Advanced Business Strategy Training: Gaining a Competitive Edge Overview
Succeeding in business requires more than experience or instinct — it requires a rigorous understanding of how organizations drive value, make strategic choices, respond to changing market conditions, and build sustainable advantage.
Designed for leaders with a strong foundation in business strategy, this advanced program goes beyond core strategy concepts to examine how organizations drive value, design and evolve business models, build competitive advantage, and respond to disruption. You’ll learn rigorous frameworks and proven, practical approaches for analyzing complex business challenges, evaluating strategic options, and positioning your organization for long-term success in a business environment increasingly shaped by AI.
In this program, you will:
- Apply advanced strategy frameworks to real-world cases involving competitive pressure, strategic repositioning, and evolving market conditions.
- Analyze market and competitive dynamics to understand why some businesses generate superior value.
- Explore how different business models drive value, respond to disruption, and redefine competitive boundaries.
- Examine competitive advantage, including how it is built, tested, strengthened, and sustained over time.
- Connect strategic, operational, and financial choices to business outcomes.
Drawing on a carefully curated blend of business cases, interactive discussions, presentations, and group exercises, the program gives you the opportunity to engage with real-world scenarios, learn from experts in the field, and examine the strategic choices that set successful organizations apart.
Benefits of Advanced Business Strategy
This advanced business strategy program expands your ability to apply strategy frameworks to complex business challenges. Upon completion, you will have a deeper sense of how to:
- Construct a business strategy based on rigorous market, competitive, business model, and value analysis.
- Communicate strategic business choices using language and concepts you can share to build buy-in.
- Prepare for the full spectrum of strategic challenges and opportunities that leaders face.
Participants will also earn a Certificate of Completion from the Harvard Division of Continuing Education, further validating their expertise in strategic management.
“My co-workers have really noticed a difference in my strategic thinking since taking this program. I feel I’m more strategic with our whole team. I am now approaching planning with more brain, and less heart.”
— Thomas Waite, President and CEO, K16 Solutions
Read more about Thomas’ experience
Who Should Take Advanced Business Strategy Training
The Advanced Business Strategy program is designed for leaders transitioning into new or expanded roles, as well as strategy and finance professionals looking to strengthen their strategic judgment.
If you’re looking to deepen your understanding of business strategy and market dynamics, broaden your perspective, and make more informed decisions in a dynamic business environment, this program will help you sharpen your strategic thinking and build a stronger competitive perspective.
As an advanced strategy program, prior familiarity with strategy fundamentals and business economics is recommended.
Curriculum
This program explores the interconnected elements of advanced business strategy, strengthening your ability to analyze business models, assess market dynamics, evaluate strategic choices, and respond to disruption.
Specific topics covered include:
- Uncover the strategic choices underlying others’ business models to direct your competitive business strategy
- Identify sources of sustainable cost and differentiation advantage
- Evaluate how business model choices shape financial outcomes
- Connect operational choices to strategic outcomes
- Prepare for strategic disruption and organizational realignment
Schedule & Cost
The Advanced Business Strategy program is offered in two formats: a 5-week online format and an immersive 3-day on-campus format. Both formats address the core topics and learning objectives outlined above.
Please note that the tuition below is for 2026; 2027 pricing may be subject to change.
Online Format (5 weeks)
- Tuition: $3,050
- Schedule: 5 consecutive weeks, with live online sessions held from 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. ET
- Delivery: Live, interactive sessions on Zoom, supported by a dedicated technical team
On-Campus Format (3 days)
- Tuition: $4,200
- Schedule: 3 consecutive days, from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Harvard University campus, in a state-of-the-art classroom
Not sure which format is right for you? Explore this page to learn more about the on-campus and online experiences.
Considering this program?
October Schedule
Day 1
- Strategic Business Design
- Competitive Dynamics
Day 2
- Market Dynamics
- Resource Dynamics
Day 3
- Value Dynamics
- Strategic Innovation and Disruption
- Advanced Strategy Toolkit
January Schedule
Week 1
- Business Design
Week 2
- Market Dynamics
Week 3
- Competitive Dynamics
Week 4
- Resource Dynamics
- Value Dynamics
Week 5
- Strategic Disruption
March Schedule
Day 1
Modeling multiple plausible futures, stress‑testing strategy, translating scenarios into tactical playbooks.
- Dynamic Strategic Thinking
- Foresight Business Design
- Competitive Positioning
Day 2
Designing and capturing value from multi‑actor ecosystems, platform models, and partner networks.
- Ecosystem Strategy
- Resource Orchestration
Day 3
Moving from pipeline to platform, network effects design, monetization strategies.
