Course Information

Introduction

This 45-day Competitive Strategy Executive Master develops advanced knowledge and practical skills required to analyze competitive environments, build strategic advantages and support long-term business growth.

The program focuses on competitive models, value chains, market forces, strategic positioning, strategic moves, growth strategies, industry analysis and competitive intelligence. Participants will learn how to evaluate competitive landscapes, understand market dynamics, identify sources of advantage and develop strategies that strengthen organizational performance.

Through advanced strategic frameworks, competitive analysis tools, market research methods and applied projects, participants will develop the ability to make informed strategic decisions, anticipate market changes and create sustainable competitive advantages.

The final five days are dedicated to a thesis project, where participants apply the competitive strategy concepts and tools learned throughout the Master to analyze a real organizational competitive challenge and develop a structured improvement plan.

Objectives

By the end of this Executive Master, participants will be able to:

1. Apply competitive strategy models to analyze organizational positioning and sources of competitive advantage.

2. Analyze value chains to identify improvement opportunities and strengthen business performance.

3. Evaluate market forces and industry dynamics that influence competitive decisions.

4. Develop strategic positioning approaches that differentiate organizations within their markets.

5. Apply strategic moves and growth strategies to support business expansion and competitiveness.

6. Conduct industry analysis and competitive intelligence to support strategic decision-making.

7. Develop approaches that improve organizational ability to anticipate competitors and market changes.

8. Complete a practical thesis project that applies competitive strategy concepts, tools and frameworks to an organizational competitive challenge and presents an improvement plan.

Who Should Attend?

This Executive Master is designed for:

1. CEOs, executives and senior managers responsible for strategic direction and competitive performance.

2. Strategy managers and business development professionals involved in market analysis and growth planning.

3. Marketing, sales and product leaders responsible for competitive positioning.

4. Entrepreneurs and business owners seeking to strengthen strategic decision-making and market advantage.

5. Professionals involved in strategy, planning and organizational development seeking advanced competitive analysis capabilities.

Training Method

• Pre-assessment
• Live group instruction
• Use of real-world examples, case studies and exercises
• Interactive participation and discussion
• Power point presentation, LCD and flip chart
• Group activities and tests
• Post-assessment
If Applicable:
• Each participant receives a 7” Tablet containing a copy of the presentation, slides and handouts

Program Support

This program is supported by:
* Interactive discussions
* Role-play
* Case studies and highlight the techniques available to the participants.

Daily Agenda

Daily Schedule (Monday to Friday)
- 09:00 AM – 10:30 AM Technical Session 1
- 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Technical Session 2
- 12:00 PM – 01:00 PM Technical Session 3
- 01:00 PM – 02:00 PM Lunch Break (If Applicable)
- Participants are expected to engage in guided self-study, reading, or personal reflection on the day’s content. This contributes toward the CPD accreditation and deepens conceptual understanding.
- 02:00 PM – 04:00 PM Self-Study & Reflection

Please Note:
- All training sessions are conducted from Monday to Friday, following the standard working week observed in the United Kingdom and European Union. Saturday and Sunday are official weekends and are not counted as part of the course duration.
- Coffee and refreshments are available on a floating basis throughout the morning. Participants may help themselves at their convenience to ensure an uninterrupted learning experience Provided if applicable and subject to course delivery arrangements.
- Lunch Provided if applicable and subject to course delivery arrangements.

Part 2 / 9

Understanding Value Chain Analysis

- Exploring how organizations create value through activities and processes.
- Understanding primary and supporting activities within value creation.
- Identifying areas that influence efficiency and competitiveness.


Analyzing Value Chains

- Evaluating organizational activities and performance drivers.
- Identifying opportunities for improvement and differentiation.
- Understanding links between operations and competitive advantage.


Optimizing Value Creation

- Developing approaches to improve value delivery.
- Aligning resources and activities with strategic objectives.
- Supporting stronger competitive performance through value chain improvement.

Part 3 / 9

Understanding Market Dynamics

- Exploring external forces that influence competitive environments.
- Understanding customer, competitor and industry pressures.
- Identifying factors affecting business opportunities and threats.


