The concept of business has been developed throughout centuries, from basic bartering and small roadside markets to now large corporations and multi-billion dollar industries. Business refers to the production and eventual sale or exchange of goods and services. In a global sense, business practices play a key role in driving economic growth, forging political alliances, and increasing innovation. Business practices seep into nearly every industry and sector in some way, from small, local businesses to international organizations. In this overview, you’ll learn more about what business is, what it can do, who uses it, and how to learn it so you can determine how to add this skill to your professional toolbox.
What Can You Do with Business?
With a proper business education, you can choose from many unique and exciting paths. One of the first options is to own and operate a business. If you feel as though you have an entrepreneurial spirit, this may be a great option. By studying business, you will learn vital concepts for how to run a business, such as managing your finances, employees, and practices. Large and small business owners have numerous tasks to attend to beyond the surface, including making serious decisions to promote growth in the company. This often requires strong communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
In addition, it is possible to work as a Business Analyst or Financial Advisor. By specializing in business analysis, you can learn how to play one of the most important roles in a business. In this position or related fields, you will be tasked with managing, analyzing, and visualizing data to provide more insight into business practices. Specifically, many Business Analysts track trends in the market, determine whether marketing tactics are working, and make suggestions to reduce costs. They play a pivotal role in improving business operations and garnering more success and profit for the company.
Aside from specific fields and roles, you can learn new tools, such as coding languages, software, applications, financial concepts, and technologies. You can learn widely used languages like Python or Java for data visualization, data analysis, application development, and cybersecurity and learn software for anything from project management to creative design. Further, you can study marketing techniques and tools like backlinks for Search Engine Optimization or social media strategies. Understanding how to properly market your business is essential. In addition, you can explore machine learning and artificial intelligence to automate repetitive tasks, analyze customer behavior, and catch fraudulent behavior that leads to financial loss. Business is a wide-ranging subject, so the possibilities feel endless.
How Do You Get Business Tools? How Much Do They Cost?
Depending on your specialization and the type of position you pursue, you may need to learn a variety of useful business tools, including software, digital platforms, coding languages, and applications. Acquiring these tools is generally easy, but involves a couple of considerations related to cost and necessity. First, it is important to understand what type of tools your job requires. You may need to learn multiple tools, or your position may require you to focus your energy on using one particular tool, such as project management software. In addition, you have to explore all your options financially. Some tools require direct purchase while others require a monthly or yearly subscription. However, some tools are open-source, meaning they are free to all users and always have a community of adept developers adding to them. There is also the question of how you receive said tools. For instance, most are available for download directly onto your computer or laptop while others appear as mobile applications, such as email, budget, and company communication tools.
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Social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook are ideal for marketing. Opening an account and posting is always free, but businesses will also have the option to run paid advertisements on stories and posts. Further, having business accounts on websites like Google Ads is worthwhile. It is free to sign up for the account, so you only pay for the cost-per-click on your advertising. While hosting a website typically costs money, some free options are available. Additionally, Google Analytics, which is used to manage data, is entirely free and ideal for small and large businesses alike. Overall, acquiring the costly tools may require some thought and careful determination based on your business’s specific needs, budget, and requirements.
There are numerous coding languages used for web development and other business purposes. Choosing may be overwhelming, but if you are looking for a free version, many of the most widely used and beginner-friendly coding languages are also open-source, such as Python, R, and Java. Their associated libraries, such as React.js, Django, and Matplotlib, are also free. Python - people use Anaconda, Jupyter Notebook, and Google Collab. In addition, code editors, such as Visual Studio Code, are also free to use.
The most popular, useful business tools that require subscription include Microsoft Office and Office 365. The differences are subtle; whereas Office is sold as a one-time purchase, Office 365 is a subscription service. The applications within, such as Excel, PowerPoint, Project, and Teams, are used for managing business info, handling finances, communicating with colleagues, and sharing important information. Additionally, Adobe Creative Cloud applications, such as Photoshop, Premiere Pro, InDesign, Illustrator, Express, and After Effects are used for myriad marketing tasks, ranging from commercials and social media advertisements to brochures and web design. Adobe CC is a subscription service that gives you access to all the diverse and dynamic design applications.
Of course, there are ways to experience the software or application without shelling out hundreds or thousands of dollars right off the bat. Most tools used in business have free trials that vary in length and access but are worth exploring if you are unsure whether the application is right for you. For instance, Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft Office both offer free trials so you can determine whether these tools are right for your business, employees, and yourself. You can utilize the tools and features on each and become familiar with the interface before deciding to purchase or subscribe to each tool's services.
