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Business Essentials: every lesson, free with a free account

24 chapters · 105 video lessons with full transcriptsBusiness 100 · 3 credits · recommended for credit by NCCRS

Earn 3 college credits for Business EssentialsRead any transcript free; a free account unlocks every video. Enrolling adds the quizzes, graded work and the transcript that earn the credit.
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Compare: Business Essentials vs Principles of ManagementAll Business courses

Chapter 1The Business Environment and Ethical Foundations

  1. 1.1 · 14 minDecoding Economic and Legal Forces Shaping Business Operations
  2. 1.2 · 13 minUnderstanding Technological Shifts: Business Effects and Strategic Responses
  3. 1.3 · 13 minHow Competitive Forces Shape Business: Examples and Importance
  4. 1.4 · 13 minSocietal Forces and Their Impact on Business: Examples and Consequences
  5. 1.5 · 13 minExploring the Global Business Environment: A Detailed Examination
  6. 1.6 · 14 minEthics in Contemporary Business Conduct
  7. 1.7 · 12 minBuilding an Ethical Framework: Compliance-Based versus Integrity-Based Approaches
  8. 1.8 · 14 minCorporate Social Responsibility within Organizations

Chapter 2Economic Systems and Indicators

  1. 2.1 · 16 minExploring Economics: Its Range, Dimensions, and Circular Flow
  2. 2.2 · 16 minMarket Structures: Free Markets, Competition, and Alternative Economic Systems
  3. 2.3 · 15 minGross Domestic Product: Meaning and Core Components
  4. 2.4 · 15 minThe Business Cycle: Mapping Economic Performance Over Time
  5. 2.5 · 15 minConsumer Price Index: Understanding Cost of Living and Inflation Trends

Chapter 3International Business and Global Markets

  1. 3.1 · 15 minExploring the Importance of International Trade: Functions and Advantages
  2. 3.2 · 16 minDynamics of Global Trade: Imports, Exports, and Why They Matter
  3. 3.3 · 14 minStrategies for Entering International Markets: Types and Examples
  4. 3.4 · 17 minKey Factors Shaping Global Trade Patterns
  5. 3.5 · 16 minAdapting to the Changing Global Marketplace

Chapter 4Business Ownership, Growth, and Entrepreneurship

  1. 4.1 · 15 minBusiness Enterprises: Structure and Ownership Dynamics
  2. 4.2 · 14 minCorporate Expansion: Mergers, Acquisitions, and Defensive Tactics
  3. 4.3 · 14 minFranchising: Opportunities and Challenges
  4. 4.4 · 14 minDefining the Entrepreneur: Characteristics and Types
  5. 4.5 · 14 minSmall Businesses and Their Impact on the U.S. Economy

Chapter 5Management Functions and Strategic Planning

  1. 5.1 · 12 minManagerial Skills: How Effective Managers Drive Productivity
  2. 5.2 · 11 minThe Four Core Functions of Management: Planning, Organizing, Leading, and Controlling
  3. 5.3 · 13 minThe Framework of Planning: Strategic, Tactical, Operational, and Contingency Approaches
  4. 5.4 · 12 minUnderstanding SWOT Analysis
  5. 5.5 · 12 minTypes of Internal Organizational Change: Structural, Strategic, People, and Process Dimensions
  6. 5.6 · 12 minLeadership in Organizations: Defining Leaders and Their Influence
  7. 5.7 · 14 minManagement by Objectives: Breaking Down the MBO Process

Chapter 6Leadership Theories and Styles

  1. 6.1 · 14 minUnderstanding Leadership Orientations
  2. 6.2 · 13 minClassical Leadership Theories: A Closer Look
  3. 6.3 · 13 minThe Rise of Modern Leadership Theories
  4. 6.4 · 13 minAligning Leadership Style with the Work Environment
  5. 6.5 · 13 minApplying the 5Ps Leadership Analysis Framework

Chapter 7Organizational Design and Behavior

  1. 7.1 · 14 minFoundations and Architecture of Organizational Management
  2. 7.2 · 15 minOrganizational Design and Structure: A Formal Overview
  3. 7.3 · 14 minOrganizational Designs: Traditional and Modern Approaches
  4. 7.4 · 14 minBehavioral Dynamics in Organizational Settings
  5. 7.5 · 14 minTotal Quality Management (TQM): A Complete Overview and Practical Implementation
  6. 7.6 · 13 minThe Modern Theory of Management

Chapter 8Operations Management and Information Systems

  1. 8.1 · 14 minDriving Operational Value: Efficiency, Output, and the Customer
  2. 8.2 · 13 minThe Productivity-Quality-Profit Connection in Business
  3. 8.3 · 14 minPlanning in Operations Management
  4. 8.4 · 13 minProject Management Tools: PERT Analysis and Gantt Charts
  5. 8.5 · 13 minManagement Information Systems: Using Data for Operational Control

Chapter 9Workplace Motivation

  1. 9.1 · 14 minMotivation in the Workplace: Theories, Types, and Examples
  2. 9.2 · 15 minMotivation in Management: Needs-Based, Behavior-Based and Different Forms

Chapter 10Human Resource Management

  1. 10.1 · 14 minThe Strategic Role of Human Resource Management: Hiring and Workforce Composition
  2. 10.2 · 14 minMotivating Employees: Theoretical Models and Strategic Uses
  3. 10.3 · 15 minHuman Resource Management (HRM): Legal Framework and Compliance Requirements
  4. 10.4 · 14 minEmployee Performance, Appraisal and Compensation

Chapter 11Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining

  1. 11.1 · 15 minThe Rise and Evolution of the American Labor Movement
  2. 11.2 · 15 minCollective Bargaining, Mediation and Arbitration in Organizations

Chapter 12Marketing Foundations and Consumer Behavior

  1. 12.1 · 13 minCompetitive Advantage and Target Market Selection Strategies
  2. 12.2 · 12 minMarketing Research: Purpose, Process, and Strategic Value
  3. 12.3 · 14 minB2B versus B2C: Marketing to Businesses and Consumers
  4. 12.4 · 13 minSegmenting Markets: Geographic, Demographic, Psychographic, and More
  5. 12.5 · 15 minWhat Drives Consumer Decisions: Culture, Values, and Influence
  6. 12.6 · 14 minThe Dynamics of Launching New Products

Chapter 13Product Development and Lifecycle

  1. 13.1 · 14 minProduct Innovation: Customer Feedback and Packaging Strategy
  2. 13.2 · 14 minConsumer Adoption and the Product Life Cycle

Chapter 14Distribution Channels and Supply Chain

  1. 14.1 · 13 minChannel Intermediaries: Wholesale and Commerce Roles
  2. 14.2 · 14 minAdvanced Strategies in Retail Distribution
  3. 14.3 · 14 minNon-Store Retailing: Alternatives to Traditional Storefronts
  4. 14.4 · 14 minMastering Supply Chain Management: Technology, Metrics, Partnerships, and Material Flow
  5. 14.5 · 14 minThe Complexities of Logistics in Business Operations

Chapter 15Pricing and Promotion

  1. 15.1 · 14 minPricing Strategies and Strategic Pricing Considerations
  2. 15.2 · 14 minHow Price Positioning Influences Buyer Behavior
  3. 15.3 · 13 minThe Communication Funnel: From Promotion to Purchase
  4. 15.4 · 13 minThe Goals of Promotional Strategy

Chapter 16Integrated Marketing Communications and Advertising

  1. 16.1 · 13 minSynergy in Promotion: Integrated Marketing Communications
  2. 16.2 · 12 minHow Advertising Shapes Consumer Buying Behavior
  3. 16.3 · 13 minTypes of Advertising: Corporate vs. Product-Focused
  4. 16.4 · 13 minChoosing Advertising Media to Support Marketing Strategy
  5. 16.5 · 12 minSales Promotion Tactics and the Strategic Promotional Mix

Chapter 17Information Systems and Digital Business

  1. 17.1 · 13 minLeveraging Information Systems for Competitive Advantage
  2. 17.2 · 14 minDigital Communication and Internet Collaboration: Platforms and Influence
  3. 17.3 · 13 minBusiness Intelligence: Turning Data Into Strategic Insight
  4. 17.4 · 13 minManagement Information Systems (MIS): Tools That Support Managerial Decisions

Chapter 18Technology and Ethics in Business

  1. 18.1 · 14 minThe Two Sides of Information Technology in Today's Business World
  2. 18.2 · 13 minHow Technology Drives Business Excellence
  3. 18.3 · 14 minE-Business Dynamics and Ethical Challenges in Technology Management

Chapter 19Risk Management and Insurance

  1. 19.1 · 14 minRisk Classification: Insurable versus Uninsurable Business Risks
  2. 19.2 · 13 minManaging Business Risk Through Insurance Coverage

Chapter 20Accounting Fundamentals

  1. 20.1 · 11 minThe Core of Accounting: Its Function, Importance, and Link to Business
  2. 20.2 · 11 minThe Purpose of Accounting Information and Its Users in Decision-Making
  3. 20.3 · 12 minGenerally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) Explained
  4. 20.4 · 12 minTechnology in Accounting: The Critical Role of Tech Advancements in Modern Practice
  5. 20.5 · 12 minFinancial Statements and the Accounting Cycle

Chapter 21Financial Management and Planning

  1. 21.1 · 11 minThe Responsibilities and Importance of Financial Managers
  2. 21.2 · 12 minDebt Financing and Equity Financing Explained
  3. 21.3 · 13 minShort-Term and Long-Term Financing Sources
  4. 21.4 · 12 minThe Financial Planning Process: A Complete Overview

Chapter 22Securities Markets and Capital Raising

  1. 22.1 · 13 minSecurities Markets and the Role of Investment Bankers
  2. 22.2 · 14 minRaising Capital Through Equity and Bond Financing

Chapter 23Money and the Federal Reserve

  1. 23.1 · 12 minThe Essential Functions of Money
  2. 23.2 · 11 minMoney and the Multiplier Effect: How Reserve Ratios Work and Why They Matter
  3. 23.3 · 12 minInterest Rates and Their Effect on Business Investment
  4. 23.4 · 13 minThe Federal Reserve System Explained
  5. 23.5 · 12 minFederal Reserve Tools: Managing Money Supply and Credit

Chapter 24Banking Systems and International Finance

  1. 24.1 · 12 minThe Structure and Players of the U.S. Banking System
  2. 24.2 · 12 minTechnology in Banking: Driving Efficiency and Convenience
  3. 24.3 · 12 minInternational Banking: Services, Functions, and Global Reach
  4. 24.4 · 14 minGlobal Financial Institutions: The World Bank, IMF, and Beyond

FAQ

Questions about Business Essentials

Is this Business Essentials lesson free?
Yes, with a free UPI Study account. Every one of the 105 video lessons in Business Essentials has its own page with the full transcript, free to read; a free account unlocks the videos. The practice quizzes, graded work and college credit come with the course.
How many college credits is Business Essentials?
Business Essentials (Business 100) carries a NCCRS credit recommendation for 3 semester credits. ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.
How much does Business Essentials cost and what is included?
$250, paid once, with lifetime access: all 105 video lessons, a practice quiz after each, the graded work and final exam, and an official transcript when you finish. Students who want several courses choose UPI Study PRO instead.
Which universities accept UPI Study credits?
UPI Study has signed partner agreements with universities such as Thomas Edison State University, University of the People and Charter Oak State College, and works with universities such as Penn State, SNHU and SUNY. ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities. Use "Find my college" on this page to check yours.
Can I download the Business Essentials syllabus?
Yes, the full syllabus is a free PDF download; it asks you to sign in with a free UPI Study account first.
How long does Business Essentials take?
It is self-paced with no deadlines. The 105 lessons total about 24 hours of video; most students add reading and practice time and finish in a few weeks to a few months, on their own schedule.
Do I need a prerequisite first?
Chapter 1 starts from what a business is and the environment it works in, so no business background is needed. UPI Study also offers Principles of Management and Principles of Marketing as separate courses.
How are the exams done?
Quizzes and assignments are online in the course. The final exam is taken online with proctoring; a person on the UPI Study team checks assignments, usually within two days.
How do my credits reach my college?
When the course shows 100% complete, request the official transcript from your dashboard. It is sent to the college you name, and you can send it to more than one. Check your college first with "Find my college" on this page, or ask Athena.
Is there a way to get every course, not just this one?
Yes. UPI Study PRO gives access to every current course, monthly, yearly, or once for Lifetime access. See the pricing page for the plans.