One of the most common mistakes that business owners make is to overlook the need to invest in their own development. A lack of business knowledge, or a lack of understanding about how to run the business better or more efficiently, can be detrimental, even fatal, to the success of your business. That’s why we suggest that you take advantage of our professional and tailor-made training courses for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Just tell us what you want to learn about and what your budget is, and we’ll develop an educational course with affordable fees that perfectly suit your needs!
Know Your Audience in Your Business Course
To create an effective business course, you need to know what your audience needs. Start by creating an outline of all of your class objectives and make sure you’re targeting those goals with specific learning outcomes that relate directly back to your business’s bottom line. If there are any legal requirements (i.e., training certifications) you must meet, include them as well. Once you have a solid outline of your goals, it will be easier to create relevant content and develop practical examples. And remember: Always stay focused on giving actionable tips and strategies that teach specific skills related directly back to your company’s success metrics.
Keep it Focused
The general rule of thumb when designing a business course is about two hours per module. It’s essential to consider what you want students to know or be able to do at each point in the course. If you’re developing a certificate business course, think about how many units it will take; if you’re creating training, consider how long employees will spend on it. Some businesses need quick skills development that takes an hour or two, while others may prefer a 10-week business course with structured programs that teach specific content and assess progress. As you build out your training course, ensure there’s enough time for students to absorb the material and plan accordingly.
Choose Appropriate Topics for Your Business Course
Teaching business course concepts is similar to teaching any other subject: choose topics that are relevant and useful for your students. Just as an English teacher wouldn’t cover plot structure in chemistry, an accounting instructor wouldn’t discuss running Facebook ads. This doesn’t mean there’s no room for cross-pollination or collaboration between instructors of different courses, but topics should remain consistent within each business course.
Create a Balanced Schedule
When running a small business, it’s easy to get caught up in daily routines and overlook that employees need breaks too. While they may be familiar with day-to-day operations, they can still benefit from additional guidance. To combat boredom, create a balanced schedule for your business course with varied tasks and short breaks. It doesn’t need to follow a rigid structure—it just has to ensure everyone’s needs are met.
Offer Flexible Scheduling Options
A business course should be accessible, whether students are working full-time, managing a company, or juggling family responsibilities. Flexible scheduling options allow them to attend classes when it best fits their schedule. Courses offered in the evening, on weekends, or via webinars provide access to great business learning without interrupting their routines. Choosing a course with flexible options means learners don’t have to put off developing new skills—they can start learning right away.
Consider Alternatives to Face-to-Face Business Courses
The size of your audience will shape the type of business course you design, but there are many alternatives to in-person classes. For small business owners, consider workshops or live events with minimal time commitments. For corporate groups, use webinars as the main delivery method, and upload recorded sessions to platforms like YouTube or LinkedIn Learning so that employees who miss live sessions can still benefit. Regardless of the delivery method, prioritize opportunities for interaction and engagement.
Include an Online Platform
Whether it’s an LMS like Moodle or Blackboard, or a custom solution, an online platform is crucial for any business course. This allows you to create and manage content in real time, making it searchable so employees can access it when needed. It also lets learners take the course at their own pace, creating self-directed, engaged learners. An online platform brings efficiency and convenience, benefiting both you and your staff.
Share the Presentation Slides
Presentations can be intimidating, especially when your audience includes colleagues or supervisors. You don’t need perfect slides or hours of prep time. A business course presentation only requires about 30 minutes of preparation and an online program like PowerPoint or Google Slides.
Think About Additional Benefits
Consider including topics like team building in your business course. These topics can foster a sense of camaraderie and help employees look back on their time with the company positively. Regular activities and an activity-based approach can enhance the overall learning experience and contribute to team cohesion.