Fundamentals of Business Management

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Fundamentals of Business Management

This course is part of Foundations of Management Consulting: Strategies & Tools Specialization

Instructor: Board Infinity

Included with Coursera Plus

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3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

15 hours to complete

3 weeks at 5 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

15 hours to complete

3 weeks at 5 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Analyze financial statements and apply ratio analysis to assess business performance.
Describe the foundational principles of marketing and sales, including advertising and communication strategies.
Evaluate the role of operations and supply chain management in optimizing business efficiency.
Apply basic economic principles to understand market dynamics and equilibrium.

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Foundations of Management Consulting: Strategies & Tools Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

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There are 3 modules in this course

Course Description

This foundational course introduces learners to the essential principles of business management, focusing on the core domains of finance, marketing, sales, operations, and supply chain management. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of key concepts such as financial statement analysis, marketing strategies, sales techniques, and the fundamentals of operations and supply chain management. Designed with practical examples and engaging video content, this course empowers learners to grasp critical business concepts and apply them in real-world scenarios, preparing them for roles in management and business decision-making. Learning Objectives 1. Analyze financial statements and apply ratio analysis to assess business performance. 2. Describe the foundational principles of marketing and sales, including advertising and communication strategies. 3. Evaluate the role of operations and supply chain management in optimizing business efficiency. 4. Apply basic economic principles to understand market dynamics and equilibrium. Target Audience This course is designed for students, professionals, and aspiring business managers looking to build a strong foundation in business management. It is particularly suitable for individuals entering management roles, entrepreneurs seeking to understand core business functions, and learners aiming to enhance their strategic and operational skills.

In this module, you will explore the foundational concepts of finance and economics that are vital to understanding and managing business operations. You will begin with an in-depth study of financial statements, learning to interpret key documents such as balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and cash flow statements. This will be followed by an introduction to financial ratio analysis, equipping you with tools to evaluate a company’s financial health. Lastly, you will delve into the fundamentals of economics, examining key principles like demand and supply, price elasticity, and market equilibrium. These concepts will serve as essential building blocks for making informed financial and economic decisions in any business context.

What's included

15 videos4 readings4 assignments1 discussion prompt

15 videosTotal 65 minutes

Specialization Introduction1 minutePreview module
Introduction to the Course1 minute
Meet your Instructor0 minutes
What are the Types of Financial Statements?3 minutes
Balance Sheet – Structure and Key Elements5 minutes
Profit & Loss Statement – Understanding Revenue and Expenses4 minutes
Cash Flow Statement – Operational, Investing, and Financing Activities5 minutes
Liquidity Ratios – Current and Quick Ratio4 minutes
Activity Ratios – Asset and Inventory Turnover5 minutes
Profitability Ratios – Return on Investment (ROI) and Profit Margins6 minutes
Leverage Ratios – Debt to Equity, Interest Coverage Ratio4 minutes
The Demand Curve – Factors Affecting Demand7 minutes
The Supply Curve – Factors Affecting Supply5 minutes
Price Elasticity of Demand and Supply5 minutes
Market Equilibrium and Shifts in Supply/Demand6 minutes

4 readingsTotal 105 minutes

Syllabus15 minutes
Read More About Financial Statements: Balance Sheet, Income Statement, and Cash Flow Statement30 minutes
Read More About Financial Ratios: Analyzing Liquidity, Leverage, and Company Performance30 minutes
Read more about Demand Curves, Elasticity, and Market Equilibrium30 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 150 minutes

Practice Quiz: Financial Statements30 minutes
Practice Quiz: Financial Ratio Analysis30 minutes
Practice Quiz: Fundamentals of Economics30 minutes
Graded Quiz: Basics of Finance & Economics60 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Meet and Greet10 minutes

In this module, you will explore the core concepts of marketing, sales, and advertising, which are essential for driving business growth. You will learn about the role of marketing in understanding customer needs and delivering value through effective strategies like the 4 Ps framework. The module will also introduce you to the sales process, from prospecting to closing deals and providing after-sales service. Lastly, you will dive into advertising, examining its importance, types, and key metrics to measure success. These foundational insights will enable you to create impactful marketing and sales strategies.

