Social network group aims to discuss case studies and exchange experiences about the free strategy course offered by the University of Virginia, USA.
The University of Virginia in the US, in partnership with coursera.org, is offering a free course on business strategy for business owners, managers, social entrepreneurs, analysts, and anyone interested in the subject. The course explores the theories and processes that provide the foundation for a successful business strategy. Strategic analysis is believed to be fundamental for diagnosing the competitive landscape in which an organization operates and essential for making recommendations on how the organization should position itself and what actions should be taken to maximize value creation.
The course lasts six weeks, starting on 03/04/13, with an expected weekly commitment of five hours, in addition to understanding the English language in which the course will be taught. Interested parties can register up to one week late, and the later a student registers, the more content they will have to catch up on when they join. The class is divided into weekly modules. Each module consists of an introductory video, a reading from the strategist's toolkit, a series of video lectures, a quiz, and a case study to illustrate points in the lectures. The course will culminate in the presentation of a strategic analysis of an organization of the student's choice. This will serve as the final exam.
With the goal of discussing topics covered in the course and exchanging experiences, Stratec has created a LinkedIn group. There are currently 54 registered members, people of different ages, origins, and backgrounds, which greatly enriches the discussions. “The group was created to discuss the themes and exchange experiences about this course, as well as discuss alternatives for completing the strategic planning stages given in the classes. Additionally, we want to be able to support each other during the course,” explains Guilherme Barbassa, director of Stratec and creator of the group on the social network.
Consultants and professionals in strategic planning, as well as interested individuals, are expected in the virtual group. There is no limit to the number of people; interested individuals only need to have a LinkedIn account, be enrolled in Coursera's “Foundations of Business Strategy” course, and be able to speak English.
“I've taken other courses on the Coursera website and really enjoyed them and found them to be of very high quality,” celebrates Barbassa with the best of expectations. The course provides a certificate to all who complete the required coursework. To access the classes, all you need is internet access and time for discussions, as the theoretical materials will be provided by the university.
