The new course provides students with an introduction to utilizing the Internet as a viable business channel and to common e-business terminology and applications.
According to recent Nielsen/NetRating statistics, more than 215 million Americans actively surf the web. Retail e-commerce sales have topped $2.5 billion.
“The Internet is more than surfing for information and this course has been developed specifically for those who have a limited background in online marketing and e-commerce,”
“Some of our students are small business owners and entrepreneurs looking to move their businesses to the next level. Others have found themselves assuming online marketing tasks with little to no formal training and want to become more proficient, understand how to make their product competitive, understand trends and comply with the ‘rules,” Dr. Bryde added.
Ashworth’s “Online Business Management” program is comprised of 10 comprehensive lessons, each beginning with a subject matter preview and course objectives, and a vocabulary builder of new words and terms. Lessons include:
• Understanding e-business
• Creating an e-business plan
• Starting and operating your e-business
• e-business Marketing
• Website development and online presence
• Using web technology for business growth
• Creating buzz
• Selling your business
Students start the program at any time, study, complete practice exercises and online exams on their own schedule.
Brad Rudisail and Penny Waddell will serve as instructors for this course. Rudisail is a web developer, educator, writer, and marketing consultant. He taught at Mercer University in Atlanta, at several Technical Colleges throughout the state of Georgia, and for companies like AT&T, Comcast Cable and Verizon Wireless.
Rudisail also authored several courses for Ashworth University, including a course in computer networking. In addition, he writes a newspaper column for a number of papers in Central Georgia.
Waddell founded, owned, and operated a number of successful small businesses in the Atlanta, GA area. Additionally, she is the author of Going from Stress to Success, a Fundamental of Speech Textbook, which has received the distinct honor of being named one of Georgia’s “preferred speech texts” for students.
In between her entrepreneurial ventures and a busy family life, Waddell still makes time to serve as a professor of communications, professional writing, and business management.
“Like all of our Career School courses, Online Business Management is self paced,” commented Jon Bouffler, Ashworth Executive Vice President. “Many of our students are working full-time jobs and have families. We wanted this to be as flexible as possible so that they can work it into their work and family schedules. And with rising gas prices it helps that they can complete the course at home and not have to travel to a classroom.”
