Business Strategy (Byte Size)

Every year thousands of new businesses are created. A few will grow to become global companies employing thousands of people, others will never make the world stage; in fact, the majority will cease trading within two or three years.

To survive, managers need a good understanding of the business environment, the opportunities and threats it offers, a realistic appreciation of the abilities and limitations of the business, knowledge of what they want to achieve, and a fairly clear idea of the direction in which the business should go. The route the business takes to achieve its objectives is often known as the corporate or business strategy. In this course, we look at some of the tools that we can use to decide on the strategy. As you will see, the tools we describe are those which link the various functions of the business and are to do with operating the business as a complete organisation rather than as a collection of functions or departments. The business strategy concerns the overall direction of the organisation. Here, we consider the operational or functional strategies that contribute to the business strategy.

After participating in this course, you should be able to:

• explain how businesses need to align their objectives and capabilities with the needs of their customers and with the environment
• give examples of business objectives, mission and value statements
• understand how the business environment provides opportunities for the business but also limit its freedom of action
• explain how the resources and behaviour of the organisation constrain the choice of strategy
• describe a range of business strategies and explain the circumstances in which they might be appropriate for a business
• describe how an organisation copes with an uncertain future and responds to complex environmental change.

Syllabus

Introduction

Objectives

Section 1: Environment, Values and Resources

Introduction

1.1 Values

1.2 Resources

1.3 Environment

Summary

Section 2: Strategic Planning

Introduction

2.1 Types of business strategies

2.2 Choosing a strategy and setting targets

2.3 Implementing strategy

Summary

Course Review Activity

Course Summary

References

Recommended Reading

Tutor-marked Question Paper

Qualifications

On completion of your course, you will receive the dual award:

Award 1 is issued by Stonebridge Associated Colleges: Business Strategy (Byte Size) Certificate

Business Strategy (Byte Size) Certificate issued by Stonebridge Associated Colleges, to view a sample of the college’s award, please click here.

Requirements for Entry

There is no experience or previous qualifications required for enrolment on this course. It is available to all students, of all academic backgrounds.

Study Options

In order to offer our students the most convenient and flexible distance learning courses, Stonebridge Associated College offers you the option to study for your course via two methods:

• 1. Via the traditional paper-based method.
• 2. Through the online method via ElearnUK.

If you do not have Internet access, or would prefer to study this course via the traditional paper/postal based study method, you can find more information on the course by clicking on the link below.

Stonebridge Prices

Studying by Post. If you would like to pay by instalments, we do offer an affordable interest free payment plan scheme which allows you to spread the cost of your course over a number of months. However, to use this option you will need to study for your course using the traditional paper-based method. For more information on our payment plans please visit our website at www.stonebridge.uk.com

The reason why the course fee is less if you choose to study online, is because with online study there are no costs associated with postage and printing etc. and thus we are able to offer the course at a reduced rate.

The total amount payable over the term's period, is no more than the total cash price of the course.
(APR = 0%). Written quotations are available on request.

Study Hours

This is only an approximate figure and is dependant upon how much time you can dedicate to your studies and how well you grasp the learning concepts in the course material. Furthermore, at the end of each lesson there is a question paper that needs to be completed and returned to your tutor. You should allow at least 1 - 2 hours of study to complete each question paper.

The approximate amount of time required to complete the course is: 20 hrs.