Strategy: Building and Sustaining Competitive Advantage
- Upcoming Sessions
- (1 of 2)
- Dates: 04–09 JUN 2023
- Format: In-Person Learning takes place on the HBS campus or a designated location.
- Location: HBS Campus
- Fee: $15,750
- Dates: 02–07 JUN 2024
- Format: In-Person Learning takes place on the HBS campus or a designated location.
- Location: HBS Campus
- Fee: $17,000
Strengthen your organizational strategy with a novel framework.
Strengthen your organizational strategy with a novel framework.
"I learned that it's important to stop and refocus on what's going to drive the core business."
"I learned that it's important to stop and refocus on what's going to drive the core business."
Summary
In the fight for market leadership, your company must be able to build a winning strategy—and execute it seamlessly across multiple business lines. This program prepares you to identify and exploit sources of competitive advantage and implement game-changing action plans. You will develop the analytical skills and leadership vision to forecast industry trends, outmaneuver the competition, and sustain corporate success as the global economy evolves.
This program is eligible for the Certificate of Management Excellence. Learn More
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Summary
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In the fight for market leadership, your company must be able to build a winning strategy—and execute it seamlessly across multiple business lines. This program prepares you to identify and exploit sources of competitive advantage and implement game-changing action plans. You will develop the analytical skills and leadership vision to forecast industry trends, outmaneuver the competition, and sustain corporate success as the global economy evolves.
This program is eligible for the Certificate of Management Excellence. Learn More
DetailsExpand AllCollapse All
Design and evolve more effective strategiesDesign and evolve more effective strategies
- Understand sources of advantage in your industry and geography
- Distinguish between short-run gains and lasting competitive advantage
- Adapt your strategy to global market shifts
Transform ideas into successful action plansTransform ideas into successful action plans
- Analyze strategic trade-offs as you identify the resources and organizational changes needed to execute your strategy
- Transform a single, focused business into a multibusiness company
- Execute and coordinate strategy across multiple lines of business and global markets
Expand your personal and professional networkExpand your personal and professional network
- Extend your network by living and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds, industries, and countries across the globe
- Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions
Design and evolve more effective strategies
- Understand sources of advantage in your industry and geography
- Distinguish between short-run gains and lasting competitive advantage
- Adapt your strategy to global market shifts
Transform ideas into successful action plans
- Analyze strategic trade-offs as you identify the resources and organizational changes needed to execute your strategy
- Transform a single, focused business into a multibusiness company
- Execute and coordinate strategy across multiple lines of business and global markets
Expand your personal and professional network
- Extend your network by living and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds, industries, and countries across the globe
- Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions
Who Should Attend
- Chief executive officer, chief operating officer, divisional president, and vice president
- Chief financial officer, chief innovation officer, and chief strategy officer
- Managing director, general manager, and director
This program is appropriate for senior executives who are responsible for developing and implementing competitive strategy for a company or business unit, such as:
Attendance by multiple company representatives will foster teamwork and amplify the program's impact.
Program for Leadership Development participants earn 5 PLDA Points on completion of this program.
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Who Should Attend
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- Chief executive officer, chief operating officer, divisional president, and vice president
- Chief financial officer, chief innovation officer, and chief strategy officer
- Managing director, general manager, and director
This program is appropriate for senior executives who are responsible for developing and implementing competitive strategy for a company or business unit, such as:
Attendance by multiple company representatives will foster teamwork and amplify the program's impact.
Program for Leadership Development participants earn 5 PLDA Points on completion of this program.
Dive Deeper into the Experience
See how exchange with faculty and peers yields new insights into critical business trends.
Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.
Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.
Learning and Living at HBS
When you participate in an Executive Education program on the HBS campus, you enter an immersive experience where every aspect of the learning model has been carefully designed to facilitate your growth. Your learning will take place on your own, in your living group, and in the larger classroom, driven by the renowned HBS case method.
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Learning and Living at HBS
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When you participate in an Executive Education program on the HBS campus, you enter an immersive experience where every aspect of the learning model has been carefully designed to facilitate your growth. Your learning will take place on your own, in your living group, and in the larger classroom, driven by the renowned HBS case method.
Admissions Criteria and Process
Answering Your Questions
Application Submission
Application Review
Fee, Payment, and Cancellations
Answering Your Questions
Application Submission
Application Review
Fee, Payment, and Cancellations
What You Will Learn
Focused on the economics of gaining and holding competitive advantage, this program features faculty presentations, small group discussions, and global case studies that analyze why some strategic decisions fail and others succeed. You will delve into the best practices of senior leaders who enabled their firms to spot and exploit new opportunities, gather and organize the right resources, and expand in volatile global markets.
Participants should expect to spend at least 9-12 hours on self-paced case preparation prior to attending the program. Case materials will be made available approximately two weeks prior to program start.
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What You Will Learn
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Focused on the economics of gaining and holding competitive advantage, this program features faculty presentations, small group discussions, and global case studies that analyze why some strategic decisions fail and others succeed. You will delve into the best practices of senior leaders who enabled their firms to spot and exploit new opportunities, gather and organize the right resources, and expand in volatile global markets.
