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The Strategist's Challenge

University of Virginia Darden School Foundation

The Strategist's Challenge

This course is part of IBM & Darden Digital Strategy Specialization

Instructors: Jared Harris

6,830 already enrolled

Included with

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

81 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

5 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

81 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

5 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Develop your ability to think strategically, analyze the competitive environment, and recommend firm positioning and value creation

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

4 assignments

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 IBM & Darden Digital Strategy 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

In this course, you will develop your ability to think strategically, analyze the competitive environment, and recommend firm positioning and value creation. We will 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 including SWOT, Competitor, Environmental, Five Forces, and Capabilities Analyses.

Module details

In this module, we'll discuss what we mean by business strategy and why it's important to an organization's competitive positioning. You'll learn about the strategic analysis and the SWOT, competitor, and environmental analysis tools and then have an opportunity to apply two of these tools in the Google case study. Enjoy learning!

What's included

10 videos1 assignment

10 videosTotal 44 minutes

An Introduction to Strategic Analysis4 minutes
Strategic Analysis4 minutes
The Strategist's Challenge7 minutes
Fundamental Principles of Business Strategy6 minutes
Competitive Markets7 minutes
A Little Calculus2 minutes
Two Perspectives on Economic Rents7 minutes
Key Takeaways - Strategic Analysis2 minutes
Strategist's Toolkit - SWOT Analysis2 minutes
Strategist's Toolkit - Environmental Analysis3 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Strategists Toolkit Quiz30 minutes

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 that helps you understand key factors that shape the nature of competition in a specific industry environment. You'll get a chance to apply this tool in the Redhook case study. Enjoy analyzing!

What's included

10 videos1 assignment

10 videosTotal 66 minutes

Analyzing Industry Structure5 minutes
Threat of Entry Part 19 minutes
Threat of Entry Part 25 minutes
Threat of Substitutes10 minutes
Bargaining Power of Buyers, Part 17 minutes
Bargaining Power of Buyers, Part 26 minutes
Bargaining Power of Suppliers6 minutes
Intense Rivalry9 minutes
Key takeaways - Industry Structure3 minutes
Strategists's Toolkit - Five Forces Analysis5 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Analyzing Industry Structure Quiz30 minutes

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. You'll get a chance to apply this tool in the Apple case study to clarify the major activities, skills, and resources that drive value to Apple's customers. Happy analyzing!

What's included

8 videos1 assignment

In this module, 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 the easy and intuitive strategy maps tool to develop an at-a-glance communication about firm positioning. This visual approach will help spark discussion about drivers of positioning and help you determine the best approach for your firm. You will have a chance to deepen your understanding of how to utilize this tool in the Piaggio case study.