Business is a broad term describing fields–management, marketing, finance, entrepreneurship–that make money by producing or providing a service. With such a wide range of fields, the potential for career advancement is large. Individuals can take on higher-level roles, change sectors, and even start a business. Business skills are highly transferable across industries. Additionally, business develops critical thinking, problem-solving, leadership, and communication abilities–all traits that improve job prospects regardless of the sector.
Business careers tend to pay well, especially as a career advances. Typically, the more experience and experience you have, the higher the salary and additional perks like bonuses are. Plus, the higher level positions have a large impact on the direction of a company. Taking on managerial roles impacts jobs and economic development within a business.
Business is a field with many opportunities and possibilities.
The 9 Best On-Demand Business Classes
- Udemy—An Entire MBA in 1 Course: Award Winning Business School Prof
- Coursera—Principles of Management
- Stanford Graduate School of Business—Amplify Your Persuasive Impact
- Open University—Business Management: Project Management
- ARMA International—Professional Leadership Certificate Program
- ASCM—APICS Certified Supply Chain Certification
- Fox Valley Technical College—APICS CPIM—Cert. Plan & Inventory Mgmt
- American Management Association—Achieving Success as a Business Professional
- Udemy—Basics of Business Finance
#1: Udemy—An Entire MBA in 1 Course: Award Winning Business School Prof
This condensed version of an MBA program teaches concepts covered in a graduate-level business program. Students learn how to launch a company from scratch and build a customer base through networking. It covers the financial aspect of business: financial models, investment banking, raising money, and venture capital. Additionally, students will understand how macro and microeconomics, essential concepts for running a business, play into decision-making.
Quality communication is at the heart of almost every business. It covers communication skills in different decisions, including networking and landing meetings. Learning how laws and regulations affect businesses is essential. The instructor covers legal basics such as taxes, bankruptcy, beneficial legal entities, and protecting assets if sued.
Key Information
This class consists of eight hours of video instruction, 34 articles, and 31 downloadable resources. In between videos, students will take quizzes and participate in optional weekly webcasts. This class can be completed in a day but may take a few days.
There are no prerequisites for this class other than “a positive attitude.”
This class costs $124.99. Potential students must pay upfront to access the course or join Udemy’s Personal Plan, a subscription service for professional development courses. Students can enroll in unlimited courses for a fixed monthly price. Once enrolled in a Personal Plan, students can cancel at any time.
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This class includes a book version of the courses–384 pages worth. Since it’s an international course, it can be translated into several languages besides English.
Students of all abilities appreciate the course content. Chris B., a company CEO, liked “that it’s geared towards practitioners rather than just theory.” After applying the concepts he learned, he scored funding for his company. Antionette C. has been a business owner for 25 years, yet she claimed the course was the best she had ever taken, “a life-changing experience, ” she called it.
#2: Coursera—Principles of Management
In this Principles of Management course, students learn how to manage teams well. With any team, conflict exists. This course instructs leaders on how to make conflict constructive instead of destructive. It also teaches managers how to coach employees, making them more successful. Managing a whole team is not easy. Managers will learn to focus their team to meet strategic and project goals and objectives.
Key Information
The full version of this course costs $49. However, like many Coursera classes, it can be audited for free. The free version does not include quizzes or a certificate of completion. Students can access the class for free and switch to the paid version anytime, as long as they have not finished the class.
This course, broken up into four modules and followed by assessments, takes about three weeks to complete. Students spend, on average, five hours working on the course per week. The course does not have any prerequisites.
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After completing the paid version of the course, students earn a shareable certificate that can be posted to a LinkedIn profile. The instructor of this course teaches at John Hopkins University.
New managers and experienced managers valued the content they learned in this course. Chanelle LGP took the course after 15 years in management because she was switching industries. She felt it allowed her to improve her understanding of management to make the transfer. Jamie GN, who is opening a new business, appreciated the relevancy of the information, putting many concepts into practice immediately.
#3: Stanford Graduate School of Business—Amplify Your Persuasive Impact
The course, Amplify Your Persuasive Impact, essentially teaches the psychology of persuasion in business. Learning persuasive techniques can increase your reach since business requires human interaction and sales. The topics covered in this class deal with engagement and trust. Enrolled students learn how to engage their audience, build trust, and increase their impact. They also learn how to improve perceived credibility.
