Foundations of Business Strategy

Foundations of Business Strategy

This course is part of Business Strategy Specialization

Instructors: Michael Lenox

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

3,350 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

9 hours to complete

Learn at your own pace

97%

Most learners liked this course

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

3,350 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

9 hours to complete

Learn at your own pace

97%

Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

How to use the SWOT, competitor, and environmental analysis tools
How to assess an industry's structure and how the competitive dynamics in an industry affect profitability
How to complete a capabilities analysis and how to use this analysis to guide decision making
How to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of four generic competitive positions

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

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Assessments

5 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

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This course is part of the Business Strategy Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
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There are 4 modules in this course

Develop your ability to think strategically, analyze the competitive environment, and recommend firm positioning and value creation. In this course, developed at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia, top-ranked faculty will help you explore the underlying theory and frameworks that provide the foundations of a successful business strategy and provide the tools you need to understand that strategy: SWOT, Competitor, Environmental, Five Forces, and Capabilities Analyses, as well as Strategy Maps.

Welcome to the first module in the Foundations course. In this module, we'll discuss the meaning and importance of business strategy to an organization's competitive positioning. You'll learn about strategic analysis and the SWOT, competitor, and environmental analysis tools. Have fun building your strategy skillset!

What's included

11 videos5 readings1 assignment

11 videos Total 48 minutes

An Introduction to Strategic Analysis 5 minutes
Strategic Analysis 5 minutes
The Strategist's Challenge 7 minutes
Fundamental Principle of Business Strategy 6 minutes
Competitive Markets 7 minutes
A Little Calculus 2 minutes
Two Perspectives on Economic Rents 7 minutes
Module Lessons 2 minutes
Strategist's Toolkit: SWOT Analysis 2 minutes
Strategist's Toolkit: Competitor Analysis 3 minutes
Strategist's Toolkit: Environmental Analysis 3 minutes

5 readings Total 50 minutes

Course Overview 10 minutes
Course Requirements 10 minutes
Get to Know Your Classmates 10 minutes
Using the Discussion Forums 10 minutes
Begin the Competitive Position Assignment 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Introduction to Strategic Analysis 30 minutes

Hello and welcome back. In this module, we'll explore how to assess an industry's structure and how the competitive dynamics in an industry affect profitability. We'll go into depth with the five forces tool, a common and highly influential analytical framework. Happy analyzing!

What's included

10 videos1 reading1 assignment

10 videos Total 66 minutes

Analyzing Industry Structure 5 minutes
Threat of Entry, Part 1 9 minutes
Threat of Entry, Part 2 5 minutes
Threat of Substitutes 10 minutes
Bargaining Power of Buyers, Part 1 7 minutes
Bargaining Power of Buyers, Part 2 6 minutes
Bargaining Power of Suppliers 6 minutes
Intensity of Rivalry 9 minutes
Module Lessons 3 minutes
Strategist's Toolkit: Five Forces Analysis 5 minutes

1 reading Total 10 minutes

Reminder: Competitive Position Assignment 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Analyzing Industry Structure 30 minutes

Welcome! In this module, we'll examine the tangible and intangible assets that form an organization's strength. We'll show you in depth how to complete a capabilities analysis and how to use this analysis to guide decision making. Happy analyzing!

What's included

8 videos1 reading1 assignment

8 videos Total 43 minutes

Analyzing Firm Capabilities 6 minutes
Value Chain 6 minutes
Alignment 6 minutes
Sustainability: Imitation 8 minutes
Sustainability: Durability 5 minutes
Building Capabilities 8 minutes
Module Lessons 1 minute
Strategist's Toolkit: Capabilities Analysis 3 minutes

1 reading Total 10 minutes

Reminder: Competitive Position Assignment 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Analyzing Firm Capabilities 30 minutes

Welcome to the final module. In these lessons, we'll explore firms' competitive positioning relative to rivals and analyze the advantages and disadvantages of four generic competitive positions firms occupy. We'll use an easy and intuitive tool--strategy maps--to visually communicate information about firm positioning, and discuss which position is best for a particular firm to see maximum value. Happy analyzing!

What's included

7 videos3 readings2 assignments1 peer review

7 videos Total 40 minutes

Determining Competitive Positioning 6 minutes
Generic Competitive Positions, Part 1 8 minutes
Generic Competitive Positions, Part 2 8 minutes
Mapping Competitive Positions 6 minutes
Which Position Is Best? 6 minutes
Module Lessons 2 minutes
Strategist's Toolkit: Strategy Maps 4 minutes

3 readings Total 30 minutes

Assignment Overview 10 minutes
Assignment Rubric 10 minutes
Sample Assignment Submission 10 minutes

2 assignments Total 60 minutes

Peer Review Practice 30 minutes
Determining Competitive Position 30 minutes

1 peer review Total 120 minutes

Competitive Position Assignment 120 minutes

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Instructors

Instructor ratings

(589 ratings)

Michael Lenox

University of Virginia

24 Courses 615,467 learners

Offered by

University of Virginia

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Reviewed on May 19, 2020

This course is a great starting point for someone who wants to learn about strategic analysis. The topics flow logically, and the instructors possess deep knowledge of this field.

Reviewed on Jan 24, 2020

Excellent course that clearly synthesizes the various framework to analyze in-depth the industry and the firm's position within to present meaningful and powerful recommendations.

Reviewed on May 21, 2016

Fascinating course so far, with useful concepts and great assignments designed to improve learning by applying frameworks and concepts to actual companies. Would highly recommend!

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Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.