What is a business model?

A business model is a format of work structure that helps companies define the characteristics of their business. In a business model, a company states what they do and what they create, who they sell to and who buys it, and how much money they make versus how much it costs to produce profits. In other words, a business model helps a company determine how it will create value. Business models tell investors and customers how a particular company plans to solve certain business problems, and in doing so, what the potential upside of the business model might hold. If a company cannot live up to its business model, then it may choose to cease operations.

What is it important to learn about business models?

It's important to learn that business models are the modern assessment vehicle for how businesses are viewed. Learning about business models can help you articulate your own vision down the road when you have great ideas for businesses and need to interest investors in your idea. When a business forms, it needs to develop and make a case for a business model to gather the basic assumptions about the company's business goal. A business model can also help you learn what path a company will take to chase any potential work opportunity.

What careers can I work in by learning business models?

When you learn about business models, the knowledge you gain can help you find career work in technology companies, advertising agencies, financial consultancies, banking, manufacturing, and other fields. This is because researching, developing, and creating a business model requires insightful thought and analysis about the business opportunity, the target market, and the potential for the business model. As you learn about business models, you start to acquire tips and techniques that help define what the business is and in what direction it's headed. That knowledge can help you grow your career faster within a corporation or a startup.

How can taking online courses help me learn about business models?

Taking online courses to learn about business models is a smart way to gain real-world insights into how certain companies have evolved to bring their products into the world. You will be exposed to both business innovators and opportunistic dreamers who figured out a way to sell a business model to investors, customers, and the world at large. When you gain this knowledge, you'll have the tools to go out and develop your own business model to create your own success.

What are the benefits of taking an online Business Model course?

Online Business Model courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your existing knowledge or learn new Business Model skills. With a wide range of Business Model classes, you can conveniently learn at your own pace to advance your Business Model career skills.

What Business Model courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Business Model, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Business Model Courses - Learn Business Model Online

Explore the Business Model Course Catalog

University of Maryland, College Park
Innovation for Entrepreneurs: From Idea to Marketplace
Skills you'll gain: Commercialization, Product Planning, Innovation, New Product Development, Product Development, Team Building, Entrepreneurship, Product Testing, Customer Insights, Market Opportunities, User Research, Business Modeling, Business Strategy, Competitive Analysis
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
692 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Pennsylvania
Entrepreneurship 2: Launching your Start-Up
Skills you'll gain: Entrepreneurship, Branding, Lean Methodologies, Team Building, Business Strategy, Strategic Partnership, New Product Development, Team Management, Presentations, Innovation, Professional Networking, Law, Regulation, and Compliance
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Yale University
The Science of Well-Being
Skills you'll gain: Positive Behavior Support, Goal Setting, Resilience, Self-Awareness, Behavioral Economics, Emotional Intelligence, Mental Health, Psychology, Social Skills, Time Management
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
39K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Pennsylvania
Business Analytics
Skills you'll gain: People Analytics, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Business Analytics, Descriptive Analytics, Business Intelligence, Human Resource Strategy, Financial Data, Marketing Analytics, Analytics, Talent Management, Financial Analysis, Predictive Analytics, Human Resources Management and Planning, Peer Review, Business Analysis, Financial Statement Analysis, Financial Forecasting, Customer Insights, Workforce Planning, Demand Planning
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
18K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
University of Virginia
Business Growth Strategy
Skills you'll gain: Growth Strategies, Mergers & Acquisitions, Business Strategy, Game Theory, Innovation, Organizational Strategy, Entrepreneurship, Market Dynamics, Competitive Analysis, Market Opportunities, Strategic Decision-Making, Business Valuation
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
681 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Pennsylvania
Business Foundations
Skills you'll gain: Operations Management, Return On Investment, Operational Efficiency, Financial Statements, Financial Statement Analysis, Finance, Human Capital, Go To Market Strategy, Process Analysis, Branding, People Management, Financial Reporting, Capital Budgeting, Financial Accounting, Operational Performance Management, Consumer Behaviour, Leadership and Management, Marketing Planning, Peer Review, Analysis
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
25K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Macquarie University
Excel Skills for Business: Intermediate II
Skills you'll gain: Excel Formulas, Microsoft Excel, Excel Macros, Data Validation, Spreadsheet Software, Data Modeling, Predictive Modeling, Financial Modeling, Data Integrity, Automation
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
8.3K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
IBM
IBM Business Analyst
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Requirements Elicitation, Business Process Modeling, Business Analysis, Data Presentation, Process Analysis, Resource Allocation, Data Visualization, Interactive Data Visualization, Stakeholder Management, Process Optimization, Business Requirements, Requirements Management, Data Modeling, Risk Analysis, Requirements Analysis, Excel Formulas, Microsoft Excel, Data Cleansing, Analysis
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
12K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Michigan State University
Structure: Building the Frame for Business Growth
Skills you'll gain: Financial Statements, Financial Accounting, Income Statement, Business Planning, Balance Sheet, Organizational Structure, Entrepreneurship, Business Administration, Team Management, Cash Flows, Regulation and Legal Compliance, Recruitment Strategies
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
153 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Technion - Israel Institute of Technology
Action-Driven Business Plan: From the ‘Classroom’ to the World
Skills you'll gain: Business Planning, Entrepreneurship, Market Research, Business Strategy, Market Analysis, Financial Modeling, Business Writing, New Product Development, Business Development, Project Planning, Professional Networking, Presentations
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
334 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Virginia
New Models of Business in Society
Skills you'll gain: Entrepreneurship, Philanthropy, Corporate Sustainability, Stakeholder Engagement, Business Ethics, Stakeholder Management, Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Environmental Issue, Business Modeling, Business Strategy, Business, Business Transformation, Profit and Loss (P&L) Management, Company, Product, and Service Knowledge, Employee Engagement, Value Propositions
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
4K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Virginia
Foundations of Business Strategy
Skills you'll gain: Business Strategy, Strategic Thinking, Business Strategies, Competitive Analysis, Strategic Planning, Organizational Strategy, Strategic Decision-Making, Market Analysis, Risk Analysis, Analysis
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
3.1K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks