Get Matched With Business Management Programs
What is Business Management?
Business managers supervise an organization’s employees and oversee their work activities and continuing training in many cases. From manufacturing to retail, real estate, healthcare, finance, transportation, construction, and more, business managers hold a vital role.
As for where business managers come in, it isn’t easy for businesses to keep every department working cooperatively with each other. Effective business managers know how to motivate their employees and how to communicate with them. They keep their employees engaged and understand what employees care about. Managers reward effort, helping to make individual workers feel important. They stay committed to their team, which may boost productivity, and focus their team’s efforts, keeping everyone on track.
This professionals role is to ensure their organization operates efficiently and focuses on achieving its financial goals. The business manager may also look for and identify new opportunities for growth. These opportunities may be in new markets or in shoring up inefficiencies within the existing organization.
Before being hired, a prospective business manager should have a good understanding of the job duties they will have. Though the main function of this position is supervising daily operations, they may also take on additional responsibilities as needed, depending on the organization they work for and the industry that they operate within. Some of these responsibilities may include creating business opportunities allowing expansion into new markets; hiring, training, and evaluating new employees; completing performance evaluations throughout the year for existing employees; and more.
Business managers often report to top executives regularly. They may present performance summaries for specific departments during these reports, such as for marketing and sales, for instance.
Compare Popular Online Business Management Programs
Online Business Management Education in Mississippi
Professionals in business management should be able to find a position in just about any industry in the state of Mississippi. From manufacturing, where organizations made $18.8 billion in revenue in a recent year, to the retail trade ($9 billion), business managers hold a vital role. They all ensure that their department and employees are performing well and keeping customers happy.
Mississippi claims the lowest cost of living in the US despite the fact that its agricultural economy is valued at $7.72 billion. The state’s seafood industry produces the world’s largest quantity of pond-raised catfish; the state’s production of eggs, poultry, and dairy products is notably high; and, within the US, Mississippi is the third highest for cotton growth.
Manufacturing is now the state’s highest-earning industry even though it wasn’t until 1936 that manufacturing was introduced to the state as a way of boosting its economy. This effort also worked to lessen the effects of the Great Depression; industries in the northern states were incentivized to move into the south when states offered subsidies, affordable land, and low taxes.
Online Associate Degree in Business Management (AS)
Some Mississippi community colleges offers two-year academic programs focused on business management. These programs often cover nearly everything in the first two years of courses in a four-year university’s college of business and at least some core business courses. In the best cases, students will have the option to easily transfer their credits to a four-year institution so they can complete a bachelor’s degree.
This level of degree introduces students to the role of business within the 21st century global environment and can also offer more challenging activities for the students above and beyond basic, foundational knowledge. These contribute to the economic, educational, and cultural growth of students. Throughout a two-year curriculum, students should be able to develop the written and oral communication skills they will need for successful business careers.
Management courses are sometimes an option in these programs and students may be able to complete the program online if it is an option from whatever college or university they choose.
Some entry-level employment opportunities may include office manager, administrative assistant, assistant manager, business analyst, sales representative, accounts payable clerk, account manager, or staff accountant.
Online Bachelor's Degree in Business Management (BS)
Some Mississippi universities offer a bachelor of business management or another equivalent degree in the business and management fields. Graduates from these types of programs can begin their careers as either entrepreneurs or a managers.
Both of these professions are vital to Mississippi and the US. Undergraduate curriculum in this subject gives students the flexibility they seek to pursue specific interests in business within a variety of industries. Courses may include Organizational Behavior and Entrepreneurship, Principles of Management, Production and Human Resource Management, and more. Undergraduate students are also able to take advanced electives to gain more specialized knowledge. Graduating seniors may have to take a capstone course, such as Business Policy or a Management Seminar.
Some career opportunities may include work as a business developer, business owner, project manager, operations manager, chief executive officer, human resources director, consultant, general manager, and more.
Find Your Online Business Management Program
Online Master's Degree in Business Management (MS)
Many master’s degrees are available online, and that’s no less true for a master’s in business management or a related field. These degree programs focus on developing those leadership skills that are in demand in today’s rapidly changing business world. Professional managers who seek a way to elevate their careers and those who are looking for new leadership opportunities can easily benefit from completing a program at this level. It has been proven that those who earn a master’s degree are more likely to find senior-level positions and gain a higher income earlier in their career.
It's for this reason that management master’s degrees and MBAs both focus on students who want to boost their business management careers upward. Students focus on classes that teach them about qualitative analysis methods, problem-solving tactics, talent management, and leadership theories and techniques.
Students who are considering earning their master’s or MBA should be able to achieve their career goals and become more competitive in today’s workforce.
Online PhD Degree in Business Management (PhD)
Students who have earned their master’s in business management may choose to continue on with their education and earn a Management PhD. A PhD in Management can focus on micro- and macro-organizational topics in both established and entrepreneurial organizations. The overarching goal of these programs is to help guide professionals who plan to enter research-focused positions in academia and research, where they may make contributions to their professional field.
