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Grow to Greatness: Smart Growth for Private Businesses, Part I

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Grow to Greatness: Smart Growth for Private Businesses, Part I

Instructor: Edward D. Hess

75,470 already enrolled

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7 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

661 reviews

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

7 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

661 reviews

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

Common myths and truths about growth in business
Growth readiness assessment
The 4 P's of growing a business: planning, prioritization, pace and process
Four ways to grow your business: scale and CVP, innovating, outsourcing and strategic acquisitions

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

6 assignments

Taught in English

91%

of learners achieved a positive career outcome

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

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There are 7 modules in this course

This course, developed at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia and taught by top-ranked faculty, focuses on challenges faced by existing private businesses when they attempt to grow substantially.

Module details

This module welcomes you to the course and presents an overview of growth in business with common myths and truths. There is a required reading: Edward D. Hess, "Growth is the Dynamic Confluence of Strategy, Entrepreneurship, and Values." An option case study reading on Eyebobs Eyeware, Inc is also available. The Truth about Growth continues in Module 2. Please note that if you audit this course, only the first module is available and you will not earn a course certificate.

What's included

6 videos1 reading

Please visit the Eyebobs website at https://www.eyebobs.com and think about whether Julie's vision and customer value proposition connects with you. What do you like about the site? What do you dislike? Why is her website so important to her business? What should Julie do to keep her website "fresh"?

What's included

3 videos1 assignment

This module presents a series of questions to discover if you are ready for growth. The required reading is by Edward D. Hess, 3 Fellers Bakery, Case Study.

What's included

3 videos1 reading1 assignment

This module presents the four P's of growing a business: planning, prioritization, pace and processes. The four ways to grow your business are improvements, innovations, scaling, and strategic acquisitions. The required reading is Edward D. Hess, "Defender Direct, Inc.: A Business of Growing Leaders," Case Study.

What's included

7 videos1 reading1 assignment

7 videosTotal 87 minutes

The Infrastructure of Growing a Business: Planning, Prioritization, Pace and Processes21 minutes
Defender Direct Case Study23 minutes
Defender Direct: Planning, Prioritization, Pace and Processes 10 minutes
Prioritization: What, Whom, and Why? Where is the biggest fire?10 minutes
Processes: 99% Defect Free On Time Delivery to Customers5 minutes
Pacing Growth: Controlling Your Gas Pedal4 minutes
Defender Direct Interview with Dave Lindsey14 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Module 4 Readings10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

The 4 P's30 minutes

This module reviews the four ways to grow a business. The required reading is Edward D. Hess, Sanju Jacob and Monidipa Mukherjee,"Enchanting Travels," Case Study. Enchanting travels can be found at http://www.enchantingtravels.com.

What's included

8 videos1 reading1 assignment

8 videosTotal 83 minutes

How to Scale Your Business with Enchanting Travels Case Study20 minutes
Customer Value Proposition6 minutes
Enchanting Travels Case Study: Processes15 minutes
Improving Your Business and Franchise Opportunities11 minutes
Learning Companies: Innovating in Your Business5 minutes
Scaling: Planning, Processes, Outsourcing, and Ways to Grow Your Business6 minutes
Strategic Acquisitions4 minutes
Enchanting Travels Interview with Parik Laxminarayan17 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Module 5 Reading10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Four Ways to Grow a Business30 minutes

This module dives into the logistics of creating a growth plan for Barger & Sons, Inc. The required reading is Edward D. Hess, "C.R. Barger & Sons, Inc.," Case Study. Eric Barger faces a big growth challenge. His primary product is concrete septic tanks. His product does not differ from his competitor's products. His business is not well known. He does not sell to the end user. His customers buy based primarily on price. His business has stopped growing and is not that profitable. His father has said the business must grow or it will be closed. Your assignment is to use the concepts you learned in the previous modules to create a growth plan for this business. For this assignment, please list all the growth ideas you can create for him to consider. Do not narrow his choices, but be realistic with your ideas. It will help you to think about growth options using the four ways to grow a business: improvements, innovation, scaling, and strategic acquisitions. A second way to think about his growth options is in functional business terms: product design; supply of raw materials; product manufacturing; product pricing and terms; product sales; delivery; customer service; technology; and marketing. Your end work should be a list of realistic growth ideas.