Is this course suitable for someone new to management or strategic planning?

Absolutely! This course is designed as an introduction to the essentials of management and strategic planning, making it ideal for beginners. It provides foundational knowledge in leadership and business management to help you start your journey.

What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?

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.

Is financial aid available?

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.

Essentials of Management and Strategic Planning

Essentials of Management and Strategic Planning

This course is part of Introduction to Business Specialization

Instructor: Marla Noel

29,274 already enrolled

Included with

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

450 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

9 hours to complete

Learn at your own pace

94%

Most learners liked this course

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

450 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

9 hours to complete

Learn at your own pace

94%

Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

Apply leadership fundamentals to build and guide effective teams.
Drive team accountability for achieving strategic goals.
Identify and evaluate diverse business strategy options.
Develop actionable plans for organizational growth and profitability.

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

4 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

91%

of learners achieved a positive career outcome

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Introduction to Business Specialization

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

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 4 modules in this course

This course is for aspiring and current professionals seeking to enhance their management and leadership skills, particularly those involved in business planning, organizational strategy, and driving growth strategies. It benefits individuals looking to understand the fundamentals of running a business and implementing effective strategic planning.

By the end of this course, you will be able to: - Understand the core principles of management and leadership. - Develop and implement effective strategic planning for business growth. - Drive accountability and create actionable plans within an organization. - Analyze and select appropriate business strategies to gain competitive advantage. No specific tools or software are covered, as this course focuses on foundational concepts and frameworks. To be successful in this course, no prior experience in management or strategic planning is required, making this an ideal starting point for beginners.

Welcome to your first module, Introduction to Management! Here, we'll dive into the core concepts of management, exploring what it truly entails and its vital role in any organization. You'll discover how effective management practices can directly impact your career and team success. We'll cover essential functions like planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. To get the most out of this module, try to relate each concept to your own professional experiences. This foundational understanding will be crucial as we build towards leadership and strategic planning in later modules.

What's included

2 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt

In this module, Management Versus Leadership, we'll explore the distinct yet complementary roles of management and leadership. You'll learn to identify various leadership styles and understand when to apply each to best suit your team and organizational context. This module builds on your foundational understanding of management from Module 1, showing how effective leadership transforms good management into exceptional performance. Try reflecting on leaders you admire and analyze their styles. This will help you develop your own adaptable leadership skills.

What's included

2 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt

Welcome to Business Strategy Fundamentals! Building on your understanding of management and leadership, this module will introduce you to the critical world of strategy. You'll learn what strategy truly is, why it's essential for business success, and how it can provide a competitive edge. We'll explore various strategic options and frameworks to help you analyze and make informed decisions for your organization. A great tip for this module is to research real-world business strategies and case studies to see these concepts in action.

What's included

1 video1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt

In our final module, Strategic Planning for Business Growth, we bring together all your learning to focus on practical strategic planning. You'll learn how to develop and implement robust strategic plans that drive organizational growth and ensure accountability. This module integrates concepts from management, leadership, and business strategy to equip you with a holistic approach to achieving long-term business objectives. As you progress, consider how you can apply these strategic planning tools to a current project or future career goal to maximize your learning.

What's included

1 video1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructor

Instructor ratings

(129 ratings)

Marla Noel

University of California, Irvine

3 Courses45,304 learners

Offered by

University of California, Irvine

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Reviewed on Oct 21, 2021

It's a very good course which can help you understand the basic konwledge about business!! recommend！

Reviewed on Aug 20, 2024

This is an enthusiastic learning platform, for the newcomers

Reviewed on Nov 4, 2025

The while course is very useful and practical, I learned a lot of new things. It has a lot of videos, which I like. The readings were also very interesting.

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Frequently asked questions

This course clarifies that while management focuses on processes and tasks to maintain order, leadership inspires and guides teams towards a shared vision. You'll learn how both are crucial for effective organizational strategy and business growth.

You will learn to identify key business strategy options, develop actionable strategic plans, and implement them to drive business success. The course emphasizes practical application for real-world business management challenges.

This course covers various business strategies for market positioning, competitive advantage, and organizational growth. You'll gain skills in analyzing different strategic options to make informed decisions for your business.

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.