What Are the Benefits of Learning Business?
Learning about business practices is a worthwhile venture for several key reasons. First, understanding how businesses work helps equip you with the skills that apply to almost every industry. You can work in different fields and for various companies as long as you have strong business skills. Plus, business is a layered practice that involves knowing about financial planning, project management, marketing tactics, organizational strategies, timeliness, analytical skills, problem-solving, critical thinking, and interpersonal communication. With this in mind, business-minded individuals can find a plethora of job postings in myriad fields, industries, and companies.
Additionally, learning how businesses work enables you to explore your own business ventures. You may choose to become an entrepreneur and start your own business. Equipped with knowledge surrounding the economy and how it functions, you will learn when to jump at worthy opportunities, how to address emerging challenges, and ways to maintain momentum to keep your profits high. Further, learning about business builds resilience, creativity, and courage as many who work in business will encounter difficulties and roadblocks while climbing the corporate ladder. Overall, a solid foundation in business-related skills and subjects gives you a step up in the business world.
Read more about why you should learn Business.
Business Careers
With proper business training, you can explore dozens of career paths. For instance, a Financial Analyst uses their business expertise in fields like investment banking, asset management, consulting, and nonprofits. A Financial Analyst utilizes their business skills to evaluate financial statements, track market trends, and explore company options based on their current financial standing. They often manage portfolios, monitor performance, and offer advice on how to grow in both size and profit. Financial Analysts are integral to any business as they can provide insight from data sets and explain reasonable next steps for any business. In addition, Financial Analysts earn a profitable salary. The salary varies depending on experience, location, and specialization, but is generally close to $75,000. This is a lucrative and rewarding job position as it is highly necessary and sought-after among small and large businesses.
Similarly, Digital Marketers use business skills every day. They are tasked with promoting products, expanding brand recognition, and increasing profits through different online marketing tactics. This may include implementing ecommerce strategies that align with market trends and company goals, creating content for social media platforms, engaging with consumers and other intended audiences, and performing analytics on different marketing campaigns. Overall, Digital Marketers must have strong business skills to help them truly perform well at their job. In addition, the salary for a Digital Marketer is roughly $55,000 to $85,000, but this can differ based on previous experience, location, size of the company, and education.
Lastly, Project Managers have strong business, communication, and leadership skills as they are often responsible for handling multiple projects at once. Project Managers work in a wide range of fields, including construction, engineering, technology, healthcare, marketing, and finance. Overall, a Project Manager's goal is to effectively develop, execute, and monitor projects in order to secure a positive, preferred outcome. They often manage everything from the budget and resource allocation to quality assurance and creative production. Many Project Managers assist with marketing campaigns, ensure safety standards, communicate with stakeholders and other interested parties, and assess the risks associated with each project decision. Because Project Manager’s wield a great level of responsibility, the salary expectations often reflect that. For instance, a Project Manager’s average salary is $116,000 but can differ based on personal circumstances associated with the role.
How to Learn Business
One of the best ways to learn business is by enrolling in a live course. These are offered at training centers all across the country, including Noble Desktop, and are offered in-person and live online. Both delivery methods are frequently provided in a part-time or full-time format, which can be more suitable to your schedule depending on personal circumstances such as work, family, and other responsibilities. Participants experience the myriad benefits associated with live instruction, including the immersive environment, ample feedback, and high levels of interaction between the instructor, peers, and the material. Plus, live courses often value hands-on, practical instruction. This means you will likely complete various projects that are rooted in a real-world situation, so you can easily transfer your skills from the classroom to the workplace. For an in-person option, you can explore the Classes Near Me page on the Noble Desktop website; however, if you believe an online format would be more suitable to your needs, you can also search for live online business classes.
In addition, there are other learning options out there where you can gain more insight into business practices. You can always opt for an on-demand course, which is otherwise known as a self-paced, asynchronous option. These are highly accessible, incredibly flexible, and relatively cost-effective. Despite the benefits, there are some drawbacks to enrolling in on-demand classes. These courses are generally insufficient for beginners or those who want to become business professionals. However, they are ideal for someone who has some experience with business or someone who only needs to learn a few basic business skills. If this option interests you, you can search for online business classes on Noble Desktop’s page.
