It's Strictly Business brings the world of business to life! It provides students with a general survey of business on a national and an international scale, identifies the roles and responsibilities of business in modern society, and focuses on selected disciplines and processes within the business community. Each video lesson addresses a specific business-related topic in four broad categories, i.e., business environment, management, marketing, and money. Real-life scenarios present documentary-type examples of how individual companies deal with issues such as globalization, diversity, technology, consumer attitudes, competitive pressures, and other business environment factors. What is the impact of business law on the production of a new musical composition? Why would a shoe repair shop owner chose to be a sole proprietor? Examine the pricing rationale for a new exotic sports car, the development of a promotional campaign for a fast food chain, and the management of risk in a major art museum.
It's Strictly Business is intended to be the first course a student takes in a business-centered degree program. It also may be part of other degree or career training programs that require a basic knowledge of business processes. Successful completion of the telecourse will enable students to understand how business works and impacts their daily lives, and provide the basis for them to make informed decisions in their educational and business pursuits. In addition, it prepares students to make day-to-day consumer decisions and to appreciate the significant roles that business plays in today's global society.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

1) Introducing Business
Defines the basic concepts and motivations of business, identifies the types of companies in the business world, describes the four basic resources used by business, and explains international business interdependence and competition.

2) Responding to Change
Describes how business has and is expected to continue to evolve in response to changes in the business environment and has, in turn, been a force in causing changes.

3) Defining Economic Systems
Explains how business is influenced by various economic factors, defines and compares capitalism with other systems, summarizes the influence of economic systems on international business operations, explains the role of competition, and describes techniques for measuring and predicting economic performance.

4) Accommodating Business Law
Describes the general structure of the U.S. legal system, identifies and explains the impact of the laws applicable to business operations, and summarizes the legal considerations associated with contracts, property, negotiable instruments, agencies, bankruptcy, and international operations.

5) Contending with Government Involvement
Summarizes the scope and influence of government involvement in business activities; describes the U.S. government's roles as referee, regulator, supporter, and major consumer; addresses international government involvement; and explains the impact of taxation on business decisions.

6) Promoting Social Responsibility and Ethical Behavior
Defines the concepts of social responsibility and ethical behavior relative to business activities, describes specific social and ethical issues and the approaches used by companies to address these issues, and identifies the associated benefits and costs.

7) Competing in a Global Environment
Describes the differences between domestic and international business, explains the economic rationales for international trade, describes the unique considerations associated with international business, outlines approaches used to operate in international markets, and identifies the special agencies and agreements that promote international trade.

8) Managing Business Information
Explains the importance of information in managing a business; identifies the types of information managers need; describes the characteristics of usable business information; identifies sources of business information; and describes the processes for collecting, storing, analyzing, communicating, and displaying information to support business decisions.

9) Selecting a Form of Business Ownership
Identifies and describes the three principal types of business ownership, explain the advantages and disadvantages of each, and describes several alternative forms of business ownership.

10) Highlighting Small Business
Defines small business and describes its role in the business community, identifies the advantages and disadvantages of small businesses relative to large businesses, explains the process of starting a small business and the causes of failures, and describes the concept and advantages of franchising.

11) Managing a Business
Defines the concept and importance of management, explains the functions, levels, and roles of managers; and describes the three principal management styles; and the process of deriving a management decision.

12) Establishing a Business Organization
Explains the reasons for having a formal organization structure; describes the process of building and refining an organization to meet business objectives; explains the concepts of authority, responsibility, accountability, and chain of command; and addresses the role and impact of informal organizations.

13) Managing Human Resources
Explains the importance and functions of human resource management, describes the associated processes, and addresses key issues that impact business operations.

14) Managing the Work Environment
Defines the concept of and the factors that influence the work environment, explains how work environment issues affect business operations, and describes techniques for improving the work environment.

15) Handling Labor Relations
Explains the relationship between labor and management, describes the activities of labor unions and their impact on business operations, outlines the role of the government in labor relations, and describes the bargaining tools used by labor and management.

16) Marketing Products
Explains the concept of marketing, describes the marketing process and associated activities, and explains the importance of marketing to a company's success in today's highly competitive environment.

17) Defining Products
Describes how products and services are defined and developed, explains their relationship to the marketing process, and identifies and describes the various classes of products, the four stages of a product life cycle, and the elements of product identification.

18) Managing Operations
Defines the concept of operations as it applies to various types of businesses; describes how people, materials, equipment, and other resources are used in processes to provide various types of products; and explains the roles of operations and quality management.

19) Pricing Products
Explains the importance of pricing relative to company profits and competitive posture; describes various pricing objectives, methods, and strategies; and outlines special pricing considerations for international markets.

20) Promoting Products
Explains the concept of promotion and its importance for success of a company, describes the characteristics and uses of various promotional techniques and media, and outlines special promotional considerations for international markets.

21) Distributing Products
Describes how products and services are physically moved from where they are produced to where they are used; identifies the principal distribution routes or channels used, their individual characteristics, and rationales for selecting alternatives; and outlines special distribution considerations for international markets.

22) Understanding Money
Defines the functions and characteristics of money and credit, describes the roles and services of commercial banking, and explains the structure and operations of the Federal Reserve System and related federal agencies.

23) Managing Short-Term Financing
Describes the types, sources, and applications of short-term financing used by companies; and explains the processes of securing and managing short-term financing in various types of businesses.

24) Managing Long-Term Financing
Describes the types, sources and applications of long-term financing used by companies; defines the difference between debt and equity capital; explains the processes of obtaining business capital for corporations through the sale of stocks and bonds; and describes the markets and processes for buying and selling securities.

25) Accounting for Management
Explains how accounting processes are used to support management planning and control; describes the nature and use of accounting reports, budgets, and analyses; and outlines special accounting considerations for international operations.

26) Managing Risk
Explains the concept of risk as it applies to business operations, describes various management approaches for avoiding and minimizing potential risks, identifies and describes various types of insurance used to protect company resources, and outlines special risk management considerations for international operations.