Course curriculum

  • 1

    Module 1: Welcome to the course

    • Segment - 01 - Course Introduction Business Strategy to Business Plan
    • Reading - 1.1 - How To Get The Most From This Course?
    • Segment - 02 - QuickFire Quiz
    • Reading - 1.2 - QuickFire Strategy Quiz
    • Resource - 1.2.1 - Quickfire Strategy Quiz
    • Segment - 03 - Quick-fire Quiz How did you do?
    • Reading - 1.3 - Quickfire Quiz- How did you do
    • Segment - 04 - How to Get The Most From This Course?
    • Reading - 1.4 - How To Get The Most From This Course?
    • Segment - 05 - Using the Course Map Matrix
    • Reading - 1.5 - Using the Course Map Matrix
    • Resource - 1.5.1 - Course Map Matrix 2.0
    • Resource - 1.5.2 - Course Overview
    • Resource - 1.5.3 - Strategy Course Matrix Map
    • Segment - 06 - Guide to the Course Assignments
    • Reading - 1.6 - Guide to the Course Assignments
    • Segment - 07- Download All The Course Materials
    • Reading - 1.7 - Download All Course Materials
    • Resource - 1.7.1 - Downloadable Course Materials 1
    • Resource - 1.7.2 - Downloadable Course Materials 2
    • Resource - 1.7.3 - Downloadable Course Materials 3
  • 2

    Module 2: Connecting Business Strategy to the Business Plan

    • Segment - 08 - Section Introduction Business Fundamentals Business Strategy
    • Segment - 09 - Business Strategy to Business Plan
    • Reading - 2.1 - Business Strategy to Business Plan
    • Resource - 2.1.1 - Business Strategy to Business Plan Course Notes
    • Reading - 2.2 - Business Plan Template
    • Segment - 10 - What do we mean by Business Strategy?
    • Reading - 2.3 - What Do We Mean By Business Strategy?
    • Segment - 11 - What is a Business Plan?
    • Reading - 2.4 - What is a Business Plan?
    • Resource - 2.4.1 - Business Plan Template
    • Segment - 12 - What do we mean by Corporate Strategy?
    • Reading - 2.5 - What Do We Mean By Corporate Strategy?
    • Segment - 13 - Should You Create Shareholder Value?
    • Reading - 2.6 - Should You Be Creating Shareholder Value?
    • Segment - 14 - Introduction to Strategic Management
    • Reading - 2.7 - Introduction to Strategic Management
  • 3

    Module 3: The Value of Strategic Analysis

    • Segment - 15 - The Value of Strategic Analysis
    • Segment - 16 - Strategic Analysis The First Step
    • Reading - 3.1 - Strategic Analysis - The First Step
    • Segment - 17 - What is Strategic Analysis?
    • Reading - 3.2 - What is Strategic Analysis?
    • Segment - 18 - Frameworks for Strategic Analysis
    • Reading - 3.3 - Frameworks for Strategic Analysis
    • Segment - 19 - Strategic Analysis Case Study Apple
    • Reading - 3.4 - Strategic Analysis Case Study
    • Segment - 20 - Assignment 1 Apple SWOT Analysis
    • Reading - 3.5 - Assignment 1 - Strategic Analysis Assignment - Apple SWOT Analysis
    • Reading - 3.6 - Assignment- Apple SWOT Analysis
    • Resource - 3.6.1 - Strategic Analysis Assignment - Apple SWOT Analysis
  • 4

