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 Business
Taught 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 |
| Commitment | 4 weeks of study, 5-6 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 the strategic analysis and the SWOT, competitor, and environmental analysis tools and then apply these tools in the Google case study. Enjoy learning!
12 videos, 12 readings
- Reading: Course Overview
- Reading: Course Requirements
- Reading: Get to Know Your Classmates
- Reading: Using the Discussion Forums
- Video: An Introduction to Strategic Analysis
- 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: Week 1 Slides
- 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, 3 readings
- Video: Analyzing Industry Structure
- 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: Week 2 Slides
- 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, 4 readings
- Video: Analyzing Firm Capabilities
- 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: Module 3 Slides
- 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, 6 readings, 1 practice quiz
- Video: Determining Competitive Positioning
- 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: Week 4 Slides
- 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
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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
| Audit | Purchase Course | |
|---|---|---|
| Access to course materials | Available | Available |
| Access to graded materials | Not available | Available |
| Receive a final grade | Not available | Available |
| Earn a shareable Course Certificate | Not available | Available |
Ratings and Reviews
Very important course
Excellent Course to get started with Strategy. Michael Lenox and Jared Harris have done really well in explaining the frameworks with terrific examples.
Great introduction to the world of Business Strategy: both instructors are really engaging and passionate about the course concepts. The cases are interesting and the final assignment is a great way to implement the topics that you will learn throughout the course (Five Forces, Capability Analysis, Competitors' Dynamics, Environment Analysis, etc).
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Great course. Dealing with real life cases was a great way to bring ideas into something we can see on our daily basis.