- Platform/Network Architecture
- Business Model Innovation
- Building an Advanced Strategy Toolkit
May Schedule
Day 1
- Strategic Business Design
- Competitive Dynamics
Day 2
- Market Dynamics
- Resource Dynamics
Day 3
- Value Dynamics
- Strategic Innovation and Disruption
- Advanced Strategy Toolkit
July Schedule
Day 1
- Strategic Business Design
- Competitive Dynamics
Day 2
- Market Dynamics
- Resource Dynamics
Day 3
- Value Dynamics
- Strategic Innovation and Disruption
- Advanced Strategy Toolkit
Instructors
-
![Jon Fay]()
Jon Fay
Jon Fay has more than 25 years of experience as a business strategy consultant and has served as Vice President of Executive Development and head of the corporate university for a leading technology company. He is an instructor at Harvard's Division of Continuing Education, where he teaches both Professional & Executive Development programs and graduate degree courses. -
![Bryce Bow]()
Bryce Bow
Bryce Bow is an award-winning educator, entrepreneur, and philanthropist focused on strategy, innovation, and entrepreneurial leadership. He serves as a Senior Lecturer at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and teaches graduate and executive education at Harvard. A former founder and operator, Bow brings experience spanning startups, Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, government, and mission-driven organizations.
Instructors
-
![Jon Fay]()
Jon Fay
Jon Fay has more than 25 years of experience as a business strategy consultant and has served as Vice President of Executive Development and head of the corporate university for a leading technology company. He is an instructor at Harvard's Division of Continuing Education, where he teaches both Professional & Executive Development programs and graduate degree courses. -
![Bryce Bow]()
Bryce Bow
Bryce Bow is an award-winning educator, entrepreneur, and philanthropist focused on strategy, innovation, and entrepreneurial leadership. He serves as a Senior Lecturer at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and teaches graduate and executive education at Harvard. A former founder and operator, Bow brings experience spanning startups, Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, government, and mission-driven organizations.
Instructors
-
![Teresa Nelson.]()
Teresa Nelson
Teresa Nelson is the founder of Versity North Group and a former tenured business school professor. She advises organizations on strategic management, operational stability, and high-impact change, partnering with leading nonprofits and companies. A Ph.D. in strategic management, she has taught globally and served on the National Women’s Business Council, advising the White House and Congress on women’s entrepreneurship and enterprise growth. -
![Areen Shahbari]()
Areen Shahbari
Areen Shahbari is a strategy advisor, executive educator, and President of Cactus International, a global consulting and training firm. She advises senior leaders across Fortune 500 companies, governments, and mission-driven organizations on strategy, decision-making, and execution in rapidly changing environments shaped by AI and disruption. A Fulbright Scholar and recipient of the Harvard Distinguished Teaching Performance Award, she teaches at Harvard’s Division of Continuing Education and works with leaders worldwide across industries and sectors.
Instructors
-
![Jon Fay]()
Jon Fay
Jon Fay has more than 25 years of experience as a business strategy consultant and has served as Vice President of Executive Development and head of the corporate university for a leading technology company. He is an instructor at Harvard's Division of Continuing Education, where he teaches both Professional & Executive Development programs and graduate degree courses. -
![Bryce Bow]()
Bryce Bow
Bryce Bow is an award-winning educator, entrepreneur, and philanthropist focused on strategy, innovation, and entrepreneurial leadership. He serves as a Senior Lecturer at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and teaches graduate and executive education at Harvard. A former founder and operator, Bow brings experience spanning startups, Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, government, and mission-driven organizations.
Instructors
-
![Bryce Bow]()
Bryce Bow
Bryce Bow is an award-winning educator, entrepreneur, and philanthropist focused on strategy, innovation, and entrepreneurial leadership. He serves as a Senior Lecturer at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and teaches graduate and executive education at Harvard. A former founder and operator, Bow brings experience spanning startups, Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, government, and mission-driven organizations. -
![Jon Fay]()
Jon Fay
Jon Fay has more than 25 years of experience as a business strategy consultant and has served as Vice President of Executive Development and head of the corporate university for a leading technology company. He is an instructor at Harvard's Division of Continuing Education, where he teaches both Professional & Executive Development programs and graduate degree courses.
My co-workers have really noticed a difference in my strategic thinking since taking this program. I feel I’m more strategic with our whole team.
President and CEO, K16 Solutions
Earn a Certificate of Leadership Excellence
The Certificates of Leadership Excellence (CLE) are designed for leaders with the desire to enhance their business acumen, challenge current thinking, and expand their leadership skills.
This program counts toward the CLE in Strategy and Innovation.
Register today and get started earning your certificate.
FAQs
Why is it essential for organizations to utilize business strategy?
Utilizing business strategy in every aspect of operations is essential for helping organizations thrive in an ever-changing business landscape.
They allow businesses to differentiate themselves from competitors — and in today’s highly competitive marketplace, having a unique and compelling strategy is crucial for capturing market share, attracting customers, and driving growth.
By developing a competitive business strategy, leaders can position their organizations as industry leaders and stay ahead of the curve.
How will this advanced business strategy course help me advance in my career?
Participating in the advanced business strategy course from Harvard Professional & Executive Development will equip you with strategic expertise that will set you apart from other leaders in your field and position you as a valuable asset for organizations seeking strategic thinkers. When you encounter opportunities for higher-level roles, mastery of strategic skills such as business design and market and cost dynamics will align you to what these roles require.
What skills or experience is needed before enrolling for advanced business training?
While prior training in strategy is not required for this program, some background knowledge from either direct job experience or studying or attending a program on the fundamentals of strategy is recommended.
Participants should also have a fundamental understanding of business economics.