    Module 4: Frameworks and Theories Business Strategies You Must Know

    • Segment - 21 - Frameworks and Theories Business Strategists Must Know
    • Segment - 22 - Why are these business models important?
    • Reading - 4.1 - Why are these Business Models important?
    • Segment - 23 - The Tale of The Hedgehog and the Fox
    • Reading - 4.2 - The Tale of the Hedgehog and the Fox
    • Segment - 24 - Why are Management Theories Useful?
    • Reading - 4.3 - Why Are Management Theories Useful?
    • Segment - 25 - SWOT Analysis
    • Reading - 4.4 - SWOT Analysis
    • Segment - 26 - Introduction to Michael Porter’s Five Forces Model
    • Reading - 4.5 - Introduction to Michael Porter’s Competitive Five Forces
    • Segment - 27 - Lafley and Martin 5 Step Strategy Model
    • Reading - 4.6 - Lafley and Martin 5 Step Strategy Model
    • Segment - 28 - 5C Analysis
    • Reading - 4.7 - 5C Analysis
    • Segment - 29 - What is PEST or Broad Factors Analysis?
    • Reading - 4.8 - What is PEST or Broad Factors Analysis?
    • Segment - 30 - PESTEL Analysis
    • Reading - 4.9 - PESTEL Analysis
    • Segment - 31 - Ansoff Matrix
    • Reading - 4.10 - Ansoff Matrix
    • Segment - 32 - Value Chain
    • Reading - 4.11 - Value Chain
    • Segment - 33 - Business Model Synthesis
    • Reading - 4.12 - Business Model Synthesis
    • Segment - 34 - Black Swan Events Coronavirus
    • Reading - 4.13 - Black Swan Events- Coronavirus
    • Reading - 4.14 - Assignment 2 Business Model Quiz
    • Resource - 4.14.1 - Assignment 2 Business Model Quiz Question Sheet
    • Reading - 4.15 - Assignment 2 Business Model Quiz Answers
  • 5

    Module 5: Critical Evaluation of Leadership

    • Segment - 35 - Critical Evaluation of Leadership
    • Segment - 36 - Section Introduction Critical Evaluation of Leadership
    • Segment - 37 - Vision and Leadership Starting at the Top
    • Reading - 5.1 - Vision and Leadership - Starting at the Top
    • Segment - 38 - What Skills Are We Looking For In Management?
    • Reading - 5.2 - What Skills Are We Looking For In Management?
    • Segment - 39 - What is the Purpose of a Vision Statement?
    • Reading - 5.3 - What is the Purpose of a Vision Statement?
  • 6

    Module 6: Products and Services and Competitive Advantage

    • Segment - 40 - Products and Services and Competitive Advantage
    • Segment - 41 - What Do We Mean By Products and Services?
    • Reading - 6.1 - What Do We Mean By Products and Services?
    • Segment - 42 - Why Product Differentiation is Critical?
    • Reading - 6.2 - Why Product Differentiation is Critical?
    • Segment - 43 - Product Diversification in Business Strategy
    • Reading - 6.3 - Product Diversification in Business Strategy
    • Segment - 44 - How does Quality Management fit into your Business Strategy?
    • Reading - 6.4 - How Does Quality Management Fit In Your Strategy?
    • Segment - 45 - What do we mean by Competitive Advantage?
    • Reading - 6.5 - What do we mean by Competitive Advantage?
    • Segment - 46 - Bowmans Strategic Clock Strategic Positioning
    • Reading - 6.6 - Bowman’s Strategic Clock - Strategic Positioning
    • Segment - 47 -Products Services and Technology in the Business Plan
    • Reading - 6.7 - Products, Services and Technology in the Business Plan
    • Resource - 6.7.1 - Business Plan Assignment 3 - Products, Services and Technology
  • 7

    Module 7: Competition – Know Your Enemy

    • Segment - 48 - Competition Know Your Enemy
    • Segment - 49 - Competitor Analysis
    • Reading - 7.1 - Competitor Analysis
    • Resource - 7.7.1 - Business Plan Assignment 4 - Competition
    • Segment - 50 - Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Matrix
    • Reading - 7.2 - Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Matrix
    • Segment - 51 - Competitors and Competitive Forces
    • Reading - 7.3 - Competitors and Competitive Forces
    • Segment - 52 - Competitive Intensity
    • Reading - 7.4 - Competitive Intensity
    • Segment - 53 - Industry Life Cycle
    • Reading - 7.5 - Industry Life Cycle
    • Segment - 54 - Competition Business Plan Tie In
    • Reading - 7.6 - Competition Business Plan Tie In
  • 8

