Oxford Home Study Centre offers the web’s most accessible, affordable and enjoyable distance learning programmes. With no prior knowledge or experience required, our short business courses online explore the art of successful business management over a series of nine fascinating modules, as follows:
Module 1 – Introduction to Business Management
The course begins with a broad overview of the concept of business management, examining the roles and responsibilities of those who work in the field. A variety of business types and organisational structures are discussed, along with the role of the business owner and the decisions that must be made during the earliest stages of new business establishment.
Module 2 – Operations Management
A detailed exploration of operations management follows in the second module, presenting a series of important business reports and familiarising candidates with key financial terms. The importance of allocating the right duties to the right candidates is also discussed, along with the different types of operations at different levels within an organisation.
Module 3 – Getting Your Product Together
Module three turns attention to the successful development of products and services, in accordance with the nature and objectives of the business. Tools and techniques for effective inventory management are discussed, along with the importance of consistent quality control and the creation/implementation of a wider branding strategy.
Module 4 – Marketing Your Product
A fascinating introduction to marketing, advertising and promoting products follows in the fourth module. Candidates study a detailed breakdown of the marketing plan and the marketing cycle, learning how to conduct market research, target audience analysis and more.
Module 5 – Strategic Planning
The five component steps of the effective strategic planning process are detailed and discussed in module five - goal-setting, analysis, strategy formation, strategy implementation and strategy monitoring. The so-called ‘strategic planning pyramid’ is examined, alongside key concepts such of business ethics, effective money management and succession planning.
Module 6 – Building a Strong Customer Care Team
A series of essential customer care considerations are explored in module six, primarily examining the functions of a customer support team within the modern business. Candidates also learn how to provide adequate employee training, nurture strong customer relationships and gain a competitive edge through the provision of superior customer care.
Module 7 - Motivating Employees
The relationship between employee motivation and general workforce performance is investigated in module seven. Candidates learn how an effective motivational strategy can bring business-wide benefits, along with how to nurture a motivated working culture and effective techniques for dealing with demotivation where it occurs.
Module 8 - Managing Change
Module eight discusses the effects, implications and opportunities inherent with change in an organisational setting. Candidates learn how change cannot be avoided, but should instead be embraced and capitalised on. A detailed breakdown of the ‘Change Cycle’ and its core components is also presented and discussed.
Module 9 - Managing Time
Concluding the course, module nine introduces candidates to a series of helpful time-management techniques, with wide-reaching personal and professional applications. The benefits of strategic time-planning are also brought into discussion, along with time-prioritisation techniques, workload-management strategies and an overview of the SPIRIT model – Specific, Prizes, Individuals, Review, Inspiring, Time-Bound.
Oxford Home Study offers some free certificate courses in Business Management. Explore now on our website.