Introduction to Business

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Introduction to Business

Course Hours: 
135
Course Type: 
Mentor Supported
  • Description
  • Objectives
  • Outline
  • Materials
  • System Requirements
  • Watch a Demo

Do you ever wonder how businesses are developed, organized, and managed? After completing our Introduction to Business course, you might be surprised at some of the qualities of entrepreneurs and how businesses are organized and operated. Business can mean different things to different people. We will examine the entire framework of a business, from human resources, accounting, operations management, labor relations, and much more. By taking this course, you will also learn the vital roles that managers play in business and how businesses successfully compete in a global environment.

Prerequisite: None

After completing this course, you should be able to:

  • Recall the fundamentals of economic systems and business ownership
  • Recognize aspects of creating a business, designing organizational structure, and operations management
  • Describe elements of human resources, labor relations, and employee motivation
  • Identify the role of finance in business and how to properly price and distribute products
  • List the fundamentals of using technology and social media to manage information

Introduction to Business Module 1
Understanding Economic System and Business

  • The Nature of Business
  • Understanding the Business Environment
  • How Business and Economics Work
  • Macroeconomics
  • Microeconomics
  • Competing in a Free Market
  • Trends in the Business Environment and Competition

Introduction to Business Module 2
Ethical Decisions and the Global Marketplace

  • Understanding Business Ethics
  • How Organizations Influence Ethical Conduct
  • Managing a Socially Responsible Business
  • Responsibilities to Stakeholders
  • Global Trade in the United States
  • Why Nations Trade
  • Fostering Global Trade
  • Threats and Opportunities in the Global Marketplace
  • Trends in Global Competition

Introduction to Business Module 3
Business Ownership and Entrepreneurship

  • Sole Proprietorships
  • Partnerships
  • Corporations
  • Franchising
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Trends in Business Ownership
  • Characteristics of Successful Entrepreneurs
  • Managing a Small Business
  • The Small Business Administration

Introduction to Business Module 4
Management and Leadership in Organizations

  • The Role of Management
  • Planning
  • Organizing
  • Leading, Guiding, and Motivating Others
  • Controlling
  • Managerial Roles
  • Managerial Skills

Introduction to Business Module 5   
Designing Organizational Structures

  • Building Organizational Structures
  • Contemporary Structures
  • Using Teams to Enhance Motivation and Performance
  • Authority
  • Degree of Centralization
  • Organizational Design Considerations
  • The Informal Organization

Introduction to Business Module 6
Human Resources and Labor Relations

  • Employee Recruitment
  • Employee Selection
  • Employee Training and Development
  • Performance Planning and Evaluation
  • Employee Compensation and Benefits
  • The Labor Relations Process
  • Managing Grievances and Conflicts
  • Legal Environment

Introduction to Business Module 7
Motivating Employees

  • Early Theories of Motivation
  • The Hawthorne Studies
  • Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
  • McGregor’s Theories of X and Y
  • Herzberg’s Motivator-Hygiene Theory
  • Contemporary Views of Motivation
  • From Motivation Theory to Application

Introduction to Business Module 8
Operations Management

  • Production and Operations Management
  • The Production Process
  • Resource Planning
  • Production and Operations Control
  • Improving Production and Operations
  • Transforming with Technology

Introduction to Business Module 9
Pricing and Distributing Products and Services

  • The Marketing Concept
  • Creating a Marketing Strategy
  • Developing a Marketing Mix
  • The Product Life Cycle
  • Pricing Strategies and Future Trends
  • Functions of Distribution
  • Wholesaling
  • Retailing
  • Promotion Strategy
  • Sales Promotion
  • Public Relations
  • Trends in Social Media
  • Trends in E-Commerce

Introduction to Business Module 10
Using Technology to Manage Information

  • Transforming Business Through Information
  • Computer Networks
  • Management Information Systems
  • Technology Management and Planning
  • Protecting Computers and Information

Introduction to Business Module 11
Understanding Money and Accounting

  • Basic Accounting Procedures
  • The Balance Sheet
  • The Income Statement
  • The Statement of Cash Flows
  • Analyzing Financial Statements
  • The Federal Reserve System
  • U.S. Financial Institutions
  • Insuring Bank Deposits
  • International Banking

Introduction to Business Module 12
Financial Management and Your Career in Business

  • The Role of Finance and the Financial Manager
  • How Organizations Use Funds
  • Obtaining Short-Term Financing
  • Raising Long-Term Financing
  • Equity Financing
  • Securities Markets
  • Buying and Selling at Securities Exchanges
  • Developing Interpersonal Skills
  • Making Your Future Happen

**Outlines are subject to change, as courses and materials are updated.**

Ed4Career is committed to being both environmentally conscious and making it easier for you to study! We’re making your education mobile! All of our textbooks are now provided as eTextbooks. You can access them on your laptop, tablet, or mobile device and can study anytime, anywhere.

The move away from physical books to eTextbooks means you get the latest, most up-to-date version available. This also makes your training more accessible, so you can study anywhere you have your phone or tablet. The best part is that all materials are included in your training cost so there are NO extra fees for books!

Internet Connection

  • Broadband or High-Speed - DSL, Cable, and Wireless Connections

*Dial-Up internet connections will result in a diminished online experience. Classroom pages may load slowly and viewing large audio and video files may not be possible.

Hardware Requirements

  • Processor - 2GHz Processor or Higher
  • Memory - 1 GB RAM Minimum Recommended

 

PC Software Requirements

  • Operating Systems - Windows 7 or higher
  • Microsoft Office 2013 or higher. Also, you could use a general Word Processing application to save and open Microsoft Office formats (.doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx)
  • Internet Browsers - Google Chrome is highly recommended
    • Cookies MUST be enabled
    • Pop-ups MUST be allowed (Pop-up Blocker disabled)
  • The Kindle Reader App or VitalSource Bookshelf App are needed for many of our courses (No special equipment needed. This can be downloaded for FREE onto your computer.)
  • PowerPoint Viewer (if you do not have PowerPoint)
  • Adobe PDF Reader
  • QuickTime, Windows Media Player &/or Real Player

 

MAC Software Requirements

  • Operating Systems - Mac OS x 10 or higher with Windows
  • Mac office programs or a Word Processing application to save and open Microsoft Office formats (.doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx)
  • Internet Browsers- Google Chrome is highly recommended
    • Cookies MUST be enabled
    • Pop-ups MUST be allowed (Pop-up Blocker disabled)
  • The Kindle Reader App or VitalSource Bookshelf App are needed for many of our courses (No special equipment needed. This can be downloaded for FREE onto your computer.)
  • PowerPoint Viewer (if you do not have PowerPoint)
  • Adobe PDF Reader
  • Apple QuickTime Media Player

 


Click on the school name below for purchasing info:

1400 Robinwood Drive
Hagerstown, MD 21742
United States
Phone: 240-500-2553

This course is also available at the following school:

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