4.0

credits

Average Course Rating

This course examines business and corporate strategies from the perspective of the general manager. The focus throughout is strategic - the process of choosing and defining purposes and objectives, formulating and implementing a viable plan, and monitoring performance. An important requirement of a general manager's job is the ability to think in a cross- functional and holistic manner. The emphasis is on the kinds of problems and issues that affect the success of the entire organization. Very often, decisions that are optimal for an individual business unit or department are not in the best interests of the whole firm. Creativity and innovation are critical to achieve success; as to follow often-traveled strategic paths is unlikely to result in a superior performance. By use of the case method and the consulting project, executives are challenged to exercise creativity in analysis and implementation. The orientation is consistently pragmatic and managerial. The final course project assimilates the knowledge from all the courses in the program as well as the material covered in this course. Each student selects a project to apply the information learned, much like a consultancy. Student begin by examining in-depth an organization and stating a problem or objective. The student then defines the problem, researches the industry, and applies the techniques pertinent to the organization resulting in recommendations. Techniques can include: SWOT, operations, marketing, and finance to name a few. The final deliverable demonstrates the student’s ability to use critical thinking skills and the understanding of the problem/challenge in terms of the environment, including a competitive analysis.