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Edward D. Hess

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

University of Virginia

About this Course

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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.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Approx. 10 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Chinese (Simplified), Italian, Vietnamese, German, Russian, English, Spanish

What you will 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 will gain

Planning
Entrepreneurship
Business Intelligence
Innovation
Strategic Management

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Approx. 10 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Chinese (Simplified), Italian, Vietnamese, German, Russian, English, Spanish

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.76/5 (80 Ratings)

Edward D. Hess

Professor of Business Administration

Darden School of Business

86,227 Learners

2 Courses

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

Content Rating98%(3,270 ratings)

Week

Week 1

4 minutes to complete

Course Overview

This module introduces the course.

4 minutes to complete

1 video (Total 4 min)

Week

Week 2

2 hours to complete

The Truth About Growth

This module 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. 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"?

2 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 82 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

Week

Week 3

2 hours to complete

Fellers Gourmet Workshop

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.

2 hours to complete

3 videos (Total 66 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

Week

Week 4

2 hours to complete

The 4 P's

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.

2 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 87 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

7 videos

The Infrastructure of Growing a Business: Planning, Prioritization, Pace and Processes21m

Defender Direct Case Study22m

Defender Direct: Planning, Prioritization, Pace and Processes 10m

Prioritization: What, Whom, and Why? Where is the biggest fire?9m

Processes: 99% Defect Free On Time Delivery to Customers5m

Pacing Growth: Controlling Your Gas Pedal3m

Defender Direct Interview with Dave Lindsey14m

1 reading

Module 4 Readings10m

1 practice exercise

The 4 P's30m

Week

Week 5

2 hours to complete

Four Ways to Grow a Business

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.

2 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 83 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

8 videos

How to Scale Your Business with Enchanting Travels Case Study19m

Customer Value Proposition6m

Enchanting Travels Case Study: Processes14m

Improving Your Business and Franchise Opportunities10m

Learning Companies: Innovating in Your Business5m

Scaling: Planning, Processes, Outsourcing, and Ways to Grow Your Business5m

Strategic Acquisitions3m

Enchanting Travels Interview with Parik Laxminarayan16m

1 reading

Module 5 Reading10m

1 practice exercise

Four Ways to Grow a Business30m

Week

Week 6

1 hour to complete

Creating a Growth Plan

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.

1 hour to complete

5 videos (Total 46 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

Week

Week 7

1 hour to complete

Final Exam

This is the final exam.

1 hour to complete

Reviews

4.7

188 reviews

5 stars
80.27%
4 stars
16.17%
3 stars
2%
2 stars
0.92%
1 star
0.61%

TOP REVIEWS FROM GROW TO GREATNESS: SMART GROWTH FOR PRIVATE BUSINESSES, PART I

by CBDec 1, 2015

I have been taking business courses for over 20 years, and have not run into a course so full of good ideas in such a short space of time, let alone for free. congratulations and than

by DKDec 28, 2015

Great Prof. Great Course. Learned a lot with the most efficient way. Made me good to think over my business, my goals, my opportunities. Thank you a lot!

by KKJan 23, 2022

As an entrepreneur, learning never ends for me. I enjoyed this course because it enhances your critical thinking abilities.

by MGSep 20, 2015

Great teacher. Useful information is made very accessible. He makes you think and act like a successful entrepreneur.

View all reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

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Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

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

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