Courses:

Business management skills are invaluable in all organisations and across a broad range of industries. Employees, managers, and leaders in everything from start-ups to well-established corporations can set themselves apart by studying business management and understanding the underlying principles of running a business. Gain key business, risk, and financial management competencies, and enhance your existing qualifications with an online short course from the University of Cape Town (UCT).

The area of business management covers various functions, including marketing, finance, market research, and competitive analysis. It’s common for professionals to have expertise in one of these fields. However, the strength of a business manager lies in their ability to understand the various facets of an organisation and to think holistically to achieve strategic objectives. Managing a business requires hard skills such as financial acumen and knowledge of legal-compliance matters and soft skills like creative problem-solving and leadership. In today’s fast-paced and technologically orientated world, the responsibilities of managers and C-suite executives lie largely in strategy development, risk management, and stakeholder engagement. Developing theoretical knowledge and practical tools for business management helps ensure that new, innovative thinking is applied to traditional operational challenges.

In an increasingly volatile and uncertain economy, business leaders must assess organisational risks and develop strategies to control and mitigate them. Tools for business risk management serve business owners, managers, and shareholders alike, as effective risk management helps maintain a business endeavour's stability and integrity. Professionals trained to identify, assess, prioritise, and manage potential risks are valuable in modern corporate contexts.

With so much focus on high-level objectives, those in management positions often require support staff, which can also benefit from business-management skills. Executive assistants play a pivotal role in supporting ongoing administration, operations, and organisational duties. Although highly practical, professionals in administrative or office-support functions offer the most value when equipped with leadership, communication, conflict resolution, people management, and problem-solving techniques. Good communication, in particular, underscores the success of any operation, and strong written and verbal communication skills are valuable across a wide spectrum of business functions. An ability to write clearly and effectively support engagement within teams, across an organisation, and importantly, with clients, external stakeholders, and investors.

Expansion and development is a constant goal for any enterprise. Employees and managers with an eye on business growth help create long-term value for both customers and organisations. Those tasked with business development must identify opportunities, pitch potential strategies for growth, and manage new projects and initiatives. Business development skills serve professionals across the board and include negotiation, stakeholder relations, and knowledge of best practices for businesses in general.

Whether you are in your career, upgrading your qualifications by learning finance or strategic risk-management tactics or developing business writing or executive support skills can help you reach your objectives. Give your business a competitive advantage with an online short course from UCT, and earn a certificate of completion to validate your knowledge.