I am a business & finance course author for Knowledge City.
KnowledgeCity envisions being the top global provider of innovative learning solutions, enabling organizations to excel in a constantly evolving world of business.
See my courses below.
Product Lifecycle Management
Learn about product lifecycle management and its four stages
Author: Matthew Johnston
Lessons: 6
Intermediate Level
English
Every year, companies launch hundreds of products. The success or failure of these products could be attributed to effective product lifecycle management. Product lifecycle management is important because it informs management and decision-makers of a product’s performance and what strategic actions may be needed to succeed. Companies use this information to allocate resources such as budgets and staff. And it shows which products should be prioritized and where the company should innovate next. Ultimately, product lifecycle management helps companies increase productivity; reduce risk, time to market, and cost; and produce high-quality products.
In this course, we introduce the concept of product lifecycle management. You will learn the phases of product lifecycle management, the difference between product and project lifecycle management, and how the two can work together. You will also learn how to track and manage a product in the marketplace and manage the unique elements of a digital product lifecycle. By the end of this course, you will have the knowledge to gain a competitive edge in your industry.
Learning Objectives
Define the concept of product lifecycle management
Explain product management in the marketplace
List the stages of the digital product lifecycle
Skills you will learn
Product Management
Project Management
Digital Product Management
Introducing Intellectual Property
Learn the basics of intellectual property and its impact on the global stage
Author: Matthew Johnston
Lessons: 5
Advanced Level
English
Intellectual property affects many aspects of business. In some cases, it also impacts personal lives and reputations. Intellectual property law protects creative works and inventions. This protection encourages creativity, promotes innovation, protects investments, and boosts the economy. Trademarks, copyrights, and patents are common tools for protecting your business and creative works.
Intellectual property law is often seen as the backbone of a business. It helps protect ideas, innovations, and creativity. It helps to ensure that you can control how your work is used, whether it’s a form of entertainment, your unique expression of a brilliant idea, or a scientific discovery.
In this course, we introduce you to intellectual property and intellectual property rights. We explain what intellectual property is, the different forms it can take, and why it was established. We also discuss the economic impact, cost, and benefits of intellectual property. We’ll provide an overview of intellectual property law.
Learning Objectives:
Define intellectual property
Understand intellectual property rights
Discuss impacts of intellectual property
Skills You Will Learn:
Intellectual Property rights
Intellectual Property Law
International understanding of intellectual property
Proactive Contingency Planning
Learn about the importance of contingency planning and risk analysis
Author: Matthew Johnston
Lessons: 5
Advanced
English
Contingency plans consider an organization’s risk factors. They are designed to outline the steps and actions an organization will take in response to unforeseen events, emergencies, or disruptions—and minimize the negative impact of such events on the organization’s operations, reputation, finances, and overall stability. Contingency plans help organizations maintain business continuity, protect critical assets, and ensure the safety of employees and stakeholders in the face of uncertainties or risks. By preparing for potential issues in advance, organizations can increase their resilience and reduce downtime, which improves their ability to recover and adapt to changing circumstances.
In this Proactive Contingency Planning course, we discuss risk and risk analysis, and introduce the concept of contingency planning. We discuss the role a business impact analysis plays in developing a contingency plan. And we look at various ways to test contingency plans, including checklists, walk-through exercises, simulations, and parallel versus full interrupt.
Learning Objectives:
Understand the concept of risk and its role in contingency planning
Identify the components of a comprehensive contingency plan
Explain the role of a business impact analysis in contingency planning
Skills You Will Learn:
Risk analysis and assessment
Business impact analysis
Contingency plan development
Creating
Financial
Models
Learn how to create, prepare, and evaluate financial models
Author: Matthew Johnston
Lessons: 5
Advanced
English
Wouldn’t it be great to look into a crystal ball and know what the future holds for your business? There’s no such ability, but financial modeling gives companies the next best thing. Financial modeling uses mathematical data captured in the present to anticipate what the future is likely to bring. Financial modeling is a powerful tool that can help businesses and investors make informed financial decisions. Understanding finance theory and knowing the model development steps can help you create robust financial models that are consistent with the principles of finance.
In Creating Financial Models, you’ll enhance your financial decision-making process by mastering the skills of financial modeling. You will learn how to create, prepare, and evaluate financial models using Microsoft Excel. You will explore how to evaluate the results of your financial model using different methods of analysis and learn how to communicate model results effectively using the pyramid structure.
Learning Objectives
Understand the principles of financial modeling
Apply the pyramid structure
Evaluate financial models using comparison techniques and sensitivity analysis
Create effective financial models to solve complex business problems
Use financial models to inform and guide business decisions
Skills You Will Learn
Financial modeling
Excel for finance
Sensitivity analysis
Understanding How Brokerage Firms Work
Learn about brokerage firms and how to choose one
Author: Matthew Johnston
Lessons: 5
Essential
English
Brokerage firms, also known as broker-dealers, act as the essential middlemen in the financial world, ensuring that the process of buying and selling securities goes smoothly. These firms are indispensable, acting as the bridge between a buyer and a seller. Whether you're an individual looking to invest a small sum or an institutional investor managing millions, you'll likely interact with a brokerage firm. From full-service giants to futuristic robo-advisors, this course sheds light on the pivotal role these entities play in connecting buyers and sellers in the market. You will learn the differences between various types of brokerages, their pros and cons, and gain insights into choosing the right one for your specific investment needs. If you're eager to navigate the financial world with confidence, this course provides the essential knowledge and tools you need.
In Understanding How Brokerage Firms Work, you will learn what brokerage firms are, the types of brokerage firms, and what to consider when choosing a brokerage account. You will also learn about fees associated with brokerage accounts and the types of investments that can be made with a brokerage account.
Learning Objectives:
Identify the primary roles and functions of brokerage firms
Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages associated with each type of brokerage
Develop strategies to choose the right brokerage account
Skills You Will Learn:
Brokerage assessment
Investment strategy formulation
Financial decision making
Courses currently in production.
The timeline for each course is usually several months from initial outline to approved script, that’s my part. After the script is approved, it is added to a queue for video production and editing, which can take 6 or more months to complete.
Courses which I have completed, but are yet to be published are as follows:
Financial Literacy Series
FIN1020 Financial Markets for Beginners
(Word count: 4,810)
FIN1033 Basic Rules of Investing
(Word count: 3,268)
FIN1026: Investing by Age
(Word count: 4,592)
FIN1031: Measuring Investment Risk
(Word count: 7,131)
FIN1032: Building Your Investment Portfolio
(Word count: 6,364)
FIN1034: Learning To Diversify Your Portfolio
(Word count: 5,630)