• For Individuals
  • For Businesses
  • For Universities
  • For Governments
Coursera
  • Online Degrees
  • Careers
  • Log In
  • Join for Free
    Coursera
    • Browse
    • Competitive Strategy

    Competitive Strategy Courses Online

    Master competitive strategy for achieving business success. Learn about market analysis, competitive positioning, and strategic planning.

    Skip to search results

    Filter by

    Subject
    Required
     *

    Language
    Required
     *

    The language used throughout the course, in both instruction and assessments.

    Learning Product
    Required
     *

    Build job-relevant skills in under 2 hours with hands-on tutorials.
    Learn from top instructors with graded assignments, videos, and discussion forums.
    Learn a new tool or skill in an interactive, hands-on environment.
    Get in-depth knowledge of a subject by completing a series of courses and projects.
    Earn career credentials from industry leaders that demonstrate your expertise.
    Earn career credentials while taking courses that count towards your Master’s degree.
    Earn your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree online for a fraction of the cost of in-person learning.
    Earn a university-issued career credential in a flexible, interactive format.
    Graduate level learning within reach.

    Level
    Required
     *

    Duration
    Required
     *

    Skills
    Required
     *

    Subtitles
    Required
     *

    Educator
    Required
     *

    Explore the Competitive Strategy Course Catalog

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      I

      IBM

      IBM IT Project Manager

      Skills you'll gain: Stakeholder Engagement, Software Development Life Cycle, Software Architecture, Agile Software Development, Project Management Life Cycle, Resource Management, Risk Management, Peer Review, Earned Value Management, Stakeholder Management, Agile Methodology, Project Risk Management, Team Motivation, Software Design, Kanban Principles, Project Schedules, Information Technology, Sprint Retrospectives, Interviewing Skills, Project Management

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      8.4K reviews

      Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      U

      University of Pennsylvania

      AI Strategy and Governance

      Skills you'll gain: Data Ethics, Data Governance, Personally Identifiable Information, Data Security, Governance, Business Strategy, Organizational Strategy, Business Transformation, Artificial Intelligence, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Machine Learning, Innovation, Algorithms, Decision Making

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      295 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      I

      IBM

      Generative AI for Product Managers

      Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Generative AI, ChatGPT, Commercialization, Product Management, Product Lifecycle Management, Stakeholder Communications, OpenAI, Technical Product Management, Artificial Intelligence, Customer experience improvement, Team Building, Return On Investment, Product Development, New Product Development, Product Strategy, Microsoft Copilot, Large Language Modeling, Technical Communication, Program Development

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      6.8K reviews

      Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

    • E

      Erasmus University Rotterdam

      Advanced Valuation and Strategy - M&A, Private Equity, and Venture Capital

      Skills you'll gain: Strategic Decision-Making, Business Valuation, Private Equity, Mergers & Acquisitions, Game Theory, Strategic Thinking, Financial Analysis, Business Strategy, Return On Investment, Investment Banking, Cash Flows, Corporate Finance, Competitive Analysis

      Build toward a degree

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.3K reviews

      Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      U

      University of Virginia

      Leading the Modern Day Business

      Skills you'll gain: Design Thinking, Digital Transformation, Creative Problem-Solving, New Product Development, Ideation, Business Transformation, Product Management, Innovation, Creativity, Product Lifecycle Management, Strategic Thinking, Product Improvement, Market Opportunities, Technology Strategies, Information Technology, Customer Insights, Corporate Strategy, Business Strategy, Process Design, Large Language Modeling

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      20K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      C

      Copenhagen Business School

      Strategy Formulation

      Skills you'll gain: Business Strategy, Business Planning, Strategic Decision-Making, Strategic Thinking, Organizational Strategy, Resource Management, Competitive Analysis, Market Analysis, Global Marketing, Value Propositions, Market Dynamics

      4.5
      Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.5K reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      I

