The Digital Economy: Finance for Business Growth

Online Course

The Open University

Future Learn

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The Digital Economy: Finance for Business Growth

What is the course about?
Prerequisites & Facts
Cost, Certificate & Degree
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What is the course about?

The Digital Economy: Finance for Business Growth

The course The Digital Economy: Finance for Business Growth is an online class provided by The Open University through Future Learn. It may be possible to receive a verified certification or use the course to prepare for a degree.

Learn how to develop a funding strategy for your business; explore different types of finance and learn when, and how, to use them

Course description

Evaluate how to fund your business investment
4 weeks

Every business needs cash to grow and develop. Some can find enough cash from their operations. Others might need external sources of finance, like a bank loan. So how does a business make robust decisions about borrowing?
Whether you are in a micro business, a small to medium-sized organisation, or a large firm, this online course will guide you through finance options.
You will consider traditional and alternative finance options; evaluate what type of funding is suitable for your business; and develop a financial statement and funding strategy, to make the right decision.

Assess the role of cash management in business and the relationship between cash management and business performance
Consider the benefits and drawbacks of different sources of finance
Understand the relevance of liquidity and solvency when managing a business
Evaluate the role of cash flow forecasting and assess future cash requirements
Understand the risks, benefits and drawbacks of different types of funding
Decide on a suitable type of funding and assess risk-return issues
Assess how and why alternative finance activities, such as crowdfunding, have evolved
Assess the benefits and risks of alternative finance for business borrowers
Evaluate the use of equity funding, both private and public equity issues
Assess the role of private equity, and the benefits offered by different types of private equity for funding business growth
Explore behavioural finance issues in investment decision-making

Assess borrowing requirements and develop a strategy for your business finance needs
Assess the risks, benefits and drawbacks of different types of debt
Assess and critique finance available to your business, both traditional and newer sources, such as crowd funding
Evaluate funding opportunities for business growth and development
Apply and consider the role of traditional sources of finance, i.e. debt and equity, as well as alternative finance options, such as crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending
Record and learn to use financial statements to assess the financial health of a business
Collect and learn to use a cash flow forecast to help you make decisions about managing business cash
Investigate and find out how you can develop a funding strategy and make the right decision about the type of borrowing for your business

This course is intended for those with an interest in developing their financial skills to make robust decisions when managing business finance. The course does not require any previous experience of this subject.
Find further information about OU registration, the assessment module and MBA in the entry requirements.
Academic credit If you are aiming to use your study of courses in the Digital Economy program to obtain academic credit, please be aware that the final planned presentation of the Open University Assessment Course BXM871 Managing in the Digital Economy starts July 2020. Please ensure that you allow yourself enough time to obtain all four Certificates of Achievement from courses in the program before registering for the Assessment Course. The start dates of the relevant FutureLearn courses in 2019 and 2020 are available here.

The Open University
The Open University (OU) is the largest academic institution in the UK and a world leader in flexible distance learning, with a mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas.
The Open University Business School
A pioneer in flexible learning for over 30 years, The Open University Business School delivers transformational, high quality business and management education which is quality assured.

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Prerequisites & Facts

The Digital Economy: Finance for Business Growth

Course Topic

Business & Management, Finance & Accounting

University, College, Institution

The Open University

Course Skill Level

see course summary

Course Language

English

Place of class

Online, self-paced (see curriculum for more information)

Degree

Certificate

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Degree & Cost

The Digital Economy: Finance for Business Growth

To obtain a verified certificate from Future Learn / The Open University you have to finish this course or the latest version of it, if there is a new edition. The class may be free of charge, but there could be some cost to receive a verified certificate or to access the learning materials. The specifics of the course may have been changed, please consult the provider to get the latest quotes and news.

The Open University

The Digital Economy: Finance for Business Growth

provided by Future Learn

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