Online Business Degree and Ecommerce Degrees
“The business of America is business.”
– President Calvin Coolidge
Overview
Running a business takes smarts, savvy, and more than a little luck. Increasingly, it also requires a degree in business administration – and what better way to earn one than to get an online business degree. The MBA today is what the college degree used to be – the baseline educational requirement for an executive-track position. Earning an online business degree shows prospective employers you mean business. Whether you decide to focus on accounting, finance, marketing, human resources, or any other number of areas, an accredited online business degree, whether it is an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree in Business or Business Administration, is going to be essential to your success. Even if you have already gained practical knowledge from within the working world, any one of the online business degrees offered through this site will consolidate that knowledge into an accessible, understandable, and memorable form.
The continued evolution of business has given rise to a class of professional managers –experienced and well-educated individuals who understand the financial and operational aspects of business and can apply these principles in virtually any category. These are the names that rise to the top of recruiter shortlists whenever plum positions become available. And, since job experience is a valuable commodity, too, many people are earning online business degrees, including accredited bachelor's or master's degrees in business administration, while accommodating their busy working schedules. An online business degree allows you to gain job experience even while earning an online business management degree or business administration degree online. An online business degree can show an employer that you not only take your education seriously, but that you were determined to stay in business throughout.
Online Business Degree and Ecommerce Degrees: Career Insights
- Mid-level and up positions tend to be “MBA preferred.”
- Technological understanding is increasingly important – business people who don’t understand the power and application of information technology will have difficulty rising above a certain level without an online business degree.
- Charisma and leadership skills are every bit as important as business skills and street smarts.
- Still the fastest way to get rich in America.
General Manager/Operations Manager (GM)
The general manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of a business, making sure the work gets done. Directs and coordinates activities of the organization to obtain optimum efficiency and economy of operations and maximize profits. He plans and develops organization policies and goals, and implements goals through subordinate administrative personnel. Coordinates activities of divisions or departments, such as operating, manufacturing, engineering, planning, sales, maintenance, or research and development, to effect operational efficiency and economy. This is a high-level position and typically requires an MBA, such as a business administration degree online, and significant workforce experience.
Chief Information Officer (CIO)
The chief information officer (CIO) designs, builds and manages the multiple information systems necessary for the operation of the business, including resource allocation, time tracking, accounting, etc. The CIO must have a deep understanding of business and an expert understanding of how information systems can increase productivity and save money. The CIO typically supervises a spectrum of professionals including programmers, network architects, and IT desktop support, and is almost always required to have an online business degree, such as a business administration degree online with an information technology specialization.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
The chief executive officer is the Big Kahuna – the top executive in the company, on whose shoulders all the credit, or blame, ultimately lies. The CEO must know a little about everything – sales, marketing, accounting and finance, product development, human resources, and organizational behavior. S/he would benefit from both a business administration degree online and an online business management degree, The CEO must be an effective leader able to persuade employees, partners and customers as to the validity of his vision and his action plan for attaining success. CEOs typically receive the highest pay package in the organization, with base salary, performance bonus and equity participation bringing their net take-home well over seven figures. If you want to be the CEO, you might as well plan on earning a master’s in business administration degree online.
Marketing Manager
Marketing managers develop the firm's detailed marketing strategy. Their work is to stimulate the demand for products and services offered by the firm and differentiate those products from those of competitors. In addition, they must determine which markets the firm will sell to—for example, other businesses, wholesalers, retailers, government, or the general public. The marketing manager’s job also encompasses developing pricing strategy. Marketing managers work closely with sales, product development, and advertising managers to determine the new products for which they can create demand in the marketplace. Marketing managers work with advertising and promotion managers to promote the firm's products and services and to attract potential users. If you’re interested in becoming a marketing manager, any business degree online, including a business administration degree online or an online business management degree, would be helpful.
Director of Human Resources
The human resources function is responsible for employment, compensation, benefits, training and development, and employee relations. In some companies, HR also handles recruitment of new employees. The director of human resources is a top-level position that requires a broad range of knowledge, developing and coordinating personnel programs and policies. The director of human resources may oversee several departments and can always benefit from an online business degree.
Management Consultant
Management consultants analyze and propose ways to improve an organization's structure, efficiency, or profits. For example, a small but rapidly growing company that needs help improving the system of control over inventories and expenses may decide to employ a consultant who is an expert in just-in-time inventory management. In another case, a large company that has recently acquired a new division may hire management analysts to help reorganize the corporate structure and eliminate duplicate or nonessential jobs. In recent years, information technology and electronic commerce have provided new opportunities for management analysts. Companies hire consultants to develop strategies for entering and remaining competitive in the new electronic marketplace. Management consultants typically have earned MBA degrees such as online business management degrees.
IT Manager
IT managers plan, coordinate, and direct research and design the computer-related activities of firms. They determine technical goals in consultation with top management, and make detailed plans for the accomplishment of these goals. IT managers direct the work of systems analysts, computer programmers, support specialists, and other computer-related workers. These managers plan and coordinate activities such as the installation and upgrading of hardware and software, programming and systems design, the development of computer networks, and the implementation of Internet and intranet sites. They are increasingly involved with the upkeep and maintenance of networks. They analyze the computer and information needs of their organization and determine personnel and equipment requirements. Many online business degrees specific to IT are available.
Project Manager
A project manager plays multiple roles: He must understand the business needs of a given project, must know enough about the technology to decide the correct approach, and must be ruthless about keeping a project on budget and on schedule. The project manager tends to need people skills as well as organizational abilities, since much of his job function is motivating and managing colleagues and subordinates, while also working to satisfy the business owner who authorized the project to begin with. Getting an online business administration degree or business management degree online is also advisable if you want to become a Project Manager.
Director of Information Technology
Management of information systems (MIS) directors are responsible for information systems and computing resources for entire organizations. They also work under the chief information officer and deal directly with lower-level information technology employees. These managers oversee a variety of user services, such as a help desk which employees can call with questions or problems. MIS directors may also make hardware and software upgrade recommendations based on their experience with an organization's technology. Computer and information system managers need strong communication skills. They coordinate the activities of their unit with those of other units or organizations. They confer with top executives; financial, production, marketing, and other managers; and contractors and equipment and materials suppliers. Which online business degree is necessary for an MIS position depends on the size and type of employer you choose.
Director of E-commerce
As e-business assumes a place of importance in the operations of many companies – especially those in the automotive, electronics, telecommunications and travel categories – the director of e-commerce has assumed a critical role within the organization. With responsibilities ranging from marketing and merchandizing to customer service to technology evaluation and implementation, the director of e-commerce must be a versatile individual adept at both critical and creative thinking and able to lead multidisciplinary teams. Many different online business degrees may suit different categories of e-Commerce positions.
As President Coolidge said, “The business of America is business.” Increasingly, everyone wants a career in business or management, and that’s no secret. As such, the competition for executive level positions is fierce. Without an online business degree, your chances of attaining a desirable business position are slim. However, with an accredited online business administration degree or degree in business management online, your possibilities become much more expansive. If you want to succeed in business, it is highly recommended that you find the online college or university that’s right for you and get started on your distance learning degree program right away.
Click here for a complete list of accredited online Business degree and Ecommerce degree programs