Building Business Acumen for Young Professionals
Building Business Acumen for Young Professionals
What you’ll learn
Skills you’ll gain
When you’re just starting a business career, there’s a lot to learn, especially if you come from a non-business background. In fact, practices and terminology will all be new to you, and might even cause anxiety or worry. Developing business fluency can help! After completing this course, you'll be able to describe your company's value in the larger economy, define key business concepts, apply strategies to make an impact within your organization, and ultimately achieve career success in the commercial world. This course, which includes lessons on understanding your company's critical success factors, what the management team is looking for from you, leadership, future career options and the importance of communications, is built on the idea that the more you know about business, the greater your chances for both greater responsibility and greater rewards as you progress in your journey.
Syllabus
Download syllabus-
1
Understand the big picture Companies don't operate in a vacuum, so it is useful to get a perspective on the part they play in the economy. 2m
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2
Analyze your company's industry Your company is part of a complicated network of organizations that include competitors, in addition to customers, partners and suppliers. 2m
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3
Identify your company's niche A key assumption of this course is that you will be happier and more successful in your business career if you can show impact on the company’s success - a clear understanding of your company’s niche will help you to achieve that. 2m
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Define revenue and the bottom line As obvious as it might seem, business organizations are rewarded by successfully satisfying customer needs and wants. 2m
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2
Build a customer focus Many would agree that providing the customer what they want or need, at a fair price and at a profit, is what makes a business successful. 2m
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3
Identify the leadership team In your new business career, you’ll hear a lot about your company’s executives, managers and other power brokers. 2m
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4
Support company owners “Owners” can mean your boss–a solitary founder--or it can mean shareholders who buy an interest in the company. 2m
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5
Achieve strategic business goals After deciding the company’s strategy, based on their expertise, experience, deliberation and analysis, your company leaders establish goals and metrics that rally the rest of the organization, including you and your manager, to deliver on the strategy. 2m
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Make an impact During your business career, keep in mind that those who do the most to help the company to succeed are the ones who are paid well, recognized and given more responsibility. 2m
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2
Assess your career path A well-run business offers many paths to success, so when you’re beginning, it pays to develop a general understanding of your options and what you need to do to prepare. 2m
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3
Work successfully on a team Working on a team is a characteristic of modern business, with each team member bringing unique skills that make the team more effective in achieving goals and metrics. 1m
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4
Work successfully with your manager It’s easy to think of your career in terms of what benefits you, but keeping your manager’s incentives, objectives and priorities in mind–and helping them to achieve them–is an often-overlooked aspect of building success. 2m
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5
Communicate effectively In any organization, you should not be shy about letting people know you’ve done a good job or created a positive impact for your team, other teams, or on the company’s bottom line. 1m
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Pursue learning opportunities The more you know about business in general, and your company and industry in particular, the greater the impact on your career, your success, and your professional happiness. 1m
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2
Demonstrate your leadership When you’re first starting in business, taking charge is the last thing on your mind. 2m
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3
Build your business network Networking can take place with others in your specialty, which can help equip you with skills and insights that help you to do a better job, but it should also include others in the company and in your industry. 1m
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4
Assess your career options By developing a working knowledge of business, your company, your industry and your role, you can better understand your options and where your career can end up. 2m
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Next steps Thank you for watching this course! 1m
Certificate
Certificate of Completion
Awarded upon successful completion of the course.
Instructor
Marcel Badart
Marcel's 20+ years in marketing, business development and alliance management include manager- and director-level roles with Microsoft, Esri, and several early-stage technology and service companies. In this time of rapid change, he is eager to share his insights, knowledge and personal experience with young professionals looking for guidance in the early stages of their business careers. Marcel is currently working with faculty researchers at UC Santa Barbara to develop corporate partnerships that will drive future innovations. Marcel holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Southern California.
Marcel Badart
Director of Corporate Relations at UC Santa Barbara
Accreditations
Link to awards
How GoSkills helped Chris
I got the promotion largely because of the skills I could develop, thanks to the GoSkills courses I took. I set aside at least 30 minutes daily to invest in myself and my professional growth. Seeing how much this has helped me become a more efficient employee is a big motivation.
