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Devdip Purkayastha

Develop a broad understanding of how winning companies operate externally to create successful businesses, build strong market positions and grow profitably over the long term. This comprehensive course provides the knowledge to make informed career choices for students deciding on the next degree, emerging leaders exploring cross-functional opportunities, or entrepreneurs starting a new business.

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Develop a broad understanding of how winning companies operate externally to create successful businesses, build strong market positions and grow profitably over the long term. This comprehensive course provides the knowledge to make informed career choices for students deciding on the next degree, emerging leaders exploring cross-functional opportunities, or entrepreneurs starting a new business.

In the first module, 'Market Research, Customers & Segments', you will understand the basics of market research, customer problem identification and developing compelling value propositions. You will learn the skills necessary to study markets, customers and competitors to make sound business decisions.

In the second module, 'Value-Based Marketing & Marketing Communication', you will understand how to create and communicate strong customer value. You will learn the principles of branding, advertising, pricing, and communication essential for a strong brand presence.

In the third module, 'Sales Channels & Distribution, B2B & B2C Selling', you will explore the critical aspects of sales channels and distribution strategies. You will gain insights into and understand the skills to sell to consumers (B2C) or other businesses (B2B).

Finally, in the fourth module, 'Customer Service Management, Supply Chain & Logistics', you will understand how companies optimise their supply chains to deliver products on time and maintain high customer satisfaction. You will learn the processes and skills to manage customer relationships, foster loyalty, and ensure great customer experiences.

This course complements 'BUS101 Introduction to Business Management—Winning Internally', which provides the knowledge and skills for superior performance in internal business operations and organisational management.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Market Research, Customers & Segments
Begin your journey by understanding the foundational elements of market research and customer segmentation. Learn how to identify and analyze customer needs, market trends, and the competitive landscape. This module will equip you with the skills necessary to conduct effective research and develop targeted customer segments that align with your business goals.
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Value Based Marketing & Marketing Communication
Dive into the world of value-based marketing, where you'll discover how to create compelling value propositions that resonate with your target audience. Learn the principles of branding, advertising, and marketing communication that are essential for building a strong brand presence. This module emphasizes the importance of delivering value to customers through effective communication strategies.
Sales Channels & Distribution, B2B & B2C Selling
Explore the critical aspects of sales channels and distribution strategies in this module. You'll gain insights into managing various sales channels, optimizing distribution networks, and understanding the differences between B2B and B2C sales processes. This module will also cover essential selling techniques that can enhance your ability to close deals and drive revenue.
Customer Service Management, Supply Chain & Logistics
Conclude your learning experience by mastering the key elements of customer service management and supply chain logistics. This module covers the processes and skills required to manage customer relationships, foster loyalty, and ensure efficient logistics operations. Learn how to optimize your supply chain to deliver products on time and maintain high levels of customer satisfaction.

Good to know

Know what's good
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Explores market research, marketing communication, sales channels, and customer service, which are essential for understanding external business operations and making informed decisions across departments
Provides a broad understanding of how companies operate externally, which is helpful for students considering careers in business, marketing, sales, or supply chain management
Covers market research, value-based marketing, sales channels, and customer service, which are all critical for building a strong market position and growing a business profitably
Complements 'BUS101 Introduction to Business Management—Winning Internally', which suggests a comprehensive approach to business management when taken together