      IBM

      IBM Data Analytics with Excel and R

      Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Interactive Data Visualization, Shiny (R Package), Data Wrangling, Exploratory Data Analysis, Relational Databases, Big Data, Data Visualization Software, Ggplot2, Database Design, Data Analysis, IBM Cognos Analytics, Statistical Analysis, Data Presentation, Data Mining, Dashboard, Excel Formulas, Data Manipulation, Web Scraping, Microsoft Excel

      Build toward a degree

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      28K reviews

      Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      M

      Meta

      Introduction to Social Media Marketing

      Skills you'll gain: Social Media Marketing, Social Media, Target Audience, Social Media Strategy, Social Media Management, Marketing, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Goal Setting, Facebook, Customer Analysis, Marketing Strategies, Marketing Channel, Instagram, Digital Marketing

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      15K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      I

      IBM

      IBM IT Scrum Master

      Skills you'll gain: Software Development Life Cycle, Software Architecture, Agile Software Development, User Story, Sprint Retrospectives, Agile Methodology, DevOps, Software Design, Kanban Principles, Scrum (Software Development), Information Technology, Software Engineering, Computer Hardware, Agile Project Management, Sprint Planning, Cloud Computing, Backlogs, Cloud-Native Computing, Software Development Methodologies, Network Troubleshooting

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      9.4K reviews

      Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      U

      University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

      Corporate Strategy

      Skills you'll gain: Stakeholder Management, Corporate Strategy, Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate Sustainability, Business Strategy, Business Strategies, Global Marketing, Strategic Thinking, Strategic Planning, Organizational Strategy, Governance, Strategic Partnership, Business Ethics, Value Propositions, New Business Development, International Finance

      Build toward a degree

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.1K reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      U

      University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

      Digital Marketing

      Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Online Advertising, Marketing Analytics, Keyword Research, Email Marketing, Digital Media Strategy, Digital Advertising, Google Analytics, Analytics, Marketing Communications, Content Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Marketing, Digital Marketing, Web Analytics, Marketing Strategies, Integrated Marketing Communications, Performance Analysis, Trend Analysis, Consumer Behaviour

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      23K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • U

      University of Michigan

      Successful Negotiation: Essential Strategies and Skills

      Skills you'll gain: Negotiation, Contract Negotiation, Conflict Management, Mediation, Sales Strategy, Arbitration, Communication, Influencing, Planning, Decision Making, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Cultural Diversity

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      20K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    Competitive Strategy learners also search

    Strategy
    Brand Strategy
    Pricing Strategy
    Business Analysis
    Market Research
    Economic Policy
    Marketing Analytics
    Business Statistics
    1…789…237

    In summary, here are 10 of our most popular competitive strategy courses

    • IBM IT Project Manager: IBM
    • AI Strategy and Governance: University of Pennsylvania
    • Generative AI for Product Managers: IBM
    • Advanced Valuation and Strategy - M&A, Private Equity, and Venture Capital: Erasmus University Rotterdam
    • Leading the Modern Day Business: University of Virginia
    • Strategy Formulation: Copenhagen Business School
    • IBM Data Analytics with Excel and R: IBM
    • Introduction to Social Media Marketing: Meta
    • IBM IT Scrum Master: IBM
    • Corporate Strategy: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

    Frequently Asked Questions about Competitive Strategy

    Competitive strategy refers to the long-term plan of action that an organization implements in order to achieve its objectives and gain a sustainable competitive advantage in the market. It involves understanding the competitive landscape, identifying the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the organization, and making strategic decisions to position the organization in a way that outperforms its competitors. This strategy typically includes aspects such as pricing, product differentiation, target markets, marketing tactics, and resource allocation to create a distinct market position and increase the likelihood of success in the industry.‎

    To excel in Competitive Strategy, you would need to acquire the following skills:

    1. Strategic Thinking: This skill involves the ability to analyze complex situations, identify patterns, and develop long-term strategies that provide a competitive advantage.

    2. Market Analysis: Understanding market dynamics, competition, and consumer behavior is essential for formulating effective competitive strategies. This skill helps you identify growth opportunities and make informed decisions.