Another key topic the class teaches is reducing the audience’s resistance and convincing them to persuade themselves. Each module includes videos, quizzes, podcasts, assignments, and feedback.
Key Information
This class in persuasion costs $1,500, paid by credit or debit card, before the course starts. The school does not 0ffer alternative financing options. Students have 60 days from payment to complete the entire course.
Classes through the Stanford Graduate School of Business are designed for motivated individuals who wish to go in-depth on a topic. The class itself does not have prerequisites. Previous course participants self-identified anywhere from early to late career, most falling in the middle. Most held some type of managerial or higher business role.
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All materials, including podcasts and articles, can be accessed after payment. Some materials can be downloaded and saved to your computer for future reference.
The course is well-reviewed by most participants. Students mentioned both their content and instructional style. Camilo O., a director of a major corporation, claims that “this is the best course I have ever taken.”
#4: Open University—Business Management: Project Management
The Open University’s Project Management on-demand course is considered undergraduate-level. By the end of this course, current or future project managers will gain skills they can use immediately. Students will learn project management terminology, identify risks, notice issues, and analyze possible solutions. They learn how to plan and lead a successful project team. Since the heart of most projects is relationships, the class teaches communication skills. All project managers must learn to lead a team and facilitate positive relationships among project team members.
Key Information
Before taking this class, potential students ideally have had some experience on a project team. Yet, the introductory level course does not have any prerequisites. It’s ideal for those who wish for a project management role or are new to it. Students interact with others worldwide as they read, post, and respond to comments uploaded. The course includes videos, articles, activities, and quizzes.
This micro-credential course costs $584 and lasts ten weeks, averaging about ten hours weekly. The school accepts credit cards or PayPal. Students who are unsatisfied with the course can apply for a refund within the first fourteen days.
More Details:
The micro-credential comes with 10 UK credits and a certificate from The Open University. Though the credits come from a UK university, anyone from any country may enroll. Some events may happen live; however, they are recorded, so students who cannot attend may watch them later. Earning a certificate requires the completion of 90% of course steps and all assessments.
Students appreciate the convenience of the courses. Gayle B. liked how the course helped her “explore new ideas and offer interesting topics.”
#5: ARMA International—Professional Leadership Certificate Program
Built with five smaller online courses, ARMA’s Professional Leadership Certificate Program course emphasizes the importance of managing relationships and roles. The first-course students take in the program teaches effective communication, verbal and non-verbal. After enhancing communication skills, enrollees learn tools for coaching and motivating their team. One essential managerial skill–negotiation and conflict resolution–is included. Students will learn skills and practice them. With extensive work piled on their plates, managers have to learn strategies for time management. The final section in the course helps project managers distribute their time in the best way.
Key Information
This entire program takes about 6.5 hours to finish, but enrolled members have 24 months to complete it. Upon completing the content, students take a final exam of 80 multiple-choice questions. A score of 80% or higher is passing. If they don’t pass, students may have up to three attempts; each retake costs an extra $50 fee. Students should access the course using Firefox, as other browsers do not support the program.
There are no prerequisites for this course. It’s designed for managers early in their careers. Individuals without an ARMA membership pay $399 for the course. Professional Members save $100 on the course fee. The full amount is due upfront. ARMA accepts credit cards or PayPal on its website. Individuals must contact ARMA by phone or email to use a purchase order.
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Upon successfully passing the course, individuals earn a digital certificate that they can post to social media such as LinkedIn. They can also download a copy of the certificate.
Few reviews exist online for ARMA International. However, the few students who left reviews for courses taken at the school agreed that the courses were a good use of their time.
#6: ASCM—APICS Certified Supply Chain Certification
Business-minded individuals who work on the supply chain side may find APICS’s Certified Supply Chain Certification on-demand course and optional test intriguing. Enrollees learn about supply chains–risks and relationships, demand management, and forecasting. Then the course covers global supply chain networks, how a company sources products and services, and sales and distribution. The course covers the complete product lifecycle from development to the end of a product. Many companies want forward-thinking individuals who care about the green movement, so this class covers environmental, social, and economic sustainability topics.
