Fundamental business skills, such as analytics, economics, and accounting, are vital for understanding and contributing to any organization.
Whether you’re a business professional who wants to deepen your knowledge, an undergraduate getting ready to enter the working world, or a lifelong learner preparing for a Master of Business Administration (MBA), gaining confidence in foundational business skills can help you excel.
One way to gain those skills is by taking an online course, such as those offered by Harvard Business School Online. In a City Square Associates survey of HBS Online learners:
- Eighty percent said taking a course impacted their professional lives for the better
- Twenty-five percent reported earning a promotion or title change
- Ninety percent responded feeling more confident at work
HBS Online offers a three-course Credential of Readiness (CORe) program designed to equip you with business fundamentals. You can also take each course individually. Here’s a primer on our offerings to help you determine the best fit.
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If You Want to Build or Hone Your Analytics, Economics, or Accounting Skills
The business essentials subject features three topics: analytics, economics, and accounting. If you’re confident in your knowledge in one or more of these areas, round out your skill set by taking a course in those you’d like to strengthen.
Business Analytics is an eight-week course designed to demystify data and provide hands-on practice in applying analytics to business problems. Taught by HBS Professor Jan Hammond, this course not only equips you with the technical skills needed to analyze data but the perspective to use it to make better decisions.
If you’re interested in using economic fundamentals to craft strategy, consider Economics for Managers. This eight-week course, taught by HBS Professor Bharat Anand, will equip you with knowledge of demand creation, pricing strategy, and relative cost analysis so you can drive strategic business decisions.
The final standalone business essentials course is Financial Accounting, taught by HBS Professor V.G. Narayanan. This eight-week course will enable you to prepare and analyze financial statements, such as the balance sheet, cash flow statement, and income statement. The insights gleaned from each can help you understand your business’s financial health and make informed financial decisions.
No matter your role or industry, using data and economic fundamentals to make strategic decisions and understand their financial impact can propel your career.
If You Want to Achieve Fluency in the Language of Business
HBS Online’s Credential of Readiness (CORe) program is right for you if you want a foundation in analytics, economics, and accounting.
CORe comprises the three courses above—Business Analytics, Economics for Managers, and Financial Accounting—and concludes with a final exam.
When bundled together, these courses provide a deep understanding of the financial, analytical, and economic drivers of running, growing, and sustaining a business.
“I signed up for CORe because I’m always in search of new learning opportunities and wanted to fill a gap I had in understanding the language and basic mechanics of business,” said Jonathan Rossi, who completed the program with the hope of using his knowledge to change careers and pursue a graduate degree. “I also wanted an opportunity to participate in a collaborative learning environment and connect with people from many different backgrounds and industries.”
Rossi has since transitioned to a full-time data science role and credits CORe with sparking his love of analytics and preparedness for an MBA or PhD program.
Whether you’re preparing for an MBA, leveling up your career, or both, CORe provides the perspective, skills, and tools for you to succeed.
Selecting Your Best Fit Program
When deciding on a business essentials program, consider your goals, what you value in a learning experience, and your logistical needs.
All HBS Online courses feature distinguished faculty; engaging, interactive course material; real-world business examples; and a global network of fellow learners.
Please note: If you’ve taken any of the three courses individually, you may not enroll in CORe. Also, if you’re an undergraduate student, you can take CORe for academic credit.
If you decide CORe is right for you, two schedules are offered: standard (10-12 weeks) or extended (17 weeks). To determine which version to pursue, explore the free CORe flowchart.
Whichever business essentials program fits your goals and needs, know that you’re investing in your career, educational goals, and yourself.
Are you still deciding which business essentials program is right for you? Download our free flowchart to determine which best aligns with your experience and goals.