    3. Financial Analysis: Competent financial analysis allows you to evaluate the profitability, feasibility, and potential risks of various strategies. It helps you assess the financial impact of your competitive decisions.

    4. Data Analysis: Proficiency in data analysis enables you to gather, interpret, and draw insights from data sets. This skill helps you identify trends, evaluate the effectiveness of your strategies, and make data-driven decisions.

    5. Problem-Solving: As a strategist, you face complex business challenges. Enhancing your problem-solving skills enables you to think critically, identify alternative solutions, and select the most effective one.

    6. Communication: Effective communication skills are essential in competitive strategy. You need to articulate your ideas, present analysis, negotiate with stakeholders, and build consensus for your strategies.

    7. Leadership: A strategic leader must be able to influence and guide a team towards a common goal. Developing leadership skills can help you inspire, motivate, and drive organizational change.

    8. Project Management: Competence in project management ensures successful implementation of strategic initiatives. This skill involves planning, organizing resources, setting timelines, and monitoring progress towards achieving strategic objectives.

    9. Innovation: Constantly staying updated with emerging technologies, market trends, and industry disruptors is crucial for crafting innovative strategies that create a competitive edge.

    10. Ethical Decision-Making: Strong ethical decision-making skills are vital in competitive strategy. By considering the social, economic, and environmental impact, you can ensure your strategies are responsible and sustainable.

    Remember, honing these skills takes time, practice, and continuous learning.‎

    With competitive strategy skills, you can pursue various job opportunities in fields such as business management, consulting, marketing, entrepreneurship, and strategic planning. Some specific roles that require competitive strategy skills include:

    1. Business Development Manager: In this role, you will help identify and exploit strategic opportunities for growth, analyze market trends, and develop competitive strategies to increase market share and profitability.

    2. Management Consultant: As a management consultant, you will work with clients to analyze their market position, competitors, and industry landscape to develop effective competitive strategies and drive business performance.

    3. Marketing Manager: With competitive strategy skills, you can excel as a marketing manager, where you will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies to gain a competitive advantage, attract target customers, and increase sales and brand awareness.

    4. Strategic Planner: Strategic planners play a key role in organizations by conducting market research, identifying strategic opportunities, and developing plans to achieve business objectives while outperforming competitors.

    5. Entrepreneur: Many entrepreneurs benefit from competitive strategy skills to identify market opportunities, understand customer needs, build sustainable business models, and devise strategies to differentiate themselves from competitors.

    6. Investment Analyst: As an investment analyst, you can utilize your competitive strategy skills to analyze market trends, assess the competitive landscape, and make informed investment decisions to maximize returns.

    Remember, competitive strategy skills can be valuable across various industries and can open up opportunities in both corporate and entrepreneurial settings. Keep in mind that specific job requirements may vary depending on the industry and company you are interested in.‎

    People who are analytical, strategic thinkers, and have a strong interest in business and management are best suited for studying Competitive Strategy. This field requires individuals who can analyze market dynamics, identify competitive advantages, and develop effective strategies to outperform competitors. Additionally, individuals with a keen understanding of industry trends, consumer behavior, and a knack for problem-solving are likely to excel in studying Competitive Strategy.‎

    Some topics that you can study related to Competitive Strategy are:

    1. Strategic Management: Learn about the fundamentals of strategic planning and the various frameworks and models used in formulating competitive strategies.

    2. Industry Analysis: Understand different methods of analyzing industries and identifying competitive forces to gain insights into the overall competitiveness of markets.

    3. Competitive Advantage: Explore the sources of competitive advantage, such as cost leadership, differentiation, and focus strategies, and how they can be leveraged to outperform competitors.

    4. Market Segmentation and Targeting: Dive into the concepts of segmenting markets based on customer characteristics and needs, and selecting target segments to focus on for strategic advantage.

    5. Value Chain Analysis: Study the activities within an organization and how they create value, to identify opportunities for cost reduction and differentiation.