    Module 8: External Strategic Analysis – Industry, Markets and Competition

    • Segment - 55 - Industry, Markets and Competition
    • Segment - 56 - What do we mean by external strategic analysis?
    • Reading - 8.1 - What do we mean by External Strategic Analysis?
    • Segment - 57 - How Does Industry Analysis Help?
    • Reading - 8.2 - How Does Industry Analysis Help?
    • Segment - 58 - Conducting PEST or Broad Factors Analysis
    • Reading - 8.3 - Conducting PEST or Broad Factors External Analysis
    • Segment - 59 - What are the Business and Funding Life Cycles?
    • Reading - 8.4 - What are the Business and Funding Life Cycles?
    • Segment - 60 - Value Chains Connecting Companies to their External Environment
    • Reading - 8.5 - Value Chains- Connecting Companies to their External Environment
    • Segment - 61 - Addressing the Total Addressable Market TAM
    • Reading - 8.6 - Assessing the Total Addressable Market (TAM)
    • Segment - 62 - Market Segmentation Choosing Customers
    • Reading - 8.7 - Market Segmentation- Choosing Customers
    • Segment - 63 - The Bargaining Power of Suppliers
    • Reading - 8.8 - The Bargaining Power of Suppliers
    • Segment - 64 - The Bargaining Power of Customers
    • Reading - 8.9 - The Bargaining Power of Customers
    • Segment - 65 - Business Plan Industry, Markets and Competition
    • Reading - 8.10 - Business Plan - Industry, Markets and Competition
    • Resource - 8.10.1 - Business Plan Assignment 5 - Industry and Market
  • 9

    Module 9: Internal Strategic Analysis – Operations and Customer Management

    • Segment - 66 - Operations and Customer Management
    • Segment - 67 - What are Business Operations?
    • Reading - 9.1 - What are Business Operations?
    • Segment - 68 - Strategic Analysis with the Business Model Canvas
    • Reading - 9.2 - Business Model Canvas
    • Reading - 9.3 - Strategic Analysis with the Business Model Canvas
    • Segment - 69 - How can Corporate Structure impact Strategy?
    • Reading - 9.4 - How can Corporate Structure impact Strategy?
    • Segment - 70 - Organisational Development- Initiating Systems Change
    • Reading - 9.5 - Organisational Development - Initiating Systems Change
    • Segment - 71 - Reviewing the Operations of the Firm
    • Reading - 9.6 - Reviewing the Operations of the Firm
    • Segment - 72 - Click and Mortar Online meets Offline
    • Reading - 9.7 - Click and Mortar - Online meets Offline
    • Segment - 73 - eCommerce Business Models
    • Reading - 9.8 - eCommerce Business Models
    • Segment - 74 - Internal Strategic Analysis Business Plan Tie In
    • Reading - 9.9 - Internal Strategic Analysis - Business Plan Tie In
    • Resource - 9.9.1 - Business Plan Assignment 6 - Internal Operations
  • 10

    Module 10: Six Minute Strategist SWOT Assignment

    • Segment - 75 - Six Minute Strategist SWOT Analysis Section Intro
    • Segment - 76 - Six Minute Strategist SWOT Analysis
    • Reading - 10.1 - Six Minute Strategist Strategy Analyzer
    • Reading - 10.3 - SWOT Analysis Score Card
    • Reading - 10.2 - Six Minute SWOT Analysis
    • Resource - 10.2.1 - Assignment 7 Six Minute Strategist SWOT Assignment
  • 11

    Module 11: Customer Value Proposition

    • Segment - 77 - Customer Value Proposition
    • Reading - 11.1 - Examples of Customer Value Proposition
    • Segment - 78 - Understanding The Customer Value Proposition
    • Reading - 11.2 - Understanding The Customer Value Proposition
    • Segment - 79 - Positioning Your Firm in the Market
    • Reading - 11.3 - Positioning Your Firm in the Market
    • Segment - 80 - What do we mean by a Profit Model?
    • Reading - 11.4 - What Do We Mean By A Profit Model?
    • Segment - 81 - Hax's Delta Model
    • Reading - 11.5 - Hax’s Delta Model
    • Segment - 82 - Switching Costs and Customer Strategy
    • Reading - 11.6 - Switching Costs and Customer Strategy
    • Segment - 83 - Managing the Customer Experience
    • Reading - 11.7 - Managing the Customer Experience
    • Segment - 84 - What is the Customer Journey?
    • Reading - 11.8 - What is the Customer Journey?
    • Segment - 85 - Customers Customer Value and the Business Plan
    • Reading - 11.9 - Customers, Customer Value and the Business Plan
    • Resource - 11.9.1 - Business Plan Assignment 8 - Customers
  • 12

