Advanced Business Strategy

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/uva-darden-advanced-business-strategy

Introduction

### Course Review: Advanced Business Strategy on Coursera #### Overview If you’re looking to elevate your strategic analysis skills, the "Advanced Business Strategy" course offered by the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia on Coursera is an excellent choice. This course serves as the perfect sequel to the "Foundations of Business Strategy,” diving deeper into advanced concepts and tools for analyzing strategy through various lenses—time, industries, geographies, and institutions. The curriculum is steeped in the wisdom of seasoned faculty, offering a robust foundation in key strategic frameworks. #### Course Structure and Content The course is structured into four captivating modules, each focusing on critical aspects of business strategy: 1. **Dynamic Strategy** This module examines the fate of once-thriving companies such as Studebaker and Kodak, emphasizing the importance of adapting to disruptive innovations. You will learn how to conduct a competitive life cycle analysis, which equips you with the ability to understand how companies can navigate industry evolution and avoid stagnation. 2. **International Strategy** As globalization continues to shape the business landscape, firms must strategically decide where and how to compete in foreign markets. This module outlines the strategic questions essential for successful internationalization. By its conclusion, you will be able to perform an internationalization analysis, considering the pros and cons of various market-entry strategies. 3. **Diversification Strategy** Diversification is a central theme in corporate strategy, and this module dives into how firms can leverage existing capabilities to expand into new markets. You’ll explore reasons for diversification, the theory of the firm, and by the end, you will be adept at creating a diversification matrix to guide strategic decision-making. 4. **Stakeholder Strategy** Understanding how a firm’s values can align with its stakeholder interests is crucial in today's ethical business environment. This module addresses stakeholder management and equips you with the tools to perform a stakeholder analysis. You’ll gain insights into how strategic decisions impact different stakeholder groups, enabling you to create strategies that are not only profitable but also socially responsible. #### Why You Should Take This Course **Expert Instruction:** The course is led by world-class faculty from the University of Virginia, renowned for their expertise in business strategy. Their insights and teaching methods enhance the learning experience greatly. **Practical Frameworks:** The focus on practical frameworks allows for immediate application in real-world situations. Whether you are an emerging business leader or a seasoned executive, these tools will enhance your strategic thinking. **Flexible Learning:** As a Coursera offering, the course allows you to learn at your own pace while balancing your professional commitments. The content is delivered in engaging formats that include videos, readings, and quizzes. **Networking Opportunities:** Beyond learning, you'll have the chance to connect with peers from around the world, sharing insights and experiences that enhance your understanding of global and dynamic business environments. #### Final Recommendation The “Advanced Business Strategy” course on Coursera is not only educational; it’s transformative for anyone serious about excelling in business strategy. Whether you wish to refine your existing skills or gain new perspectives on strategic decision-making, this course provides the necessary tools. With its well-rounded syllabus, expert faculty, and focus on real-world applications, it comes highly recommended for professionals looking to advance their careers in a competitive marketplace. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to enhance your strategic prowess—enroll today!

Syllabus

Dynamic Strategy

Studebaker, Remington, Sears, Kodak. Companies that were leaders in their time but failed to adapt to change. In this module, we'll explore the impact of disruptive innovations and how companies can navigate these changes, evolve over time, and avoid the pitfalls of the competitive life cycle. By the end of this module, you will be able to complete a competitive life cycle analysis. Let's get started.

Welcome! Industry and firm globalization has taken off in the past few decades. Firms can realize great gains by moving into foreign markets, but they only do so if they act strategically. In this module, we'll discuss the rise of globalization and explore two primary strategic questions: Where to compete and how to enter that market. We'll consider the pros and cons of strategic options for entering foreign markets. By the end of this module, you'll be able to complete an internationalization analysis.

Corporate strategy is often a question of diversification. How can firms leverage their current position across markets to build profits? In this module, we'll discuss firm scope and the financial, operational, and strategic reasons to expand and diversify. We'll explore the theory of the firm--or why firms exist and how this relates to their scope. By the end of this module, you'll be able to develop a diversification matrix.

How can a firm's values add value to the firm? Stakeholder management is a way of thinking about ethical considerations impacting an organization's strategy. In this module, we'll discuss how effective business strategy considers the impact of a firm's decisions and actions on various stakeholders, both primary and secondary, and uses that knowledge to guide strategic actions. By the end of this module, you'll be able to complete a stakeholder analysis.