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There are 6 modules in this course
Even a thoroughly developed business strategy may fail if you don't pay enough attention to its implementation. This rings particularly true with strategies based on innovation or implemented in complex or fast-changing environments.
In the 20th century successful implementation leveraged stability and typically proceeded through hierarchy and control. Today the key is to stay vibrant and able to quickly respond to trends in competition and technology while not losing sight of the strategic objective. In this course we'll build a toolbox of techniques to execute today's business strategies to help them succeed.
After completing this course, you'll be able to:
- Create objectives and goals to guide strategy implementation
- Identify organizational structures that fit particular strategies
- Understand how to leverage company culture in implementation
- Describe how to communicate the strategy so that the organization "gets" it
- Detect and mitigate risks to implementation
In this module we set the scene in strategy implementation and take a bird's-eye view of the course. We then dive into formulating actionable goals based on the strategy, good practices in creating metrics and setting objectives, and learn about two specific tools for deriving actionable, measurable goals from a strategy.
Introduction into Strategy Implementation•7 minutes
Performance Management Systems•2 minutes
Balanced Scorecard•6 minutes
OKR•4 minutes
Objectives and Measures•7 minutes
4 readings•Total 40 minutes
Samsung and Apple in China, 2013•10 minutes
Metrics at Nonprofits•10 minutes
Metrics at Zappos•10 minutes
Module 1 Slides•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 60 minutes
Introduction•30 minutes
Performance Management Systems•30 minutes
3 discussion prompts•Total 30 minutes
Samsung and Apple in China, 2013•10 minutes
Metrics at Nonprofits•10 minutes
Metrics at Zappos•10 minutes
Aligning Strategy and Organizational Structure
Module 2•3 hours to complete
Module details
The structure of your organization can be a good or poor fit to the strategy you are implementing. In this module we learn which choices of organizational structure are appropriate depending on your strategy.
Choosing Business Unit Structure Based on Strategic Objectives•1 minute
Autonomous Units•4 minutes
Ambidexterity•1 minute
Detecting and Reacting to Change•2 minutes
Module Conclusion•1 minute
5 readings•Total 50 minutes
Virgin vs. Apple•10 minutes
Structure and Strategy at Toyota•10 minutes
Flat Structures•10 minutes
Ambidexterity•10 minutes
Module 2 Slides•10 minutes
3 assignments•Total 90 minutes
Why Structure Matters in Strategy Implementation•30 minutes
Structuring the Organization•30 minutes
Structuring Business Units•30 minutes
4 discussion prompts•Total 40 minutes
Virgin vs. Apple•10 minutes
Structure and Strategy at Toyota•10 minutes
Flat Structures•10 minutes
Ambidexterity•10 minutes
Communicating the Strategy within the Organization
Module 3•4 hours to complete
Module details
Getting communication right is crucial for successful implementation. In this module we find out how to communicate the strategy vertically, and how to facilitate collaboration and upward communication in the organization.
Making the Organization Comfortable with Sharing Bad News•3 minutes
Organizational Learning•2 minutes
7 readings•Total 70 minutes
Stephen Elop's "Burning Platform" Memo•10 minutes
All-Hands Meetings at Zappos•10 minutes
Collaboration at Cisco•10 minutes
Collaboration at Pixar•10 minutes
Self-Organizing Teams•10 minutes
Collaboration and Upwards Communication at Google•10 minutes
Module 3 Slides•10 minutes
3 assignments•Total 90 minutes
Vertical Communication of Strategy•30 minutes
Horizontal Communication and Collaboration•30 minutes
Communicating Upwards•30 minutes
5 discussion prompts•Total 50 minutes
Stephen Elop's "Burning Platform" Memo•10 minutes
All-Hands Meetings at Zappos•10 minutes
Collaboration at Pixar•10 minutes
Self-Organizing Teams•10 minutes
Collaboration and Upwards Communication at Google and Cisco•10 minutes
Managing Resistance and Other Implementation Risks
Module 4•3 hours to complete
Module details
Strategy implementation is rarely an exercise in certainty. New strategies may cause concerns or resistance in the organization, or be vulnerable to other risks.
Models for Implementing a New Initiative•3 minutes
Lesson 2 Intro•1 minute
Identifying Risks•5 minutes
Planning for Mitigation of Risks•3 minutes
4 readings•Total 40 minutes
Challenging Resistance to Change•10 minutes
Samsung's New Strategy, 2011•10 minutes
Uber in France, Summer 2015•10 minutes
Module 4 Slides•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 60 minutes
Identifying and Managing Resistance to Change•30 minutes
Managing Other Risks to Implementation•30 minutes
3 discussion prompts•Total 30 minutes
Challenging Resistance to Change•10 minutes
Samsung's New Strategy, 2011•10 minutes
Uber in France, Summer 2015•10 minutes
Leveraging Organizational Culture
Module 5•3 hours to complete
Module details
Like structure, an organization's culture might be supportive or obstructive in implementation. In this module we define what culture is, learn how it can impact implementation, and explore when and how it can be changed.
Adapting Culture to Support Implementation•4 minutes
Cultural Values Associated with Creativity and Innovation•3 minutes
4 readings•Total 40 minutes
Culture at Netflix•10 minutes
Culture at Nucor•10 minutes
Culture at Chipotle•10 minutes
Module 5 Slides•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 60 minutes
What is Culture•30 minutes
Culture in Implementation•30 minutes
3 discussion prompts•Total 30 minutes
Culture at Netflix•10 minutes
Culture at Nucor•10 minutes
Culture at Chipotle•10 minutes
Power and Informal Networks. Course Ending
Module 6•4 hours to complete
Module details
The flatter the organization, the more likely are informal networks and power to matter in implementing a strategy. In this module we explore ways of using power and informal networks in the organization to facilitate strategy implementation. We then conclude the course and review the exam assignment.
Centrally located in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, Copenhagen Business School (CBS) is one of the largest business schools in Europe with close to 23,000 students. CBS offers world-class research-based degree programs at undergraduate, graduate, and PhD levels as well as executive and other post experience programs.
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BB
5·
Reviewed on Feb 3, 2016
Great course! Definitely my best of the series. Highly detailed with very pointed insights. Slides were also very helpful in ensuring retention of knowledge. Great stuff- bravo!
T
TM
5·
Reviewed on Jun 27, 2020
Great course which covers many aspects of implementation that are not usually noticed, amazing content again from CBS
M
MA
5·
Reviewed on Feb 10, 2019
Excellent course! Helped me to understand the different structures and culture that I must set in place to start and run a successful organisation. Thank you!
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