    Module 12: Sales and Marketing Strategy

    • Segment - 86 - Sales and Marketing Strategy
    • Segment - 87 - The Five Ps of Marketing
    • Reading - 12.1 - The Five Ps of Marketing
    • Segment - 88 - How Can You Plan Your Marketing?
    • Reading - 12.2 - How Can You Plan Your Marketing?
    • Segment - 89 - Push Marketing Strategy
    • Reading - 12.3 - Push Marketing Strategy
    • Segment - 90 - Pull Marketing Strategy
    • Reading - 12.4 - Pull Marketing Strategy
    • Segment - 91 - Understanding AIDA
    • Reading - 12.5 - Understanding AIDA
    • Segment - 92 - Progressive Sequence of Nine Agreements
    • Reading - 12.6 - Progressive Sequence of 9 Agreements
    • Segment - 93 - Pricing Strategies
    • Reading - 12.7 - Pricing Strategies
    • Segment - 94 - Sales and Marketing in the Business Plan
    • Reading - 12.8 - Sales and Marketing in the Business Plan
    • Resource - 12.8.1 - Business Plan Assignment 9 - Sales and Marketing
  • 13

    Module 13: Digital Business Strategy Transformation

    • Segment - 95 - Digital Business Strategy Transformation
    • Segment - 96 - Why Do You Need A Digital Strategy Blueprint?
    • Reading - 13.1 - Why do you need a digital strategy framework?
    • Resource - 13.1.1 - ACTIVITY – The Digital Business Blueprint Worksheet
    • Segment - 97 - What Skills and Assets do you need to be a Digital Entrepreneur?
    • Reading - 13.2 - What Skills and Assets do You Need to be a Digital Entrepreneur?
    • Segment - 98 - Digital Strategy Blueprint HD
    • Reading - 13.3 - Digital Strategy Blueprint Omnibus
    • Segment - 99 - Customer Centric Transformation
    • Reading - 13.4 - Customer Centric Transformation
    • Segment - 100 - Customer Experience Transformation
    • Reading - 13.5 - Customer Experience Transformation
    • Segment - 101 - Customer Channel Transformation
    • Reading - 13.6 - Customer Channel Transformation
    • Segment - 102 - Customer Engagement Transformation
    • Reading - 13.7 - Customer Engagement Transformation
    • Segment - 103 - Digital Skills Transformation
    • Reading - 13.8 - Digital Skills Transformation
    • Segment - 104 - Tools and Resources
    • Reading - 13.9 - Tools and Resources
    • Reading - 13.10 - ACTIVITY - The Digital Business Blueprint Worksheet
    • Resource - 13.10.1 - Business Blueprint Assignment 10 - Design Your Digital Business Strategy
  • 14

    Module 14: Finance – Understanding Financial Statements

    • Segment - 105 - Understanding Financial Statements Section Intro
    • Segment - 106 - Overview of Financial Statements
    • Reading - 14.1 - Overview of Financial Statements
    • Segment - 107 - GAAP Accruals vs Cash Accounting
    • Reading - 14.2 - GAAP Accruals vs Cash Accounting
    • Segment - 108 - Income Statement or Profit and Loss Account
    • Reading - 14.3 - Income Statement or Profit and Loss Account
    • Resource - 14.3.1 - Income Statement
    • Resource - 14.3.2 - Profit and Loss Account
    • Segment - 109 - Introduction to the Balance Sheet
    • Reading - 14.4 - Introduction to the Balance Sheet
    • Segment - 110 - Introduction to the Cash Flow Statement
    • Reading - 14.5 - Introduction to the Cash Flow Statement
    • Segment - 111 - Cash Flow Metrics Explained
    • Reading - 14.6 - Cash Flow Metrics Explained
    • Segment - 112 - Case Study Apple Financial Statements
    • Reading - 14.7 - Case Study- Apple Financial Statements
    • Resource - 14.7.1 - Apple Balance Sheet
    • Resource - 14.7.2 - Apple Consolidated Income Statement
    • Resource - 14.7.3 - Apple Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow
    • Segment - 113 - Financial Statements in the Business Plan
    • Reading - 14.8 - Financial Statements in the Business Plan
    • Resource - 14.8.1 - Business Plan Assignment 11 - Financial Statements
  • 15

