How does the Business Strategy certificate program relate to the Core Business Essentials program?

In addition to being a standalone certificate program, Financial Accounting is a component course of the Core Business Essentials credential program, which also includes Business Analytics and Financial Accounting. Designed for those interested in learning business fundamentals more broadly, Core Business Essentials participants progress through the three courses, as well as a supplementary module and a multi-part capstone assignment.

Can I take Core Business Essentials if I’ve taken Business Strategy?

Yes, participants who've already completed Business Strategy are still eligible to enroll in Core Business Essentials, but you'll need to retake Business Strategy to complete Core Business Essentials.

What are the learning requirements in order to successfully complete the course, and how are grades assigned?

Participants in Business Strategy are eligible for a Certificate of Completion from Harvard Business School Online. Participants are expected to fully complete all coursework in a thoughtful and timely manner. This means completing each course module and fully answering questions posed therein by the required deadline. This course also features recommended weekly deadlines to help ensure participants proceed through the course at a similar pace and can take full advantage of social learning opportunities. In addition to module and assignment completion, we expect participation in the social learning elements of the course by offering feedback on others’ reflections and contributing to conversations on the platform. Participants who fail to complete the course requirements will not receive a certificate and will not be eligible to retake the course. More detailed information on course requirements will be communicated at the start of the course. No grades are assigned for Business Strategy. Participants will either be evaluated as complete or not complete.

What materials will I have access to after completing Business Strategy?

You will have access to the materials in every prior module as you progress through the program. Access to course materials and the course platform ends 60 days after the final deadline in the program.

How should I list my certificate on my resume?

Once you've earned your Certificate of Completion, list it on your resume along with the date of completion: Harvard Business School Online Certificate in Business Strategy [Cohort Start Month and Year] List your certificate on your LinkedIn profile under "Education" with the language from the Credential Verification page: School: Harvard Business School Online Dates Attended: [The year you participated in the program] Degree: Other; Certificate in Business Strategy Field of Study: Leave blank Grade: "Complete" Activities and Societies: Leave blank Description: Business Strategy is a 7-week, 30-35 hour online certificate program from Harvard Business School. Business Strategy equips professionals with a simplified framework they can immediately apply to create value for customers, employees, and suppliers while maximizing returns and an organization’s competitive edge. Participants learn to evaluate trade-offs and align, prioritize, and formulate strategic initiatives for the greatest business impact.

Strategy

Business Strategy

Learn how organizations create competitive advantage through strategic positioning and growth decisions.

Time
35-42 hrs, 5-6 hrs/week
Calendar
Nov 25, 2026 Weekly calendar
Price
$1,949
Pay by
Nov 23, 2026

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Key Concepts

Assess business opportunities through the lens of value creation
Apply the value stick, a research-based framework for strategy formulation, to key strategic decisions that companies face today
Master the language and tools of business strategy to contribute meaningfully to strategic conversations and your team’s success
Create value for customers, employees, and suppliers, often in surprising ways, that rival companies will find hard to match
Build sustainable success with the help of complements and network effects

Who Will Benefit

Develop a powerful, value-based strategy to achieve greater success for your team and organization.

Participating in the student discussions was empowering. It ignited a drive within me to learn and absorb as much as I could.
Leslie Pico; Small Business Owner and Tech Entrepreneur

92%

Developed increased confidence after completing their course

11X

Return on investment, with 24% of HBS Online learners reporting an average $20,466 salary increase

91%

Acquired new skills that were immediately applicable

What You'll Earn

Learn More

**Certificate of Completion**
Boost your resume with a Certificate of Completion from HBS Online
Earn by: completing this course

Harvard Business School Online certificate awarded to Flavia Arturo for specialization in strategy. — **Certificate of Specialization**
Prove your mastery of Strategy
Earn by: completing any three courses within this subject area to earn a Certificate of Specialization

Course Syllabus

6 Modules, 30-35 Hours

Download full syllabus (pdf)

Module 1

Creating Value for Customers

7-8 Hours

Develop a foundational understanding of the value stick framework and learn how to make pricing decisions with a focus on willingness to pay (WTP).

Highlights

0:25

The Value Stick

0:54

Value Creation at Best Buy

Module 2

Adding Value Through Complements

5 Hours

Understand the difference between complements and substitutes and discover the power of complements as a competitive advantage.

Highlights

0:46

Pricing Complements

0:41

Discerning Complements from Substitutes

Module 3

Competing with Network Effects

5 Hours

Explore the three types of network effects, their impact on WTP, and how to compete against dominant platforms.

Highlights

0:20

Predicting Competition in Local Markets

Module 4

Creating Value for Talent

5 Hours

Discover ways to make work more attractive for your employees, understand the difference between lowering WTS and reducing compensation, and explore workplace flexibility.

Highlights

0:58

The Problem with Retail Work

1:04

Breaking the Cycle

Module 5

Mastering Productivity

5 Hours

Explore why some companies are more productive than others, the power of economies of scale, and opportunities to share value with your suppliers.

Highlights

0:52

Fixed and Variable Costs

0:41

How Big Banks Get Bigger

Module 6

Implementing Strategy

5 Hours

Learn to move from strategy formulation to implementation and discover the importance of prioritizing and differentiating strategic initiatives.

Highlights

1:05

Prioritizing Your Value Drivers

0:46

Refining Your Value Maps

Upcoming Cohorts

Start Date	Pay by	Price	Time	Calendar
Nov 25, 2026	Nov 23, 2026	$1,949	35-42 hrs, 5-6 hrs/week	Nov 25, 2026 Calendar
Jan 20, 2027	Jan 18, 2027	$1,949	35-42 hrs, 5-6 hrs/week	Jan 20, 2027 Calendar
Mar 24, 2027	Mar 22, 2027	$1,949	35-42 hrs, 5-6 hrs/week	Mar 24, 2027 Calendar

Prices shown are in USD and do not include applicable international taxes.

Led by World-Renowned HBS Faculty

HBS Online courses are taught by Harvard Business School faculty, bringing the renowned HBS classroom experience directly to you.

Experience

Immersive Learning

Stay active by engaging in a new activity every three to five minutes and applying your knowledge through group exercises.

HBS Online courses allow you to immerse yourself in a dynamic, interactive learning experience. You’ll engage in a new activity every three to five minutes and apply your knowledge through polls, quizzes, and problem-solving exercises designed to accelerate and reinforce your learning.

Real-World Connections

Get social by collaborating with a global community of peers before, during, and after your course. Learners who successfully complete an HBS Online program will be added to the HBS Online Community's Official Networking Group and gain exclusive access to events and other networking opportunities.

See how the HBS Online course platform engages you in social learning. You exchange ideas, offer input, and seek out viewpoints from a community of learners gathered from around the globe. In the process, you learn from each other’s experiences and perspectives, and leave the program with a broader outlook on the world.

Real-World Cases

Immerse yourself in real-world, case-based examples brought to life by industry-leading experts from companies like Best Buy, Corning, DoorDash, Farfetch, GE, Harkins Theatres, JPMorgan Chase, Quest Diagnostics, Raksul, Ripple, Simon-Kucher & Partners, Tatra banka, and West Monroe Partners.

Our courses allow you to apply your learning through
real-world examples and experience Harvard Business School’s signature case
method. Business leaders will share challenges they’ve faced. As the story
unfolds, you’ll leverage course concepts, vital tools and frameworks, and the
diversity of your peers’ perspectives to analyze the problem and determine a
path forward.

Real-World Outcomes