Free Online Business Classes from HP

Lesson 1: Getting comfortable with the Microsoft Word 2007 environment

Learn to navigate the Microsoft Word 2007 environment using the new Ribbon and Quick Access Toolbar. You’ll also learn how to customize the program so that it fits in with your natural work habits.

Discover how to work with text by formatting individual characters, blocks of text and even entire documents. As part of the process, you’ll also explore bulleted and numbered lists along with paragraph spacing.

Text is a vital part of any document. You’ll learn about basic editing and correction features in Word 2007. You’ll also get more tips for working with text, as well as learn how to preview and print your work.

Graphics can help strengthen your message. In this final lesson, you’ll discover how to use the SmartArt Gallery, work with clip art and photos and create tables both from scratch and using the Quick Tables feature.

Learn how to navigate the Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 environment using the new Ribbon, Quick Access toolbar and Mini toolbar. In addition, you’ll find out how to customize the program to fit your natural work habits.

PowerPoint offers a number of views to help you see different elements of a presentation document. This lesson teaches you how to work with PowerPoint views so you can navigate and review presentations quickly and easily.

Explore the attractive schemes and presentation themes that Microsoft PowerPoint offers. With themes, you can add a consistent look and feel to all aspects of your presentation, and make quick and easy changes.

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to work with text and simple graphics in a PowerPoint presentation. From creating text boxes and adding images, to using shapes and manipulating objects, you’ll learn the basics of creating stunning presentations.

Have you always wanted to learn Microsoft Excel but just haven’t had the time? If you don’t have any experience in Excel yet, that’s not a problem. This lesson eases you into the software by covering Microsoft Excel spreadsheet basics.

In this lesson, you’ll learn more about entering data in Excel, including how to edit existing data and simplify the entry of repeating data. You’ll also find out how to select and manipulate ranges (groups) of cells, and move and copy data among them.

Excel’s real power comes from its ability to “crunch numbers.” In this lesson, you’ll get an introduction to Excel’s numeric calculation capabilities, including simple math formulas and time-saving, built-in functions.

Once you know how to create a simple spreadsheet and add formulas and functions, it’s time to spice it up with formatting. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to add life to your spreadsheets with text, cell and page formatting.

Lesson 1: Business plan basics

This lesson covers the importance of a well-crafted business plan, and helps you develop a comprehensive strategy for positioning your company and identifying your customers. You’ll learn the components of a comprehensive business plan and get tips for reaching your audience and achieving maximum impact.

The business description is the heart of your business plan—it’s where you convince investors of the intrinsic value of your product or service. This lesson walks you through the process of describing your company’s status, history, products and services, unique selling points and growth potential.

Now that you’ve positioned your business—the what and the why—it’s time to focus on the who: your customers. This lesson shows you how to describe your market in the best possible terms.

Potential investors want to know more than what you do and who your customers are: they need to see an operating plan that clearly delineates how your business works. In this lesson you’ll explore strategies for presenting a clear picture of how you’ll execute your plan.

Lesson 1: Brainstorm logo ideas by exploring your corporate identity

How well do you know your business? In this lesson, you’ll take a close look at who you are and what your business offers customers. You’ll also explore the various factors that contribute to a corporate image and see how to incorporate those into logo design.

In this lesson, you’ll learn about the various types of business logos that exist, and take a look at the pros and cons of each. You’ll also learn how to evaluate a potential business logo design and understand the best way to determine if it communicates your message.

When it’s time to design your logo, you can do it yourself, hire a professional, or use an online business logo design service. This lesson shows you how to create a simple business logo, and helps you consider important logo factors if you decide to work with a professional.

After you have the perfect logo that conveys who you are and what you do, it’s time to get it out into the world. In this lesson, you’ll learn how you can use your logo in all types of business marketing materials, the majority of which you can create in-house.

Lesson 1: Elements of a website

Building a website should be an enjoyable process. Getting organized first will help. In this lesson, you’ll learn what you need to think about and plan for before you begin construction so that your site doesn’t overwhelm you or become a burden in the future.

You don’t have to be a graphic design expert to build a site you can be proud of. Web designers have learned a lot over the years that you can apply to your own site design. Learn a few tips, understand some basic rules and find out where you can go for freebies to help make your design job easy.

In this lesson, you’ll learn the nuts and bolts of website construction. Find out which tools are available for building a website, how to work with graphics, when and how to add links to other pages and how to determine what your audience is going to see and experience.

The web consists of an overwhelming array of an almost infinite number of websites. So where will your site go and how will you get to it? In this lesson, learn the ins and outs of publishing your site on the web, including how to find a service provider and how to choose a web address.

Often a simple text- and image-based website is all you need. However, there are instances when adding multimedia elements—movies, presentations or music—is appropriate. In this lesson, you’ll determine if your site needs these elements and how to add them.

Now that your site is posted on the web, how do you let people know about it? In this lesson, you’ll learn what you can do to make your site more visible, how to make sure your site can be found easily by web surfers and how to keep visitors coming back for more.