Once we have a great strategy , much preparation remains to garner resources, plan the launch and then execute. Some industries, mostly high-end B2B, still demand the support and attention that only a human salesforce can provide. Public relations and sponsorships remain viable, traditional communication strategies. Pricing, forecasting and ROI analysis lay the foundation for profitability and the entry ticket to being taken seriously by equity investors. We take-up how to pitch those executives and VCs. Once operations are rolling, distribution, supply chains and ongoing data analytics provide the opportunity to iterate and increase performance. The means of generating that NEXT great idea are taken-up with innovation & product design, both supported by a (hopefully) strong brand and logo. Lastly we look at what truly polished companies aspire to: Customer focus and loyalty that create the ultimate prize of long-term competitive advantage.

This course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Engineering in Engineering Management (ME-EM) degree offered on the Coursera platform. The ME-EM is designed to help engineers, scientists, and technical professionals move into leadership and management roles in the engineering and technical sectors. With performance-based admissions and no application process, the ME-EM is ideal for individuals with a broad range of undergraduate education and/or professional experience. Learn more about the ME-EM program at https://www.coursera.org/degrees/me-engineering-management-boulder.