To start a small business, or to start a home business, you not only need a great and innovative idea, but the skills to develop it. If you choose to study business at university, it can be done at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
The courses vary; you could complete a Bachelor of Business or management degree, or you could choose to study commerce, business administration, business management, entrepreneurship or a combination of these.
Most business degrees will include units on marketing, accounting, business law and management. These are all crucial aspects of running a business and will help you turn your brilliant idea into a commercial success.
Similar courses are offered at TAFE and will give you a diploma or certificate, such as a Diploma of Management and a Certificate IV in Business Administration. These courses are generally shorter than university courses and are great for picking up core business skills quickly.
Many entrepreneurs first get a qualification in the field they are interested in, then follow up with an MBA, which then gives them the commercial knowledge they need to turn their skills into a business.
There are also lots of short courses and workshops available for those setting up business, which will cover the basics. These can be found at universities, TAFEs and other educational institutions. Short studies in business can also be completed online through accredited institutions.
Many business courses can be studied part time or online, which means you can fit your study around your work.
It's also important to stay up to date on all industry best practice and law. For example, if you wish to start a restaurant or café, it would be useful to have done some hospitality, barista or service of alcohol training. As your business grows, you will also need to ensure that your employees are fully qualified and up to date on training to ensure you stay ahead of the competition.
Find business courses from a range of Australian institutions.