Analyzing Market Forces

- Evaluating market conditions and competitive pressures.
- Understanding changes in customer expectations and industry trends.
- Supporting strategic decisions through market analysis.


Responding to Market Changes

- Developing approaches to adapt to market developments.
- Identifying opportunities created by market shifts.
- Improving organizational responsiveness and competitiveness.

Part 4 / 9

Understanding Strategic Positioning

- Exploring how organizations define their position within markets.
- Understanding differentiation, value propositions and target markets.
- Identifying factors that influence customer perception.


Developing Competitive Positioning

- Creating approaches that strengthen market differentiation.
- Aligning products, services and capabilities with customer needs.
- Improving competitive identity and market relevance.


Managing Positioning Decisions

- Evaluating positioning effectiveness.
- Adjusting strategies based on market feedback.
- Supporting long-term competitive advantage.

Part 5 / 9

Understanding Strategic Moves

- Exploring strategic actions organizations use to improve competitiveness.
- Understanding offensive and defensive strategic approaches.
- Identifying opportunities for strategic improvement.


Evaluating Strategic Options

- Analyzing potential strategic moves and their implications.
- Assessing risks, benefits and resource requirements.
- Supporting informed strategic choices.


Implementing Strategic Actions

- Developing plans for executing strategic initiatives.
- Aligning resources and responsibilities with strategic moves.
- Monitoring outcomes and adjusting actions when required.

Part 6 / 9

Understanding Competitive Growth

- Exploring approaches organizations use to achieve sustainable growth.
- Understanding relationships between markets, customers and capabilities.
- Identifying growth opportunities and challenges.


Developing Growth Strategies

- Evaluating expansion opportunities and strategic alternatives.
- Aligning growth plans with organizational strengths.
- Supporting sustainable business development.


Managing Growth Performance

- Monitoring growth initiatives and outcomes.
- Identifying barriers affecting growth success.
- Improving growth decisions through strategic analysis.

Part 7 / 9

Understanding Industry Analysis

- Exploring methods used to evaluate industry structures and trends.
- Understanding competitive forces affecting industries.
- Identifying opportunities and threats within business environments.


Conducting Industry Analysis

- Analyzing competitors, market trends and industry developments.
- Evaluating industry attractiveness and strategic opportunities.
- Supporting strategic planning through industry insights.


Using Industry Insights

- Translating analysis into strategic recommendations.
- Anticipating future market developments.
- Improving competitive decision-making.

Part 8 / 9

Understanding Competitive Intelligence

- Exploring the role of competitive intelligence in strategic decisions.
- Understanding sources of competitive information.
- Identifying the importance of monitoring market developments.


Collecting and Analyzing Intelligence

- Applying methods to gather and evaluate competitive information.
- Identifying competitor strategies and market movements.
- Supporting decisions through reliable intelligence.


Building Competitive Awareness

- Developing systems for continuous market monitoring.
- Improving organizational readiness for competitive changes.
- Using intelligence to strengthen strategic responses.

Part 9 / 9 Executive Masters Thesis

Competitive Strategy Improvement Thesis

Day 41: Thesis Definition and Planning

- Identify an organizational competitive challenge related to the topics covered during the Master.
- Define the thesis problem statement, objectives and expected outcomes.
- Establish the scope, methodology and approach for the thesis project.


Day 42: Research and Competitive Analysis

- Collect relevant information about the selected competitive strategy challenge.
- Apply competitive models, value chains, market forces, positioning, strategic moves, growth strategy, industry analysis and competitive intelligence frameworks learned during the program.
- Analyze current competitive practices, gaps and improvement opportunities.


Day 43: Developing Competitive Strategy Solutions

- Develop recommendations to improve competitive position and market performance.
- Create an implementation roadmap with actions and responsibilities.
- Define measures to evaluate competitive improvement outcomes.


Day 44: Thesis Writing and Final Review

- Structure the thesis document using a professional format.
- Review analysis, recommendations and competitive strategy improvement approach.
- Prepare the executive summary and final presentation materials.


Day 45: Thesis Presentation and Evaluation

- Present the completed competitive strategy improvement thesis project.
- Receive feedback and evaluation on the proposed solutions.
- Finalize practical actions for applying competitive strategy improvements within the organization.