Some of the top business publications are Forbes, WIRED, and Bloomberg Businessweek. Autobiographical books written by successful business people can be particularly helpful, providing you with invaluable advice on the basics of running or working for a business. They can give you insight into how entrepreneurs launched successful businesses. [2] X Research source A few that are highly recommended are Miracles Happen: The Life and Timeless Principles of the Founder of Mary Kay Inc. by Mary Kay Ash, and Sam Walton: Made in America by Sam Walton. [3] X Research source Several major news publications also maintain up-to-date websites on business-related news that can help you learn business basics, such as https://www. businessinsider. com and https://www. businessnewsdaily. com.
To find business-related podcasts, go to your preferred podcast app, browse by category, and select “business. ” You can also search for a particular podcast by name. A few highly-rated business podcasts include NPR’s Planet Money podcast, which covers a wide range of topics relating to business and the economy, and The Tim Ferriss Show, which produces interviews with many of the top business people from around the world. [4] X Research source
To access these, visit the following website: https://www. ted. com/topics/business.
To make sure that you are getting the best information on business basics available, choose a free online business course that was developed by an accredited university. [7] X Research source Specialized free online courses are available in several business fields, including sales, entrepreneurship, coding, graphic design, financial accounting, global business strategies, and data science and analytics. [8] X Research source Georgetown University, for example, offers a helpful free online course on global business strategies. This course lasts 30 weeks and requires that you put in about 2 to 3 hours per week.
The University of Buffalo, for example, offers a mini-MBA certificate program that costs about $1,000 and focuses on multiple business subject areas, while the University of North Carolina offers several more specialized certificate courses on subjects such as leadership development and data analytics. [11] X Research source Certificate courses generally last 3 to 12 months and cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. [12] X Research source The cost generally depends on the length of the program and level of specialization, as well as the reputation of the affiliated university. Online certificate programs offer deeper insight into business than free online courses, but are much less in-depth than an MBA. [13] X Research source
Some business organizations and business programs at universities also put on digital conferences that can be watched through a live feed, or recorded for future access. A quick Google search will help you find out when business conferences are going on, what organizations and people are involved, and instructions on how to access the presentations. [14] X Research source
For example, the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business offers a Summer Business Scholars Program, which is designed to help students build their basic business knowledge and skills to help them prepare for future employment. This program lasts for 3 weeks and costs $4,000 without housing. [15] X Research source Short-term business courses are offered in general business studies, as well as several specializations including sales, administration, and retail management (to name a few).
A Bachelor’s degree in Business Economics from the University of Pennsylvania, for example, costs about $55,000 and takes about 4 years to complete. [16] X Research source Some Bachelor’s degree programs will require that you specialize in a particular field, such as marketing or finance. Many Bachelor’s degree programs will require or recommend that you complete an internship as part of your studies. This can be a great way to learn more about business basics through hands-on experience.
While the costs varies greatly, most MBA programs are very expensive, so make sure that you do your research and plan accordingly. For example, the MBA program at the University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Business costs about $60,500 for out of state students. [17] X Research source If you attend full-time, most MBA programs take 2 years to complete. [18] X Research source Most MBA programs offer night and weekend classes and will allow you to attend part-time. This is a great option if you plan to continue to work while getting your degree. Part-time MBA programs usually take about 3 years to complete. [19] X Research source
To get the most out of your internship, apply for positions at businesses that are similar in size and focus to what you are interested in. Once you land an internship, don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions. Your supervisor’s job is to help you learn the foundational basics of the business, so try to take advantage of any opportunities to learn.
If you are looking to learn about business basics in a more general sense, focus on applying for jobs that will allow you to gain experience in various areas of the business. Read job descriptions carefully and ask your interviewers to gauge the types of learning opportunities you will be given at each business you are interested in working for.
If you are in school, your academic advisor will likely be able to help you set up a time to shadow a business professional. If you are not in school, look on the websites of some of the companies you are interested in and email 1 or 2 of the people who work there to see if you can shadow them at work for a day or so.
