Corporate and Business Strategy

An interdisciplinary, case-based overview of the strategic and analytical skills essential for consultants in top-tier strategy firms, this course is built around three core pillars: structured thinking and problem-solving, quantitative analysis, and persuasive communication, with emphasis on a hands-on approach to learning. Through case studies from companies such as Netflix, Disney, and Uber, students develop the ability to dissect complex business problems, craft data-driven recommendations, and communicate insights that influence key stakeholders. Students gain a strong foundation in strategic analysis and practical consulting techniques applicable across industries.

This course provides an interdisciplinary overview of business strategy skill requirements of consultants at top-tier strategy consulting and advisory firms through the lens of integrative, case-based learning.

The course is built around three main consulting pillars:

• Structured Thinking & Problem-Solving: Breaking down complex business problems into structured, manageable components using techniques such as the MECE Framework, Hypothesis-Driven Thinking, Issue Trees, Decision Trees, Critical Thinking, Root Cause Analysis, and strategic frameworks including Porter’s Five Forces, SWOT, and Value Chain Analysis.
• Ability to Deal With Numbers: Developing quantitative skills including financial modelling and analysis, data interpretation and visualization, mental math and estimation, statistics and probability, operational and business metrics, and Excel-based data analysis.
• Communication That Influences Stakeholders: Building communication skills through storytelling with data, the Pyramid Principle, executive presence, active listening, handling difficult questions, slide deck and report writing, persuasion, and negotiation.

The course emphasizes structured thinking, communication skills for stakeholder influence, and quantitative skills for data-driven insights. Through a case-based learning approach influenced by leading business schools, students gain practical experience in analyzing real business challenges. By the end of the course, students will have:

• A robust grounding in strategic analysis tools and frameworks.
• An understanding of core business functions and how they intersect.
• Practical experience analyzing real business challenges through classical and contemporary case studies.

•  Apply strategic analysis frameworks (e.g., Porter’s Five Forces, VRIO, PESTEL) to assess external and internal factors driving competitive advantage.
• Collaborate effectively on group case projects, delivering clear, evidence-based recommendations.
• Recognize how globalization, technology, and cultural contexts impact strategy formulation and business models.

• Grant, R. M. Contemporary Strategy Analysis.
• Johnson, G., Scholes, K., & Whittington, R. Exploring Strategy.

• Porter, M. E. How Competitive Forces Shape Strategy. Harvard Business Review.
• McKinsey Problem-Solving Test Prep or sample BCG case books.
• Minto, B. The Pyramid Principle.
• Kotler, P. & Keller, K. Marketing Management.
• Peng, M. Global Strategy.
• Ghemawat, P. Distance Still Matters. Harvard Business Review.
• Christensen, C. M. Disruptive Technologies: Catching the Wave. Harvard Business Review.
• Selected articles on platform strategy, digital disruption, Airbnb, Uber, and related innovation topics.