Entrepreneurship Business Plan

Code

BUSI4557

School

Business

Level

4

Credits

60

Semesters

Summer UK

Summary

Students will be expected to develop a real business concept and take it through to a business plan. This will require an assessment of the IP position, a marketing analysis, producing a business strategy and a financial analysis. Students will be assisted in taking the plan to fruition.

Target Students

Only available for MSc Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Management students.

Classes

• One 1-hour workshop each week for 6 weeks

This module is taught through workshops.

Assessment

• 70% Project: 15,000 words.
• 30% Presentation: 15 min and 10 min Q and A. Re-assessment on this module will be a 15,000 words individual report.

Assessed by end of summer vacation

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
This module develops a knowledge and understanding of:
•    Markets - the development and operation of markets for resources, goods and services
•    Marketing and sales - different approaches for segmentation, targeting, positioning, generating sales, and the need for innovation in product and service design
•    Customers and stakeholders - customer expectations, service and orientation
•    Finance - the sources, uses and management of finance
•    The use of accounting and other information systems for managerial applications
•    People - strategic and operational HRM, meeting future organisational requirements, people development, HR systems
•    The management of resources
•    The management of operations
•    The management of projects
•    Tools and techniques for transforming (big) data into useful information for business analysis and decision support
•    Communications - the comprehension and use of relevant communications for application in business and management, including the use of digital tools
•    Business innovation - creativity, intrapreneurial - and entrepreneurial behaviour and enterprise development, and the management and exploitation of intellectual property
•    The importance of sustainability issues, including an understanding of the challenges and opportunities arising from the activities of people and organisations on the economic, social and environmental conditions of the future.
•    Leadership and management of people within organisations - leadership, organisational behaviour and motivation

Intellectual skills
This module develops:
•    Being able to think critically and be creative: manage the creative processes in self and others; organise thoughts, analyse, synthesise and critically appraise. This includes the capability to identify assumptions, evaluate statements in terms of evidence, detect false logic or reasoning, identify implicit values, define terms adequately and generalise appropriately
•    Being able to solve complex problems and make decisions: establish criteria, using appropriate decision-making techniques including identifying, formulating and solving business problems; and the ability to create, identify and evaluate options; the ability to implement and review decisions
•    Using information and knowledge effectively in order to abstract meaning from information and to share knowledge, including the use of quantitative skills

Professional practical skills
This module develops:
•    The ability to conduct research and enquiry into business and management issues either individually or as part of a team through research design, the collection and analysis of qualitative data, synthesis and reporting
•    Effective performance within team environments and the ability to recognise and utilise individuals' contributions in group processes and to negotiate and persuade or influence others; team selection, delegation, development and management. Leadership and performance management: selecting appropriate leadership style for different situations; setting objectives, motivating, monitoring performance, coaching and mentoring
•    The ability to recognise the need for and initiate change and to be able to manage change

Transferable (key) skills
This module develops:
•    Effective communication: networking, listening, oral and written communication of complex ideas and arguments, using a range of media, including the preparation of business reports
•    High personal effectiveness: critical self-awareness, self-reflection and self-management; time management; conflict resolution, displaying commercial acumen, the ability to continue to learn through reflection on practice and experience
•    Soft skills: understanding the needs of others and empathy towards them; sensitivity to diversity in people and in different situations

Conveners

• Dr Gary Chapman