Growing Your Core Business with Jagdish Sheth

Overview

This course explores why growing the core business is now a more viable strategy than unrelated diversification. Learners will understand how shareholder value is created through both cash flow and strategic positioning for growth. Drawing on decades of corporate examples and financial analysis, Professor Jagdish Sheth outlines the limitations of the portfolio model and presents a framework for growing the core through multiple channels, product extensions, and emerging markets. Through case studies of companies like Monsanto, 3M, IBM, and Dinol, learners will discover how to avoid strategic missteps and identify synergistic opportunities that align with their company’s competencies and market access. This course empowers learners to think critically about growth, profitability, and how to leverage core strengths to meet modern shareholder expectations.

Syllabus

Framing the Issue

This module explores the historical evolution of shareholder value and the limitations of the traditional portfolio model. Learners will examine the cash flow vs. company growth dilemma and the impact of market stagnation on corporate strategy.

Developing Strategies

This module introduces a new framework for growing the core business. Learners will evaluate various growth paths and cautions against misguided diversification, supported by a growth map covering product and market strategies.

Company Examples

This module analyzes real-world examples—including IBM, McDonald’s, and Dinol—to illustrate successful and failed diversification strategies. Learners will apply a three-part test for synergistic diversification and learn how to assess market access and infrastructure.