Free General Management Courses Online

A holistic business model of a company relies on the efficient implementation of goals to achieve desired results. Strategy and leadership along with communication are key drivers, but at the same time motivating team members, making operational and structural decisions within an organisation also matter. This is where a general manager comes in. 

General Management - Definition

General management is the integration of various roles within an organisation to ensure overall operations run smoothly while driving revenue. A general manager, also an abbreviation of GM, manages the staff, checks the budget, supervises team members and reports to higher-level executives. 

The duties of the general manager are determined by an organisation’s structure. However, there are four major areas they need to specialise in. 

1. Planning (to determine objectives)
2. Organising (to distribute resources and objectives to team members)
3. Directing (that entails supervision)
4. Monitoring (whether the plans and objectives are aligning)

If you are planning to take on such responsibilities, a general management course will certainly help. 

What skills do I need to excel in General Management?

Technical Skills

1. Knowledge of spreadsheet software
2. Good understanding of financial management 
3. Basic understanding of corporate law
4. Technical writing skills
5. Marketing knowledge 
6. Creating reports

Tools

1. Trello
2. Typeform
3. Boomerang (for Gmail)
4. Gantt Chart
5. Microsoft Excel or similar
6. Microsoft Office

Soft Skills

1. Good leadership skills
2. Sound communication skills 
3. Teamwork
4. Motivation
5. Flexibility
6. Decision-making ability
7. Logical thinking
8. Updated with technological trends
9. Learning agility
10. Delegation
11. Time management

Who can learn General Management?

1. Any functional manager with experience in managing processes and teams can opt for a relevant general management course to upgrade his/her skills. 
2. Any professional with an understanding of how profits and losses are measured in a business unit can opt for a general management course.  

Eligibility criteria to learn General Management

1. A bachelor’s degree in any field is a prerequisite to pursuing a General Management course. Typically, a candidate with a degree in business administration or similar is ideal, as s/he will have some basics covered. Also, some relevant work experience along with training will be an added benefit in getting employed as a general manager in a major organisation. 

Top General Management Course Providers

1. Top General Management Courses on FutureLearn
2. Top General Management Courses by Harvard University
3. Top General Management Courses on edX
4. Top General Management Courses on Coursera

Top General Management Certifications for career growth

1. General Management for IT Executives by IIM Bangalore
2. People Management on edX
3. Influence Essentials for Leadership and Marketing on edX
4. Designing the Organization: From Strategy to Organizational Structure on Coursera
5. Post Graduate Certificate Programme in General Management on Times TSW
6. Managing Change in Organizations on NPTEL
7. From Group to Team: Leveraging Collective Resilience on FutureLearn
8. An Introduction to the Assessment of People at Work on FutureLearn

Free resources to learn General Management

Along with a general management course, you can stay updated with effective insights on leadership with the free resources mentioned below:

1. Blogs - Harvard Business Review, Inc.com, Eblin Group and Ask a Manager are among the best websites with regularly updated topics on leadership and management. 
2. Podcasts - Check out podcasts such as Manager Tools, Dose of Leadership, $100 MBA that cover a wide number of general management topics. 

Also, check out the Top General Management Interview Questions and Answers before going for a General Manager interview

Books to learn General Management

When you are pursuing a general management course, enhance your skills with the below-mentioned books:

1. Principles of General Management – The Art and Science of Getting Results Across Organizational Boundaries | Authors: John L Colley, Jacqueline L Doyle, Robert D Hardie, George W Logan, Wallace Stettinius

Written by five industry experts, the book provides a detailed account of strategies that a modern business leader needs. It has extensive chapters on the responsibilities of a general manager discussing qualitative aspects that convert hypothetical goals to concrete ones. 

2. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, Revised Edition | Author: Robert B Cialdini

This classic New York Times bestseller is recommended for all managers. It covers six universal aspects of influence including reciprocation, commitment and consistency, social proof, liking authority and scarcity. These can be methodically applied to bring positive changes in organisations 

Conclusion

A general manager also requires a good foundation in finance, along with the required skills mentioned above. A general management course will be much more beneficial if you have the additional expertise.