Coursework can include seminars in human resource management, organizational behavior, strategic management, and organizational theory. Students are also required to take courses in research methods and statistics. This helps them to develop the professional skills needed for success in the PhD program and in their careers.
As with other PhD programs, Management PhD students will work together with faculty members, focusing on research, and they will also likely attend research colloquiums and other developmental activities.
Become a Business Manager in Mississippi
Professional certifications for management personnel may not be required by the state of Mississippi, but they can be very helpful for those managers who are looking for a way to advance their career. Below you will find just some of the option for certifications focused on management professionals. Those who work in niche industries will likely have even more options when it comes time to earn their own certifications.
- Project Management Professional (Project Management Institute)
PMI conducted research into the upcoming need for project managers. Between 2019 and 2027, employers all over the world may need to hire about 87.7 million project managers. Annually, this works out to approximately 2.2 million new jobs oriented on project management. The industries seeking project managers now include finance, insurance, manufacturing, healthcare, professional services, information services, construction, and publishing and this certification is one of the most widely requested by employers who are looking for highly qualified personnel. - Certified Business Process Associate, Professional or Leader (CBPA)
This certification helps business process professionals to grow their skills so that they satisfy the strict standards which are expected of business process management professionals. These certifications are available at the associate, professional, and leader levels. Given that more and more organizations are seeking managers who are able to work as business process management professionals, those who earn it will be in high demand. - Certificate in Analytical Skills
This certification is meant for data analysts and, should they earn this certificate, these professionals may be able to guide their careers in any direction they want. The certificate is available at three levels; higher levels equip professionals with more advanced skills, meaning they are able to analyze and interpret data more efficiently. Rather than being software-specific, it offers core principles that can be used in all analysis and research positions. - Certified Professional - Human Resource (IPMA-HR)
This certification stresses excellence in human resources in the public sector. It also encourages and promotes continuous learning and develops the upcoming generation of leaders. Two certifications which are recognized internationally include the IPMP-CP and IMPA-CS.
Find Online Business Management Programs
Potential Careers for Business Management Graduates
- Sales Manager
A sales manager leads their team of sales representatives and provide training, guidance, and mentorship. They also assign sales quotas and goals, establish sales plans, and assign territories. They may have access to data on each representatives completed sales so that they can analyze strengths and weaknesses. - Financial Analyst
Financial analysts track their organization’s financial performance and analyze the organization’s performance along with market conditions. This helps them to create forecasts and assist senior management in making strategic decisions for the company. Financial analysts aren’t limited to working for financial institutions, nor do they only help their organizations make the right investments. - Account Manager
An account manager advocates for their client and they work with internal departments, ensuring that the needs of their clients are clearly understood and satisfied. They may make sales, deal with client complaints, improve the overall experience for clients, and collect and analyze sales and client data.
The best account managers should have top-notch computer, communication, and problem-solving skills. They need to be analytical, organized, adaptable, and resourceful as they work with clients.
- Benefits Specialist (HR)
A benefits specialist focuses on an organization’s employee benefits program. This professional administers the program, making sure that every employee can successfully enroll for health insurance and pension benefits; they also make sure employees know how their benefits work.
A successful benefits specialist needs top-notch organizational skills and a solid understanding of the different benefits organizations can provide.
- Accounting Supervisor
These professionals make sure every financial and accounting operation runs smoothly within the accounting department. They supervise junior accounting staff, reconcile general ledger accounts, and review financial statements.
An accounting supervisor recruits and trains new accounting staffers and they help prepare payroll records and put disciplinary measures in place for employees who are performing poorly. They also stay current with the newest accounting technologies and software, which helps to streamline accounting processes.
- C-Suite Executives
These professionals hold vital roles in organizations. They hold senior positions and affect company-wide decisions. The “C” in their title stands for Chief. In any organization, there are likely several C-level executives that make decisions.
Some C-suite titles include CEO (Chief Executive Officer; COO (Chief Operations Officer); CFO (Chief Financial Officer); CMO (Chief Marketing Officer); CTO (Chief Technology Officer); and CHRO (Chief Human Resources Officer).
- Non-Profit Manager
A non-profit manager may manage an international non-profit organization, or they may oversee a small community organization. These professionals work closely with the board members, keeping them updated on the newest developments. They may help with publicity and marketing or they may play a more active role, helping the Director of Philanthropy and focusing on the fundraising for the organization. - Business Analyst
These professionals hold information technology roles. It’s their responsibility to assess the needs of the organization and keep track when they change. In carrying out their duties, they consider changes and analyze what the impact of changes might be. They also document communications between concerned stakeholders and groups and may act as liaisons between departments and groups. In this activity, they may also become intermediaries, helping to support and express needs between business units.