Discover how to generate business ideas and set yourself up for commercial success, with the University of Reading and Henley Business School’s new free FutureLearn course.
Dr Marrisa Joseph, Associate Professor of Organisation Studies and Business History, shares how her free short online course – Developing Business Ideas for Commercial Success – introduces you to the tools and skills you need to develop a business idea and protect your intellectual property.
The importance of intellectual property
Dr Joseph explained that often professionals underestimate the importance of intellectual property when commercialising an idea, which is critical for securing your rights and safeguarding the value of your innovation.
She said: “Before I became an academic, I worked in rights management in the publishing industry. Through working with a range of corporate clients and the public, I learnt that intellectual property rights – which are rights that safeguard creators’ interests – are a key part of a successful business strategy.
“I’ve taken this knowledge into my academic research and teaching. I use my experience in industry to educate students about the value of understanding intellectual property management, and how approaching this area strategically can be beneficial to a business.
“In many careers, professionals at all levels are required to bring new ideas to their workplace.
“Whether they are working in a team and creating a new product to bring to market, or perhaps considering starting their own business, we know that only having an idea isn’t enough. There needs to be an effective strategy to turn ideas into a commercial reality.”
A personalised action plan
This is exactly what Dr Joseph’s course aims to support professionals with – by the end, you will have an action plan that will help you take the first steps towards commercial success.
Watch the course trailer:
Dr Joseph said: “Developing Business Ideas for Commercial Success will help you understand why protecting your Intellectual Property (IP) is important and a vital step in formulating your action plan. The two-week course is designed to give you the practical tools, strategies, and confidence you need to succeed. You will learn about how to identify the needs of your target audience, generate creative ideas, and how intellectual property rights can be used within a commercial strategy.
“You will also review fundamental business and management concepts through contemporary examples across a variety of organisations and industry sectors. For example, watching interviews with a range of experts including the founder of Ella’s Kitchen and our University of Reading Chancellor, Paul Lindley OBE.”
Professional development
The course is suitable for professionals at different stages in their career – whether you are a graduate starting out in your first role, a manager in an established organisation, or an entrepreneur building your own company, this course could help you.
Dr Joseph said: “It’s designed for people who are looking to expand their business development knowledge. It aims to help you refine your entrepreneurial skills, using practical tools that can be applied in the workplace to develop an idea into a commercially viable proposition, and pitch it to potential investors or partners.
“Lifelong learning is essential for all of us, especially professionals seeking to progress up the career ladder.
“The course is supported by The CPD Certification Service and can contribute to a personal portfolio of skills and knowledge development including: business development, strategic thinking, commercial awareness and skills in influential communication and leadership.
“Most importantly, it will help you confidently apply practical tools and generate actionable plans to successfully drive innovation within an organisation, or in your own business.”
Dr Joseph will be facilitating the course on the FutureLearn platform from 28 April – 9 May, so you can benefit from reading her comments on the discussion board during or after this period. While the course is free to join at any time, you’ll have two weeks of access from your start date to complete it.
