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.
This course is part of the Business Strategy Specialization
Offered By
Business Strategy SpecializationUniversity of VirginiaAbout this Course
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Learner Career Outcomes
35%
started a new career after completing these courses
37%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
11%
got a pay increase or promotion
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Course 1 of 5 in the
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Beginner Level
Some familiarity with business is helpful, but not required.
Approx. 9 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Chinese (Simplified), Italian, Portuguese (Brazilian), Vietnamese, Korean, German, Russian, Turkish, English, Spanish
What you will 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 will gain
Capabilities AnalysisBusiness StrategyCompetitive PositionStrategic AnalysisIndustry Structure
Learner Career Outcomes
35%
started a new career after completing these courses
37%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
11%
got a pay increase or promotion
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Course 1 of 5 in the
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Beginner Level
Some familiarity with business is helpful, but not required.
Approx. 9 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Chinese (Simplified), Italian, Portuguese (Brazilian), Vietnamese, Korean, German, Russian, Turkish, English, Spanish
Offered by
University of Virginia
A premier institution of higher education, The University of Virginia offers outstanding academics, world-class faculty, and an inspiring, supportive environment. Founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, the University is guided by his vision of discovery, innovation, and development of the full potential of students from all walks of life. Through these courses, global learners have an opportunity to study with renowned scholars and thought leaders.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
2 hours to complete
Introduction to Strategic Analysis
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!
2 hours to complete
11 videos (Total 48 min), 5 readings, 1 quiz
11 videos
Strategic Analysis4m
The Strategist's Challenge6m
Fundamental Principle of Business Strategy6m
Competitive Markets6m
A Little Calculus2m
Two Perspectives on Economic Rents7m
Module Lessons1m
Strategist's Toolkit: SWOT Analysis2m
Strategist's Toolkit: Competitor Analysis2m
Strategist's Toolkit: Environmental Analysis3m
5 readings
Course Overview10m
Course Requirements10m
Get to Know Your Classmates10m
Using the Discussion Forums10m
Begin the Competitive Position Assignment10m
1 practice exercise
Introduction to Strategic Analysis30m
2 hours to complete
Analyzing Industry Structure
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!
2 hours to complete
10 videos (Total 66 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
10 videos
Threat of Entry, Part 19m
Threat of Entry, Part 24m
Threat of Substitutes10m
Bargaining Power of Buyers, Part 17m
Bargaining Power of Buyers, Part 26m
Bargaining Power of Suppliers5m
Intensity of Rivalry9m
Module Lessons3m
Strategist's Toolkit: Five Forces Analysis4m
1 reading
Reminder: Competitive Position Assignment10m
1 practice exercise
Analyzing Industry Structure30m
1 hour to complete
Analyzing Firm Capabilities
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!
1 hour to complete
8 videos (Total 43 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
8 videos
Value Chain5m
Alignment6m
Sustainability: Imitation7m
Sustainability: Durability4m
Building Capabilities8m
Module Lessons1m
Strategist's Toolkit: Capabilities Analysis2m
1 reading
Reminder: Competitive Position Assignment10m
1 practice exercise
Analyzing Firm Capabilities30m
4 hours to complete
Determining Competitive Position
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!
4 hours to complete
7 videos (Total 40 min), 3 readings, 3 quizzes
7 videos
Generic Competitive Positions, Part 18m
Generic Competitive Positions, Part 27m
Mapping Competitive Positions6m
Which Position Is Best?5m
Module Lessons2m
Strategist's Toolkit: Strategy Maps4m
3 readings
Assignment Overview10m
Assignment Rubric10m
Sample Assignment Submission10m
2 practice exercises
Determining Competitive Position30m
Peer Review Practice30m
Reviews
TOP REVIEWS FROM FOUNDATIONS OF BUSINESS STRATEGY
by KJJan 10, 2021
Really enjoyed this course, the Professors are awesome presenting in a very clear, comprehensive way. Learned alot! I feel like they are training me to become a high tech executive/analyst. Thank you!
by VKJul 19, 2019
Great insight of the basic tools covering all important aspects, both professors have discussed fundamental needs of the topic around Business Strategy, keen to learn rest of the courses and excited.
by TMMay 1, 2018
This course is very helpful. It emanates from the strategist' mind. The way this course empowers a person is phenomenal. I personally learnt a lot with this course and hope to learn further as well.
by EKDec 20, 2020
Excellent course contents! The materials were crisp and concise. The instructors did a great job in delivering the key points , especially quoting examples that made their points easy to understand.
About the Business Strategy Specialization
This Specialization covers both the dynamics and the global aspects of strategic management. You'll learn how to evaluate industry evolution, build and sustain competitive advantage, formulate and assess business strategies, and align efforts to organizational strategy. In the final Capstone Project, you’ll apply your skills by creating a comprehensive Strategic Analysis for an existing business or a venture of your own.
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