TECHNOLOGY 102: FREE ONLINE BUSINESS COURSES

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The Internet is now the 21st Century vehicle for learning reducing the need to physically go to a classroom. In the previous career of this writer, my employer was the Learning Department for the U.S. Division of Deloitte Touche Tomatsu. In 2004, we had 16,000 users connected to the system. Deloitte used the e-learning platform to “on-board” new employees and disseminate information that could benefit their clients and enhance the brand. We had the pleasure of rolling out the system to Deloitte worldwide with 135,000 employees.

For several years now the Small Business Administration is using this technology. Even The Wharton School, the US News world-ranked #1 MBA program (1) is providing courses for free (2). I enrolled in an MBA level course, An Introduction to Market delivered from The Wharton School. Business Insider recommends 15 courses for business.

One of my favorites from their listis Introduction to Micro Economics from the professors at MIT. The course description says “You can use the tools of microeconomics to decide how best to spend your

income; how best to divide your time among leisure activities; or how many people to hire in the business you run. Life is full of choices. Microeconomics can help you decide how to make them.”

Business Insider also recommends, How to Build a Startup. In this course, participants “Learn the key tools and steps to build a successful start-up (or at least reduce the risk of failure). An introduction to the basics of Steve Blank’s famous Customer Development process, where entrepreneurs “get out of the building” to gather massive amounts of customer and marketplace feedback, and then use that feedback to continuously iterate and evolve their start-up business models, improving the chances of success at every step.”

I also recommend a basic accounting principles course such as the one at Alison.com (3). The course description says “Using an interactive presentation style, this course delves into the terminology employed in financial circles, the principles used in basic accounting and the systems put in place to ensure financial control is maintained.

The course explores the main financial statements including the profit & loss account and the balance sheet and the everyday adjustments that have to be made. On completion of the course, the learner is expected

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to be aware of the importance of prudential financial management and the factor it plays in the success or failure of businesses and organizations”.

I would not be a technology evangelist if Business Technology Simplified did not make it my list (4). This course covers basic technology tools to help businesses run more efficiently and use technology effectively.

For startup entrepreneurs, I recommend the U.S. Small Business Administration course called The Essential Guide to Starting your Own Business (5). It is a brief introduction into what is needed to start a business. These are just some of the education websites and courses to continue the life-long learning journey using 21st Century Technology.

Happy Learning!

 

References:

Nicole Newman is President/CEO of Newman Networks, Online Marketing Strategist for
Entrepreneurs with proven results through email marketing and social media campaigns.
NAACP designated her as one of the “104 Most Influential Black Philadelphians’ in 2013.
See linkedin.com/nicolenewman and newman-networks.com