MS Strategy Formulation
This course provides an introduction to strategic management. Strategy Formulation" has two broad goals. The first is to understand why some companies are financially much more successful than others. Second, we will analyze how managers can devise a set of actions ("the strategy") and design processes that allow their company to obtain a financial advantage. To gain a better understanding of strategic issues and begin to master the analytic tools that strategists use, we will study the strategic decisions of companies in many different industries and countries, ranging from U.S. technology firms to a Spanish fashion retailer and a Danish shipping company. The primary objective of Strategy Formulation is for you to analyze the sources of companies competitive advantage. This skill is not only critical for positions in general management but also for those who aspire to careers in banking, consulting, non-profit, social enterprise, and start-up environments. The course will provide the analytic tools to analyze competitors, predict competitor behavior, and understand how firms can develop and sustain advantages over time. "
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Instructor:
Dongil Keum
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High Performing Nonprofits
The nonprofit sector is full of organizations, many of which are operating below peak performance. With unlimited ideas, low barriers to entry and decidedly limited funding, we have a sector with enormous volume and an overall lack of effectiveness. While the overall problem definition is accurate, well trod and unlikely to change, there are worthwhile remedies. The goal of the course is to study the solutions that work. We start by exploring all of the external and internal forces that cause weakness in nonprofit strategy and execution. Then we determine what factors can lead to high performance. Well review case studies and other real world examples to learn how the best nonprofits surmount significant barriers to produce great results.The course is six sessions. The first three sessions focus on the nonprofit operating environment and the central strategic issues facing nonprofits today. The next two sessions deal with finances - the over-emphasized keys to smart revenue generation and the under-emphasized importance of effective spending. The last session rivets on talent - both at the board level as well as senior staff - and how you should think about crafting a path with high impact both during and after your business education. As a newly minted MBA, your skill set will be in high demand in the sector. That said, the direct application of for profit strategies to nonprofit work has limits. Well look at where and how to take the best of private thinking, adjust it and apply it to nonprofit performance. Well question many commonly held assumptions on the sector. The course will touch on theory, but will be grounded in current practice.Whether you have past experience, current involvement or future aspirations, you should take this course if youre interested in pushing changes as an: 1.) institutional or individual donor; 2.) board member; 3.) executive director or senior leader; or 4.) management consultant. The goal is to give you the knowledge and skills to work from either inside or outside to drive nonprofits to achieve.
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Instructor:
Anne Eidelman
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Global Philanthropy
Global philanthropy has become a significant force in recent years, including both funding from developed countries to create change in the developing world as well as the growth of philanthropy in the developing world. The funds available for global philanthropy, forecasts for its future, media attention, levels of involvement, innovative approaches, expectations, and potential - all have grown and changed tremendously in recent years. Importantly, a global culture of philanthropy has begun emerging. Thus, its important for any business school student to understand how innovations in philanthropy around the world are having an impact on social, economic and environmental developments.With this growth has come a set of important questions and challenges that this course will explore: * Given its small size compared with the for-profit and public sectors, can private philanthropy make a difference? * What gives private philanthropy its "license to operate," and should it be seeking to change government policy? * How can success in tackling complex challenges and systems be defined and measured? * Do traditional models of giving actually work? Have newer models proved themselves? * What is the best path for philanthropy in developing/emerging markets?Using research, case studies and expert guests, this class will review current issues and approaches to important issues in global philanthropy, including education, livelihoods, public health and human rights. This class is intended to give MBA students the tools they need to assess opportunities and solutions as well as to become thoughtful, effective philanthropists. Specifically, students will learn to: 1. Analyze complex challenges in the developing world; 2. Evaluate the effectiveness of current programs to address these challenges; 3. Develop strategic options; and 4. Create a plan for funding and assessing results.
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Instructor:
Melissa A Berman
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Business Strategies for Solvin
Business will be a primary contributor to solving the big social problems of the 21st century. While business strategy analyzes competition and markets, firms also pursue non-market strategies to influence politicians, and politicians seek to benefit from firms. Governments pursue not only political goals, but often pro-market strategies. This course takes a realistic variation on these themes to ask: when do firms, markets, and politics work to resolve the big social challenges of this century. These challenges are the consequences of inequality, corruption, climate change, immigration, and inclusion. The course is organized around these major challenges, ranging from income equality to immigration to the quality of work life. Our approach is to set out the argument why firms should be engaged in contributing to social and political solutions and more importantly to identifying what can be done.
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Instructor:
Bruce Kogut
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