Participants should expect to spend at least 9-12 hours on self-paced case preparation prior to attending the program. Case materials will be made available approximately two weeks prior to program start.
Key TopicsExpand AllCollapse All
Competitive positioningCompetitive positioning
- Identifying sources of competitive advantage
- Choosing between potential sources of advantage
- Aligning resources, activities, and organizational goals
Competitor analysesCompetitor analyses
- Analyzing competitor goals, assumptions, capabilities, and strategies
- Predicting the likely behavior of competitors
Strategic agilityStrategic agility
- Developing agility in the face of strategic uncertainty
- Exploring the flexible commitment of competitively superior resources
Corporate strategyCorporate strategy
- Creating value in the multibusiness enterprise
- Formulating and analyzing merger-and-acquisition policy
- Managing talent as a source of competitive advantage
SustainabilitySustainability
- Recognizing the sustainability of competitive advantage
- Understanding the private and social value of sustainability
Innovation and implementationInnovation and implementation
- Implementing strategies effectively
- Evaluating strategic sources of innovation
Competitive positioning
- Identifying sources of competitive advantage
- Choosing between potential sources of advantage
- Aligning resources, activities, and organizational goals
Competitor analyses
- Analyzing competitor goals, assumptions, capabilities, and strategies
- Predicting the likely behavior of competitors
Strategic agility
- Developing agility in the face of strategic uncertainty
- Exploring the flexible commitment of competitively superior resources
Corporate strategy
- Creating value in the multibusiness enterprise
- Formulating and analyzing merger-and-acquisition policy
- Managing talent as a source of competitive advantage
Sustainability
- Recognizing the sustainability of competitive advantage
- Understanding the private and social value of sustainability
Innovation and implementation
- Implementing strategies effectively
- Evaluating strategic sources of innovation
Implementation Exercises
To help you move from strategy to implementation, the program includes a session on how different strategic choices can impact your use of time. Another session will provide a blueprint for strategic implementation to help you apply the lessons learned to your own company. You will gain insight into how your organization can best allocate resources to promote sustainable growth and profitability.
Please note: The entire program is conducted with strict confidentiality. Any information on your company shared during program discussions is treated as completely private, and all feedback is considered proprietary to the companies involved.
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Implementation Exercises
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To help you move from strategy to implementation, the program includes a session on how different strategic choices can impact your use of time. Another session will provide a blueprint for strategic implementation to help you apply the lessons learned to your own company. You will gain insight into how your organization can best allocate resources to promote sustainable growth and profitability.
Please note: The entire program is conducted with strict confidentiality. Any information on your company shared during program discussions is treated as completely private, and all feedback is considered proprietary to the companies involved.
The HBS Advantage
Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely recognized as 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.
Andreas Andresen Professor of Business Administration
Charles Edward Wilson Professor of Business Administration
Henry R. Byers Professor of Business Administration
James Dinan and Elizabeth Miller Associate Professor of Business Administration
Baker Foundation Professor, Paul R. Lawrence MBA Class of 1942 Professor of Business Administration
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The HBS Advantage
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Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely recognized as 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
Andreas Andresen Professor of Business Administration
HBS Unit:StrategyCharles Edward Wilson Professor of Business Administration
HBS Unit:StrategyFacultyHenry R. Byers Professor of Business Administration
HBS Unit:StrategyJames Dinan and Elizabeth Miller Associate Professor of Business Administration
HBS Unit:StrategyBaker Foundation Professor, Paul R. Lawrence MBA Class of 1942 Professor of Business Administration
HBS Unit:Organizational Behavior
Your Peers Expand Your Learning
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Your Peers Expand Your Learning
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Global PerspectiveExperience the world in your classroom.Global PerspectiveExperience the world in your classroom.3%Africa16%Asia Pacific20%Europe14%Latin America8%Middle East39%North America3%Africa16%Asia Pacific20%Europe14%Latin America8%Middle East39%North AmericaTop Industries RepresentedInsights from a range of industries ignite your thinking.Insights from a range of industries ignite your thinking.19%Financial13%Professional Services10%Chem / Pharma / Bio10%Manufacturing9%Raw Materials / Energy8%High Technology6%Real Estate / Construction4%Transportation3%Health Care3%Nonprofit ServicesTop Industries RepresentedInsights from a range of industries ignite your thinking.19%Financial13%Professional Services10%Chem / Pharma / Bio10%Manufacturing9%Raw Materials / Energy8%High Technology6%Real Estate / Construction4%Transportation3%Health Care3%Nonprofit ServicesExperienceExperienceYears workedYears workedExperienceYears workedLess than 10 yearsLess than 10 years10-14 years10-14 years15-19 years15-19 years20-24 years20-24 years25-29 years25-29 years30-34 years30-34 years35-39 years35-39 years40 years or more40 years or moreLess than 10 yearsLess than 10 years10-14 years10-14 years15-19 years15-19 years20-24 years20-24 years25-29 years25-29 years30-34 years30-34 years35-39 years35-39 years40 years or more40 years or more
Strengthen your organizational strategy with a novel framework.
Strengthen your organizational strategy with a novel framework.