Business Basics from Pluralsight

Leaders and product developers are asked to create value for their customers but often lack the background and tools to understand the markets they serve. This course explains markets and strategy by analyzing consumer and organizational behaviors.

Technology leaders and product developers are expected to create products for their organization that align seamlessly to business goals and product strategy, but many individuals find themselves in over their head with little or no education in product strategy or the market dynamics and business structure and processes that influence that strategy.

In this course, Business Basics, you’ll gain an understanding of markets as defined by consumer and business behaviors and recognize the broad influence of business purpose and corporate structure and governance on product strategy.

Many of us have unconsciously assumed models of how consumers and businesses behave, but we have no firm reason in mind as to why we expect these behaviors. This course provides a foundation for continuing exploration of product strategy under the constraints of business goals, corporate structure, and corporate governance.

This course is great for both technology leaders who are responsible for the direction of products and their impact on their business and for individual contributors that want to understand the context and potential impacts of their daily work on their business.

Explore the meaning of markets and learn a couple essential basic theories of business and consumer behaviors, discover how a business’s purpose is explicitly defined and shapes the behaviors of its employees, and identify the impacts of corporate structure and governance on your product strategy.

There are no prerequisites to learn the fundamentals taught in this beginner-level course.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview

Market Models and Their Influence on Your Product

Understanding Business Motivations and Goals

Corporate Structure as a Foundational Element of Business

Corporate Governance’s Influence on Product Strategy

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Introduces the basics of product strategy, which is valuable for both technology leaders and those who want to understand the impact of their work on their business

With no prerequisites, this course is accessible to beginners

Teaches the models of consumer and business behaviors, which can help learners make informed decisions

Covers the influence of corporate structure and governance on product strategy, which is essential knowledge for technology leaders

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 Business Basics with these activities:

Read 'The Lean Startup' by Eric Ries

Show steps

Gain insights into developing and validating product ideas quickly and effectively.

View The Startup Way: How Modern Companies Use... on Amazon

Show steps

Purchase or borrow the book
Read the book at your own pace, taking notes and highlighting key points
Summarize the main concepts and their relevance to your learning

Review basic marketing principles

Show steps

Gain a solid understanding of these core concepts for a strong foundation.

Browse courses on Marketing Strategy

Show steps

Read articles on marketing fundamentals
Review notes or purchase a beginner-level textbook on marketing
Complete online quizzes or interactive exercises on marketing concepts

Participate in a group discussion on market trends

Show steps

Engage with peers, exchange ideas, and gain diverse perspectives on current market dynamics.

Browse courses on Market Trends

Show steps

Find a group of classmates or join an online forum dedicated to course discussions
Choose a specific market or industry trend to discuss
Prepare talking points and participate actively in the discussion

Six other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all nine activities

Develop a product strategy for a hypothetical company

Show steps

Develop a deep understanding of the principles and processes involved in creating a product strategy.

Browse courses on Product strategy

Show steps

Define the target market and customer persona
Analyze the competitive landscape
Develop a value proposition and product roadmap
Create a financial plan and marketing strategy

Explore case studies of successful product strategies

Show steps

Learn from real-world examples and see how these principles are applied in context.

Browse courses on Product strategy

Show steps

Identify a few well-known products or companies with successful product strategies
Read case studies or articles analyzing these strategies
Consider the market dynamics, target audience, and key differentiators in each case

Practice solving marketing case studies

Show steps

Develop your analytical and problem-solving skills by working through real-life scenarios.

Browse courses on Marketing Case Studies

Show steps

Find a collection of marketing case studies online or in textbooks
Read the case study and analyze the situation
Formulate a solution and justify your recommendations

Develop a market analysis for a hypothetical product

Show steps

Apply your knowledge to a practical scenario and identify potential opportunities.

Browse courses on Market Analysis

Show steps

Define the target market and product category
Conduct research on market size, trends, and competition
Analyze the results and identify customer needs and market gaps
Create a presentation or written report summarizing your findings

Develop a blog post or article on a specific market topic

Show steps

Deepen your understanding by researching, writing, and sharing your insights on a specific topic.

Browse courses on Market Research

Show steps

Choose a particular market or marketing-related topic to focus on
Conduct thorough research to gather data and insights
Develop an outline and write a well-structured blog post or article
Publish your content online or share it with your peers

Contribute to an open-source marketing tool or project

Show steps

Gain hands-on experience and connect with the wider marketing tech community.

