Skip to Main Content
HBS Online
  • Courses
    Open Courses Mega Menu
    • Business Essentials
      • Credential of Readiness (CORe)
      • Business Analytics
      • Economics for Managers
      • Financial Accounting
    • Leadership & Management
      • Leadership Principles
      • Management Essentials
      • Negotiation Mastery
      • Organizational Leadership
      • Strategy Execution
      • Power and Influence for Positive Impact
      • Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability
      • Leading Change and Organizational Renewal
      • Dynamic Teaming
      • Transforming Customer Experiences
    • Credential of Leadership, Impact, and Management in Business (CLIMB)
    • Credential of Digital Innovation and Strategy
    • Entrepreneurship & Innovation
      • Entrepreneurship Essentials
      • Disruptive Strategy
      • Negotiation Mastery
      • Design Thinking and Innovation
      • Launching Tech Ventures
      • Winning with Digital Platforms
      • Leading Change and Organizational Renewal
      • Entrepreneurial Marketing
      • Transforming Customer Experiences
    • Strategy
      • Strategy Execution
      • Business Strategy
      • Economics for Managers
      • Disruptive Strategy
      • Global Business
      • Sustainable Business Strategy
    • Marketing
      • Digital Marketing Strategy
      • Creating Brand Value
      • Entrepreneurial Marketing
    • Digital Transformation
      • Winning with Digital Platforms
      • AI Essentials for Business
    • Finance & Accounting
      • Financial Accounting
      • Leading with Finance
      • Alternative Investments
      • Sustainable Investing
      • Strategic Financial Analysis
    • Business in Society
      • Sustainable Business Strategy
      • Global Business
      • Sustainable Investing
      • Power and Influence for Positive Impact
      • Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability
      • Business and Climate Change
    • All Courses
  • For Organizations
    Open For Organizations Mega Menu
    • Corporate Learning
      Help your employees master essential business concepts, improve effectiveness, and expand leadership capabilities.
    • Academic Solutions
      Integrate HBS Online courses into your curriculum to support programs and create unique educational opportunities.
    • Need Help?
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Contact Us
    • Insights
      Open Insights Mega Menu
      • Business Insights Blog
        • Career Development
        • Communication
        • Decision-Making
        • Earning Your MBA
        • Entrepreneurship & Innovation
        • Finance
        • Leadership
        • Management
        • Negotiation
        • Strategy
      • All Topics
      • Learner on computer exploring HBS Online business lessons
        Sample Business Lessons and E-Books

        Gain new insights and knowledge from leading faculty and industry experts.

      • HBS Online Parlor Room podcast logo
        Podcast

        The Parlor Room: Where business concepts come to life. Listen now on your favorite podcast platform.

    • More Info
      Open More Info Mega Menu
      • Learning Experience
        Master real-world business skills with our immersive platform and engaged community.
      • Certificates, Credentials, & Credits
        Learn how completing courses can boost your resume and move your career forward.
      • Learning Tracks
        Take your career to the next level with this specialization.
      • Financing & Policies
        • Employer Reimbursement
        • Payment & Financial Aid
        • Policies
      • Connect
        • Student Stories
        • Community
      • Need Help?
        • Frequently Asked Questions
        • Request Information
        • Support Portal
      • Enroll Now
    Login
    My Courses
    Access your courses and engage with your peers
    My Account
    Manage your account, enrollment, and payments.
    HBS Home
    • About HBS
    • Academic Programs
    • Alumni
    • Faculty & Research
    • Baker Library
    • Giving
    • Harvard Business Review
    • Initiatives
    • News
    • Recruit
    • Map / Directions
    HBS Online
    • Courses
    • Business Essentials
    • Leadership & Management
    • Credential of Leadership, Impact, and Management in Business (CLIMB)
    • Credential of Digital Innovation and Strategy
    • Entrepreneurship & Innovation
    • Strategy
    • Marketing
    • Digital Transformation
    • Finance & Accounting
    • Business in Society
    • For Organizations
    • Insights
    • More Info
    • About
    • Support Portal
    • Media Coverage
    • Founding Donors
    • Leadership Team
    • Careers
    • My Courses
    • My Account
    • Enroll Now
    • …→
    • Harvard Business School→
    • HBS Online→
    • Business Insights→

    Business Insights

    Harvard Business School Online's Business Insights Blog provides the career insights you need to achieve your goals and gain confidence in your business skills.

     
    Filter Results Arrow Down Arrow Up

    Topics

    Topics

    • Accounting
    • Analytics
    • Business Essentials
    • Business in Society
    • Career Development
    • Communication
    • Community
    • ConneXt
    • Decision-Making
    • Digital Transformation
    • Earning Your MBA
    • Entrepreneurship & Innovation
    • Finance
    • For Organizations
    • Leadership
    • Management
    • Marketing
    • Negotiation
    • News & Events
    • Productivity
    • Staff Spotlight
    • Strategy
    • Student Profiles
    • Technology
    • Work-Life Balance

    Courses

    Courses

    • AI Essentials for Business
    • Alternative Investments
    • Business Analytics
    • Business Strategy
    • Business and Climate Change
    • CLIMB
    • CORe
    • Creating Brand Value
    • Credential of Digital Innovation and Strategy
    • Design Thinking and Innovation
    • Digital Marketing Strategy
    • Disruptive Strategy
    • Dynamic Teaming
    • Economics for Managers
    • Entrepreneurial Marketing
    • Entrepreneurship Essentials
    • Financial Accounting
    • Global Business
    • Launching Tech Ventures
    • Leadership Principles
    • Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability
    • Leading Change and Organizational Renewal
    • Leading with Finance
    • Management Essentials
    • Negotiation Mastery
    • Organizational Leadership
    • Power and Influence for Positive Impact
    • Strategic Financial Analysis
    • Strategy Execution
    • Sustainable Business Strategy
    • Sustainable Investing
    • Transforming Customer Experiences
    • Winning with Digital Platforms
    Subscribe to the Blog
    *
    Please complete this required field.
    Email must be formatted correctly.
    Please complete all required fields.
    RSS feed

    Filters

    Topics

    Topics

    • Accounting
    • Analytics
    • Business Essentials
    • Business in Society
    • Career Development
    • Communication
    • Community
    • ConneXt
    • Decision-Making
    • Digital Transformation
    • Earning Your MBA
    • Entrepreneurship & Innovation
    • Finance
    • For Organizations
    • Leadership
    • Management
    • Marketing
    • Negotiation
    • News & Events
    • Productivity
    • Staff Spotlight
    • Strategy
    • Student Profiles
    • Technology
    • Work-Life Balance

    Courses

    Courses

    • AI Essentials for Business
    • Alternative Investments
    • Business Analytics
    • Business Strategy
    • Business and Climate Change
    • CLIMB
    • CORe
    • Creating Brand Value
    • Credential of Digital Innovation and Strategy
    • Design Thinking and Innovation
    • Digital Marketing Strategy
    • Disruptive Strategy
    • Dynamic Teaming
    • Economics for Managers
    • Entrepreneurial Marketing
    • Entrepreneurship Essentials
    • Financial Accounting
    • Global Business
    • Launching Tech Ventures
    • Leadership Principles
    • Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability
    • Leading Change and Organizational Renewal
    • Leading with Finance
    • Management Essentials
    • Negotiation Mastery
    • Organizational Leadership
    • Power and Influence for Positive Impact
    • Strategic Financial Analysis
    • Strategy Execution
    • Sustainable Business Strategy
    • Sustainable Investing
    • Transforming Customer Experiences
    • Winning with Digital Platforms
    Subscribe to the Blog
    *
    Please complete this required field.
    Email must be formatted correctly.
    Please complete all required fields.
    RSS feed

    Why Study Business? 6 Reasons to Enhance Your Skills

    Young professional studying business on a laptop
    • 11 Jul 2019
    Matt Gavin Author Staff
    tag
    • Business Essentials
    • CORe
    • Career Development
    • Communication
    • Decision-Making
    • Entrepreneurship & Innovation

    No matter your career path, it’s important to broaden your business knowledge.

    According to LinkedIn data, people management, business analysis, and corporate communications are highly sought-after skills, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of business and financial operations jobs to grow 10 percent—faster than the average for all occupations—through 2026.

    What’s more, furthering your education can reap numerous personal and professional benefits. In a recent survey of former Harvard Business School Online participants, it was found that taking one or more of our online courses led to an array of positive outcomes, including higher confidence, greater responsibility at work, and more attention from recruiters.

    Going to business school to pursue an MBA or other related degree is a popular course of action for professionals who want to develop their skills and advance their careers. The academic rigor that comes with attending business school can be intimidating, however, and such programs often require substantial time and financial commitments. For these reasons, learners commonly seek online courses to prepare them for an MBA, or to act as an alternative to a formal degree altogether.

    If you’re asking yourself, “Should I go to business school?” consider the personal and professional goals you hope to achieve and what you’re willing to do to get there. Whether through an online business course or an MBA program, here’s a look at six compelling reasons why you should develop your business skills and expand your knowledge base.

    Benefits of Developing Your Business Skills

    1. Advance Your Career

    If you’re striving to reach the next level within your organization or secure higher pay, an understanding of fundamental business principles can help you achieve your goals.

    For Pamela Raymond, a communications specialist and IT project manager, taking our Credential of Readiness (CORe) program was a way to accelerate her career and get a refresher on the concepts she learned years prior in business school.

    Studying economics, financial accounting, and business analytics enabled her to not only gain a greater sense of clarity about her professional future, but earn both a raise and a promotion.

    “You start understanding that you do use this every day,” Raymond says of the knowledge she gained in the program. “It informs how you make decisions, and how you talk to people and talk about projects.”

    2. Become a Better Communicator

    Strong communication skills are an asset in any professional environment.

    Through analyzing real-world business scenarios and learning about the tools and techniques needed to drive team performance, you can become more effective in how you deliver feedback and convey important information regarding organizational change and other complex processes.

    In addition, having a baseline understanding of disciplines like accounting and finance can help you establish clear lines of communication with your numbers-focused colleagues and improve your working relationships.

    Related: 5 Business Skills Every Professional Needs

    3. Understand Your Industry on a Deeper Level

    Beyond an expanded skill set, studying business can provide you with an in-depth understanding of your industry and the economic forces that drive it.

    In the case of Pankaj Prashant, an engineer based in Australia, CORe was a means of building on his technical background and gaining a more robust knowledge of how markets work.

    “The mining industry experiences cyclical price fluctuation every few years, and now I understand the reasons and factors that dictate these changes and how supply and demand affects commodity pricing,” Prashant says. “Since completing CORe, I’ve been using the concepts taught in Economics for Managers to build more accurate pricing models for my business so that I can better forecast prices and fluctuations.”

    Related: 5 Reasons Why You Should Study Economics

    4. Improve Your Decision-Making

    Decision-making is a vital skill for every professional.

    Learning about the principles of leadership and management can give you a framework for analyzing and overcoming challenging workplace scenarios, arming you with the know-how to guide a critical team meeting or spearhead a new learning initiative.

    Even if you’re not in a leadership role, taking the time to develop your decision-making approach can help you boost your impact as an individual contributor and influence your company’s processes for planning and executing projects.

    5. Start Your Own Venture

    If you’ve ever dreamed of branching out and starting your own company, acquiring business knowledge through rigorous coursework can be a launchpad to achieving that goal.

    Prior to founding ecoimagine, an online boutique that sells high-quality products made of recycled, repurposed, or biodegradable materials, Lisa Cassidy enrolled in our Sustainable Business Strategy course to discover how she could communicate the advantages of being purpose-driven to her clients.

    According to Cassidy, the course was instrumental in her decision to pursue her entrepreneurial vision for an eco-friendly product line and helped solidify her company’s mission.

    “The class gave me the nudge I needed to say, ‘You can do this.’” Cassidy says. “I don’t think I would have gotten there so quickly if I wasn’t asked point-blank at the end of the course, ‘Now what are you going to do with what you learned?’”

    A Guide to Advancing Your Career with Essentials Business Skills | Access Your Free E-Book | Download Now

    6. Enhance Your Personal Life

    Outside of the workplace, a keen understanding of business fundamentals can bring a host of personal benefits.

    Knowing how to tactically navigate negotiations can be highly valuable in situations like buying a home or car, and having a firm grasp on the basics of accounting can come in handy when building out your household budget.

    On top of these practical applications, furthering your education can provide an immense feeling of accomplishment, instilling you with greater confidence and a desire to continually learn and improve—both personally and professionally.

    Related: Why Having a Foundation in Business Is Critical

    Improving Your Business Skills

    Pursuing a business education is a worthy investment in yourself and your career. Whether your aim is to be an entrepreneur, become a manager, or pursue an MBA, learning vital business concepts can be a way to achieve your goals and improve your quality of life.

    If you decide that business school is right for you, consider the ways an online business essentials course can prepare you for the rigors of an MBA or other related degree. If you can’t commit to a full program, such a class could be a solution to set you on the path toward career advancement.

    Do you want to take your career to the next level? Download our free Guide to Advancing Your Career with Essential Business Skills to learn how enhancing your business knowledge can help you make an impact on your organization and be competitive in the job market.

    This post was updated on March 17, 2020. It was originally published on July 11, 2019.

    About the Author

    Matt Gavin is a member of the marketing team at Harvard Business School Online. Prior to returning to his home state of Massachusetts and joining HBS Online, he lived in North Carolina, where he held roles in news and content marketing. He has a background in video production and previously worked on several documentary films for Boston’s PBS station, WGBH. In his spare time, he enjoys running, exploring New England, and spending time with his family.
     
    All FAQs

    Top FAQs

    How are HBS Online courses delivered?

    +–

    We offer self-paced programs (with weekly deadlines) on the HBS Online course platform.

    Our platform features short, highly produced videos of HBS faculty and guest business experts, interactive graphs and exercises, cold calls to keep you engaged, and opportunities to contribute to a vibrant online community.

    Are HBS Online programs available in languages other than English?

    +–

    We expect to offer our courses in additional languages in the future but, at this time, HBS Online can only be provided in English.

    All course content is delivered in written English. Closed captioning in English is available for all videos. There are no live interactions during the course that requires the learner to speak English. Coursework must be completed in English.

    Do I need to come to campus to participate in HBS Online programs?

    +–

    No, all of our programs are 100 percent online, and available to participants regardless of their location.

    How do I enroll in a course?

    +–

    Certificate Programs

    HBS Online welcomes committed learners wherever they are—in the world and their careers—irrespective of their professional experience or academic background. To extend the reach of HBS Online, we no longer require an application for our certificate programs. (Applications are still required for our credential programs: CORe and CLIMB.) You can now immediately enroll and start taking the next step in your career.

    All programs require the completion of a brief online enrollment form before payment. If you are new to HBS Online, you will be required to set up an account before enrolling in the program of your choice.

    Our easy online enrollment form is free, and no special documentation is required. All participants must be at least 18 years of age, proficient in English, and committed to learning and engaging with fellow participants throughout the program.

    Updates to your enrollment status will be shown on your account page. HBS Online does not use race, gender, ethnicity, or any protected class as criteria for enrollment for any HBS Online program.

    Credential Programs

    HBS Online's CORe and CLIMB programs require the completion of a brief application. The applications vary slightly, but all ask for some personal background information. You can apply for and enroll in programs here. If you are new to HBS Online, you will be required to set up an account before starting an application for the program of your choice.

    Our easy online application is free, and no special documentation is required. All participants must be at least 18 years of age, proficient in English, and committed to learning and engaging with fellow participants throughout the program.

    Updates to your application and enrollment status will be shown on your account page. We confirm enrollment eligibility within one week of your application for CORe and three weeks for CLIMB. HBS Online does not use race, gender, ethnicity, or any protected class as criteria for admissions for any HBS Online program.

    Does Harvard Business School Online offer an online MBA?

    +–

    No, Harvard Business School Online offers business certificate programs.

    What are my payment options?

    +–

    HBS Online offers a variety of payment methods to provide flexibility, including:

    • Credit and debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and AMEX)
    • PayPal
    • Wire transfers
    • Western Union
    • Bank loans (When available)

    You may split your payment across two credit card transactions or send a payment link to another individual to complete payment on your behalf. A minimum payment of $350 is required for the first transaction.

    Some learners may also qualify for scholarships or financial aid, which will be credited against the program fee once eligibility is determined. Please refer to the Payment & Financial Aid page for more information.

    What are the policies for refunds and deferrals?

    +–

    After enrolling in a program, you may request a withdrawal with refund (minus a $100 nonrefundable enrollment fee) up until 24 hours after the start of your program. Please review the Program Policies page for more details on refunds and deferrals. If your employer has contracted with HBS Online for participation in a program, or if you elect to enroll in the undergraduate credit option of the Credential of Readiness (CORe) program, note that policies for these options may differ.

     

    Sign up for News & Announcements


    • • Please complete this required field.
    • • Email must be formatted correctly.
    • • Please complete all required fields.

    Subject Areas

    • Business Essentials
    • Leadership & Management
    • Entrepreneurship & Innovation
    • Strategy
    • Marketing
    • Finance & Accounting
    • Business & Society
    • Digital Transformation

    Quick Links

    • FAQs
    • Contact Us
    • Request Info
    • Enroll Now
    • Support Portal

    About

    • About Us
    • Media Coverage
    • Founding Donors
    • Leadership Team
    • Careers @ HBS Online

    Legal

    • Legal
    • Policies
    Harvard Business School
    Copyright © President & Fellows of Harvard College
    • Site Map
    • Trademark Notice
    • Digital Accessibility