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This course is part of the CLIMB program and Strategy track.
Introduction to Business Strategy
Formulate strategies to give your organization a competitive advantage, using a proven framework that creates value for customers, employees, and suppliers.
7
weeks
5-6
hours per week
6
modules
Self-Paced
with regular deadlines
This course earns you a Certificate of Completion from HBS Online. What you earn.
Overview
Syllabus
Enrollment
Stories
FAQs
Key Concepts
Who Will Benefit
Develop a powerful, value-based strategy to achieve greater success for your team and organization.
Participating in the student discussions and answering cold calls was empowering. It ignited a drive within me to learn and absorb as much as I could.
Leslie Pico
A small business owner and tech entrepreneur from Arizona
Programming & System Analysis, Biomedical Engineering, Estrella Mountain Community College
Small Business Administration, Northern Arizona University
Apply tools and frameworks to effectively allocate resources, determine which projects to pursue, and deepen your company’s competitive advantage.
We live in an ever changing world and in order to keep up and become successful, continuous education is a must-do.
Ozgur Taskaya
User Acquisition Manager at Adcash
Make stronger strategic recommendations and recognize the companies that are likely to achieve enduring financial success
The course has given me the confidence to know that my suggestions have a solid business basis.
Jennifer Moret
Financial Analyst
What You Earn
Certificate of Completion
Certificate of Specialization
Learn More about what you earn
Syllabus
Download full syllabus
7-8
hrs
Module 1
Creating Value for Customers
Develop a foundational understanding of the value stick framework and learn how to make pricing decisions with a focus on willingness to pay (WTP).
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5
hrs
Module 2
Adding Value Through Complements
Understand the difference between complements and substitutes and discover the power of complements as a competitive advantage.
Highlights
Pricing Complements
Discerning Complements from Substitutes
Creating Complementarity
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Concepts
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Understanding Complements
-
Shifting Value
-
Navigating the Frenemy Relationship
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Discerning Complements from Substitutes
Featured Exercises
-
Create a customer journey map to discover complementary products and services
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5
hrs
Module 3
Competing with Network Effects
Explore the three types of network effects, their impact on WTP, and how to compete against dominant platforms.
Highlights
Predicting Competition in Local Markets
Competing Against Dominant Platforms
Platforms in Your Value Chain
Serial Acquirers
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-
Concepts
-
Understanding Network Effects
-
Which Markets Will Tip
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Strategies for Underdogs
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Digital Platforms and Innovation
Featured Exercises
-
Analyze the marketplace to determine how to lift WTP in ways that don’t rely on scale
-
5
hrs
Module 4
Creating Value for Talent
Discover ways to make work more attractive for your employees, understand the difference between lowering WTS and reducing compensation, and explore workplace flexibility.
Highlights
The Problem with Retail Work
Breaking the Cycle
The Good Jobs Strategy
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Concepts
-
Talent
-
Linking Productivity and Customer Delight
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Competing on Flexibility
-
Compensation Policy
Featured Exercises
-
Create an employee journey map to find ways to improve the employee experience
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Explore the elements of the Good Jobs Strategy
-
5
hrs
Module 5
Mastering Productivity
Explore why some companies are more productive than others, the power of economies of scale, and opportunities to share value with your suppliers.
Highlights
Fixed and Variable Costs
How Big Banks Get Bigger
Teaching Your Suppliers
Good Management
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-
Concepts
-
Measuring Productivity
-
Economies of Scale
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Teaching and Learning
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Good Management
Featured Exercises
-
Identify ways to improve supplier relationships
-
Determine the difference between good management practices and productivity
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5
hrs
Module 6
Implementing Strategy
Learn to move from strategy formulation to implementation and discover the importance of prioritizing and differentiating strategic initiatives.
Highlights
Prioritizing Your Value Drivers
Refining Your Value Maps
Strategy Implementation
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-
Concepts
-
Value Maps
-
Evolving Your Value Proposition
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Connecting Strategy, Activities, and KPIs
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Execution Challenges
Featured Exercises
-
Determine the most important value drivers for your customers and employees
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Create a value map for your company
-
Explore ways to prioritize the most important value drivers to grow your business
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Free E-Book
How to Formulate a Successful Business Strategy
Access Your Free E-book
Our Difference
Business Strategy enables anyone to think and act strategically. Learn an effective, easy-to-grasp framework some of the world’s best companies use to create value and achieve outstanding financial performance.
