Can I take the course for free?

No, you cannot take this course for free. When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.

Will I earn university credit for completing the Specialization?

This Specialization doesn't carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept Specialization Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more.

Strengthen Your Business Savvy Specialization

Strengthen Your Business Savvy Specialization

Master foundational skills every leader needs. From decision making to budgeting, strategy to gen AI, learn to lead with confidence.

Instructor: Harvard Business Review

Included with Coursera Plus

Learn more

4 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

Intermediate level

Some related experience required

1 month at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Earn a career credential

Share your expertise with employers

4 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

Intermediate level

Some related experience required

1 month at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Earn a career credential

Share your expertise with employers

What you'll learn

Evaluate business models and financial health to make informed decisions that create value and drive competitive advantage
Develop and execute strategic plans that integrate organizational strategy with actionable frameworks to optimize performance
Assess and track financial performance, develop budgets and cost-benefit analyses, understand budget sensitivity, variance, and financial strategies
Leverage generative AI and digital technologies strategically to drive innovation, harness the power of data, and minimize risks

Overview

Business savvy means understanding what makes organizations tick and leveraging that knowledge to get results. By developing foundational skills in leadership, strategy, finance, budgeting, and digital technology, you can help your organization succeed and advance your career.

In this specialization, you'll find out how businesses create value and compete against rivals. Through real-world scenarios and exercises, you’ll strengthen your decision-making skills and learn to transform strategic vision into actionable plans. You’ll dive into the basics of financial performance and budgeting and learn how to maximize resources and drive profitability. And you'll discover how to leverage generative AI and digital tools to stay competitive in a rapidly changing world.

What’s included

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English

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 Harvard Business Review

Specialization - 4 course series

You will work on four projects for this specialization to develop specific plans to:

Analyzing your organization's competitive position, make strategic decisions, and drive business results using data and systematic thinking.
Creating actionable strategic initiatives, implement them effectively, and apply strategic thinking to identify opportunities and anticipate challenges.
Analyzing your organization's financial performance, create effective budgets, and make informed financial decisions that maximize resources and drive success.
Leading your team in leveraging generative AI and digital technologies to solve problems, create value, and thrive in a tech-driven world.

Think Like a Leader

Course 112 hoursView course

What you'll learn

Evaluate business models and organizational strategies to determine how companies create, capture, and deliver value in competitive markets
Assess organizational financial health by interpreting key financial statements and connecting financial performance to business success factors
Apply systematic decision-making processes to overcome cognitive biases and improve individual and group decision quality
Design data-driven decision frameworks to lead effective group decisions in organizational contexts

Skills you'll gain

Decision Making, Critical Thinking, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Competitive Analysis, Strategic Decision-Making, Business Acumen, Leadership, Business Modeling, Financial Statements, Financial Analysis, Team Leadership, and Business Strategy

Act Strategically

Course 210 hoursView course

What you'll learn

Develop strategic plans that integrate organizational strategy with actionable implementation frameworks
Evaluate strategic execution and performance to optimize organizational goal achievement
Explore industry trends and organizational patterns to identify strategic opportunities
Create proactive strategic responses by anticipating future opportunities and challenges

Skills you'll gain

Strategic Decision-Making, Strategic Thinking, Organizational Strategy, Trend Analysis, Business Strategy, Strategic Prioritization, Market Trend, Plan Execution, Forecasting, Business Planning, Value Propositions, and Critical Thinking

Master Financial Fundamentals

Course 314 hoursView course

What you'll learn

Understand and analyze financial statements to gauge financial health and monitor operational success
Weigh costs and benefits, track financial performance, and make the most of resources
Create operating budgets and capital outlay budgets that support organizational strategic objectives
Analyze budget variances and perform sensitivity analysis to optimize financial planning and control

Skills you'll gain

Budgeting, Financial Management, Variance Analysis, Cost Benefit Analysis, Return On Investment, Cash Flows, Financial Analysis, Performance Analysis, Balance Sheet, Resource Allocation, Financial Statements, Investments, Financial Data, and Income Statement

Lead with Technology and AI

Course 410 hoursView course

What you'll learn

Innovate with gen AI tools to solve problems, create new value, and boost performance
Craft smart gen AI prompts, evaluate results critically, and mitigate risks
Cultivate a digital mindset and team culture to thrive in a tech-driven world
Apply data-driven approaches to identify, prioritize, and act on digital opportunities

Skills you'll gain

Responsible AI, Generative AI, Digital Transformation, Prompt Engineering, Innovation, Culture Transformation, Technology Strategies, Technical Management, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Data Analysis, Team Motivation, Leadership, and Artificial Intelligence

Earn a career certificate

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

Instructor

Harvard Business Review

16 Courses265 learners

Offered by

Harvard Business Review

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Frequently asked questions

This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.

Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.

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.

Strengthen Your Business Savvy Specialization

What you'll learn

Overview

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

What’s included

Advance your subject-matter expertise