INTRO-BUS.AS1 ISBN: 978-1-64459-734-7
Introduction to Business
Don’t let gaps in your know-how slow you down. Master the business fundamentals, sharpen your skills, and own the game like a professional.
What you will be able to do
- Economic systems
- Corporate social responsibility
- Global trade
- Entrepreneurship
- Sole proprietorships
- Partnerships &Franchising
- Mergers & acquisitions
- Organizational structure
- Human resources
- Supply chain efficiency
- Product planning & development
- Pricing strategies
- Market segmentation
- Advertising & sales promotion
- Retail & distribution
- E-commerce
- Financial accounting
- Securities markets
- Risk management
- Business law
Beginner Self-paced · 1 year access
01 / About
About This Course
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This introduction to business course covers everything from economics and ethics to global trade, entrepreneurship, and financial management…we focus on giving you the real-world knowledge to thrive.
Dive into core concepts like customer satisfaction, corporate responsibility, and competitive strategy. Learn how economic systems shape markets, what it takes to lead a team, and how to price products for success.
From small-business ownership to multinational corporations, you’ll explore operations management, HR strategies, and legal environments.
02 / Lessons & labs
See exactly what you will learn and practice
Lessons
19 Interactive Lessons · 249 topics01 Preface +
02 Understanding Economic Systems and Business 15 topics +
- Introduction
- The Nature of Business
- Understanding the Business Environment
- How Business and Economics Work
- Macroeconomics: The Big Picture
- Achieving Macroeconomic Goals
- Microeconomics: Zeroing in on Businesses and Consumers
- Competing in a Free Market
- Trends in the Business Environment and Competition
- Summary of Learning Outcomes
- Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
- Ethics Activity
- Working the Net
- Critical Thinking Case
- Hot Links Address Book
03 Making Ethical Decisions and Managing a Socially Responsible Business 12 topics +
- Introduction
- Understanding Business Ethics
- How Organizations Influence Ethical Conduct
- Managing a Socially Responsible Business
- Responsibilities to Stakeholders
- Trends in Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
- Summary of Learning Outcomes
- Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
- Ethics Activity
- Working the Net
- Critical Thinking Case
- Hot Links Address Book
04 Competing in the Global Marketplace 16 topics +
- Introduction
- Global Trade in the United States
- Why Nations Trade
- Barriers to Trade
- Fostering Global Trade
- International Economic Communities
- Participating in the Global Marketplace
- Threats and Opportunities in the Global Marketplace
- The Impact of Multinational Corporations
- Trends in Global Competition
- Summary of Learning Outcomes
- Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
- Ethics Activity
- Working the Net
- Critical Thinking Case
- Hot Links Address Book
05 Forms of Business Ownership 14 topics +
- Introduction
- Going It Alone: Sole Proprietorships
- Partnerships: Sharing the Load
- Corporations: Limiting Your Liability
- Specialized Forms of Business Organization
- Franchising: A Popular Trend
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Trends in Business Ownership
- Summary of Learning Outcomes
- Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
- Ethics Activity
- Working the Net
- Critical Thinking Case
- Hot Links Address Book
06 Entrepreneurship: Starting and Managing Your Own Business 15 topics +
- Introduction
- Entrepreneurship Today
- Characteristics of Successful Entrepreneurs
- Small Business: Driving America's Growth
- Ready, Set, Start Your Own Business
- Managing a Small Business
- Small Business, Large Impact
- The Small Business Administration
- Trends in Entrepreneurship and Small-Business Ownership
- Summary of Learning Outcomes
- Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
- Ethics Activity
- Working the Net
- Critical Thinking Case
- Hot Links Address Book
07 Management and Leadership in Today's Organizations 15 topics +
- Introduction
- The Role of Management
- Planning
- Organizing
- Leading, Guiding, and Motivating Others
- Controlling
- Managerial Roles
- Managerial Skills
- Trends in Management and Leadership
- Summary of Learning Outcomes
- Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
- Ethics Activity
- Working the Net
- Critical Thinking Case
- Hot Links Address Book
08 Designing Organizational Structures 15 topics +
- Introduction
- Building Organizational Structures
- Contemporary Structures
- Using Teams to Enhance Motivation and Performance
- Authority—Establishing Organizational Relationships
- Degree of Centralization
- Organizational Design Considerations
- The Informal Organization
- Trends in Organizational Structure
- Summary of Learning Outcomes
- Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
- Ethics Activity
- Working the Net
- Critical Thinking Case
- Hot Links Address Book
09 Managing Human Resources and Labor Relations 17 topics +
- Introduction
- Achieving High Performance through Human Resources Management
- 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 of Human Resources and Labor Relations
- Trends in Human Resource Management and Labor Relations
- Summary of Learning Outcomes
- Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
- Ethics Activity
- Working the Net
- Critical Thinking Case
- Hot Links Address Book
10 Motivating Employees 15 topics +
- Introduction
- Early Theories of Motivation
- The Hawthorne Studies
- Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
- McGregor's Theories X and Y
- Herzberg's Motivator-Hygiene Theory
- Contemporary Views on Motivation
- From Motivation Theory to Application
- Trends in Employee Motivation
- Summary of Learning Outcomes
- Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
- Ethics Activity
- Working the Net
- Critical Thinking Case
- Hot Links Address Book
11 Achieving World-Class Operations Management 15 topics +
- Introduction
- Production and Operations Management—An Overview
- The Production Process: How Do We Make It?
