Making Successful Decisions through the Strategy, Law & Ethics Model

University of Michigan

About this Course

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Successful decision making is based on three key pillars:  strategy, law and ethics.  After taking this course you will be able to use a practical framework based on these three elements to make successful business, personal and leadership decisions.  
This course opens with an example of a leadership decision:  President Barack Obama’s strategic decision to capture or kill Osama bin Laden.  The course then shows how the three elements can be used to prevent a tragedy when making a personal decision.  

The rest of the course focuses on making successful business decisions.  In essence, to achieve business and career success, you must create value (strategy) and manage risk (law) in a responsible manner (ethics). 

Because the Law Pillar plays a central role in the three pillar model, the course includes practical legal briefings (with many examples) on the key elements of business success.  Specifically, the course shows you how to: 

•	attract the best employees, 
•	develop successful products, 
•	create new business models, 
•	protect intellectual property, 
•	create contracts that achieve business goals, and 
•	use dispute resolution processes that improve business relationships. 

Using a global perspective, the course also provides an introduction to international business culture for learners from the United States, and an introduction to the U.S. business culture for learners from outside the U.S.

Learner Career Outcomes

25%

started a new career after completing these courses

33%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 21 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: French, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, English, Spanish

Skills you will gain

Product LiabilityLawIntellectual PropertyBusiness Law

Learner Career Outcomes

25%

started a new career after completing these courses

33%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 21 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: French, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, English, Spanish

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.84/5 (27 Ratings)

George Siedel

Williamson Family Professor of Business Administration and Thurnau Professor of Business Law

1,097,478 Learners

4 Courses

Offered by

University of Michigan

The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating99%(2,697 ratings)

Week

Week 1

1 hour to complete

Welcome to Making Successful Decisions through the Strategy, Law & Ethics Model!

This course will enable you to use the Three Pillar model to manage business risk and create value in an ethical manner. You will also be able to use the model when making personal decisions. After completing this introductory module, you will understand the course goal and game plan.

1 hour to complete

2 videos (Total 28 min), 6 readings

2 videos

Course Goal and Game Plan16m

Introduction to the University of Michigan11m

6 readings

How to Succeed in this Course10m

Help us learn more about you!10m

Earning a Course Certificate10m

About the Professor10m

Syllabus10m

Suggested Readings10m

Week

Week 2

2 hours to complete

Use the Three Pillar Model for Personal, Leadership and Business Decisions

In this module you will learn the basic structure of the Three Pillar model and the importance of thinking globally in today’s business world. You will also learn a practical decision making tool that you can begin to use immediately for personal and business decisions. Suggestion: The videos are viewed by learners from around the world. English is not the primary language for many of these learners. As a result, when shooting the videos I have attempted to speak in a slow and deliberate manner. If English is your native language, I recommend that you increase the speed to at least 1.25x.

2 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 79 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

8 videos

Use the Three Pillars for Personal and Leadership Decisions7m

Use the Three Pillars for Business Decisions8m

Recognize the Gap Between the Strategy Pillar and the Law Pillar14m

Close the Gap: Become a Legally Savvy Leader5m

Course Organization and a Practical Decision-Making Tool8m

Develop a Global Mindset13m

Understand Litigation from a Global Perspective13m

Beware of the Impact of “Discovery” on Your Daily Work8m

2 readings

After completing this module, you will be able to:10m

Suggested Readings10m

1 practice exercise

Show What You Know30m

Week

Week 3

2 hours to complete

Use Employment Law to Attract and Retain the Best Business Talent

Your ability to attract and retain the best employees is essential to business success. This requires an understanding of employment law. The videos in this module cover two of the most important and controversial areas of employment law: the ability of a business to fire employees and sex discrimination. After watching the videos, you will be able to manage employment risks in these areas, while also attracting the best talent to your business.

