Online ExpertTrack in Business & Management

Introduction to International Business Management

Learn how to successfully develop and grow an international business, from planning and marketing to international expansion.

Created by

The University of KentThe University of Kent

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Discover what makes a great leader and take your business idea to the next level

This ExpertTrack from the University of Kent will take you through everything you need to know to create a successful business. From cultivating a promising business idea through to leading an international expansion, you’ll build the relevant skills to manage the journey effectively.

Whether you’re new to business management or you’re already studying business, this ExpertTrack will give you the tools you need to kick start your business idea.

Develop effective leadership skills and learn techniques for managing international businesses

There are a number of different tried-and-tested leadership styles, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Before building on your own leadership skills, you’ll explore different leadership styles and how they can work in a complex, international business environment.

The first course on this ExpertTrack will also take you through organisational structures and workplace culture, and how to adapt both to fit your business. You’ll then be able to look at what makes a great leader, how people become leaders, and how to improve your management skills.

Shape your business from idea to launch and expansion

Before you jump head-first into a new business venture, you first need to assess if it’s a feasible idea. Explore competitive environments and learn how to analyse the market and your competitors to better inform your decisions.

Then, delve into the all-important area of financial planning and the different options for funding a business.

Build your skills to successfully market your business and products

Marketing is an important aspect of every business, so it’s crucial that you have a basic understanding of it to ensure a successful launch.

The final course in this ExpertTrack will take you through core marketing principles and how to apply them to your product. You’ll look at marketing strategies as well as customer segmentation and finding your target audience.

Key skills you will learn

  • Business Planning
  • Marketing
  • Market Segmentation
  • Competition Audits
  • Financial Planning
  • Business Expansion
  • Business Growth
  • Marketing Strategies
  • Management
  • Leadership

Learning outcomes

By the end of the ExpertTrack, you’ll be able to...

  • Assess various business structures
  • Identify the characteristics of successful businesses
  • Apply different business models in the development of your own business plan
  • Interpret financial information and identify relevant sources of funding for businesses
  • Classify the various methods of international expansion
  • Identify the key concepts in the study of marketing.
  • Investigate the key features of the Marketing Mix
  • Compare business organisational strategies
  • Explore the basic principles of management, management styles, and the role of managers

Experience required

This ExpertTrack has been designed for anyone with an interest in business, specifically expanding businesses into international markets.

You don’t need any prior knowledge to benefit from this ExpertTrack.

Getting started

This Introduction to International Business ExpertTrack will help to prepare you for studying business at degree level, or support your study of business at level 3.

It’s also suitable for anyone with a passion for international business, especially if you want to know more about how to develop your own business ideas.

ExpertTrack course overview

Prove you're job ready

Highlight the new, job-relevant skills you’ve gained and supplement existing qualifications with a hard-earned, industry-specific digital certificate – plus one for every course within your ExpertTrack.

  • Learn the latest in your chosen industry or subject.
  • Complete each course and pass assessments.
  • Receive certificates validated by the educating organisation.
  • Impress employers with learning outcomes you can add to your CV.
  • Make your career dreams a reality.

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How ExpertTracks work

Join an ExpertTrack to master new skills in your chosen specialist area. Work through a series of topic-focused courses at your own pace, and pass the final assessment to earn a digital certificate award which proves your expertise.

Join a free 7-day trial

Decide if the ExpertTrack is right for you with free access to the full suite of courses and assessments for a week.

Keep learning for $39/month

Pay a monthly subscription fee of $39 for as long as it takes you to complete the ExpertTrack. You can learn at your own pace and cancel at any time.

Earn digital certificates

Receive a certificate for every completed course and pass the final assessment to earn a digital certificate.

Become an expert

Use your specialist training to progress further in your career or build expertise in areas you’re passionate about.

World-class learning with The University of Kent

The University of Kent, the UK’s European university, is one of the country’s most dynamic universities. Established in 1965, it now has 19,850 students studying at its various campuses.

Meet your instructor

I am a Tutor in Business Management at the University of Kent, and have been working within higher education for almost 20 years. I also work as a consultant and run my own consulting boutique.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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Start learning today - free 7-day trial

After your free trial you can:

  • Pay $39 per month to keep learning online
  • Have complete control over your subscription; you can cancel any time
  • Work at your own pace and set your own deadlines at every stage
  • Only pay while you’re learning; the subscription will cancel automatically when you finish
  • Complete online assessments to test your knowledge and prove your skills
  • Earn digital course certificates and a final award that you can share online, with potential employers, and your professional network
  • Keep access to the content of courses you complete even after your subscription ends

FAQ

ExpertTracks are a series of online courses designed to help you master new skills in specialist areas. You pay a monthly subscription fee which includes access to all courses within the ExpertTrack, as well as assessments and the final digital certificate.

Each ExpertTrack comes with a 7-day free trial period. You may cancel your subscription at any time and your subscription will automatically cancel when you finish the courses and assessments in your chosen ExpertTrack.

Yes. All of our ExpertTracks come with a 7-day free trial. You may claim one free trial period per ExpertTrack.

You have seven days before you will be charged your first monthly subscription fee. When you join an ExpertTrack you automatically receive a 7-day free trial period. You can cancel at any time during the trial period and no payment will be taken from your account.

Please see our full refund policy here.

No, all of our ExpertTracks consist of fully online courses. This means you can take an ExpertTrack from anywhere in the world.

No. ExpertTracks are designed for you to master new skills in a specialist area. You will earn a digital certificate that proves your learning, but it does not carry accreditation.

If you’re looking for certified or accredited courses, many of our microcredentials offer university credit or professional certification.

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