Stay active by engaging in a new activity every three to five minutes and applying your knowledge through group exercises.
Stay active by engaging in a new activity every three to five minutes and applying your knowledge through group exercises.
Description of silent animated video above: Learner completes an interactive question by dragging and dropping choices into two different categories
Get social by collaborating with a global community of peers before, during, and after your course. Learners who successfully complete an HBS Online program will be added to the HBS Online Community's Official Networking Group and gain exclusive access to events and other networking opportunities.
Get social by collaborating with a global community of peers before, during, and after your course. Learners who successfully complete an HBS Online program will be added to the HBS Online Community's Official Networking Group and gain exclusive access to events and other networking opportunities.
Description of silent animated video above: Learner types an answer in the discussion board in response to a peer's question
Immerse yourself in real-world, case-based examples brought to life by industry-leading experts from companies like Best Buy, Corning, DoorDash, Farfetch, GE, Harkins Theatres, JPMorgan Chase, Quest Diagnostics, Raksul, Ripple, Simon-Kucher & Partners, Tatra banka, and West Monroe Partners.
Description of silent animated video above: Learner scrolls through video interviews from prominent business leaders
About the Professor
Felix Oberholzer-Gee
Business Strategy
Andreas Andresen Professor of Business Administration
"Business Strategy will equip you with a framework that you can apply immediately."
Dates & Eligibility
Starting
Jul
10
7 Weeks $1,850 + applicable international taxes
Application deadline July 1
View weekly calendar
Starting
Sep
04
7 Weeks $1,850 + applicable international taxes
Application deadline August 26
View weekly calendar
Starting
Oct
30
7 Weeks $1,850 + applicable international taxes
Application deadline October 21
View weekly calendar
-
- Free application
-
- No documentation required
-
- Confirmation within one week
All applicants must be at least 18 years of age, proficient in English, and committed to learning and engaging with fellow participants throughout the course.
Learn about bringing this course to your organization.
Learner Stories
90%
are more self-assured at work
My favorite part of the program was interacting with my cohort members where I received valuable shared experiences, feedback and was able to be a thought partner around strategies and best practices in varying scenarios.
Raymond Porch
Manager of Diversity Programs at Boston Public Schools
The course has given me the confidence to know that my suggestions have a solid business basis.
Jennifer Moret
Financial Analyst
Read more learner stories
* Source: 2022 surveys and course data
All FAQs
Business Strategy FAQs
Participants in Business Strategy are eligible for a Certificate of Completion from Harvard Business School Online.
Participants are expected to fully complete all coursework in a thoughtful and timely manner. This will mean meeting each week’s course module deadlines and fully answering questions posed therein. This helps ensure your cohort proceeds through the course at a similar pace and can take full advantage of social learning opportunities. In addition to module and assignment completion, we expect participation in the social learning elements of the course by offering feedback on others’ reflections and contributing to conversations on the platform. Participants who fail to complete the course requirements will not receive a certificate and will not be eligible to retake the course.
More detailed information on course requirements will be communicated at the start of the course. No grades are assigned for Business Strategy. Participants will either be evaluated as complete or not complete.
You will have access to the materials in every prior module as you progress through the program. Access to course materials and the course platform ends 60 days after the final deadline in the program.
Once you've earned your Certificate of Completion, list it on your resume along with the date of completion:
Harvard Business School Online
Certificate in Business Strategy
[Cohort Start Month and Year]
List your certificate on your LinkedIn profile under "Education" with the language from the Credential Verification page:
School: Harvard Business School Online
Dates Attended: [The year you participated in the program]
Degree: Other; Certificate in Business Strategy
Field of Study: Leave blank
Grade: "Complete"
Activities and Societies: Leave blank
Description:
Business Strategy is a 6-week, 30-35 hour online certificate program from Harvard Business School. Business Strategy equips professionals with a simplified framework they can immediately apply to create value for customers, employees, and suppliers while maximizing returns and an organization’s competitive edge. Participants learn to evaluate trade-offs and align, prioritize, and formulate strategic initiatives for the greatest business impact.
Related Program
7 Courses
Credential of Leadership, Impact, and Management in Business (CLIMB)
CLIMB enables new and experienced leaders to ignite their careers with a combination of vital and forward-looking business skills, self-reflection, and an immersive cohort-based learning experience with a diverse global network.
1 year, 5-9 hrs/week
Apply by August 21st & 28th$15,000 (four installments of $3,750)Credential