2 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 73 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

8 videos

Employee Legal Rights: The Big Picture5m

Understand Wrongful Discharge Law: US vs Other Countries6m

Beware of Exceptions to the Employment at Will Rule9m

Manage Your Wrongful Discharge Risks8m

Manage Your Defamation Risks11m

Understand Anti-Discrimination Laws and Sexual Harassment10m

Manage Sex Discrimination Risks: A Case Study10m

Value Creation: Attract and Retain the Best Talent11m

2 readings

After completing this module, you will be able to:10m

Suggested Readings10m

1 practice exercise

Show What You Know30m

Week

Week 4

3 hours to complete

Meet Your Customers’ Needs: Transform Product Liability into Product Innovation

In a fast-changing world, your ability to develop new products is an important source of competitive advantage. The videos in this module provide you with methods for managing product liability risks. You can use these same methods for consumer research and new product development.

3 hours to complete

12 videos (Total 106 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

12 videos

Understand the Intentional Tort “Baggage” that Can Destroy a Business9m

Understand Your Risks from Negligence and Strict Liability7m

Recognize the Business Liability Risks That Arise From Actions of Employees8m

Manage Your Risks Caused by Employee Torts: A Cell Phone Example7m

The “Two Hats” You Wear When Dealing with Product Liability7m

Exercise Care When Giving Warranties5m

Override the Implied Warranties That Accompany Your Products11m

Understand the Dramatic Impact of Strict Liability on Your Business10m

Balance Risk and Benefits When You Design Products5m

Create a Corporate Veil to Manage Your Product Liability Risks12m

Use a Product Safety Team to Minimize Your Product Liability8m

Use Your Product Liability Process to Create Value Through New Product Development11m

2 readings

After completing this module, you will be able to:10m

Suggested Readings10m

1 practice exercise

Show What You Know30m

Week

Week 5

2 hours to complete

Create Business Opportunities Through Government Regulation

Government regulation plays an important role in determining the success of businesses around the world. In this module you will learn how to manage government regulatory risk by shaping the law and through compliance. You will also learn how to create business opportunities by anticipating regulation (the Regulatory Frontier Strategy) and by developing business models based on gaps in regulation (the Regulatory Gap Strategy).

2 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 47 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

5 videos

Understand These Fundamentals of Government Regulation8m

Beware of the Government’s Administrative Process6m

Use These Strategies and Tactics to Influence Development of the Law13m

Focus on Compliance and the Fifth “P” of Marketing to Manage Regulatory Risk4m

Value Creation: Use the Regulatory Frontier Strategy and the Regulatory Gap Strategy to Develop New Products and New Business Models13m

2 readings

After completing this module, you will be able to:10m

Suggested Readings10m

1 practice exercise

Show What You Know30m

Week

Week 6

4 hours to complete

Use Your Intellectual Property to Create Shareholder Value

Whether you are an entrepreneur starting your own business or a manager in a major international corporation, intellectual property is one of your key business assets. In this module, guest lecturer Susan Kornfield, a leading intellectual property lawyer, will explain how to create, protect and use your intellectual property in the US and internationally. The module is divided into the four key areas of intellectual property: trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and patents. Although these areas can be technical and complex, she brings them to life with many fascinating examples. Each of the four sections concludes with a summary of a lawyer’s perspective on intellectual property (which tends to focus on risk management) and a business perspective (which focuses on value creation).