    Module 15: Finance – Strategic Financial Analysis

    • Segment - 114 - Finance Strategic Financial Analysis Section Introduction
    • Segment - 115 - What is Financial Analysis?
    • Reading - 15.1 - What is Financial Analysis?
    • Segment - 116 - Measures of Profitability Financial Analysis
    • Reading - 15.2 - Measures of Profitability Financial Analysis
    • Resource - 15.2.1 - Apple Income Statement Ratios
    • Resource - 15.2.2 - Apple Income Statement Revenue Margin
    • Resource - 15.2.3 - Apple Income Statement YoY Comp
    • Segment - 117 - Balance Sheet Ratios
    • Reading - 15.3 - Balance Sheet Ratios
    • Segment - 118 - Cash Flow Statement Analysis
    • Segment - 119 - Valuation Ratios
    • Reading - 15.4 - Cash Flow Statement Analysis
    • Reading - 15.5 - Valuation Ratios
  • 16

    Module 16: Financial Analysis – Case Study and Assignment

    • Segment - 120 - Financial Analysis Case Study and Assignment
    • Reading - 16.1 - Case Study Assignment - Apple Inc Questions
    • Resource - 16.1.1 - Apple Inc Case Study Financial Analysis Assignment
    • Reading - 16.2 - Financial Analysis Assignment
    • Segment - 121 - Financial Analysis Assignment
    • Segment - 122 - Apple Inc Financial Analysis Solution
    • Reading - 16.3 - Apple Inc Case Study Financial Analysis
    • Resource - 16.3.1 - Apple Inc Case Study Financial Analysis
    • Resource - 16.3.2 - Case Study Assignment 12 Apple Inc Financial Analysis
    • Reading - 16.4 - Apple Inc Financial Analysis - Solution
    • Segment - 123 - Measures of Growth Discussion
    • Reading - 16.5 - Measurements of Growth
    • Resource - 16.5.1 - Measures of Growth
    • Segment - 124 - Measures of Profitability
    • Reading - 16.6 - Measurements of Profitability
    • Resource - 16.6.1 - Measures of Profitability
    • Segment - 125 - Measures Of Trading Performance
    • Reading - 16.7 - Measures Of Trading Performance
    • Resource - 16.7.1 - Measures of Trading Performance
    • Segment - 126 - Working Capital Liquidity & Efficiency
    • Reading - 16.8 - Working Capital - Liquidity & Efficiency
    • Resource - 16.8.1 - Measures of Liquidity
  • 17

    Module 17: Future Business Strategy Analyser Assignment

    • Segment - 127 - Strategy Analyser Assignment
    • Reading - 17.1 - Strategy Analyser Worksheet
    • Resource - 17.1.1 - Assignment 13 Future Business Strategy Analysers
    • Segment - 128 - Strategy Analyser Strategic Audit
  • 18

    Module 18: Goal Setting and Financial Performance

    • Segment - 129 - Goal Setting and Performance Management
    • Segment - 130 - Goal Setting
    • Reading - 18.1 - Goal Setting
    • Segment - 131 - SMART Goals
    • Reading - 18.2 - SMART Goals
    • Segment - 132 - Key Performance Indicators
    • Reading - 18.3 - Key Performance Indicators
    • Segment - 133 - Strategic Dashboards
    • Reading - 18.4 - Strategic Dashboards
    • Resource - 18.4.1 - Business Writing Insights
    • Segment - 134 - Corporate Performance Management
    • Reading - 18.5 - Corporate Performance Management
    • Segment - 135 - Objectives and Key Results
    • Reading - 18.6 - Objectives and Key Results
    • Segment - 136 - Year over Year Performance
    • Reading - 18.7 - Year Over Year Performance
    • Resource - 18.7.1 - Business Plan Assignment 14 - Corporate Reporting.docx
  • 19

