Differentiation Advantage via Value Chain Analysis

Overview/Description
 This course teaches the learner how to use value chain analysis to identify sources of uniqueness and their costs. In addition, it details elements of value from the buyer's perspective. Using this knowledge, the course discusses the creation of sustainable strategies to position the firm uniquely in the marketplace.

Target Audience
 Middle and upper level managers involved in business strategy development, students of business management, and others interested in understanding competitive positioning and how to improve an organization's effectiveness.

Expected Duration
2.5 hours

Lesson Objectives:

Sources and Costs of Differentiation

  • recognize the importance of sources and costs of differentiation.
  • identify the main source of differentiation in specific business situations.
  • match the given activities or approaches to the corresponding uniqueness drivers.
  • identify how the cost drivers affect differentiation.

    • Buyer Value and Differentiation

  • recognize the importance of learning about buyer value and differentiation.
  • identify how a firm creates value for its buyers when given specific cases.
  • identify the attributes of buyer perception of value.
  • analyze buyer purchase criteria given a case.

    • Differentiation Strategy

  • identify the benefits of learning how to define and implement differentiation strategy.
  • identify the steps to determining a firm's competitive position.
  • identify the ways and approaches used by a firm to enhance their differentiation position when given a specific case.
  • identify the conditions under which differentiation is sustainable in a given case.
  • identify the pitfalls in differentiation given a case.

    • Course Number: STGY0333