Overview

This course is designed for professionals who want to understand what strategy is and the process by which it is defined and implemented.

It is organised as a workshop where you can make your voice heard, 6 live online lessons over three weeks, (2 lessons of 2 hours each week).

The course is taught by Maurizio Sammarco, a senior lecturer in management at the Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction at UCL with over 30 years' experience as a CEO and Lecturer.

The course is designed to equip professionals with the foundations of business strategy tools to navigate complexity, make informed decisions and create strategy for a dynamic and unpredictable business environment.

Course aims

Throughout the course you will:

• Learn what strategy is and the process by which strategy is defined and implemented;
• Acquire the knowledge and frameworks to conduct external and internal analysis before formulating a strategy;
• Recognise why each stage of business growth requires a different strategy;
• Explore how different frameworks can help you better understand your positioning or choose a different set of activities to take your organization in a new direction;
• Learn what matters most to strategy execution and how to move from strategic plan to execution;

Who this course is for

This course is designed for professionals and individuals interested in business strategy. It is ideal for:

• Executive Leaders seeking to enhance strategic planning skills and align organizational goals.
• Entrepreneurs wanting to build and grow businesses using proven strategy frameworks.
• Junior Consultants aiming to strengthen their analysis skills and provide effective recommendations.
• Anyone interested in strategy, including business enthusiasts and students, looking to understand and apply key strategic concepts in various contexts.

This course equips participants with practical tools to master and implement business strategy effectively.

Course content

The course will be structured as follows:

• Session 1: What strategy is and the process by which a strategy is defined and realized. Deliberate strategy vs. emergent strategy. Vision, Mission and your Unique Value Proposition.
• Session 2: External and internal analysis. Including  PESTEL and  SWOT analysis. How to operate in a VUCA world.
• Session 3: A strategy for every stage of business growth. Including Lean Startup and Business Turnaround.
• Session 4: Strategy frameworks 1: such as Business Model Canvas, BCG’s Strategy Palette and Delta model.
• Session 5: Strategy frameworks 2: such as Blue Ocean Strategy, Platform Strategy, and the 4 Discipline of Execution.
• Session 6: Putting It All Together: Strategy Execution Framework (SEF) and Q&A

Each session on Tuesday and Thursday runs from 5pm to 7pm (UK time).

Teaching and structure

The course is structured in 6 live online lessons over three weeks (2 lessons of 2 hours per week) organised as workshops where students can interact with the lecturer based on their experience. 

Once enrolled, students will have access to a UCL learning platform where they will find readings before each workshop, videos to watch and Q&As to check their understanding of the argument covered in the workshop.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the foundational theories and frameworks of business strategy, equipping them with the tools needed to develop, evaluate, and implement effective strategies.

Upon completion, participants will be able to:

• Executive Leadership Team Members: Enhance their strategic decision-making capabilities by applying structured frameworks to assess internal and external factors, align organizational vision and mission with strategic objectives, and drive sustainable growth.
• Entrepreneurs: Develop a strategic mindset and practical skills for evaluating business opportunities, building competitive advantage, and crafting effective business strategies to successfully launch, manage, and grow their ventures.
• Junior Consultants: Gain the knowledge and tools necessary to conduct rigorous internal and external analyses, support client organizations with informed recommendations, and effectively contribute to strategy formulation and execution within consulting engagements.
• Individuals Interested in Strategy: Acquire a solid understanding of the strategy process, including mission and vision development, strategic planning, and execution, enabling them to better navigate and contribute to strategic initiatives in various business contexts.

Certificate

Upon completion of the course, you will receive a certificate of participation from UCL.

Cost and concessions

The standard course fee is £1,650.

• There is a 50% discount for UCL staff, students and alumni.
• There is also a 40% early bird discount for learners who sign up by 10th February 2026 for the 10th March 2026 start date. Please contact us for the discount code.

Course team

Maurizio Sammarco

Maurizio is an Associate Professor in Management in The Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction at UCL. He has over 30 years’ experience as CEO/MD/General Manager/Project Manager and Lecturer spans several industry including luxury ceramic tiles, construction, machinery industry, IT, telecommunications and energy. Maurizio’s areas of expertise are strategy, change management, leadership and project management. He holds a MSc in Strategic Management, an Executive MBA, a MSc in Electronic Engineering, a PCLT in Higher Education and the Fellowship status at the Higher Education Academy.

Course information last modified: 29 Oct 2025, 18:31