Overview
Today’s business environment practically changes overnight. The most successful companies are those whose employees have an understanding of finance and marketing, possess skills to build effective teams, and understand how to manage effectively. This program is designed for those individuals who have minimal business experience and wish to gain an understanding of the managerial functions, roles and skills necessary to succeed in this competitive business world.
Benefits
- Prepare to enter an MBA program
- Develop managerial skills
- Build effective teams
- Explore business and leadership models
- Obtain a strong foundation in business functions and analysis
- Gain a competitive edge in the global job market through an internship in a U.S. company
Who Should Attend
Newly appointed managers from sales, marketing, purchasing, finance, and human resources will benefit from the courses in this program. Participants will obtain a strong foundation in business functions, the tools for business analysis, and management functions.
Certificate Requirements
To earn a certificate at UCI Division of Continuing Education, students must complete all required courses with a grade of “C” or better.
Curriculum
Introduction to an ACP
Gain an overview of the American higher educational system and develop the academic skills necessary to ensure your success in an ACP.
Professional Communications Seminar (PCS)
Understand American business culture, sharpen your communication, presentation, and writing skills, learn professional etiquette, and improve your business English.
Essentials of Management
Are you a manager interested in increasing your effectiveness? A human resources professional? An individual looking to move into management? An international student seeking an overview of American business management? Now you can acquire an in-depth understanding of the basic concepts and theories of management, while exploring the manager’s operational role in all types of organizations. Gain insight into the manager’s responsibility in planning, organizing, leading, staffing and controlling within the workplace. Learn how the best managers manage for success!
Communication in the Business Environment
Virtually everything that we do in business involves working with people. In today’s highly competitive business world, it is more important than ever to recognize and study the significant role communication plays in our lives. As employees at all levels, how well we communicate in a large part determines how successful we will be on the job, and our level of personal job satisfaction. This course is for individuals at all levels in all types of businesses who desire to polish and/or develop additional communication skills in formal and informal settings. Through interactive discussions, role plays, and activities, the following areas are covered: conflict resolution, giving and receiving feedback, defensive communication, assertiveness, focused listening, non-verbal communication, team building and delegation, empowerment, small group dynamics, leadership, management and sales strategies, customer service, problem solving and negotiation, intercultural communication, interviewing, and power and authority.
Finance for the Non-Financial Business Person
In this time of increasing economic complexity, understanding what goes on in the world of business finance is no longer a luxury but a necessity. This course is designed for individuals with an interest in business and a desire to gain an understanding of basic financial theory and concepts. The focus of the course is to provide the student with a basic understanding of financial concepts, terminology, and valuation techniques.
Integrated Marketing Strategies for Today’s Business
Whether you are an e-business or brick and mortar corporation, companies today are not immune to the demands of building a business on a solid foundation, responding to customer demands and maintaining a strong, distinctive business in the face of competition. In this course, students examine the fundamentals of marketing along with key strategies necessary to make an e-business and brick and mortar corporation successful. Strategies discussed in the course are applicable to both Business-to-Business and Business-to-Consumer environments.
Topics discussed throughout the course include the importance of Branding, Market Positioning, Marketing Communications, Community Building, Research, Revenue Generation and Processing, Security and Privacy, Customer Service, Search Engine Optimization, Social Media, and Content Development and Management.
Strategic Planning
Strategic planning is integral for leaders who must get work done through others. Intensive and hands-on, this course gives you management insight into solving three questions fundamental to strategic planning: 1) Where are we today, 2) Where do we wish to go, and 3) How do we get there? To answer these questions and drive organizational performance, the course explores the following topics: strategic leadership, multiple strategic approaches, elements of the strategic planning process (Vision Statements, Mission Statements, and Strategy Statements), strategic analytical tools (SWOT, Value Chain Analysis, The Five Competitive Forces Model, STEEPLED Analysis, Balanced Scorecards, and Strategic Group Maps), and strategic execution.
Entrepreneurship
Success in business can be greatly enhanced with an understanding of key entrepreneurial characteristics and competencies solutions. This interactive course provides students with the knowledge succeeding in an entrepreneurial opportunity. Topics include: how creativity, opportunity and feasibility are best evaluated; business strategies for new businesses; developing a business plan; entrepreneurship in a large corporation; achieving success in a new business. Case studies allow students who come from all over the world to gain an understanding of entrepreneurial concepts and develop skills in a real-world setting. Team projects create an experience in developing an entrepreneurial business. At the end of the course, students will have the skills and confidence to evaluate starting a business.
Internships
As an optional last course and for an additional fee of $2,400, you have the opportunity to apply academic theory and gain practical experience in a variety of businesses and industries for up to three months. A research project provides additional training. Also included in the internship is the Résumé Writing and Interviewing Skills workshop.
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