What's included

11 videos3 readings4 assignments

11 videosTotal 71 minutes

What is Marketing? Understanding Its Role in Business4 minutesPreview module
Marketing Channels – Digital vs. Traditional Methods6 minutes
Marketing Communications – Integrated vs Omnichannel5 minutes
The 4 Ps of Marketing – Product, Price, Place, Promotion7 minutes
What is Sales? The Role of Sales in Business Growth6 minutes
Stages in Selling – Prospecting and Contacting4 minutes
Stages in Selling –Qualify, Nurture, and Present offer to Prospects6 minutes
Closing the Sale and After-Sales Service5 minutes
What is Advertising? Why do companies advertise?5 minutes
Types of Advertising - Print, Digital, Native, Influencer etc8 minutes
Important metrics - impressions, CPC/CPM, CTR, ROAS, Bounce rate etc10 minutes

3 readingsTotal 90 minutes

Read more about Marketing Strategies, Traditional vs Digital Approaches, and the 4 Ps Framework30 minutes
Read more about Sales Strategies, Personal Selling Process, and Effective Closing Techniques30 minutes
Read more about Advertising Methods, Formats, and Key Metrics for Digital Campaigns30 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 150 minutes

Practice Quiz: Marketing30 minutes
Practice Quiz: Sales30 minutes
Practice Quiz: Advertising30 minutes
Graded Quiz: Basics of Marketing & Sales60 minutes

In this module, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of operations and supply chain management (OSCM), the backbone of business efficiency. You will explore the principles of operations management, including process design, capacity planning, and lean operations. The module also covers supply chain management, focusing on logistics, global supply chains, and key challenges. Additionally, you will learn about essential concepts, terms, and metrics in OSCM, enabling you to optimize processes and enhance performance. These insights will equip you to improve operational efficiency and manage supply chains effectively.

What's included

12 videos3 readings4 assignments

12 videosTotal 65 minutes

What is Operations Management? Overview and Importance5 minutesPreview module
Operations Management vs. Production Management4 minutes
Process Design and Capacity Planning8 minutes
Lean Operations – Reducing Waste and Improving Efficiency5 minutes
What is Supply Chain Management? Key Components and Functions5 minutes
The Role of Logistics and Distribution in the Supply Chain3 minutes
Supply Chain Management in the Global Market6 minutes
Key Challenges in Supply Chain Management7 minutes
Core components: Procurement, Production, inventory management, Distribution, Customer Service5 minutes
Important terms: Value chain, Bullwhip effect, Sustainability etc6 minutes
Key Metrics in OSCM: Turnover, stockout rate, cycle time etc5 minutes
Course Closure - Gratitude !0 minutes

3 readingsTotal 90 minutes

Read more about Optimizing Operations and Production: Lean Strategies and Management Insights30 minutes
Read more about Supply Chain Management: Strategies, Innovations, and Global Insights30 minutes
Read more about Operations and Supply Chain Excellence30 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 150 minutes

Practice Quiz: Operations30 minutes
Practice Quiz: Supply Chain30 minutes
Practice Quiz: Key concepts in OSCM30 minutes
Graded Quiz: Basics of Operations & Supply Chain60 minutes

Instructor

Board Infinity

113 Courses173,119 learners

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Board Infinity

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Frequently asked questions

Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:

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When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.

If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.

Fundamentals of Business Management

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Build your subject-matter expertise

Earn a career certificate

There are 3 modules in this course

Basics of Finance & Economics

What's included

Basics of Marketing & Sales

What's included

Basics of Operations & Supply Chain

What's included

Instructor

Offered by

Recommended if you're interested in Business Essentials

Fundamentals of Management Consulting

Case-Based Frameworks for Mastering Management Consulting

Why people choose Coursera for their career

New to Business Essentials? Start here.

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Advance your career with an online degree

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Frequently asked questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?

What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?

What is the refund policy?

More questions