4 hours to complete

12 videos (Total 188 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

12 videos

Understand the Value of Intellectual Property in Your Business6m

Understand How Trademarks Affect Your Business Success15m

Build Your Brand with These Types of Marks15m

Avoid These Trademark Problems17m

Decide When to Use Copyright Protection14m

Use Lessons from “The Social Network” and Other Examples15m

Know When Your “Fair Use” of Copyrighted Works is Allowed15m

Use This Checklist of “Reasonable” Efforts to Protect Your Trade Secrets19m

Understand How Trade Secret Rights Arise15m

Use These Key Lessons to Create and Protect Your Trade Secrets13m

Use the Power of Patents to Protect Your Discoveries and Inventions15m

Understand the Seven Step Process Before Deciding to Obtain a Patent22m

2 readings

After completing this module, you will be able to:10m

Suggested Readings10m

1 practice exercise

Show What You Know30m

Week

Week 7

2 hours to complete

Develop Contracts that Create Value for Both Sides

Successful contracts are the key to value creation for businesses. This module provides a contracting checklist of the key elements anyone in business should understand when negotiating contracts. These elements are necessary to minimize risk by creating a “perfect” contract. However, because a legally perfect contract can also be harmful to business success, the module also covers how to focus your contracts on business objectives and how to visualize contract terms to increase your understanding.

2 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 73 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

7 videos

Introduction to the Contract Module1m

Understand International, Business, and Personal Perspectives on Contracting5m

Know the Sources of Contract Law10m

Enter into an Agreement13m

Include Consideration and Determine Legality8m

Avoid Traps from Contract Writing Requirements16m

Focus Your Contracts on Business Objectives for Value Creation17m

2 readings

After completing this module, you will be able to:10m

Suggested Readings10m

1 practice exercise

Show What You Know30m

Week

Week 8

3 hours to complete

Use Dispute Resolution Processes for Value Creation

This module focuses on the processes that you will use to resolve disputes and build relationships that are key to business success. Short videos demonstrate arbitration and mediation processes. The module includes discussion of practical management tools you can use immediately to manage risks relating to business disputes: a corporate pledge, screens, contract clauses, and online resources. The module also shows you how to dispute resolution for value creation, including using the power of apology and a life goals analysis.

3 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 104 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

9 videos

Understand Why Dispute Resolution Is Important to Business Success3m

Prevent Business Disputes11m

Understand ADR Concepts8m

Use These ADR Management Tools8m

Resolve Your Disputes Through Arbitration20m

Resolve Your Disputes Through Arbitration (Conclusion)9m

Resolve Your Disputes Through Mediation23m

Resolve Your Disputes Through Mediation (Conclusion)8m

Closing Thoughts: Create Value and Build Relationships through the Power of Apology and a Life Goals Analysis11m

2 readings

After completing this module, you will be able to:10m

Suggested Readings10m

1 practice exercise

Show What You Know30m

Week

Week 9

1 hour to complete

Create and Lead an Ethical Business

This module focuses on the Ethics Pillar of decision making by addressing three questions that are important to your career success: (1) What decision-making process should you use when facing an ethical dilemma? (2) What guidelines should you consider when analyzing the dilemma? (3) How can your best serve as an ethical leader in you organization? In answering these questions, the module shows how you can use the Law Pillar and the Strategy Pillar to embed ethical standards into your business and create an ethical organization.

1 hour to complete

4 videos (Total 37 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

4 videos

Do Your Ethical Decisions Depend on Your Situation or on Character?5m

Use This Process When Making Ethical Decisions6m

Consider This Checklist of Guidelines When You Face Ethical Dilemmas14m

“Walk the Talk”: How to Lead an Ethical Organization10m

2 readings

After completing this module, you will be able to:10m

Suggested Readings10m

1 practice exercise

Show What You Know30m

Week

Week 10

1 hour to complete

Final Examination

This module includes the final examination, including both the relevant instructions and honor code.

1 hour to complete

2 readings

2 readings

Final Examination: Instructions and Honor Code10m

Post-course Survey10m

1 practice exercise

Final Exam30m

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. 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.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, Coursera provides financial aid to learners who cannot afford the fee. Apply for it by clicking on the Financial Aid link beneath the "Enroll" button on the left. You’ll be prompted to complete an application and will be notified if you are approved. Learn more.
Will I earn university credit for completing the Course?
This Course doesn't carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept Course Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more. Online Degrees and Mastertrack™ Certificates on Coursera provide the opportunity to earn university credit.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

Making Successful Decisions through the Strategy, Law & Ethics Model