The Strategy Collective

Welcome to the Strategy Collective

Launching September 30, 2024, secure one of a maximum of 15 (Update: 5 spots left now).

Transform Your Approach to Strategy

Welcome to the überproduct Strategy Collective, the inaugural program of the überproduct Academy. This 12+-week program is designed for both beginners and seasoned professionals interested in mastering business and product strategy.

Empowering Modern Strategists

Transform your approach to strategy and drive meaningful change in your organization with The Strategy Collective.

Revolutionize Your Strategic Thinking

Achieve clarity in strategy implementation and overcome common pitfalls with our expert-led, cohort-based program designed for modern Product Managers and strategists.

Your Path to Strategic Excellence

Experience a comprehensive blend of flexible self-paced learning, interactive online sessions, and practical assignments, all on a cutting-edge integrated platform tailored for your success.

„Markus’s deep storytelling about his real-life business adventures brings his methods to life and makes learning an engaging experience. How Markus wraps knowledge and experience into stories makes for a compelling learning eperience. In his own way, Markus shows that the tools and methods he explains are just scaffolding and what matters is the thinking behind it.“ – Sarah L., Senior Product Manager, customer of Markus‘ Lean Product Management and Discovery course

Are These Challenges Holding You Back?

Strategies that are top-down and disconnected from on-the-ground realities
Exclusionary jargon and complex frameworks
You don’t know where to start and how to go on in your startegy learning path
Your environment gives feedback like „lack of strategy“, „only reactive“, „no vision, no direction“, „we might have a strategy, but no one knows it“ …
No safe space to practice
Lack of practical, real-world strategy training
Lack of continuous exchange with a learning community

Why The Strategy Collective Works

Markus, the founder of überproduct Academy, saw firsthand how often strategies fail due to poor implementation and exclusionary practices. With decades of experience in technology, business consultancy, and product management education, Markus developed a simplified model called „Markers, Options, and Work“ (MOW) to make strategy accessible and actionable for all professionals. Throughout the years, he supported a lot of companies in gaining clarity in strategy and aligning around those common goals.

Why the Strategy Collective Exists

Since the beginning of my work even in the mid 90s, when finding out what we need to do was much easier than today, I was always confused by the way that strategy was done. As early as 2005 I co-invented a new way of portfolio management using visual boards and a couple of recipes like „all people in one room“ and „regular short cadences“ to make portfolio management an integral part of companies‘ structures. Product consultancy and hands on product work brought me ever closer to the strategic cores of quite a few companies. And still I had the sinking feeling that how strategy is taught and learned and then executed leads to 90% bad implementations. Most of the time, strategy is an alien and not an integral part of companies organizational rhythms. You have the odd yearly offsite, ending up in plans. where the outcome feels a bit random. But then, the investment in those off-sites was so immense that the outcome needs to be true, you have to live with it for a year, and finally the fulfilling the plan – the main result of that meeting – becomes the target rather than the strategic goals. A more inclusive style of strategy needs to be done and it’s not so hard to figure that out but often, you have to see it to believe it and see how it’s done. And that’s what the Strategy Collective is here for.

Get More Info!

The MOW Framework

An simple concept of three interconnected layers make it easy to get started in strategy. The model can always be enhanced by other existing framework, when scale is needed. But it is enough for most organizations.

Markers: Define the identity of your organization.
Options: Choose the best paths to achieve your markers.
Work: Implement options and provide feedback to refine strategy.

Discover the Curriculum

Our 12+-week program covers essential strategy concepts and practical applications to ensure you are well-equipped to drive meaningful change in your organization.

Highlights:

Weeks 1-2: Introduction to foundational strategy concepts: Markers, Options, and Work, and their integration and relationships.
Weeks 3-4: Identifying and mapping key markers, developing and prioritizing strategic options. Special Focus on Wardley Mapping.
Weeks 5-6: Implementing strategy with effective communication frameworks and using the „Playing to Win“ framework.
Weeks 7-8: Utilizing strategic tools like SWOT analysis and OKRs, managing change, and fostering innovation.
Weeks 9-10: Scenario planning, risk management, and applying concepts through case studies and practical assignments.
Weeks 11-12: Preparing and presenting your own, tailored strategy approach, including peer review and feedback sessions (for those who want feedback) .
Bonus Week: Final Q&A, course wrap-up, and reflection.