Key Information
ASCM recommends students spend at least 100 hours on this course, an extensive exam prep program. From the purchase date, individuals have a full year of access to all course materials. Exam credits, if purchased, expire six months later. Students take regular quizzes. The program identifies knowledge gap areas and provides materials for improvement. Course segments consist of small informational chunks.
There are no prerequisites for this course. Students may enroll in the course for $1,900 or $1,350 for members. Bundle the course with the certification exam for $2,664 or $2,465 for members. The company offers two ways to pay: upfront on a credit card or monthly through PayPal.
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The course includes books and an online, interactive platform where students can access videos, quizzes, flashcards, and articles. If students opt to take the exam, they must earn 300 points or above to pass. The exam lasts approximately 3.5 hours. After passing the exam, students earn a Certification in Supply Chain Management. If an individual does not pass the exam the first time, some options exist for retakes. Contact the school if you need a retake.
On Indeed, the ASCM course averages 4.3 out of 5 stars. Students praised the quality of the materials. Many agreed the course was “no joke” and offered much information.
#7: Fox Valley Technical College—APICS CPIM—Cert. Plan & Inventory Mgmt
Individuals who wish to or who work in manufacturing or service businesses may find APICS CPIM—Cert. Plan & Inventory Mgmt course useful for making the leap. This class covers key information such as sales and operations planning. It also covers key concepts like supply and demand. Supply Chain management requires an understanding of detailed schedules, inventory, and distribution of products. Organizations desire forward-thinking individuals who understand product quality and apply useful technology. This course covers these and how to continually improve a product or service.
Key Information
Weekly, students invest six to twelve hours completing activities and assignments in this course. Additional time is necessary to prepare for the APICS CPIM certification exam. The course lasts for about four months.
Though this class has no prerequisites, it targets specific individuals who work with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system or a similar manufacturing system. It is also useful for workers who are members of S&OP, MRP, or related teams.
This class costs $3,250 and does not include the exam. Currently, the cost for the exam is an additional $1,655. Former or current military service members receive a discount, paying $3,495 for the course and exam. ASCM members pay $3,295 for the course and exam or $2,550 for the course alone. All course fees are due thirteen days before the start of the class. Some scholarships are available for specific groups: high school seniors, FVTC Promise, AdultStart Scholarships, and currently enrolled FVTC students. The school also has resources to help students find funding for courses.
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Many jobs in supply chain management require or pay more for APICS certifications. On average, individuals holding APICS CPIM certification make around 27% more than those without.
FCTC boasts happy alums. Jessica T. said her courses gave her “the skills, education, and confidence” required to make a career shift. She successfully made the change and was promoted quickly. Ben T. credits FVTC with contributing to his falling “in love with learning.”
#8: American Management Association—Achieving Success As a Business Professional
American Management Association, which offers live online classes, has started providing on-demand training. Enrolled students can gain credibility and important business skills in their Achieving Success as a Business Professional class. The course starts with defining the appearance of confidence by analyzing one’s verbal and nonverbal indicators. Students learn how to act more confidently to improve perceived competence. Next, the course addresses the importance of relationships–growing networks and building trust. Responding intelligently in business requires strategic thinking, intentional communication, and emotional regulation. All three are addressed in the next few lessons. Additionally, students learn how to improve their presence and credibility, so they are not overlooked at work. The final lessons address time management, planning, and productivity.
Key Information
There are no prerequisites or suggested qualifications for this course. It’s appropriate for anyone wishing to improve their functionality on a team.
This on-demand class costs $249 and is divided into ten different lessons. Completing the entire class will take at least 343 total minutes.
More Details
Students earn 0.5 CEUs or Continuing Education Units upon completing this course.
Since this course is new, it does not have any reviews yet. However, former students rate AMA’s courses highly. On CourseHorse, AMA’s classes rate a five out of five stars. Jeanette M. applauded the content and instructor of her course, rating her time spent in class the highest rating. Former participants echoed her remarks across several different classes.
#9: Udemy—Basics of Business Finance
A large part of business success is knowing how to manage finances. In the Basics of Business Finance course, beginners learn essential financial management. The course starts with an overview of business finance: how corporate finance plays a role in a company’s decision-making. Income, profit and loss, balance, and cash flow statement lessons come later. After each lesson, students complete a quiz or assignment based on the information presented. This certificate course is ideal for entry-level workers who wish to advance their careers in business. Students have pursued careers in Ratings and Risk Management, Strategy, Corporate Banking, and more.
Key Information
This is an on-demand course; students can complete the lessons independently. It includes four hours of video lessons, consisting of 24 lectures. Students should expect to work on an assignment for under a half-hour for each lecture. Many participants completed the class in one week.
This on-demand class costs $59.99; the full amount is due upfront. The Basics of Business Finance course has no prerequisites. It is designed for those with no knowledge of finance.
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Most students who enrolled in this course enjoyed their learning experience but found a few minor issues. Victor S. struggled initially with unfamiliar terminology but has learned much about advanced financial statements. Marissa C. feels “better able to participate in financial discussions as a non-financial manager.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an On-demand Business Class Worth It?
On-demand business classes can be worth the time and money, but it depends on your learning style and the quality of the content. On-demand classes are flexible; students select the time of the day that works best for them. This flexibility may work well for motivated or organized individuals but doesn’t work well for everyone. Some students need set class time meetings to complete a course. An on-demand business class may not work for you unless you're motivated and organized.
Not all on-demand courses are equal. Some classes consist of videos and projects but no feedback. Others include frequent instructor feedback and content that adapts to a learner’s area of need. Check any reviews or testimonials from previous students and read up on the instructors. You want the instructor to have extensive industry experience and teaching expertise. Plus, look for courses that provide feedback or an instructor to contact when you have questions. Classes that offer support may cost a bit more, but overall on-demand classes have a lower price point than live online or in-person business classes. Expect less support in an on-demand business class.
What Will I Need for an On-demand Business Class?
Participating in an on-demand business class requires access to technology. Students need a computer or mobile device that connects to the internet. Most classes have minimum technical requirements listed in the course description. Contact the school if you’re not sure your device meets specifications. Students also need a reliable and fast internet connection. Course content may come in videos that require plenty of bandwidth. Without this, you may experience many interruptions. Most on-demand classes require students to set up an online account in their LMS (Learning Management System). An LMS account allows students to track progress, access materials, contact instructors, and interact with other students. There are several different LMS, so check with the school to see what it uses.
Most courses wrap additional fees for subscriptions or memberships into the course cost or explicitly state that they do not. If interested students purchase a membership before enrolling in the course, they can earn reduced tuition and fees. Schools like ASCM provide their members with deep discounts for courses.
Can I Learn Business On-demand for Free?
Learning business on-demand for free is possible for some learners. Through platforms such as YouTube, you can self-teach some basic business concepts; however, to learn up-to-date business skills, you’ll benefit from taking a paid class. Coursera and Udemy also offer some free courses, but these courses do not include feedback or any verification of skills. Typically, free courses do not offer certifications or proof of course completion. True beginners may want to start with a free course to master introductory concepts before investing in targeted paid courses.
Is It Better to Learn Business in a Live or Self-paced Class?
Live online and self-paced business classes have pros and cons to each. The best class for you depends on your learning preferences, flexibility, and interaction expectations. Live classes contain the most opportunities for interaction, both with the instructor and classmates. Students can ask questions, receive immediate feedback, and engage in live discussions. Sometimes the camaraderie of a live class leads to deeper learning. Yet, deeply motivated individuals may have a similar experience if they invest heavily in materials and respond to peers.
If flexibility is essential, self-paced classes are king. People with variable schedules may not have the option of a regularly scheduled live online class. Self-paced classes allow learners to control their learning speed, investing more time into difficult concepts and speeding through easier ones.
Live online classes provide a structured, interactive learning experience. They follow a schedule with deadlines. Students work with others in groups, holding one another accountable. Assignments are due on set days; instructors administer exams regularly. A set schedule can keep learning consistent and up commitment levels. Students who like this level of interactivity may benefit from a live online course.
Ultimately, consider your needs and expectations before signing up for any course.