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How do we grow our business and please customers? What's the best way to increase gross income and sales? Who are our competitors and what strategic moves are business rivals likely to make next?

This course is for anyone who is seeking answers to these questions, those who want a winning strategy, and those who want to stay ahead of the competition. Strategic management is a vital planning tool for business managers seeking a sustained competitive advantage within their specific market. This course offers the tools and concepts needed to build this capability.

The course will provide a brief introduction into the arena of strategic management. We will look at the evolution of strategic management, how to develop strategies, and the process of developing a strategic plan, specifically, creating and implementing the use of SWOT Analysis management tool. Also, we'll examine strategy analytical tools, as well as the process of crafting and executing company strategies.

Examples of strategic decisions for a firm might be how to deploy resources into new opportunities or compete head to head with other firms. These decisions may result in a need for new product development, redesigning, upgrading, enhanced marketing, new technology, more customers, or entry into new markets. Strategy will dictate whether a business grows, develops, and survives. Business students, project managers, team leaders, sales reps, and others involved in the business world will find this course useful. Companies analyzed include Walmart, Target, Levi Strauss, and Starbucks.

Mr. Jason Willoughby, MBA brings impressive expertise to the task of presenting clear, concise, and friendly instruction to a course known as one of the most difficult in business curriculum. He offers a fresh outlook on the subject and a wealth of insight that will change the way you think about strategic management.

Unit 1: The Concept of Strategy

Unit 2: Process of Crafting and Executing Strategy

Unit 3: Evaluating a Company’s External Environment

Unit 4: Evaluating a Company’s Resources & Competitive Position

Unit 5: Decision Making and Implementation Strategy

Unit 6: Tailoring Strategy to Fit Specific Company Situations

Unit 7: Final Exam

Enroll and start learning today! All course materials will be available when you start the class, so you don't have to wait for weekly lessons and you can truly learn at your own pace. You don't have to be online at any set time; study at your leisure from the comfort or your home or office.

The course curriculum will include tutorial lessons, suggested readings, and optional homework activities. If you are taking the class for enjoyment or self-enrichment, homework is optional but participation is encouraged. Students who approach online learning as an adventure and actively participate will derive the most benefit and enjoyment from online learning. Homework projects, if completed satisfactorily, will earn Extra Credit points which will be added to your Final Exam score and may increase the overall grade you earn in the course.

The Student Handbook provides useful information on how to make the most of your online learning experience at KSURF's Virtual University. Refer to this guide for helpful tips on how to access classrooms, post homework, and answers to most frequently asked questions.

Jason R. Willoughby MBA is currently working as the Treasury Supervisor for a nonprofit social betterment corporation and he is a staff member at Eastern Okalahoma State College under the TRiO/Student Support Services program. He has been published in the International Leadership Journal and has two professional presentations with the Distant Learning Association.

Mr. Willougby is an adjunct faculty for Kentucky Community and Technical College System and Mid-Continent University. He is also a mentor for Kaplan University's Graduate School of Management students, where he obtained his MBA. His motto is that every student, every day at KSURF Webversity will obtain a top quality online educational experience.

Topics covered in this course include:Unit 1 – The Concept of Strategy

• Introduction to Strategic Management
• Strategic Planning - Why Is It Important?
• Identifying a Company’s Strategy
• Company Strategy and their Business Model
• What Makes a Strategy a Winner?

Unit 2 — Process of Crafting and Executing Strategy

• Developing a Strategic Vision: Phase 1
• Setting Objectives: Phase 2
• Crafting a Strategy: Phase 3
• Implementing & Executing the Strategy - Phase 4
• Evaluating Performance and Corrective Adjustments - Phase 5

Unit 3 — Evaluating a Company’s External Environment

• General Economic Conditions
• Competitive Forces
• What Market Positions Do Rivals Occupy?
• Strategic Group Mapping
• Key Success Factors (KSFs)

Unit 4 — Evaluating a Company’s Resources & Competitive Position

• How Well is the Company’s Present Strategy Working?
• Identifying Company Resource Strengths and Competitive Capabilities
• SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, & Threats)
• The Concept of a Company Value Chain

Unit 5 — Decision Making and Implementation Strategy

• Generic Competitive Strategies
• Low-Cost Provider Strategy
• Broad Differentiation Strategy
• Best-Cost Provider Strategy
• Re-Engineering
• Total Quality Management
• Steps in Strategic Planning Process
• Setting Objectives and Goals
• Identification of Current Objectives and Strategy:
• Environmental Evaluation:
• Resource Assessment
• Identifying Strategic Opportunities and Threats
• Determining the Extent of Required Strategic Change
• Strategic Decision-Making
• Strategy Implementation
• Measurement and Control of Progress

Unit 6 — Tailoring Strategy to Fit Specific Company Situations

• Characteristics of an Emerging Industry
• Rapidly Growing Markets
• Strategic Action Plan
• Business Plans
• Resource Planning
• Management Control
• Information Systems
• Decision Support System
• SWOT Analysis Final Project