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

Institut Mines-Télécom
Digital Business - Understand the digital world
Skills you'll gain: Digital Transformation, Business Transformation, Entrepreneurship, Technology Strategies, Emerging Technologies, Business Technologies, Innovation, Business Strategies, Business Modeling, Market Dynamics, Network Model
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
135 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Copenhagen Business School
Sustainable Fashion
Skills you'll gain: Corporate Sustainability, Business Transformation, Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Innovation, Business Strategies, Sustainability Reporting, Regulatory Requirements, Consumer Behaviour, Business Modeling, Systems Thinking, Strategic Partnership, Supply Chain Management, Material Handling, Waste Minimization, Product Lifecycle Management
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
755 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Duke University
Excel to MySQL: Analytic Techniques for Business
Skills you'll gain: Presentations, Data Storytelling, Data Presentation, Database Design, MySQL, Relational Databases, SQL, Data Visualization, Business Analytics, Business Metrics, Data Visualization Software, Business Process Improvement, Business Intelligence, Tableau Software, Financial Modeling, Microsoft Excel, Excel Formulas, Business Process, Probability Distribution, Business Risk Management
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
15K 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
IBM
Generative AI for Business Intelligence (BI) Analysts
Skills you'll gain: ChatGPT, Generative AI, Interactive Data Visualization, Business Intelligence, Data Presentation, Infographics, Data Visualization, OpenAI, Dashboard, Data Storytelling, Business Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, IBM Cloud, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Query Languages, SQL, Data Analysis, Software Development Tools, Image Analysis, Technical Communication
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
4.6K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Politecnico di Milano
Platform Thinking: what’s beyond Uber?
Skills you'll gain: Innovation, Strategic Thinking, Systems Thinking, Technology Strategies, Digital Transformation, Business Modeling, Business Transformation, Business Development, Market Opportunities, Business Strategy
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
61 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Rice University
Business Statistics and Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Microsoft Excel, Pivot Tables And Charts, Regression Analysis, Descriptive Statistics, Probability & Statistics, Graphing, Spreadsheet Software, Probability Distribution, Business Analytics, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Modeling, Excel Formulas, Data Analysis, Data Presentation, Statistics, Sample Size Determination, Box Plots, Statistical Inference, Estimation
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
12K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
University of California, Irvine
Introduction to Business
Skills you'll gain: Search Engine Marketing, Business Planning, Financial Statements, Business Strategy, Digital Marketing, People Development, Strategic Leadership, Search Engine Optimization, Leadership and Management, Content Marketing, Leadership Development, Accounting, Cash Flows, Financial Forecasting, Income Statement, Profit and Loss (P&L) Management, Social Media Marketing, Social Media Strategy, Financial Reporting, Social Media
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
581 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Duke University
Blockchain Business Models
Skills you'll gain: Blockchain, FinTech, Emerging Technologies, Cryptography, Financial Regulation, Regulatory Compliance, Encryption, Technology Strategies, Business Logic, Payment Systems, Digital Assets, Feasibility Studies, Transaction Processing, Public Key Cryptography Standards (PKCS), Authentications, Distributed Computing, Network Protocols, Scalability
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
376 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Michigan
Successful Negotiation: Essential Strategies and Skills
Skills you'll gain: Negotiation, Contract Negotiation, Conflict Management, Communication, Contract Management, Influencing, Planning, Decision Making, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Industrial and Organizational Psychology
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
20K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Michigan State University
Planning: Principled, Proposing, Proofing, and Practicing to a Success Plan
Skills you'll gain: Value Propositions, Business Planning, Business Modeling, Entrepreneurship, Verification And Validation, Business Development, Business Strategy, Product Development, Financial Forecasting, New Business Development, Financial Analysis, Customer Analysis, Innovation
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
176 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
EIT Digital
Innovation & Entrepreneurship - From Basics to Open Innovation
Skills you'll gain: Entrepreneurship, Market Research, Market Analysis, Innovation, Design Thinking, Product Marketing, Customer Engagement, Ideation, New Business Development, Business Transformation, Business Modeling, Business Strategy
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
328 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months