About this course: Develop your ability to think strategically, analyze the competitive environment, and recommend firm positioning and value creation. In this course, 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: SWOT, Competitor, Environmental, Five Forces, and Capabilities Analyses, as well as Strategy Maps. We'll apply these tools in case studies of industry leaders Google, Redhook, Piaggio and Apple.
Created by: University of Virginia
Taught by: Michael Lenox, Senior Associate Dean and Chief Strategy Officer
Darden School of BusinessTaught by: Jared Harris, Samuel L. Slover Research Chair in Business Administration
Darden School of Business
| Basic Info | Course 1 of 5 in the Business Strategy Specialization |
| Level | Beginner |
| Commitment | 4 weeks of study, 2-5 hours/week |
| Language | English, Subtitles: Vietnamese, Portuguese (Brazilian) |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
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 and then apply these tools in the Google case study. Enjoy learning!
12 videos, 11 readings
- Reading: Course Overview
- Reading: Course Requirements
- Reading: Get to Know Your Classmates
- Reading: Using the Discussion Forums
- Video: Strategic Analysis
- Video: The Strategist's Challenge
- Video: Fundamental Principle of Business Strategy
- Video: Competitive Markets
- Video: A Little Calculus
- Video: Two Perspectives on Economic Rents
- Video: Module Lessons
- Video: Strategist's Toolkit: SWOT Analysis
- Video: Strategist's Toolkit: Competitor Analysis
- Video: Strategist's Toolkit: Environmental Analysis
- Reading: Google Inc: Buy, Sell, or Hold?
- Video: Google Case Debrief
- Reading: Introduction to Strategic Analysis
- Reading: Common Terms and Strategy Analytics
- Reading: Competitor Analysis Worksheet
- Reading: Gathering Strategic Intelligence
- Reading: The Strategist's Toolkit: Table of Contents
- Reading: Begin the Competitive Position Assignment
Graded: Introduction to Strategic Analysis
WEEK 2
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. You'll get a chance to apply this tool in the Redhook case study. Enjoy analyzing!
11 videos, 2 readings
- Video: Threat of Entry, Part 1
- Video: Threat of Entry, Part 2
- Video: Threat of Substitutes
- Video: Bargaining Power of Buyers, Part 1
- Video: Bargaining Power of Buyers, Part 2
- Video: Bargaining Power of Suppliers
- Video: Intensity of Rivalry
- Video: Module Lessons
- Video: Strategist's Toolkit: Five Forces Analysis
- Reading: Redhook Brewing Company
- Video: Red Hook Brewing Case Debrief
- Reading: Reminder: Competitive Position Assignment
Graded: Analyzing Industry Structure
WEEK 3
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. In the Apple case study you'll get a chance to apply this tool. Happy analyzing!
9 videos, 3 readings
- Video: Value Chain
- Video: Alignment
- Video: Sustainability: Imitation
- Video: Sustainability: Durability
- Video: Building Capabilities
- Video: Module Lessons
- Video: Strategist's Toolkit: Capabilities Analysis
- Reading: Apple (Computer) Inc.
- Video: Apple Case Debrief
- Reading: Capability Worksheet
- Reading: Reminder: Competitive Position Assignment
Graded: Analyzing Firm Capabilities
WEEK 4
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. Then apply what you've learned in the Piaggio case study. Happy analyzing!
8 videos, 5 readings, 1 practice quiz
- Video: Generic Competitive Positions, Part 1
- Video: Generic Competitive Positions, Part 2
- Video: Mapping Competitive Positions
- Video: Which Position Is Best?
- Video: Module Lessons
- Video: Strategist's Toolkit: Strategy Maps
- Reading: Piaggio
- Video: Piaggio Case Debrief
- Reading: Gathering Strategic Intelligence
- Reading: Assignment Overview
- Reading: Assignment Rubric
- Reading: Sample Assignment Submission
- Practice Quiz: Peer Review Practice
Graded: Determining Competitive Position
Graded: Competitive Position Assignment
FAQs
How It Works
Coursework
Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.
Help from Your Peers
Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.
Certificates
Earn official recognition for your work, and share your success with friends, colleagues, and employers.
Creators
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.
Pricing
| Purchase Course | |
|---|---|
| Access to course materials | Available |
| Access to graded materials | Available |
| Receive a final grade | Available |
| Earn a shareable Course Certificate | Available |
Ratings and Reviews
Not only useful but very interesting course with lots of examples and 1-2 small quizzes every lesson to hold attention.
The course content is very good and well presented BUT the course requirement of submitting 3 peer reviews is not practicable at all. I have been trying to find assignments to review for almost a week and there are none. This unnecessarily delays me finishing the course, which will in turn lead to me having to pay for another month's subscription. I am very disappointed in this and I wish course requirements would be adjusted for future students.
Excellent course! Thank you Course
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AJ
Thorough explanation of introductory level strategy components. Just the course that I was looking for to begin building my knowledge of strategy and strategic planning.