Introduction to International Business Management
Learn how to successfully develop and grow an international business, from planning and marketing to international expansion.
Duration
Approx 8 weeks4-5 hrs per week
Discover what makes a great leader and take your business idea to the next level
This ExpertTrack from the University of Kent will take you through everything you need to know to create a successful business. From cultivating a promising business idea through to leading an international expansion, you’ll build the relevant skills to manage the journey effectively.
Whether you’re new to business management or you’re already studying business, this ExpertTrack will give you the tools you need to kick start your business idea.
Develop effective leadership skills and learn techniques for managing international businesses
There are a number of different tried-and-tested leadership styles, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Before building on your own leadership skills, you’ll explore different leadership styles and how they can work in a complex, international business environment.
The first course on this ExpertTrack will also take you through organisational structures and workplace culture, and how to adapt both to fit your business. You’ll then be able to look at what makes a great leader, how people become leaders, and how to improve your management skills.
Shape your business from idea to launch and expansion
Before you jump head-first into a new business venture, you first need to assess if it’s a feasible idea. Explore competitive environments and learn how to analyse the market and your competitors to better inform your decisions.
Then, delve into the all-important area of financial planning and the different options for funding a business.
Build your skills to successfully market your business and products
Marketing is an important aspect of every business, so it’s crucial that you have a basic understanding of it to ensure a successful launch.
The final course in this ExpertTrack will take you through core marketing principles and how to apply them to your product. You’ll look at marketing strategies as well as customer segmentation and finding your target audience.
Key skills you will learn
- Business Planning
- Marketing
- Market Segmentation
- Competition Audits
- Financial Planning
- Business Expansion
- Business Growth
- Marketing Strategies
- Management
- Leadership
Learning outcomes
By the end of the ExpertTrack, you’ll be able to...
- Assess various business structures
- Identify the characteristics of successful businesses
- Apply different business models in the development of your own business plan
- Interpret financial information and identify relevant sources of funding for businesses
- Classify the various methods of international expansion
- Identify the key concepts in the study of marketing.
- Investigate the key features of the Marketing Mix
- Compare business organisational strategies
- Explore the basic principles of management, management styles, and the role of managers
Experience required
This ExpertTrack has been designed for anyone with an interest in business, specifically expanding businesses into international markets.
You don’t need any prior knowledge to benefit from this ExpertTrack.
Getting started
This Introduction to International Business ExpertTrack will help to prepare you for studying business at degree level, or support your study of business at level 3.
It’s also suitable for anyone with a passion for international business, especially if you want to know more about how to develop your own business ideas.
ExpertTrack course overview
Course 1
Business Planning to Grow Successful Companies
Explore the world of business, analyse business environments, and learn how to successfully expand into foreign markets.
1 test
4 weeks
5 hours per week
Course 2
Understanding Marketing Basics
Grow your marketing skills and learn to connect your business with your target audience.
1 test
2 weeks
4 hours per week
Course 3
Business Management and Leadership
Discover what makes a successful leader and build your own leadership skills.
1 test
2 weeks
5 hours per week
Prove you're job ready
Highlight the new, job-relevant skills you’ve gained and supplement existing qualifications with a hard-earned, industry-specific digital certificate – plus one for every course within your ExpertTrack.
- Learn the latest in your chosen industry or subject.
- Complete each course and pass assessments.
- Receive certificates validated by the educating organisation.
- Impress employers with learning outcomes you can add to your CV.
- Make your career dreams a reality.
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How ExpertTracks work
Join an ExpertTrack to master new skills in your chosen specialist area. Work through a series of topic-focused courses at your own pace, and pass the final assessment to earn a digital certificate award which proves your expertise.
Decide if the ExpertTrack is right for you with free access to the full suite of courses and assessments for a week.
Pay a monthly subscription fee of $39 for as long as it takes you to complete the ExpertTrack. You can learn at your own pace and cancel at any time.
Receive a certificate for every completed course and pass the final assessment to earn a digital certificate.
Use your specialist training to progress further in your career or build expertise in areas you’re passionate about.
Meet your instructor
I am a Tutor in Business Management at the University of Kent, and have been working within higher education for almost 20 years. I also work as a consultant and run my own consulting boutique.
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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FAQ
ExpertTracks are a series of online courses designed to help you master new skills in specialist areas. You pay a monthly subscription fee which includes access to all courses within the ExpertTrack, as well as assessments and the final digital certificate.
Each ExpertTrack comes with a 2-day free trial period. You may cancel your subscription at any time and your subscription will automatically cancel when you finish the courses and assessments in your chosen ExpertTrack.
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