    Module 19: Business Fundamentals: Growth Strategies

    • Segment - 137 - Business Fundamentals: Growth Strategies
    • Segment - 138 - Organic vs Inorganic Growth Strategies
    • Reading - 19.1 - Organic vs Inorganic Growth Strategies
    • Segment - 139 - The Advantage of First Mover Advantage
    • Reading - 19.2 - The Advantage of First Mover Advantage
    • Segment - 140 - The Importance of Scalability
    • Reading - 19.3 - The Importance of Scalability
    • Segment - 141 - Mergers and Acquisitions Growth Strategies
    • Reading - 19.4 - Mergers and Acquisitions Growth Strategies
    • Segment - 142 - Buy and Build Growth Strategy
    • Reading - 19.5 - Buy and Build Growth Strategy
    • Segment - 143 - Company Recovery Strategies
    • Reading - 19.6 - Company Recovery Strategies
    • Segment - 144 - Post Coronavirus Strategies
    • Reading - 19.7 - Post Coronavirus Strategies
    • Segment - 145 - Growth Strategies Business Plan Tie In
    • Reading - 19.8 - Growth Strategies Business Plan Tie In
  • 20

    Module 20: Valuation Funding, Exits and Returns

    • Segment - 146 - Valuation Funding, Exits and Returns
    • Reading - 20.1 - Printable Course Map
    • Resource - 20.1.1 - Business Plan Template
    • Segment - 147 - Valuation and Funding
    • Reading - 20.2 - Valuation and Funding
    • Segment - 148 - How to Value a Company?
    • Reading - 20.3 - How to Value a Company?
    • Segment - 149 - Sources of Funding
    • Reading - 20.4 - Sources of Funding
    • Segment - 150 - What is a Pre-Money Valuation?
    • Reading - 20.5 - What is a Pre-Money Valuation?
    • Segment - 151 - How to Create a Pitch Deck for an investor?
    • Reading - 20.6 - How to Create a Pitch Deck for a Financial Investor?
    • Segment - 152 - Sources and Uses of Funds
    • Reading - 20.7 - Sources and Uses of Funds
    • Segment - 153 - What is a Cap Table?
    • Reading - 20.8 - What is a Cap Table?
    • Resource - 20.8.1 - Simple Cap Table
    • Segment - 154 - Exit Strategies and Returns
    • Reading - 20.9 - Exit Strategies and Returns
    • Segment - 155 - Transaction Cost Management
    • Reading - 20.10 - Transaction Cost Management
  • 21

    Module 21: Risk Assessment

    • Segment - 156 - Risk Assessment Section Introduction
    • Segment - 157 - Risk Assessment
    • Reading - 21.1 - Risk Assessment
    • Resource - 21.1.1 - Business Plan Assignment 17 - Risks Assessment
  • 22

    Module 22: Business Plan Synthesis

    • Segment - 158 - Business Plan Synthesis
    • Segment - 159 - Business Plan Synthesis
    • Reading - 22.1 - Business Plan Synthesis
    • Segment - 160 - Business Plan Executive Summary
    • Reading - 22.2 - Business Plan - Executive Summary
    • Segment - 161 - Business Plan History and Background
    • Reading - 22.3 - Business Plan - History and Background
    • Segment - 162 - Business Plan Management
    • Reading - 22.4 - Management - Business Plan
    • Segment - 163 - Business Plan Appendices
    • Reading - 22.5 - Business Plan Appendices
    • Segment - 164 - Business Plan Key Questions Checklist
    • Reading - 22.6 - Business Plan Key Questions Checklist
    • Segment - 165 - Business Plan Audience Targeting
    • Reading - 22.7 - Business Plan Audience Targeting
    • Reading - 22.8 - Business Plan Check List for Different Types of Business
    • Resource - 22.8.1 - Business Plan Checklist for Different Types of Business
    • Segment - 166 - Business Plan Refinement Types of Businesses
    • Reading - 22.9 - Business Plan Refinement- Types of Businesses
    • Resource - 22.9.1 - Business Plan Assignment 18 - History & Background
    • Resource - 22.9.2 - Business Plan Assignment 19 - Management
    • Resource - 22.9.3 - Business Plan Assignment 20 - Appendices
    • Resource - 22.9.4 - Business Plan Assignment 21 - Executive Summary
  • 23

    Module 23: Summary and Wrap Up

    • Segment - 160 - Course Summary and Wrap Up
    • Reading - 23.1 - Course Summary and Wrap Up
    • Reading - 23.2 - Digital Strategy Blueprint Overview
    • Reading - 23.3 - Apple 10-K-2018-(As-Filed)