Course Review: Business Strategy by University of Virginia (Coursera)
Learn to build strong business strategies, gain an edge in any market, and guide your company toward smart growth with this beginner-friendly course.
Instructor: Michael Lenox (with contributions from Jared Harris, Scott Snell, and others)
Course Overview
This beginner-friendly course from the University of Virginia teaches you how to plan smart business strategies. You’ll learn how to study markets, grow your business, and stay ahead of change. It’s perfect for leaders, analysts, and anyone wanting real-world skills. Topics include competition, global strategy, growth, and execution. You’ll finish with a hands-on project that shows what you’ve learned.
Duration: About 1 month (10 hours per week)
Chapters:
- Foundations of Business Strategy
- Advanced Business Strategy
- Business Growth Strategy
- Strategic Planning and Execution
- Business Strategy in Practice (Project-centered Course)
Tutor: Michael Lenox
Pros & Cons
👍Pros
- ✅ Covers real-world business tools and strategy methods
- ✅ Great for beginners with no prior experience
- ✅ Includes a hands-on project to apply what you learn
👎Cons
- ❌ No official university credit upon completion
- ❌ May not go deep enough for advanced learners
- ❌ Some extra reading materials may require payment
🧑🎓 Who is This Course Best For?
This course is a great fit for anyone looking to build strong business strategy skills from the ground up. It’s ideal for people who want practical tools, real-world examples, and a flexible learning pace. Whether you’re new to the field or growing your leadership skills, this course can help you move forward.
- New business professionals
Learn key strategy concepts to start your career strong. No prior knowledge is needed, so it’s easy to follow. - Entrepreneurs and startup founders
Gain tools to plan, grow, and guide your business. Learn how to compete, scale, and stay ahead of change. - Team leaders and managers
Improve your strategic thinking and execution skills. Learn how to align team goals with company direction. - Career switchers
Build a solid understanding of business strategy for a smooth transition into a new industry or role. - Consultants and analysts
Use proven frameworks to help clients or teams solve business challenges with clear, data-backed decisions. - Nonprofit professionals
Learn how to apply strategy skills to improve impact and sustainability in mission-driven work. - MBA applicants or business students
Get a head start on core strategy topics and boost your confidence before or during graduate-level study. - Freelancers and independent professionals
Use strategic planning to grow your personal brand, reach new markets, and improve long-term results.
📘 What You’ll Learn
This course teaches you how to think and act like a top business strategist. You’ll learn to spot opportunities, face competition, and plan for the future. Through real examples and simple tools, you’ll understand how to guide a company toward success. Whether you’re leading a team, starting a business, or shifting careers, this course helps you see the big picture. It covers both classic and new strategy methods, with step-by-step support. You’ll gain skills that work in any field or company size.
- Understand key business strategy concepts and why they matter
- Learn to analyze industry trends, market shifts, and competitors
- Explore frameworks like SWOT, Porter’s Five Forces, and value chains
- Discover how to create lasting competitive advantages
- Build strategic plans that align with company goals and values
- Study real-world business cases from global companies
- Practice making strategic decisions in changing environments
- Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Gain confidence to lead strategy efforts in your role or business
❓FAQs
Ready to Start Learning?
Audit courses for free or enroll to earn the full specialization certificate