BBA 101: Introduction to Business

Overview

To be successful in business today, you need a working knowledge about every aspect of business and how the business environment can affect the survivability of an enterprise. Due to the implementation of technological solutions, how work gets done and who determines the roles and responsibilities of management and staff has changed traditional roles within the organization. Communications technology has overcome physical distance so employees can be positioned at home or around the world, and information can still be effectively shared as if everyone was in the same conference room. These are some of the changes managers face today and some of the issues you will explore in this course.

The purpose of BBA101: Introduction to Business is to help you understand the basics of business. You will be able to describe different types of market competition in various types of economic environments. You will be able to identify the major forms of business organizations. You will become acquainted with the major functions of a business and the responsibilities of management. You will become aware of internal organizations, human resource management, and leadership. You will gain an understanding of the basic components of the marketing mix, pricing, and distribution. You will look into managing operations and improving quality. You will become aware of the principles of accounting. And you will write an abbreviated business plan.

Overall, the focus of this course is to assist you in studying the dynamic and constantly changing nature of business, and to analyze current business issues. This course will help you enhance your interpersonal, problem solving, critical thinking, and technological skills. Additionally, this course will provide a solid foundation for continued studies in the areas of marketing, management, human resource development, finance, and operations. The development of a business plan supports all of the learning modules within this course.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe the basic components of a U.S. business.
• Discuss the fundamentals of managing a business and the requirements for conducting business responsibly.
• Explain entrepreneurship and small business management.
• Describe the major organizational theories of business and the essentials of effectively organizing the business.
• Discuss the components of motivating, managing, and leading employees while managing human resources.
• Explain the marketing process to include pricing, promoting, and distributing products or services.
• Describe the elements of technology, and how it applies to quality and business communications.
• Describe the basic principles of accounting, the three financial statements, and how they are used to monitor business.

Required Texts
BBA 101 texts are available from the JIU/MBS bookstore