Strategy: Building and Sustaining Competitive Advantage

Executives walking on HBS campus

Design and deploy a strategy that scales your business in the competition for market leadership.  

The program fee covers tuition, program materials, accommodations, and most meals.

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Maintaining an effective business strategy is an ever-evolving endeavor. From deciding which geographical markets to target, to outmaneuvering competitors, analyzing when to activate opportunities or pivot direction is a constant process.   

Strategy: Building and Sustaining a Competitive Advantage prepares you to take on that challenge in all its aspects. You will develop the tools, skills, and insights that you need to devise a successful strategy that sustains growth and innovation.  

Key Program Features

Key Topics

  • Assess a market's attractiveness and key market trends  

  • Understand your competitors and anticipate their actions  

  • Transform ideas into successful action plans 

  • Expand your competitive advantage to other markets and learn how to compete globally  

  • Pursue an innovation strategy and be agile when it’s time to change course 

Program Format

  • 6
    days on the HBS campus
  • 12–15
    hours of pre-program work

Case materials and a detailed schedule will be made available approximately two weeks prior to program start.

Who Should Attend

This program is designed for C-suite and senior executives who are responsible for developing and implementing competitive strategy.

Individuals and teams are welcome to attend. Sending two or more representatives from your organization fosters teamwork and amplifies program impact.

Global Perspective

Two female and two male executives sit and smile around a table filled with notes.
7%
Africa
16%
Asia Pacific
20%
Europe
11%
Latin America
9%
Middle East
37%
North America

Top Industries Represented

  • 18%

    Financial

  • 10%

    Manufacturing

  • 9%

    High Technology

  • 9%

    Professional Services

  • 6%

    Chem/Pharma/Bio

  • 6%

    Raw Materials / Energy

  • 6%

    Real Estate / Construction

  • 5%

    Health Care

  • 4%

    Transportation

  • 3%

    Consumer Products

Experience

Years Worked

  • 2%

    Less than 10 years

  • 15%

    10-14 years

  • 23%

    15-19 years

  • 25%

    20-24 years

  • 18%

    25-29 years

  • 12%

    30-34 years

  • 3%

    35-39 years

  • 2%

    40 or more

Companies That Have Participated

  • Airbus
  • GlaxoSmithKline
  • Heineken
  • Jimmy Choo
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • Maersk Drilling A/S
  • Manchester Airports Group
  • Mitsubishi
  • Powdr Corporation
  • SAP SE
  • Sappi
  • Sun Hung Kai Properties

Teaching Team

All our executive education programs are developed and taught by a team of widely recognized HBS faculty. Many are skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe.

Faculty Cochairs

  • Headshot of Eric J. Van den Steen

    Eric J. Van den Steen

    Royal Little Professor of Business Administration

  • Headshot of Andy Wu

    Andy Wu

    Arjun and Minoo Melwani Family Associate Professor of Business Administration

Faculty

The HBS Experience

This in-person program takes place on our storied campus where you'll live and learn at the heart of Boston's vibrant business, academic, and technology hubs.

At HBS, every detail is carefully calibrated to drive your success. Living arrangements and classrooms that spark connection. Unrivaled academic resources. And rejuvenating fitness, dining, and cultural amenities.

View of Executive Education area of HBS campus

The dedicated Executive Education area of campus features multiple classroom buildings and three residence halls around a quad

Residence hall bedroom and bathroom, with woman looking out a window

Our well-appointed residence halls feature private bedrooms, living group lounges, and courtyards to fuel vibrant discussions

Admissions

We admit applicants on a rolling, space-available basis, so you are encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible.

The selective admissions process is based on professional achievement, organizational responsibility, and the admissions criteria for each program as described in Who Should Attend. There are no formal educational requirements for HBS Executive Education programs.

Learn more about the admissions process and requirements.

Program content, dates, schedule, fees, technology platforms, and faculty are subject to change. In accordance with Harvard University policy, Harvard Business School does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex or sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, veteran status, or disability in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities.