Best On-line Business Courses

I'd like to offer some practical advice for those looking to enhance their business knowledge efficiently and cost-effectively.

Business concepts are often best understood through practical experience. However, a foundational understanding is essential before diving into real-world applications. Fortunately, acquiring this foundation has become increasingly accessible. You can explore a variety of business programs online, which I personally recommend. The digital learning environment today is highly developed, offering flexibility and accessibility to anyone with internet access. Whether you opt for self-paced online courses or structured virtual classes, you'll find that learning business online can be a direct, convenient way to build your skills without a significant investment of time and money.

Here you can find a few useful courses that are worth your time:

Introduction to Microeconomics: https://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/33985

How to Build a Startup: https://www.udacity.com/

Some Economics lessons: http://webcast.berkeley.edu/series.html#c,d,Economics

Entrepreneurship through the lens of venture capital: http://online.stanford.edu/course/entrepreneurship-through-lens-venture-capital

Financial Markets: https://www.coursera.org/course/financialmarkets (generally coursera.org is an amazing website for online learning, for any subject)

There are obviously more courses, which you can find by yourself or on the websites above or by searching with Google.

Good luck with your business studies!

Be Your Own Boss!

We've previously discussed the necessity of education, but no matter your field of study, you'll eventually need to apply your knowledge. Transforming your knowledge into a profitable venture is essentially what business is all about.

I personally believe there is no need to study business as a separate subject for several reasons:

• It is practical knowledge best gained through experience.
• It isn't complex enough to warrant dedicating three precious years of your life.

Regardless of your field—be it dentistry, medicine, politics, acting, or the arts—you must learn how to monetize your skills. Thus, understanding basic business concepts is essential. Becoming proficient in business isn't as daunting as it may seem.

Every individual needs both social and personal growth, which you can't fully achieve if you're perpetually dependent on someone else. Initially, you might work for someone else, but eventually, others may work for you. It's normal for your ideas to generate profit for your employer when you work for someone else. This cycle is how you learn the ropes until you can leverage others' efforts for your own benefit, a skill that only comes with practical experience—not from any college.

If you decide to venture into starting your own business, you'll need the following qualities:

• Motivation: Essential for any endeavour, most business people have an innate need for continual work and self-improvement.
• Competitive Nature: Successful business figures are typically very competitive, always striving to be the best.
• Self-discipline: Unlike employees, business owners don’t have supervisors to oversee their work. They must manage their own schedules and work diligently without oversight.
• Determination: Effective entrepreneurs quickly assess situations, devise plans, and take action without wasting time on indecision.
• Optimism: A successful businessman believes in his eventual success, whether today or tomorrow.
• Courage: Starting your own business, especially when you begin to face financial obligations, requires a great deal of bravery.
• Delegation Skills: You can’t handle everything yourself. Successful leaders delegate lesser tasks to competent others to focus on critical responsibilities.

Aspiring to start your own business? Often, a strong desire and a solid idea are all you need. Many successful entrepreneurs don't necessarily possess all the skills listed above right away. If you have a viable idea and the determination to see it through, don't hesitate. Good luck!

The Same Old Story

For those of you who don’t know – “The Same Old Story” is a debut novel by Ivan Goncharov (famous Russian writer) written in 1844-1846.

So I read this peculiar book a few days ago and decided to share my impressions.

Regardless of the fact that the characters and events are happening in the XVII-XIX century, all the situations are very relevant nowadays. What can I say… Classics!

The author compares two views on life – the voice of reason and the constant dwelling on emotions. A topic that never gets old! Two life perspectives are portrayed by two lead characters: Piotr Ivanich Aduyev – an uncle who embodies intelligence and his nephew Alexander Aduyev who expresses idealism and emotions.

Alexander came from the countryside, where the Russian provincial way formed a pampered young man accustomed to "mother’s tenderness and reverence of his nanny and all servants", but he was not spoiled and considered friendship, love and arts an unshakable foundation of human existence. There is nothing wrong with that, but these values are becoming “hyperbolic” in his mind and this leads to future tragedy. His friendship is “heroic”, love – “eternal”. With this ideological life view our hero went to conquer the capital dreaming “about the benefits that he will bring to his fatherland”.

Alexander’s uncle has a completely opposite view of the world. He came to St. Petersburg at the age of twenty. He had no guardianship or patronage. He achieved everything himself and is proud of it: “I served the first year without salary…”. He got married only when he knew that he could provide his wife with all the comfort she might need. He had romantic affairs in his youth: “first tender love”, “jealous rage”, and “tore yellow flowers over the lake”. Later he rejected his right to love and completely forgot how it is to feel.

I’ll shortly describe the plot by quoting the uncle’s saying to his nephew: “Instead of doing something, you – either moan from the treason of your girl, either cry because of the separation with your friend, either suffer from spiritual emptiness, either from the fullness of your feelings; what kind of life is this? This is a torture! Look at the youth today: how great they are! Everything is crammed with mental activity, energy, how quick and easily they deal with this kind of foolishness that is called in your old language – turmoil, suffering… and goodness knows what else!

The whole time I was reading this book I was facing two “terrible extremes”; one is foolishly enthusiastic while the other one is cold to the limits of cruelty. How many people come from the countryside to try their luck in a big megalopolis? The big city has different values to which everyone should adapt for survival. It took eight years for our hero to adapt to the capital lifestyle, but was it worth it? In the end, we see him as a pale reflection of his uncle's views. He hasn't found new ideals for himself and transformed from a naive romantic guy into a cynical, accounting and in some places vulgar person.

It’s the same old story……Isn't it?

Brand Naming

Word is not just a collection of sounds squeezed from your lung sacs.

Word is a special combination of mystical vibration; it is sacred nature that directs global processes. Word is materialistic! A word can kill, and a word can save! A word can make you famous for centuries or drive you into oblivion.

Even the Bible said that at the beginning was the word. This means that God began his work on our world creation with the most important thing – with the Brand Naming.

PR Power

Japanese culture demonstrates an exceptional mastery of public relations. Japan has effectively popularized its traditions and innovations globally, from martial arts like karate and the mystique of ninjas, to the revered samurai spirit, despite their historically reserved nature. Similarly, Japanese poetry, notably haiku, is recognized for its profound simplicity and elegance, eschewing traditional rhyme for impactful brevity.

Japanese technology and manufacturing, especially in automotive and electronics sectors, are lauded worldwide for their quality and innovation. This acclaim is a testament to Japan's strategic branding and quality assurance that appeal to global markets.

Furthermore, Japanese cuisine, with its minimalist yet exquisite presentation, like sushi and subtly flavored soups, has gained international popularity. This cuisine is celebrated in fine dining experiences around the world, reflecting Japan's ability to transform simple ingredients into gourmet fare.

Indeed, Japan's approach to public relations and branding offers valuable lessons in how to craft a compelling, respected global image. That’s what you must learn! That’s where people know how to create a good PR!!