- Location, Location, Location: Where Do We Make It?
- Pulling It Together: Resource Planning
- Production and Operations Control
- Looking for a Better Way: Improving Production and Operations
- Transforming the Factory Floor with Technology
- Trends in Production and Operations Management
- Summary of Learning Outcomes
- Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
- Ethics Activity
- Working the Net
- Critical Thinking Case
- Hot Links Address Book
12 Creating Products and Pricing Strategies to Meet Customers' Needs 16 topics +
- Introduction
- The Marketing Concept
- Creating a Marketing Strategy
- Developing a Marketing Mix
- Buyer Behavior
- Market Segmentation
- What Is a Product?
- Creating Products That Deliver Value
- The Product Life Cycle
- Pricing Strategies and Future Trends
- Trends in Developing Products and Pricing
- Summary of Learning Outcomes
- Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
- Ethics Activity
- Critical Thinking Case
- Hot Links Address Book
13 Distributing and Promoting Products and Services 18 topics +
- Introduction
- The Nature and Functions of Distribution (Place)
- Wholesaling
- The Competitive World of Retailing
- Using Supply Chain Management to Increase Efficiency and Customer Satisfaction
- Promotion Strategy
- The Huge Impact of Advertising
- The Importance of Personal Selling
- Sales Promotion
- Public Relations Helps Build Goodwill
- Trends in Social Media
- Trends in E-Commerce
- Summary of Learning Outcomes
- Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
- Ethics Activity
- Working the Net
- Critical Thinking Case
- Hot Links Address Book
14 Using Technology to Manage Information 13 topics +
- Introduction
- Transforming Businesses through Information
- Linking Up: Computer Networks
- Management Information Systems
- Technology Management and Planning
- Protecting Computers and Information
- Trends in Information Technology
- Summary of Learning Outcomes
- Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
- Ethics Activity
- Working the Net
- Critical Thinking Case
- Hot Links Address Book
15 Using Financial Information and Accounting 15 topics +
- Introduction
- Accounting: More than Numbers
- The Accounting Profession
- Basic Accounting Procedures
- The Balance Sheet
- The Income Statement
- The Statement of Cash Flows
- Analyzing Financial Statements
- Trends in Accounting
- Summary of Learning Outcomes
- Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
- Ethics Activity
- Working the Net
- Critical Thinking Case
- Hot Links Address Book
16 Understanding Money and Financial Institutions 13 topics +
- Introduction
- Show Me the Money
- The Federal Reserve System
- U.S. Financial Institutions
- Insuring Bank Deposits
- International Banking
- Trends in Financial Institutions
- Summary of Learning Outcomes
- Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
- Ethics Activity
- Working the Net
- Critical Thinking Case
- Hot Links Address Book
17 Understanding Financial Management and Securities Markets 15 topics +
- Introduction
- 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
- Trends in Financial Management and Securities Markets
- Summary of Learning Outcomes
- Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
- Ethics Activity
- Working the Net
- Critical Thinking Case
- Hot Links Address Book
18 Your Career in Business 7 topics +
- Introduction
- Learn the Basics of Business
- Developing Interpersonal Skills Is Key to Your Success
- Make Your Future Happen: Learn to Plan
- Going to College Is an Opportunity of a Lifetime—Never Drop Out
- Get Your Career Off on the Right Track
- Self-Test Scoring Guidelines
19 Appendix A Understanding the Legal and Tax Environment 3 topics +
- Understanding the Legal Environment
- Contract Law
- Understanding the Tax Environment of Business
03 / FAQs
Questions before you start
What is an introduction to business studies?+
An introduction to business online course covers the fundamentals of business operations, including economics, ethics, marketing, finance, and management. It provides a broad understanding of how businesses function, compete, and adapt in today’s global market.
How to start a business?+
- Identify a viable business idea.
- Conduct market research.
- Create a business plan.
- Secure funding (loans, investors, or bootstrapping).
- Choose a legal structure (sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation).
- Register your business and obtain licenses.
- Build a brand and launch your product/service.
How to be successful in business?+
- Develop a clear strategy and business model.
- Understand your target market deeply.
- Manage finances efficiently (cash flow, budgeting).
- Build a strong team and delegate effectively.
- Adapt to industry trends and technology.
- Prioritize customer satisfaction and retention.
- Maintain ethical practices and corporate responsibility.
- Continuously learn and improve (courses, mentors, networking).
Keep going
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