New Technologies for Business Leaders

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/new-technologies-business-leaders

Introduction

### Course Review: New Technologies for Business Leaders on Coursera In the rapidly evolving landscape of business, understanding new technologies is crucial for leaders who wish to remain competitive and innovative. The Coursera course titled **"New Technologies for Business Leaders"** is an excellent introductory program tailored specifically for high-level professionals and future leaders seeking a comprehensive overview of how emerging technologies affect various business functions, including marketing, supply chain management, and finance. #### Overview Developed with a precise audience in mind — those who are not looking to become deep technical experts but rather wish to equip themselves with knowledge about new information technologies — this course covers a wide array of topics essential for modern business leaders. From Blockchain to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Reality (VR), the course provides insights into how these technologies can transform business practices and improve operational efficiencies. #### Course Structure and Syllabus The course is structured into several modules, each addressing different aspects of digital transformation and technological advancements: 1. **Introduction to Digital Transformation**: This foundational module sets the stage for understanding how digital transformation relates to overall business strategy and customer engagement. It emphasizes the necessity for cross-functional collaboration amid the accelerated pace of the digital revolution. 2. **Augmented, Virtual, and Mixed Reality**: This module dives into the impact of VR and AR on consumer behavior, discussing their current applications in the business world and exploring how leaders can leverage these technologies in their organizations. 3. **Internet of Things (IoT)**: Here, participants are introduced to IoT concepts and how they can enhance marketing strategies and customer retention efforts. By analyzing real-world applications, business leaders can develop new insights into how to integrate IoT into their customer engagement models. 4. **Artificial Intelligence and Big Data**: This module sheds light on the transformative potential of Big Data and AI for customer management. It includes discussions on ethical considerations while exploring examples of practical applications across industries. 5. **Blockchain Technology Applications and Cryptocurrencies**: As a cornerstone, this module explores the fundamentals of Blockchain technology beyond cryptocurrencies. It examines how Blockchain can innovate business models and improve customer relationships while highlighting synergies with IoT and AI. #### Recommendations **Who should take this course?** This course is highly recommended for C-suite executives, managers, and aspiring leaders who seek to expand their understanding of the digital landscape without delving into technical specifics. Whether you're a marketing professional wanting to innovate your strategies or a finance leader looking to understand AI's capabilities in risk management, this program provides actionable insights suitable for a variety of business contexts. **Potential benefits**: 1. **Strategic Insight**: Gain a nuanced understanding of how various technologies intersect with core business functions. 2. **Practical Knowledge**: Learn about real-world applications and case studies that illustrate the potential impacts of these technologies. 3. **Network Opportunities**: The course also provides access to communities centered around topics like Blockchain, which can be invaluable for professional development and collaboration. #### Conclusion In a time marked by unprecedented technological innovation, "New Technologies for Business Leaders" on Coursera stands out as a pivotal resource for those looking to stay ahead of the curve. By offering a broad understanding of key technologies, this course prepares business leaders not just to adapt but to thrive in the fourth industrial revolution. If you're ready to enhance your strategic acumen and navigate the complexities of modern technology, I highly recommend enrolling in this course. Your future self, and your organization, will thank you for it!

Syllabus

INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

This module will introduce business professionals to the concept and underlying trends of Digital Transformation as they relate to business strategy and especially to customer engagement. Compared to the earlier industrial revolutions, the so called fourth revolution, Digital Transformation, opens opportunities, creates challenges and requires new and creative cross functional collaboration at a much accelerated trajectory. Business leaders need to have an understanding of Digital Transformation and assess the current state of their companies regarding the use, misuse, or lack of the new technologies. The module provides the comprehensive understanding of the technology driven revolution and frameworks to discuss and implement digital transformation projects that can include VR/AR, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things and Blockchain technologies.

This module discusses Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and everything in-between. We will start by identifying changes in the media market and the impact they had on consumers based on the interaction provided. We then will explore technologies and buzzwords, and finally, we will look at examples of how these technologies are used in the real world today and discover clues for leveraging them in our own environments.

This module introduces fundamental concepts, terms and technologies behind Internet of Things and how they are being used to improve business processes and specifically marketing and customer retention. We will demonstrate different applications and products that are leading the market and how marketers can think about this technology as an opportunity to attract and retain customers. The customer journey model will be introduced and used for the IoT scenario as a general tool for leading a digital transformation.

This module provides an overview of the key terms and technologies about “Big Data” and “Artificial Intelligence (AI)” and how these technologies allow new ways of customer engagement and management. ​It promotes a discussion about ethical and moral implications around Artificial Intelligence. Examples from different industries about the use of big data and AI are provided.

This module introduces the fundamentals of Blockchain technology, as a key accelerator of the evolving customer engagement including and far beyond the crypto currencies. The module presents practical scenarios by industry and how Blockchain can change current business models to benefit the customer and client relationship and also discuss how Blockchain technology combined with IoT and AI creates synergies for organizations. Finally, we will provide a list of communities created around Blockchain. ​