In addition to the content stated below, in most weeks, we will address one strategy concept like „Three Horizons“, „Blue Ocean“, „Disruption“, „Business Model Canvas“ etc. If you need or do not need those concepts, the more you will work around strategy, the more people will confront you with these concepts and I want you to have a head start for those conversations.

Detailed Curriculum plan at the end of the descriptio

What You’ll Achieve

By the end of the course, besides having gained a ton of direct and background knowledge on strategy and strategy deployment, you’ll have a comprehensive plan on how you will proceed with strategic work in your organization.

Who Should Attend

You should attend yourself or „send“ someone , if

you are affected by any of the issues listed above
you are somehow close to strategy in your company and are not satisfied by the way you can do strategy, no matter if your role is C-Level, being part of the strategy department, being a product leader, senior product manager, a senior or leader of any other profession in your org
you want to grow your employees and have them a deeper understanding of strategy thinking and processes
you are a coach or consultant often meeting the issue of flawed strategy at your clients

Enrollment Details

Start Date: September 30, 2024
Duration: 12+ weeks
Cohort Size: Limited to 15 participants to ensure a personalized learning experience

Plans and Investment

Guided Plan: Includes weekly video calls, interactive discussions, and personalized feedback. Investment: 1999 EUR 1799 EUR plus VAT until 30 August 2024

Self-Paced Plan: Purely self-paced learning with access to all content modules and assignments. Investment: 1199 EUR 1049 EUR plus VAT until 30 August 2024

Enrollment Process:Apply Online: Send application through contact form or email (info at ueberproduct dot de). You can also request for an information call.
Confirmation: Receive a confirmation email with further details.
Start Learning: Gain access to the platform mid September and start your transformative learning journey 30th September 2024.

Apply Now!

FAQs

Q: Who should enroll in this course?

A: Designed for modern Product Managers and strategists seeking to deepen their strategic skills.

Q: How is the course delivered?

A: Self-paced modules, live online sessions, and practical assignments on our integrated platform.

Q: What’s the time commitment?

A: 12 weeks plus bonus wrap up week, holiday season is kept content and meeting free (details see below), with 2-7 hours per week of study and engagement, depending on the level of depth you aim at.

Q: Is there a certificate upon completion?

A: Yes, participants receive a certificate of completion from überproduct Academy.

Q: How interactive are the live online sessions, and how much individual attention can participants expect?

A: The live sessions are designed to be lively and engaged. Each session will start with content presented by Markus. One type of sessions is about getting more context on the concepts. Another type of sessions is about small exercises to deepen the knowledge in experience.

Q: How is the content of the curriculum presented and published?

A: Our learning platform will present a structured layout of the curriculum. Week by week on the same weekday at the same time, a new content part will be published in the form of a video introduction to the topic, a write down of the basic concepts and links to further in-depth material. So you can chose which content to go through on a surface level, skip through or go in depth. many topics will also include voluntary assignments you can chose to work on and get feedback on.

Q: Can the course content be accessed after the 14-week period, or is it limited to the duration of the program?

A: You will have lifetime access to the content on the platform, including recordings of the live sessions. If the platform ever dies, you will be sent an archive file of the content. You may not share that content, though.

Q: What background or experience level is recommended for participants to fully benefit from The Strategy Collective?

A: The concept is realized in a way that invites beginners as well as seaseoned experts to the topic. Beginners will have a great learning experience by witnessing discussions and questions of more advanced members. More advanced members will gain by sharing their expertise and contex while being exposed to advanced content from the curriculum.

Q: Are there opportunities for networking with peers and sharing experiences during the course?

A: The learning platform we use will allow for all kinds of networking between participants. You can form groups to solve assignments together, you may invite each other for feedback, you can exchange about your real life wor issues around the content. You can even arrange your own group meetings.

Q: How are assignments and assessments graded or evaluated throughout the program?

A: There will be no grading but feedback. For each assignment you choose if you’d like to get structured feedback by the facilitator and / or learning peers.

Q: Can the strategies and frameworks learned in the course be applied to different industries or organizational sizes?

A: Yes the concepts are independent of industry, organizational size and organizational forms (hierarchical, non-hierarchical etc.) If you have questions on how to overcome certain hurdles or how to implement certain aspects in your context, we can discuss that. That’s part of the community and long term approach.

Q: Are there prerequisites or recommended readings to prepare for the course?

A: Reading Rober L. Martin’s „Play To Win“ or Gary Rummelts „Good Strategy, bad Strategy“ is never a mistake. BUt we assume to start at zero on September 30. During the course, we will always provide links to material that can further depen your knowledge.