Do you still feel unsure which option is meant for you? No problem -- there are ways to quell this uncertainty. With the right guidance, you can decide which learning method works best for you. In the meantime, you can always utilize free resources to assist you in the decision-making process. You can search Noble Desktop’s free seminar page for pre-recorded lectures related to business as a way to learn a little more. There are myriad lectures to choose from and gain a little more insight from, from complex tools and software to specific subjects and fields. For example, hopeful business professionals can watch the Top 10 Beginner Excel Tricks You Need to Know. However, there are also tutorials, guides, blogs, chatrooms, and video collections to access as well. For instance, Noble Desktop’s Excel playlist on YouTube is a useful resource to learn more about the commonly used spreadsheet application. In addition, you can search the Business Learn Hub on Noble Desktop to find more resources related to this unique and wide-ranging field.
A Brief History of Business
Business has been a concept since ancient times, with civilizations in Egypt, Italy, and Greece developing trade routes, marketplaces, and even transportation methods. Today, many of the ancient trade practices are still used among businesses both big and small. However, with the urbanization and mass production seen in the Industrial Revolution, it is possible for businesses today to maintain incredible growth and development. Even more so, the digital age has led to international brand recognition among consumers and rapid transformation. Thanks to data analysis, social media, and other key digital innovations, business as an industry has grown from the very basics to a complex, interwoven web of connections that promote economic progress, creativity, and further modernization.
Comparable Applications/Programming Languages/Fields
Finance is not just a field comparable to business, but one that often overlaps with business and related subjects. Financial skills play a vital role in a business’s progression, from allocating capital and budgeting to making investment decisions and tracking market trends. As a business-savvy individual, you can find employment as a Financial Analyst, FinTech professional, or Project Manager. All these job positions require strong business skills and a high level of financial literacy.
Similarly, many business professionals have keen design skills, particularly those who focus on the marketing side of business. With certain transferrable skills, you could venture into web design. With applications and software like Figma, Adobe Creative Cloud, and WordPress, you can create and execute an effective web design for your business. In addition, learning how to code is an incredibly transferrable skill that most organizations look for in their potential employees' resumes.
Lastly, it is very possible to work in marketing as a business professional. Marketing experts use many of the same tools as business professionals, such as es Adobe Creative Cloud, coding, Microsoft Office, and other applications meant for design and communication. Businesses hire marketing experts to spread the word about goods and services as well as build rapport and trust with consumers. Marketing professionals are integral to the business world and are therefore a perfect asset to any small or large corporation.
Learn Business with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop
You can learn more about business-related ventures through Noble Desktop. Their 114-hour FinTech Bootcamp equips students with the skills necessary to thrive in the financial technology sector. Specifically, students will learn about cryptocurrency, data visualization, Python for financial analysis, stock prices, and portfolio management. Through hands-on projects, such as animated bar chart races and time series data graphs, students will gain more insight into the professional world of FinTech and leave feeling more capable of managing the financial data and workings of a business, either big or small. Thanks to the small class sizes, expert instructors, 1-on-1 mentoring, payment plans, and free retake options, students at Noble Desktop feel supported, heard, and fully prepared to enter the business and finance fields.
Likewise, the 63-hour Business Analyst Certificate from Noble Desktop prepares students for careers in business analysis. Specifically, students will use Excel to organize data and apply calculations, query data grouped in databases with Microsoft SQL Server, create data visualizations with Tableau, and professionally deliver their findings with PowerPoint. Certificate courses have small class sizes, typically ranging from 8 to 15 students in total. In addition, each course is taught by an expert instructor who will guide students through every project. Along with setup assistance, payment plans, and a free retake, students will feel confident using their skills in the workplace. Lastly, students will earn a verified digital certificate of completion to prove their newly acquired skills in business analysis.
To find more classes, consider searching for business classes and bootcamps on Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me page. Here, you can find business classes taught by experts who offer hands-on instruction for individuals or groups, such as corporations looking for training options. Whether you wish to specialize in data analytics, finance, digital marketing, or project management, there is a course to suit your needs. You can also find live online or in-person classes, depending on your location and preferences.
Key Takeaways
- Business is a broad field that mainly involves the sale of goods and services for profit. This field has been around, arguably, since the beginning of civilization.
- Working in business opens the door to many diverse career opportunities and advantages and often requires learning many concepts, theories, tools, and software.
- Some business tools are more expensive than others. However, most are highly accessible through a simple download to a computer or phone.
- Studying business is useful for working in other fields as well, such as finance, marketing, or web design.
- You can receive thorough business training through an in-person or live online course with Noble Desktop. With myriad course options and delivery methods, you are sure to find a class that suits your learning needs and helps you achieve your goals.