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Alton Henley

This course introduces how to classify data and create models used to solve business models. Learners will use Solver to create expressions to find optimal paths for business problems.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Business Problem Solving
This module introduces the key components of a business model. It also provides an overview of how to use Solver in Microsoft Excel.
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Creating a Basic Business Model
This module describes how to create a spreadsheet model for a business problem and use data points to analyze the trends.
Building Different Model Types
This module focuses on how to build and solve business problems related to profit and product mix models.
Model Optimization
This module explains how to use Solver in Microsoft Excel to optimize business models.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Introduces learners to Solver, an industry-standard software tool for business optimization
Develops core skills in spreadsheet modeling, a fundamental skill for business professionals
Taught by Alton Henley, recognized as an expert business instructor

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Fundamentals of Business Problem Solving with these activities:
Read 'Business Analytics: Data Analysis and Decision Making'
Gain a comprehensive understanding of data analysis and business modeling techniques to enhance your learning in this course.
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  • Read the chapters relevant to the course topics.
  • Take notes and highlight important concepts.
  • Complete the practice exercises and case studies.
Review prerequisite math
Refresh your knowledge of basic algebraic operations and linear functions to strengthen your foundation for this course.
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  • Review notes from a previous algebra course.
  • Take practice problems from an algebra textbook or online resource.
  • Complete practice tests or quizzes to assess your understanding.
Solver Excel Practice Questions
Solve practice questions to build proficiency using Solver in Microsoft Excel for business modeling.
Browse courses on Excel Modeling
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  • Download practice questions from the course materials.
  • Open the Excel workbook and enable Solver.
  • Solve the practice questions one by one.
  • Check your results against the provided solutions.
Seven other activities
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Attend study group sessions
Engage with peers to discuss course material, work on problems together, and enhance your understanding through collaborative learning.
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  • Find a study group or form one with classmates.
  • Meet regularly to discuss lecture notes, assignments, and practice problems.
  • Take turns leading discussions and presenting solutions.
Follow tutorials on Solver in Microsoft Excel
Develop proficiency in using Solver to optimize business models and enhance your problem-solving skills.
Browse courses on Microsoft Excel
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  • Search for online tutorials on Solver in Microsoft Excel.
  • Follow the step-by-step instructions to create and solve business models.
  • Practice using Solver on different types of problems.
Business Model Simulation Project
Build a comprehensive business model and conduct simulations to analyze different scenarios and optimize decisions.
Browse courses on Business Problem Solving
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  • Identify a real-world business problem.
  • Create a spreadsheet model that represents the business problem.
  • Use Solver to optimize the model and find optimal solutions.
  • Conduct simulations to analyze different scenarios and make predictions.
  • Present your findings and recommendations to a hypothetical audience.
Solve practice problems related to profit and product mix models
Reinforce your understanding of profit and product mix models by solving challenging practice problems.
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  • Find practice problems online or in textbooks.
  • Set aside dedicated time to solve the problems.
  • Check your solutions against provided answers or consult with the course instructor for feedback.
Create a business model for a real-world problem
Apply your knowledge and skills to develop a comprehensive business model that addresses a real-world problem, fostering a deeper understanding of business problem-solving.
Browse courses on Business Model
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  • Identify a specific business problem to address.
  • Conduct research and gather data related to the problem.
  • Create a business model using Excel or other modeling software.
  • Validate your model and present your findings.
Attend industry webinars or workshops
Connect with professionals in the field, gain insights into industry trends, and expand your knowledge beyond the classroom.
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  • Identify relevant webinars or workshops.
  • Register and participate in the events.
  • Network with speakers and attendees.
Contribute to an open-source project related to business modeling or optimization
Gain hands-on experience in applying your skills to real-world projects while contributing to the open-source community.
Browse courses on Open Source
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  • Identify open-source projects related to business modeling or optimization.
  • Review the project documentation and identify areas where you can contribute.
  • Make code changes or add new features to the project.

Career center

Learners who complete Fundamentals of Business Problem Solving will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Operations Research Analyst
Operations Research Analysts use mathematical and analytical models to find optimal solutions to business problems. This course will help you develop the skills and techniques you need to succeed in this role, such as building and optimizing complex models using Solver.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts work with businesses to analyze their operations and develop strategies for improvement. This course will help you to develop the technical skills, such as modeling in Microsoft Excel, as well as the essential problem-solving and decision-making skills that are required in this role.
Quantitative Analyst
Quantitative Analysts use mathematical and statistical models to analyze financial data and make investment recommendations. This course will help you develop the strong foundation in financial modeling that is required in this role.
Management Consultant
Management Consultants provide advice to businesses on how to improve their operations and achieve their goals. This course would be valuable to you as it will help to strengthen your problem-solving and analytical skills which are necessary in developing and implementing effective business solutions.
Statistician
Statisticians collect, analyze, and interpret data to provide insights and solve problems. This course will help you build a strong foundation to enter this field and provide you with skills, such as data modeling, which are essential for success.
Business Intelligence Analyst
Business Intelligence Analysts use data and analytics to provide insights to businesses that can help them make better decisions. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge needed in this role, including data analysis, modeling, and problem-solving.
Data Analyst
Data Analysts collect and analyze data to identify key trends and patterns that can help businesses make informed decisions. This course can help you sharpen your data analysis skills, with particular emphasis on financial data analysis, which is necessary for success as a Data Analyst.
Market Researcher
Market Researchers conduct studies and use their findings to understand consumer behavior and market trends. This course will introduce you to fundamental business problem-solving and data analysis techniques that are widely used in market research.
Financial Risk Manager
Financial Risk Managers are responsible for identifying, assessing, and managing financial risks. This course can help to build a foundation for you by providing you with the skills to build and analyze financial models, which is essential for effective risk management.
Pricing Analyst
Pricing Analysts analyze data and develop pricing strategies for businesses. This course will be helpful to you in this role as it covers how to build and use financial models, which is essential for determining optimal pricing.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts develop financial models to identify investment opportunities and assess financial risks for businesses and individuals. Having taken this course, you will be able to efficiently build and manipulate models as they pertain to this role.
Actuary
Actuaries use mathematical and statistical models to assess risk and uncertainty, particularly in the insurance industry. Many actuarial roles, especially in the life and health insurance industry, could benefit from your having taken this course.
Financial Planner
Financial Planners help individuals and businesses develop and implement financial plans to achieve their goals. This course will be helpful to you as many financial planning roles incorporate aspects of business problem solving and data analysis into their work.
Risk Analyst
Risk Analysts assess and manage risks for businesses and organizations. This course will give you a head start in this field by introducing you to the processes and techniques used to identify, analyze, and mitigate risks.
Investment Analyst
Investment Analysts analyze financial data and make recommendations to investors on which investments to buy, sell, or hold. This course may be helpful to you if you are interested in pursuing this role as it provides an overview of financial modeling and problem-solving techniques that are commonly used in this field.

Reading list

We've selected ten books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Fundamentals of Business Problem Solving.
Provides a comprehensive overview of predictive analytics and how it can be used to solve business problems.

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