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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 Introduction to Business Management : Winning Externally with these activities:
Review Marketing Fundamentals
Reinforce your understanding of core marketing concepts to better grasp the value-based marketing and communication strategies discussed in the course.
Browse courses on Marketing Fundamentals
Show steps
  • Review introductory marketing textbooks or online resources.
  • Summarize key marketing principles and frameworks.
  • Identify real-world examples of successful marketing campaigns.
Review 'The Lean Startup'
Understand the principles of lean startup methodology to improve your understanding of customer development and value proposition design.
Show steps
  • Read 'The Lean Startup' by Eric Ries.
  • Identify the core principles of the Lean Startup methodology.
  • Relate these principles to the course's modules on market research and value-based marketing.
Create a Customer Persona
Solidify your understanding of customer segmentation by creating a detailed customer persona for a hypothetical product or service.
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  • Choose a product or service.
  • Research the target audience for that product or service.
  • Develop a detailed customer persona based on your research.
  • Present your customer persona in a written document or presentation.
Four other activities
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Review 'Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion'
Deepen your understanding of marketing communication and sales by exploring the psychological principles of persuasion.
Show steps
  • Read 'Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion' by Robert Cialdini.
  • Identify the six principles of persuasion.
  • Relate these principles to real-world marketing and sales examples.
Analyze a Company's Sales Channels
Apply your knowledge of sales channels and distribution strategies by analyzing a real-world company's approach.
Show steps
  • Choose a company with a diverse range of sales channels.
  • Research the company's sales channels and distribution strategies.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of each channel and identify areas for improvement.
  • Present your findings in a report or presentation.
Follow Tutorials on Supply Chain Optimization
Enhance your understanding of supply chain and logistics by following online tutorials on optimization techniques.
Browse courses on Supply Chain Optimization
Show steps
  • Search for online tutorials on supply chain optimization.
  • Follow several tutorials and implement the techniques discussed.
  • Document your learning and identify potential applications in real-world scenarios.
Design a Customer Service Improvement Plan
Apply your knowledge of customer service management by developing a plan to improve customer service at a specific company.
Show steps
  • Choose a company with known customer service issues.
  • Research the company's customer service processes and identify areas for improvement.
  • Develop a detailed plan to address these issues and improve customer satisfaction.
  • Present your plan in a written report or presentation.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Business Management : Winning Externally will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Marketing Manager
A Marketing Manager plans and executes marketing campaigns to promote products or services. This course is particularly helpful because of its focus on market research, value-based marketing, and marketing communication. This course teaches relevant skills about creating compelling value propositions, branding, advertising, and pricing. A marketing manager will also use the course material on sales channels and customer service to inform marketing strategies. The course offers a comprehensive overview of external business operations needed to become an effective marketing manager. It covers the critical aspects of studying customers, creating value, and delivering positive customer experiences.
Market Research Analyst
A Market Research Analyst studies market conditions to examine potential sales of a product or service. This course provides a strong basis for this role, specifically in its module on market research, customers, and segments. A future market research analyst will learn to identify customer needs, analyze market trends, and assess the competitive landscape. The course also helps with developing targeted customer segments, a core skill in this line of work. In addition, the course's segments on value-based marketing, sales, and customer service can help a market research analyst contextualize the broader impacts to their work. Through this course, one builds a strong foundation for a successful career as a market research analyst.
Sales Representative
A Sales Representative engages with customers to understand their needs and close deals. Individuals interested in a sales representative role will benefit from this course. This course teaches skills in sales channels, distribution strategies, and selling to both consumers and businesses. The course offers insights into managing sales channels, optimizing distribution networks, and understanding the differences between B2B and B2C sales. The course also focuses on techniques to close deals and drive revenue. The course is a great way for one to develop the fundamental skills needed to be a successful sales representative, including understanding customer needs, creating value propositions, and building strong customer relationships. Additionally, understanding supply chains and customer management will help a sales representative address customer questions and concerns.
Customer Service Manager
A Customer Service Manager oversees customer service operations and ensures customer satisfaction. The material of this course is highly relevant. The course covers customer relationship management, fostering customer loyalty, and ensuring great customer experiences. By taking this course, a customer service manager will understand how to optimize supply chains for timely delivery which leads to customer satisfaction. Additionally, the course’s focus on sales channels will support a customer service manager in understanding the customer journey and delivering better service. With this course, a learner will be well qualified to enter this role.
Brand Manager
A Brand Manager develops strategies to promote a company's products or services. A brand manager needs to understand how to communicate a brand's value. This course is very useful for individuals interested in this field, especially due to its focus on value-based marketing and marketing communications. In this course, a future brand manager learns how to build a strong brand presence through advertising and pricing strategies. The course touches on how to create compelling value propositions and emphasizes the significance of communicating value to customers. The course also provides helpful information about sales and customer service, which, while not the main domain of the position, helps a brand manager make decisions. This course prepares a learner be an effective brand manager.
Business Development Manager
