Learn strategy, see what matters, and grow your career in that direction.
Second Wave Dive creates boutique programs for people who work in and around tech. Our newest program, The Strategy Studio, is a six-week online course to help you amplify your strategic sense and take bold actions you feel confident in.
1. Get a clear, plain view of strategy
2. Develop effective, flexible strategies
3. Take clear, bold actions
The Strategy Studio
NEXT COHORT
October 8 - November 12, 2024
Tues: 11a -12:30p EST
Application deadline: October 4
FORMAT
Live, peer cohort
PRICE
$2050 USD
SOMEONE FROM YOUR COMPANY MAY HAVE ALREADY LEARNED WITH US
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
A better idea of what strategy is and how to do it.
For a concept that is defined in a bewildering number of ways, for the countless frameworks out there, you should have a better idea of what strategy is and how to do it. But, ‘Strategy’ is a word that’s been almost fracked to death.
The Strategy Studio offers you something different. Over six weeks, you will:
Gain confidence in doing strategy and being strategic
Learn from those who have done the work, put in the time, and made good things happen
See clearly and cut through the noise
The Strategy Studio synthesizes content from dozens of seminal books, frameworks, and concepts, as well as the hands-on experience of Second Wave Dive founder Ryan Rumsey, who led Experience Strategy at USAA, built and led global teams at Electronic Arts and Nestlé, and drove product development at Apple.
DETAILS
Six live sessions
90 minutes per week
No homework
Weekly office hours (optional)
Weekly challenges (optional)
Guided feedback & reflection
Lifetime access to program materials
Direct access to the facilitator
Program certificate upon request
THE TECH STACK
Zoom (for live sessions)
Figma (for live sessions)
Notion (for shared resources)
The Strategy Studio is for…
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Talented Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, Data Scientists, Researchers, and Ops/Mktg folks who want to take their strategic sense to the next level.
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Managers, Directors, and Executives who are responsible for product success and must collaborate with others to make that success a reality.
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Freelancers and Consultants who have been hired as an expert and are trying to guide their clients in new directions.
PROGRAM AGENDA
Step-by-step, grow your strategic sense with the best bits of strategy delivered one week at a time
Week 1: The Fundamentals
Push past confusion and learn the fundamentals of what strategy actually is, the role it plays, and the purpose of doing it.
Defining strategy
The role of strategy
The verb vs. noun
The elements of strategy
Constant change
Unknown futures
Week 2: The Big Picture
Learn how great companies compete and how leaders at the highest levels set the tone for doing good business.
Corporate Strategy
Financial Strategy
Business Strategy
Operational Strategy
Functional Team Strategy
Week 3: The Product Stack
Learn how to plug in the various aspects and day-to-day work that goes into building products, and see how they fit together.
Portfolio Strategy
Product Strategy
Marketing Strategy
Sales Strategy
Design Strategy
Week 4: Doing Strategy
Go from guessing to believing. Learn how to create good strategies, and how to spot the bad ones.
Obstacles & Opportunities
Guiding Policies
Unmatched Advantage(s)
Clear Connected Actions
Heuristics
Evaluation
Week 5: Selling Strategy
A strategy is just an idea if you can’t sell it. Learn how to translate your insights and recommendations into a story others can get behind.
Prospecting
Listening
Validating
Framing
Articulating
Closing
Week 6: Being Strategic
Become someone who confidently takes bold actions. Learn how to apply strategic thinking at every level of your career.
Taking Confident Actions
Reusing > Remixing > Renewing
Finding Sidekicks & Champions
Writing Stories
TLDR: This six-week program will give you a clear, plain view of strategy and how you can develop effective, flexible strategies for yourself and your work.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
See what others don’t
The whole point of strategy is to take action.
The Strategy Studio is intentionally designed to give you the time, space, and tools to clarify the fog everyone is in when it comes to strategy. You’ll leave knowing how everything clicks and how to connect the actions that make good things happen.
Each week, we start with concepts and then quickly move into practical applications and examples. In turn, you will come away knowing exactly how to apply a new principle to your day-to-day work.
The ultimate outcome is to help you see what others don’t and make you feel energized.
WHAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DO
Understand the broader concepts that guide executive thinking
Interpret what others mean
Use effective storytelling techniques
Create a strategy one-pager
Communicate your strategy
Visualize your strategy
Take confident actions
Adapt and refine a strategy
What people say about us
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![Brandy Porter]()
“I realize now that I’ve been walking backward all this time. This scratched the strategic itch for me that I was looking for.”
Brandy Porter
Head of Global Design WW -
![Ariba Jahan]()
"This is exactly what I needed right now, packed with all the things nobody tells you about and packaged in realistic contexts!"
Ariba Jahan
Head of Transformation, NA, Anomaly -
![Maria Pereda]()
"If you want to be strategic and want to have an impact, anyone would benefit from the program no matter what level they’re at."
Maria Pereda
Director of Design, Personio -
![Justin Hoyer]()
"The experience has left me feeling excited and driven. The course is a clever ruse that has changed the way I go into work on Monday."
Justin Hoyer
Service Design Lead, icare NSW -
![Isaac Steiner]()
"This is a masterclass on how to teach adults. Ryan had really thought through what my needs were as a student."
Isaac Steiner
Lead Product Designer, DocuSign -
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I got way more out of it than words can say and I can tell.
Ellis Givens
Executive Director, JPMorgan Chase & Co. -
![Maxy Lotherington]()
"There's nothing quite like talking to others experiencing common challenges and learning from each other."
Maxy Lotherington
Head of Product & Design, InvestorHub
THE SECOND WAVE DIVE EXPERIENCE
Half instruction. Half coaching.
Your ability to grow depends on whether you have easy access to knowledge, experience, and people you can relate to.
Those who get these things have a huge advantage. They find support, clarity, opportunities, and more. Often, the most impactful lessons they learn are because they have access to intimate, private spaces. But, it can be hard to find these spaces and time to commit to them.
That's where Second Wave Dive comes in.
We develop boutique learning programs grounded in real-world experiences that fit your schedule. This program is not just another mass open online course but a carefully crafted, intimate experience where you will grow with a group of peers and mentors who are invested in your progress.
Since 2019, thousands of people from around the world have attended our programs. They call themselves Designers, Researchers, Product Managers, Content Strategists, Creative Directors, Software Engineers, and more. They are practitioners, managers, and executives.
95%
customer satisfaction
73%
referral rate
+100
net promoter score
1200+
attendees
YOUR FACILITATOR
Ryan Rumsey
At some point in my career, it’s likely that I’ve had the same responsibilities you have today. I’ve designed and developed products at Apple, Comcast, and Sony. I’ve built and led teams at Electronic Arts (twice) and Nestlé. I was an executive at USAA. And now, I’m a small business owner.
I’ve spoken at conferences worldwide and coached many design executives. I’m the author of three books that, combined, have been downloaded over 60k times. But none of those have been as fulfilling as working with people.
For the last four years, I have been sharing everything I know about leading great teams and building meaningful products through intimate, cohort-based courses. During that time, I’ve developed systems, playbooks, frameworks, and lessons I wish I had while leading in-house teams. Now, I’m sharing all those lessons with you.
ADMISSIONS
To reserve your spot in the next Strategy Studio, you need to apply to join. This helps us ensure we find candidates who are a good fit for the program and each other.
During the process, you will have the chance to speak with a member of the Second Wave Dive team and have your questions answered. It’s brief and casual.
TUITION
The tuition fee is due after your application has been accepted and your call completed. There are no further costs.
PAYMENT
Currently, we only accept credit cards. However, we can provide an invoice for three or more people from one company who want to join. Contact us for multiple seats.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Fill out the application form
Have a brief call with Ryan
Book your spot
THE TWO OPTIONS TO PAY
Pay in full = $2050 USD
Pay in 3 monthly installments;
3 x $700 USD
PAYMENT METHODS
Currently, we only accept credit cards.
FAQs
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The Strategy Studio is made for those who are responsible for doing strategy in their day job, or want to be.
You don’t need “strategy” or “strategist” in your job title. It could be a new skill to build, or a practiced skll to mature. -
All participants must adhere to our Code of Conduct and adhere to Chatham House Rule. The code of conduct applies to all courses, digital channels, calls, and any in-person interactions. Full stop.
Show up for the full duration of each session.
Be willing to give before you get.
Give us feedback along the way.
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Upon completion, you can request a certificate from the Second Wave Dive team.
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Chief Design Officer School is an annual subscription product specifically made for Design Leaders. It’s comprised of on-demand courses, a resource library, weekly events, and community.
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No. To innovate freely and reimagine the design executive role, we need to reimagine executive education free from outdated constraints.
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Absolutely. Our programs are tailored for those who work full-time and are designed to work with your schedule.
We recommend allowing 2-3 hours per week to get the most out of this program.
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Our refund policy is fully explained in our Course Agreement.
TLDR; 14 days before the start = 100% refund minus fees. 13 to 1 day before the start = 50% minus fees. Less than one day = non-refundable.
But seriously, just send us a message. We don’t bite.
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We encourage participants to be sponsored by their organizations to ensure managers are supportive of the curriculum and time commitment.
Need tips for sponsorship? Try building a business case.
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At SWD, you’ll learn how to apply critical thinking to your hardest decisions – without losing your soul.
Our methodology sets us apart. Rather than focusing on theories, SWD immerses you in real-life situations so you can practice the skills required to start, build, and grow strategic confidence. We address the vast range of organizational challenges and opportunities you face.
Our faculty is comprised of successful executives who provide real-life insight into leading with purpose.
Our programs deliver more value in less time and at a fraction of the cost of traditional leadership programs.