    6. Business Models: Learn about different business models and how they can be aligned with competitive strategies to ensure sustainable success in the market.

    7. Innovation and Disruption: Explore the role of innovation in gaining a competitive edge, understanding disruptive technologies, and managing industry disruptions.

    8. Competitive Intelligence: Develop skills in gathering and analyzing information about competitors' strategies, strengths, and weaknesses to inform decision-making and develop effective counterstrategies.

    9. Strategic Alliances and Mergers & Acquisitions: Gain insights into the role of alliances, partnerships, and mergers & acquisitions in achieving competitive advantage and expanding market presence.

    10. Competitive Strategy in Global Markets: Understand the unique challenges and opportunities of competing in different geographical markets and how to develop effective global strategies.

    Remember, this is just a starting point, and there are many more specific areas and subtopics within Competitive Strategy that you can explore based on your interests and goals.‎

    Online Competitive Strategy courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Competitive strategy refers to the long-term plan of action that an organization implements in order to achieve its objectives and gain a sustainable competitive advantage in the market. It involves understanding the competitive landscape, identifying the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the organization, and making strategic decisions to position the organization in a way that outperforms its competitors. This strategy typically includes aspects such as pricing, product differentiation, target markets, marketing tactics, and resource allocation to create a distinct market position and increase the likelihood of success in the industry. skills. Choose from a wide range of Competitive Strategy courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.‎

    When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Competitive Strategy, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here.‎

    This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

    Other topics to explore

    Arts and Humanities
    338 courses
    Business
    1095 courses
    Computer Science
    668 courses
    Data Science
    425 courses
    Information Technology
    145 courses
    Health
    471 courses
    Math and Logic
    70 courses
    Personal Development
    137 courses
    Physical Science and Engineering
    413 courses
    Social Sciences
    401 courses
    Language Learning
    150 courses

    Coursera Footer

    Technical Skills

    • ChatGPT
    • Coding
    • Computer Science
    • Cybersecurity
    • DevOps
    • Ethical Hacking
    • Generative AI
    • Java Programming
    • Python
    • Web Development

    Analytical Skills

    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Big Data
    • Business Analysis
    • Data Analytics
    • Data Science
    • Financial Modeling
    • Machine Learning
    • Microsoft Excel
    • Microsoft Power BI
    • SQL

    Business Skills

    • Accounting
    • Digital Marketing
    • E-commerce
    • Finance
    • Google
    • Graphic Design
    • IBM
    • Marketing
    • Project Management
    • Social Media Marketing

    Career Resources

    • Essential IT Certifications
    • High-Income Skills to Learn
    • How to Get a PMP Certification
    • How to Learn Artificial Intelligence
    • Popular Cybersecurity Certifications
    • Popular Data Analytics Certifications
    • What Does a Data Analyst Do?
    • Career Development Resources
    • Career Aptitude Test
    • Share your Coursera Learning Story

    Coursera

    • About
    • What We Offer
    • Leadership
    • Careers
    • Catalog
    • Coursera Plus
    • Professional Certificates
    • MasterTrack® Certificates
    • Degrees
    • For Enterprise
    • For Government
    • For Campus
    • Become a Partner
    • Social Impact
    • Free Courses
    • ECTS Credit Recommendations

    Community

    • Learners
    • Partners
    • Beta Testers
    • Blog
    • The Coursera Podcast
    • Tech Blog
    • Teaching Center

    More

    • Press
    • Investors
    • Terms
    • Privacy
    • Help
    • Accessibility
    • Contact
    • Articles
    • Directory
    • Affiliates
    • Modern Slavery Statement
    • Manage Cookie Preferences
    Learn Anywhere
    Download on the App Store
    Get it on Google Play
    Logo of Certified B Corporation
    © 2025 Coursera Inc. All rights reserved.
    • Coursera Facebook
    • Coursera Linkedin
    • Coursera Twitter
    • Coursera YouTube
    • Coursera Instagram
    • Coursera TikTok