Strategic Thinking And Problem Solving And Negotiation Skills
- Management Sciences
- 400 level
- 2 credit units
- 245 pages
- 4 units
This course introduces students to strategic thinking, problem-solving, and negotiation skills essential for entrepreneurial success. It explores strategic foresight, challenging conventional thinking, and fostering effective decision-making. Topics include traditional and lateral thinking, strategy types, SWOT analysis, and the interface between thinking, problem-solving, and negotiation. Students will develop practical plans for innovation, strategic leadership, and unconventional business strategies, enhancing their critical thinking and negotiation abilities.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 156 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study, problem solving
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assignments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of ENT411, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
ENT411 · MODULE 5
Below you will find listed all the components of the course, what you have to do and how you should allocate time to each unit in order to complete the course successfully on time.
What you should be able to do
- Apply strategic thinking to business planning
- Solve complex problems using lateral thinking techniques
- Negotiate effectively in corporate settings
- Analyze business environments using SWOT and PEST models
- Develop innovative solutions for organizational challenges
What it prepares you for
- Business Analyst
- Project Manager
- Entrepreneur
- Management Consultant
- Negotiator
- Business Management
- Entrepreneurship
- Consulting
- Human Resources
- Sales
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 1: Introduction
Unit 1.10: Strategic Innovative Thinking into Company
Requires understanding of abstract concepts and applying them to real-world business scenarios.
- Module 2:
Unit 2.5: PEST Model Analysis
Involves complex analysis of external factors and internal capabilities, requiring critical evaluation and synthesis.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 104 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Introduction
Unit 1.1: Definition of Strategic Thinking · 4 hours
Define strategic thinking. Understand strategic thinking elements.
Unit 1.2: Elements of Strategic Thinking · 4 hours
Explore elements of strategic thinking. Discuss importance to business.
- Week 2Module 1: Introduction
Unit 1.3: Importance of Strategic Thinking to Business · 4 hours
Analyze strategic thinking skills. Understand role in business planning.
Unit 1.4: Ways to Improve Strategic Thinking Skills · 4 hours
Identify ways to improve strategic thinking. Apply strategic thinking process.
- Week 3Module 1: Introduction
Unit 1.5: Role of Strategic Thinking in Business Planning · 4 hours
Examine strategic planning and organizing skills.
Unit 1.5.1: Strategic Thinking Process · 4 hours
Test yourself as strategic thinker. Understand simplified strategic planning.
- Week 4Module 1: Introduction
Unit 1.6: Strategic Planning and Organising Skills · 4 hours
Explore principles of strategic leadership. Discuss challenges to strategic planning.
Unit 1.7: Simplified Strategic Planning · 4 hours
Understand strategic innovative thinking into company. Strategy Setting.
- Week 5Module 2:
Unit 2.1: Definition of Strategy · 4 hours
Define strategy and levels of strategy.
Unit 2.2.1: Corporate Strategy · 4 hours
Understand intensive strategies and strategic situation.
- Week 6Module 2:
Unit 2.3: Intensive Strategies · 4 hours
Understand strengths and weaknesses in business plan and strategic tools.
Unit 2.4: Strategic Situation Analysis · 4 hours
Understand more details of analysis for strategic tools or models.
- Week 7Module 3:
Unit 3.1: What is Lateral Thinking? · 4 hours
Understand definition of lateral thinking and categories of tools of lateral thinking.
Unit 3.2: Lateral Thinking Techniques · 4 hours
Understand lateral thinking techniques and application of the lateral in marketing process.
- Week 8Module 3:
Unit 3.3: Vertical, Horizontal or Lateral... Which Way to Market? · 4 hours
Understand ways to market products through vertical, horizontal or lateral.
Unit 3.4: Importance of Vertical and Horizontal Linkages to Foster Win-Win Relationships in Business · 4 hours
Understand elements, thinking modes, ideation methods and selection-SCAMPER.
- Week 9Module 4:
Unit 4.1: Definition of Problem Solving · 4 hours
Understand definition of problem solving, its skills and basic steps in solving problems.
Unit 4.2: Tools for Understanding Problems · 4 hours
Understand tools of knowing problems and brainstorming.
- Week 10Module 4:
Unit 4.3: How to Make Better Decisions · 4 hours
Understand the critical thinking in a decision making process to solve problems.
Unit 4.4: Seven Steps Problem Solving Techniques: what's the problem? · 4 hours
Understand the ways to solve problems using techniques and skills.
- Week 11MODULE 5
Unit 5.1: Definition of Negotiation · 4 hours
Understand definition of negotiation and its elements.
Unit 5.2: Elements of Negotiation · 4 hours
Understand the importance of negotiation and its techniques in corporate organisations.
- Week 12MODULE 5
Unit 5.3: Importance of Negotiation in Corporate Organisation · 4 hours
Understand conditions for negotiation and why parties choose to or refuse to negotiate.
Unit 5.4: Techniques of Negotiation · 4 hours
Understand negotiation skills for managers and role of communication in negotiation.
- Week 13MODULE 5
Unit 5.9: Negotiation Skills for Managers · 8 hours
Understand negotiation skills for managers and role of communication in negotiation.
Preparing for the exam
- Create concept maps linking strategic thinking elements
- Practice SWOT and PEST analyses for different industries
- Review lateral thinking techniques and apply them to case studies
- Study negotiation strategies and tactics
- Focus on understanding the application of problem-solving tools
Questions students ask about this course
What is ENT411 about?
This course introduces students to strategic thinking, problem-solving, and negotiation skills essential for entrepreneurial success. It explores strategic foresight, challenging conventional thinking, and fostering effective decision-making. Topics include traditional and lateral thinking, strategy types, SWOT analysis, and the interface between thinking, problem-solving, and negotiation. Students will develop practical plans for innovation, strategic leadership, and unconventional business strategies, enhancing their critical thinking and negotiation abilities.
How many units does ENT411 have?
ENT411, Strategic Thinking And Problem Solving And Negotiation Skills, has 4 units across 4 modules, over 245 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is ENT411?
ENT411 carries 2 credit units, at 400 level in Management Sciences.
Is ENT411 hard?
ENT411 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, case study and problem solving work.
How long does ENT411 take to study?
About 156 hours of study, spread across its 4 units.
How is ENT411 assessed?
ENT411 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assignments and final examination.
What can I do with ENT411?
Business Analyst, Project Manager, Entrepreneur, Management Consultant and Negotiator.