Browse courses on Open Source

Show steps

Explore various open-source marketing tools and projects online
Identify an area where you can contribute your skills and knowledge
Join the project's community and start contributing code, documentation, or other support

Career center

Learners who complete Business Basics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

CEOs have the overall responsibility for leading and managing organizations. They set strategic direction, oversee operations, and ensure the long-term success of their companies. This course provides CEOs with a comprehensive understanding of market dynamics, business motivations, and corporate governance, equipping them to make informed decisions, drive organizational growth, and create value for stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for developing and managing products that meet the needs of customers. They work closely with engineers, designers, and marketing teams to ensure that products are aligned with business goals and market demands. This course provides Product Managers with valuable insights into market dynamics, business motivations, and corporate structures, enabling them to make informed decisions and develop successful products.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts help organizations make informed decisions by analyzing their business needs, processes, and systems. They identify opportunities for improvement and recommend solutions to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. This course provides Business Analysts with a solid foundation in market analysis, consumer and organizational behaviors, and corporate governance, which are essential for understanding the context in which businesses operate and making informed recommendations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Market Researcher

Market Researchers gather, analyze, and interpret market data to provide insights into consumer behavior, market trends, and competitive landscapes. This course provides Market Researchers with a comprehensive understanding of market segmentation, research methodologies, and corporate governance, equipping them to conduct effective research and make informed recommendations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Researcher

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

COOs oversee the day-to-day operations of organizations, ensuring efficient and effective execution of processes. They manage budgets, resources, and teams to achieve operational goals and drive continuous improvement. This course provides COOs with a comprehensive understanding of business motivations, corporate structures, and governance, enabling them to effectively manage operations and contribute to the overall success of their organizations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers develop and execute marketing strategies to promote products and services, increase brand awareness, and drive sales. This course provides Marketing Managers with a comprehensive understanding of market segmentation, consumer behavior, and corporate governance, empowering them to create effective marketing campaigns that resonate with target audiences and align with business objectives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Business Development Manager

Business Development Managers identify and pursue new business opportunities to drive growth and revenue. They develop and implement strategies to acquire new customers, strengthen partnerships, and expand into new markets. This course provides Business Development Managers with a comprehensive understanding of market dynamics, consumer behavior, and corporate governance, empowering them to effectively identify and capitalize on growth opportunities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Development Manager

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

CFOs are responsible for managing the financial resources of organizations. They oversee financial planning, budgeting, and reporting, and ensure compliance with financial regulations. This course provides CFOs with a solid foundation in market analysis, business motivations, and corporate governance, enabling them to effectively manage financial resources and contribute to the overall success of their organizations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Consultant

Consultants provide expert advice and support to organizations across various industries. They help businesses improve their performance, solve problems, and achieve strategic goals. This course equips Consultants with a strong foundation in market analysis, business motivations, and corporate structures, enabling them to provide insightful recommendations and drive positive outcomes for their clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Sales Manager

Sales Managers lead and motivate sales teams to achieve revenue targets, build customer relationships, and drive growth. They develop and implement sales strategies, manage pipelines, and provide coaching and support to sales representatives. This course provides Sales Managers with a solid foundation in market segmentation, consumer behavior, and corporate governance, enabling them to effectively lead sales teams and drive revenue growth.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

CTOs are responsible for leading and managing the technology functions of organizations. They develop and implement technology strategies, oversee research and development, and ensure alignment with business goals. This course provides CTOs with a solid foundation in market analysis, business motivations, and corporate governance, enabling them to effectively lead technology teams and drive innovation within their organizations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to identify trends, patterns, and insights. They help businesses make informed decisions based on data-driven evidence. This course provides Data Analysts with a solid understanding of market research, consumer behavior, and corporate governance, enabling them to extract meaningful insights from data and make effective recommendations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Project Manager

Project Managers plan, execute, and oversee projects to achieve specific goals within defined constraints. They coordinate teams, manage resources, and ensure project deliverables are met on time and within budget. This course provides Project Managers with a solid foundation in market analysis, business motivations, and corporate governance, enabling them to effectively manage projects that align with business objectives and stakeholder expectations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Operations Manager

Operations Managers oversee the day-to-day operations of businesses, ensuring efficient and effective execution of processes. They manage budgets, resources, and teams to achieve operational goals and drive continuous improvement. This course provides Operations Managers with a comprehensive understanding of business motivations, corporate structures, and governance, enabling them to effectively manage operations and contribute to the overall success of their organizations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts evaluate and interpret financial data to provide insights into a company's financial performance and prospects. They develop financial models, conduct research, and make recommendations on investment decisions. This course provides Financial Analysts with a solid foundation in market analysis, business motivations, and corporate governance, enabling them to effectively analyze financial data and make sound investment recommendations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst