eCornell teams with Fortune to teach business strategy

Justin Johnson
Johnson

eCornell, the university’s online learning subsidiary, has partnered with Fortune magazine to launch a new online business education program, “Mastering 21st Century Business Strategy.” Students who successfully complete the program will earn a Business Strategy certificate from Cornell.

“We are pleased to partner with both the Johnson School and Fortune Magazine to offer an innovative program and reach new students,” said Paul Krause ’91, CEO of eCornell. “The interaction between Professor Justin Johnson and the Fortune editors proves to be an engaging way to think about business strategy concepts using current events.”

The program, authored by Johnson, associate professor of economics in the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, consists of six two-week online courses covering such topics as competitive advantage and profitability; strategic positioning in markets, mergers and acquisitions strategy; supply chain threats and opportunities; and the application of game theory to business strategy. Johnson has taught courses in these areas for more than 15 years to undergraduate and MBA students.

“The program will give a viewpoint on business based on rigorous economic thinking. It is meant to give learners a better way of understanding the world around them and, in particular, the business world,” Johnson said. “It will be valuable for everyone, but more important for people who have decisions to make about their business.”

Courses draw on Fortune’s deep editorial resources and access to business leaders to deliver unique and enriching material. Fortune will provide students with breaking business news and in-depth analysis, interactive digital and video content, and access to targeted content featuring Fortune 500 C-suite executives.

“Fortune has always been a critical resource for business leaders and will now extend its mission to support the next generation of talent,” said Alan Murray, editor of Fortune. “Technology is driving business change faster than ever before. Our program with Cornell will help students keep up with the broad implications of those changes by drawing on Fortune’s deep reporting and its access to top business leaders.”

Students will view videos of conversations between Johnson and Fortune journalists. As with most eCornell courses, students will engage in online discussions with their peers, and the Fortune journalists will join in.

“It’s been really great,” Johnson reported. “These are world-class business experts working at Fortune, and it was a lot of fun talking to them. Maybe there could be a long-lasting dynamic partnership, especially with Cornell’s presence in New York City.”

Enrollment opened Sept. 22. The first cohort of students will start work Nov. 18.

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