Q: How does The Strategy Collective support participants in overcoming specific challenges they face in their current roles?

A: To go in depth for every participant can not be covered. You can buy individualized 1:1 sessions on top of the program with Markus, though.

Q: What ongoing support or resources are available to participants after completing the course?

A: There will be no ongoing support after the course. It is up to you to stay connected to the network you created. Depending on the needs of teh particioants, there might be follow up formats to continue the network.

Q: How does The Strategy Collective stay updated with the latest trends and developments in strategic management and product strategy?

A: Markus is actively working in the field and applying the lates trends.

Q: What if I am part of the Guided Plan and miss a video call?

A: First of all: we take it for granted that this will happen and the course is designed in a way that this is not an issue. While it is a huge uplift in the social experience to be part of the calls and share the learnings and questions and the exercises, there are enough other opportunities to experience community interaction. But beyond that, each call is recorded and be part of your experience if you booked the guided course. Straight after the life session, the recordings will be available to be consumed whenever they fit your schedule. I myself was part of courses designed this way and the way I optimized it for me was to be part of the calls where I had had questions or wanted to be part of the exercises. The other I simply took as an extension of my self-paced learning. The main take away: You will not miss content by missing a call.

Detailed Curriculum

Week 1: Introduction to Markers, Options, and Work

The Purpose of Strategy is Clarity
Markers as identity, Options enable Markers, Work realizes Options
Dynamics and relationships of Markers, options and Work
Learning Outcome: Grasp the foundational concepts of markers, options, and work.

Week 2: Relationships in MOW and Integration

The relationship between Markers, Options, and Work Relationships
The dynamics and temporality of Markers, Options and Work
Introduction to „Playing to Win“
Learning Outcome: Understand the interrelationships between markers, options, and work. Understand at least one connected Strategy framework.

Week 3: Identifying and Mapping Markers

Identifying Key Markers of an organization (Where do Markers come from?)
Mapping Markers to Strategy
Introduction to Wardley Mapping
Learning Outcome: Identify and map strategic markers.

Week 4: Making Options Explicit

How to develop Strategic Options (Where do Options come from?)
Prioritizing Options
Learning Outcome: Develop and prioritize strategic options.

Week 5: Implementing Strategy: The Dynamics of Markers, Options, Work

A communication framework based on fixed cadences
Implementation options
Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up vs. Hoshin Kanri vs … Pro’s and Con’s of known communication and signalling strategies
Learning Outcome: Create effective communication and implementation frameworks for your organization / context.

Week 6: Mapping Markers, Option and Work with Play To Win

Playing To Win as a Framework
Case Study Play To Win for deeper understanding
Re-Engineering as integral part of Playing To Win
Cascading levels of Strategy
Learning Outcome: Complementing Markers, Options, Work w/ an extended framework

Week 7: Strategic Tools: SWOT Analysis and OKRs

Using OKRs for Strategic Alignment
Connecting OKRs and MOW
Overview SWOT analysis
Learning Outcome: Analyze external factors and competitive forces.

Week 8: Managing Change and Innovation

Change Management Strategies in connection with Strategy
Fostering Innovation and the connection to Strategy Dynamics
Learning Outcome: Manage change and drive innovation.

Week 9: Scenario Planning and Risk Management

Developing Scenario Plans
Identifying and Mitigating Risks
Learning Outcome: Develop scenario plans and manage risks.

Week 10: Case Studies and Practical Application

Analyzing Case Studies
Practical Assignments
Learning Outcome: Apply concepts to real-world scenarios.

Week 11: Presenting Your Strategy (Part 1)

Preparing Presentations
Peer Review Session
Learning Outcome: Prepare and review strategic presentations.

Holiday Break: December 16 – January 12

Week 12: Presenting Your Strategy (Part 2)

Final Presentations
Feedback and Refinement
Learning Outcome: Present and refine strategic plans.

Bonus Week: Q&A and Wrap-Up

Final Q&A Session
Course Wrap-Up and Reflection
Learning Outcome: Address remaining questions, consolidate learning, and reflect on the course

„Weekly“ Strategic Tools and Aspects

Porters Five Forces
3 Horizons
Blue Ocean Strategy
Pestle Analysis – Analyze external factors
SWOT Analysis – analyze competitive forces
Disruption – a model of competition
Business Model Canvas – another strategic framwork, focusing on business models
Facilitating Hints Strategy Sessions
Discussing vs. Deciding / Hierarchy