A Business Development Manager identifies new business opportunities and develops strategies to grow a company. This course provides a good foundation for such a role. The course provides insights into market research, customer needs, and competitive landscapes, all of which are important for a business development manager. Furthermore, the modules on sales channels and distribution, and strategies for selling to both consumers and other businesses, is directly relevant to this type of work. Such a person needs to be able to identify opportunities and effectively strategize how to pursue them and grow a business. This course covers the key areas needed to be successful in such a role.
Supply Chain Analyst
A Supply Chain Analyst analyzes and optimizes supply chain operations. This course will provide useful knowledge to succeed in this role. The course covers the essentials of supply chain optimization. It provides insights into managing customer relationships, fostering loyalty, and ensuring efficient logistics. A future supply chain analyst will benefit from understanding how to optimize a supply chain to deliver products on time and ensure customer satisfaction. The course’s modules on customer service management and sales can also help inform supply chain decision making. Because of the relevant information, this course may help one gain the skills necessary to be an effective supply chain analyst.
Sales Manager
A Sales Manager leads a sales team and sets sales goals. This course may be beneficial for a sales manager. It teaches skills in sales channels, distribution strategies, and B2B and B2C selling. A sales manager will find the course materials on managing sales channels, optimizing distribution networks and closing deals helpful. Also, the course provides insights into customer relationships and supply chain management, which are important for the sales process. In this way, this course may provide useful knowledge for a sales manager. The skills gained in this course help in developing a strong understanding of sales, customers, and the broader business environment.
Product Manager
A Product Manager oversees the development and management of products. The modules on market research, value-based marketing, and customer service management will all contribute to success in this role. A product manager needs to be able to understand customer needs, analyze market trends, and develop a value proposition. The course will help someone in this role better understand customers and how a product can meet their needs. The concepts in the course help one learn the importance of branding, advertising, and pricing a product. This course can help an individual build a skill set needed to manage products and create solutions.
Marketing Coordinator
A Marketing Coordinator supports marketing activities and campaigns. This course may provide knowledge that is valuable to this role, particularly its content on marketing communication and sales. A marketing coordinator will learn how to create value propositions, build a brand presence, and understand the principles of advertising, pricing, and sales. The course will help a marketing coordinator better understand the importance of delivering value to customers through effective strategies. These skills may be useful for a marketing coordinator to learn about how to create and implement marketing plans.
Account Manager
An Account Manager builds and maintains relationships with clients. This course has the potential to be beneficial, especially its focus on customer relationships, sales channels, and distribution. The skills gained in this course may assist an account manager to understand the customer journey, and how to improve relations with clients over time. An account manager will gain relevant insight through the material in the course that addresses both B2B and B2C sales, which helps to strategize how to better serve existing clients. In this way, a learner may build a foundational knowledge of client relationships.
Logistics Coordinator
A Logistics Coordinator organizes and manages the transportation and storage of goods. This course may offer some useful skills in that capacity, focusing on supply chain and customer service. A logistics coordinator can learn how to optimize the supply chain to deliver products on time and maintain high levels of customer satisfaction. The course can help in the knowledge of processes and skills to manage customer relationships. Though the course’s scope is broader than the typical day-to-day duties of a logistics coordinator, it may offer relevant information. Therefore, this course may be useful for someone entering the field of logistics.
Retail Manager
A Retail Manager oversees the operations of a retail store. While not a direct fit, this course may be useful. It provides skills in sales channels, distribution, and customer service management. A retail manager may learn how to optimize sales channels and understand the differences between B2C sales. The course also covers customer relationship management and supply chain logistics, which can help with retail operations. So while it is not the core focus of this job, it may be a valuable course to take. This may be helpful for a retail manager to learn how to improve operations and customer relations.
Sales Operations Specialist
A Sales Operations Specialist supports sales teams by improving sales processes. While the course is not a perfect fit, it may be useful. It offers insights into sales channels, distribution strategies, and B2B and B2C selling. The course’s focus on how to manage sales channels and optimize distribution may be helpful. In this way, it can help one streamline operations. The course will also touch on processes to manage customer relationships. Therefore, this course may be useful for a sales operations specialist. The high-level view of sales processes and customer relations that this course provides may offer a useful background to someone in this role.
Operations Analyst
An Operations Analyst analyzes and improves business operations. This course may be helpful to someone in this position to learn the foundations of external business operations. It covers topics such as market research, customer identification, and supply chain and logistics. The course introduces the importance of customer value, branding, sales, and customer service. Although an operations analyst will likely not be working directly in these areas, the broad view may be useful. While the course is not a perfect match for operations, it may provide useful insights that can help an interested person explore the field of operations.

Reading list

We've selected two 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 Introduction to Business Management : Winning Externally.
Explores the psychology behind persuasion and influence, providing valuable insights into how to effectively communicate value and build strong customer relationships. It is particularly relevant to the course's modules on value-based marketing and sales. Understanding these principles can significantly enhance your ability to influence customer behavior and drive sales. This book is widely used in marketing and sales training programs.
Introduces the Lean Startup methodology, emphasizing validated learning, rapid experimentation, and iterative product development. It is highly relevant to the course's focus on understanding customer needs and developing compelling value propositions. Reading this book will help students understand how to apply these principles in real-world business scenarios. It is commonly used by entrepreneurs and product managers.

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