University of Virginia
Business Strategy Specialization
University of Virginia

Business Strategy Specialization

Steer Your Business to Success. Generate value and demonstrate global impact in four courses.

Michael Lenox
Jared Harris
Scott Snell

Instructors: Michael Lenox

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Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

(2,964 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 month at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
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Share your expertise with employers
Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

(2,964 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 month at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Earn a career credential
Share your expertise with employers

What you'll learn

  • How to evaluate industry evolution

  • How to build and sustain competitive advantage

  • How to formulate and assess business strategies

  • How to align efforts to organizational strategy

Overview

What’s included

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English
17 practice exercises

Advance your subject-matter expertise

  • Learn in-demand skills from university and industry experts
  • Master a subject or tool with hands-on projects
  • Develop a deep understanding of key concepts
  • Earn a career certificate from University of Virginia

Specialization - 5 course series

What you'll learn

  • How to use the SWOT, competitor, and environmental analysis tools

  • How to assess an industry's structure and how the competitive dynamics in an industry affect profitability

  • How to complete a capabilities analysis and how to use this analysis to guide decision making

  • How to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of four generic competitive positions

Skills you'll gain

Business Strategy, Competitive Analysis, Strategic Decision-Making, Strategic Thinking, Analysis, Organizational Strategy, Market Analysis, Value Propositions, Business Planning, and Corporate Strategy

What you'll learn

  • The dynamics of competition, the competitive life cycle, and strategies to survive and thrive through industry disruption

  • Internationalization strategies, how, where, and when to enter foreign markets, and foreign direct investment

  • How businesses compete across industries, the value of being in different markets, and the right degree of diversification

  • Stakeholder management and how engaging with non-capital stakeholders can create value

Skills you'll gain

Business Strategy, Corporate Strategy, Competitive Analysis, Stakeholder Management, Stakeholder Analysis, Product Lifecycle Management, Innovation, Business Ethics, Growth Strategies, Strategic Decision-Making, Strategic Thinking, Global Marketing, International Finance, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Market Dynamics

What you'll learn

  • How to identify and evaluate opportunities to scale an organization

  • How to enter new markets and apply game theory to analyze, assess, and respond to competitors

  • How to assess the impact of a potential merger and acquisition and avoid common pitfalls of this type of growth

  • How to unlock the keys to innovation, from building an innovative capability to adding value from innovation to determining an innovation strategy

Skills you'll gain

Growth Strategies, Business Strategy, Mergers & Acquisitions, Competitive Analysis, Innovation, Strategic Decision-Making, Risk Management, Organizational Strategy, New Business Development, Business Valuation, Market Dynamics, Market Opportunities, and Strategic Thinking

What you'll learn

  • How to connect strategic analysis to strategy execution using hypothesis testing to unearth key assumptions and assess their validity

  • Four different approaches to strategy formulation and how governance ties into effective strategy formulation

  • Use the 4A Model for effective strategy execution to ensure appropriate human and organizational resources are in place

  • Tips from industry experts for successful strategy development and execution

Skills you'll gain

Strategic Thinking, Plan Execution, Corporate Strategy, Business Strategy, Strategic Decision-Making, Analysis, Competitive Analysis, Organizational Strategy, Strategic Leadership, Business Analysis, Governance, and Data-Driven Decision-Making

What you'll learn

  • Employ your toolkit to develop your comprehensive Strategic Analysis

  • Build a well-supported case recommending a specific strategic path

  • Effectively and efficiently communicate key points with executive leadership

  • Identify strategic paths the organization might pursue

Skills you'll gain

Analysis, Business Research, Business Strategy, Competitive Analysis, Report Writing, Business Analysis, Project Management, Business Communication, Presentations, Organizational Strategy, Strategic Decision-Making, Peer Review, and Business Writing

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructors

Michael Lenox
University of Virginia
24 Courses594,180 learners
Jared Harris
University of Virginia
10 Courses262,770 learners
Scott Snell
University of Virginia
1 Course67,487 learners

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