to understand the different aspects of information technology management, how to develop and implement information technology plans, and how to manage and evaluate information technology resources. This course will give you the foundation you need to be successful in a career as an Information Technology Manager.
Supply Chain Manager
Supply Chain Manager
As a Supply Chain Manager, you will be responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating the activities of a business's supply chain. The Business Strategy course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to understand the different aspects of supply chain management, how to develop and implement supply chain plans, and how to manage and evaluate supply chain performance. This course will give you the foundation you need to be successful in a career as a Supply Chain Manager.
Financial Planner
Financial Planner
As a Financial Planner, you will help individuals and families manage their finances. The Business Strategy course may help you understand the different aspects of financial planning, how to develop and implement financial plans, and how to manage and evaluate financial performance. This course may give you the foundation you need to be successful in a career as a Financial Planner.
Real Estate Agent
Real Estate Agent
As a Real Estate Agent, you will help people buy and sell real estate. The Business Strategy course may help you understand the different aspects of real estate, how to develop and implement real estate marketing plans, and how to manage and evaluate real estate investments. This course may give you the foundation you need to be successful in a career as a Real Estate Agent.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/tpi9aa/business
Featured in The Course Notes
This course is mentioned in our blog,
The Course Notes. Read
one article that features
Business Strategy:
To read more articles from OpenCourser, visit:
OpenCourser.com/notes
Reading list
We've selected 14 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
Business Strategy.
Competing for Advantage classic work on business strategy by Michael E. Porter. It's a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the fundamentals of strategy.
Save
Good Strategy/Bad Strategy short, accessible book that provides a framework for developing effective strategies. It's a great read for anyone who wants to improve their strategic thinking.
Save
Business Strategy: A Textbook comprehensive guide to business strategy that covers all of the key topics you'll learn in this course. It's a great resource for additional reading and reference.
The Hard Thing About Hard Things brutally honest book about the challenges of running a startup. It's a valuable read for anyone who wants to learn from the experiences of a successful entrepreneur.
The Innovator's Dilemma groundbreaking book that explains why successful companies often fail to innovate. It's a valuable read for anyone who wants to understand the challenges of innovation.
Zero to One thought-provoking book that challenges conventional wisdom about business and innovation. It's a must-read for anyone who wants to think differently about strategy.
The Startup Owner's Manual comprehensive guide to building a successful startup. It's a great resource for anyone who wants to learn about the different aspects of starting and running a business.
The Lean Startup practical guide to building a successful startup. It's a valuable read for anyone who wants to learn about the principles of lean thinking.
Crossing the Chasm classic work on marketing and technology adoption. It's a valuable read for anyone who wants to understand the challenges of bringing new products to market.
The Lean Product Playbook practical guide to building a successful product. It's a valuable read for anyone who wants to learn about the principles of lean product development.
Value Proposition Design practical guide to creating a value proposition that customers will love. It's a valuable read for anyone who wants to learn about the principles of customer-centric design.
Save
The Prince classic work on political strategy. It's a valuable read for anyone who wants to understand the principles of power and influence.
The Art of War classic work on military strategy. It's a valuable read for anyone who wants to understand the principles of strategy and competition.
Save
Traction practical guide to getting your startup off the ground. It's a valuable read for anyone who wants to learn about the principles of growth marketing.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/tpi9aa/business
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Effort
4 weeks of study, 4-6 hours/week
Level
Intermediate
Via
Coursera
Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Instructor
Deepak Somaya
Language
English
Transcripts
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آذربایجان دیلی
This course belongs to a
collection
called
Strategic Leadership and Management. It's comprised of seven courses:
Featured in The Course Notes
Read
one article that features
this course,
Business Strategy
from our blog, The Course Notes:
To read more articles from OpenCourser, visit:
OpenCourser.com/notes
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