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

Vanderbilt University
ChatGPT: Master Free AI Tools to Supercharge Productivity
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, ChatGPT, Generative AI, Productivity, AI Personalization, OpenAI, Artificial Intelligence, Personalized Service, Large Language Modeling, Expense Management, Creative Thinking, Ingenuity, Productivity Software, Brainstorming, Travel Arrangements, Innovation, Scenario Testing, Problem Solving, Application Development, Data Quality
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
6.2K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Vanderbilt University
ChatGPT: Excel at Personal Automation with GPTs, AI & Zapier
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI Agents, Prompt Engineering, ChatGPT, Generative AI, Agentic systems, Productivity, AI Personalization, OpenAI, Expense Management, Artificial Intelligence, Personalized Service, Expense Reports, Large Language Modeling, Workflow Management, Google Workspace, Creative Thinking, Ingenuity, Productivity Software, Brainstorming, Business Process Automation
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
6K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
DeepLearning.AI
Generative AI for Everyone
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Generative AI, Large Language Modeling, OpenAI, ChatGPT, Artificial Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Business Process Automation, Automation, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Cloud Applications
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
3.4K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Google
Agile Project Management
Skills you'll gain: Agile Project Management, Backlogs, Agile Methodology, User Story, Sprint Planning, Agile Product Development, Product Roadmaps, Sprint Retrospectives, Employee Coaching, Team Management, Prioritization, Professional Networking, Estimation
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
14K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Rutgers the State University of New Jersey
Business Intelligence and Competitive Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Competitive Intelligence, Competitive Analysis, Market Intelligence, Management Consulting, Business Consulting, Consulting, Business Strategy, Data Analysis Software, Business Intelligence, Company, Product, and Service Knowledge, Business Analytics, Analytics, Market Analysis, Benchmarking, Analysis, Performance Analysis, Trend Analysis, Business Metrics, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Financial Analysis
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
235 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Minnesota
Human Resource Management: HR for People Managers
Skills you'll gain: Performance Management, Performance Appraisal, Employee Performance Management, Compensation Management, Compensation Strategy, Compensation and Benefits, Constructive Feedback, Workforce Planning, Human Resource Strategy, Human Resources, Employee Onboarding, Recruitment, Recruitment Strategies, Human Capital, Compensation Analysis, Talent Acquisition, Human Resources Management and Planning, People Management, Job Analysis, Payroll
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
15K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Vanderbilt University
AI Agents in Java with Generative AI
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, ChatGPT, Generative AI Agents, Productivity, Java, Agentic systems, OpenAI, Generative AI, Artificial Intelligence, Large Language Modeling, Software Design, Creative Thinking, Ingenuity, Brainstorming, Software Architecture, Software Development Tools, Secure Coding, Application Development, Business Logic, Systems Integration
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
5.7K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Coursera Project Network
Créer un Business Model Canvas avec Miro
Skills you'll gain: Business Modeling, Presentations, Collaborative Software, Business Architecture, Data Visualization, Entrepreneurship, Value Propositions, Customer Analysis
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
University of Pennsylvania
Entrepreneurship 2: Launching your Start-Up
Skills you'll gain: Entrepreneurship, Branding, Lean Methodologies, Team Building, Legal Risk, Business Strategy, Strategic Partnership, Intellectual Property, New Product Development, Team Management, Business Modeling, Presentations, Professional Networking, Equities, Recruitment Strategies
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Illinois Tech
Operations and Process Management
Skills you'll gain: Process Improvement, Process Management, Business Process, Business Process Management, Process Analysis, Business Process Improvement, Performance Improvement, Quality Improvement, Process Mapping, Quality Management, Workflow Management, Return On Investment, Change Management, Risk Management, Business Technologies, Project Management, Pareto Chart, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
143 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Virginia
Digital Product Management
Skills you'll gain: Usability Testing, Agile Product Development, New Product Development, Continuous Delivery, Agile Software Development, User Story, Product Management, Agile Methodology, Product Testing, Agile Project Management, Team Performance Management, Team Management, Design Thinking, Team Building, Team Leadership, Product Improvement, Customer Analysis, Innovation, Analytics, Business Analytics
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
9.6K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Microsoft
Work Smarter with Microsoft Excel
Skills you'll gain: Microsoft Excel, Excel Formulas, Data Visualization, Spreadsheet Software, Microsoft 365, Productivity Software, Data Import/Export, Data Management
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
2.8K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months