Business Strategy Course Syllabus
Full curriculum breakdown — modules, lessons, estimated time, and outcomes.
Overview: This course provides a concise and structured introduction to business strategy, designed for beginners. Over five core modules and a final project, you'll build a strategic mindset by learning key frameworks and applying them to real-world companies. With approximately 2-3 hours of work per module, the course is designed to be completed in 5-6 weeks. Lifetime access ensures you can revisit concepts anytime. Ideal for students, early-career professionals, and entrepreneurs seeking a strong foundation in strategic analysis.
Module 1: What is Strategy?
Estimated time: 3 hours
- Definition of strategy
- Value creation in business
- Strategic positioning fundamentals
- Conducting strategic audits of well-known companies
Module 2: Analyzing Industry Structure
Estimated time: 3 hours
- Porter’s Five Forces framework
- Understanding industry rivalry
- Assessing buyer and supplier power
- Evaluating competitive pressures in your industry
Module 3: Internal Analysis
Estimated time: 3 hours
- Resource-Based View (RBV) of the firm
- VRIO framework for resource evaluation
- Identifying sources of competitive advantage
- Assessing firm resources and capabilities
Module 4: Strategic Positioning
Estimated time: 3 hours
- Cost leadership strategy
- Differentiation strategy
- Strategic trade-offs
- Using the strategy canvas for positioning
Module 5: Sustaining Competitive Advantage
Estimated time: 3 hours
- Barriers to imitation
- Dynamic capabilities
- Analyzing long-term market position
Module 6: Final Project
Estimated time: 4 hours
- Analyze a real-world company using Porter’s Five Forces
- Conduct an internal analysis using VRIO
- Develop a strategic positioning recommendation
Prerequisites
- Familiarity with basic business concepts
- No prior strategy experience required
- Access to case examples and company information
What You'll Be Able to Do After
- Apply core strategic frameworks like Porter’s Five Forces and VRIO
- Analyze industry structures and competitive dynamics
- Evaluate a firm’s internal resources for competitive advantage
- Develop strategic positioning using proven tools
- Formulate recommendations to sustain long-term business success