This course introduces participants to the necessary tools required to successfully operate a business. Using Peer Mentoring, research, and presentation skills, ideas are presented and tested for viability as potential business opportunities. This course aims to raise awareness of the complexities involved in running a business, and develop creative thinking and analysis in relation to the functioning of successful entrepreneurial ventures.  

360 hours course

Week

Topics & Objectives

Learning Outcome

Teaching Method

Assessment Methods

Materials & Resources

1

Project Planning

Understand the elements of a project Plan and its usefulness in executing programs within a business.

Lecture, demonstration, group exercise, discussion

Preparation of an outline project plan based on a case study

Project plan template. Handouts of reading material

Create a Business Plan

Business Planning defined as the road map for business.

All elements of a business plan identified and their relationship to each one explained.

Copyright and Patents

Lecture, discussion, assigned peer groups for continuous work on business plan in groups of 5.

Agree on a business Idea and complete all the elements of a Business Plan weeks 1-11

Ongoing development of the business plan throughout the course. Completed plan at the end of course. Presentation of the Business

Business Plan template, Reading materials, examples of completed business plans. Podcasts, Videos, web research

2

Legal Structures for Business

Partnerships; Limited Companies

Sole Traders; Social Enterprise

NGO

Lecture, independent research, Small group activities

Which structure suits particular types of Business Ventures and Why

Flip chart paper, Pens, reporting back to main group on group activity

Define Business Communications

An understanding of how to write minutes, why minutes are important. Critique chairing meetings and evaluate the process. Awareness of listening skills, and practice of making contributions in meetings,

Workshop / Simulated meeting, minute taker, agenda, timing and minutes of the previous meeting

Peer to peer observations, assessments and feedback

Case study flip chart checklist

Organise end of course Business  networking event

Planning skills, Marketing, Promotion, Use of Social Media design flyers.

Practice use of project planning tools from week 1 & 2

Scheduling of event. Allocation of resources & responsibilities.

Peer to peer support.

tutor support

Project template Gantt Chart

Week

Topics & Objectives

Learning Outcome

Teaching Method

Assessment Methods

Materials & Resources

Financial Management

Use of computerised & manual systems to manage the flow of financial information

Excel worksheet /online computer accounting packages /

Practical application / production of financial information

Computers wipe board pens, templates

3

Marketing Research

Know how to conduct market research using questionnaires, focus groups, interviews.

Difference between qualitative and quantitative data and its uses.

Lecture, discussions, case studies.

Design questionnaire and conduct research with peers

Research templates. Handouts, flip chart pens

Marketing Communications.

Building & Maintaining your Brand Identity

Unique Selling Proposition

Finding your customers

Lecture, Video, Discussion

Group activities

Elevator pitch by students, participation feedback

Handouts

4

Establishing & Maintaining Customer Relationships

Finding that customer

Building Good Customer Facing Policies

Is the Customer Always Right?

Dealing with difficult Customers

Creating a Customer Charter

Procurement

Role play, case studies, lecture, discussion video

Feedback, participation,

Social Media for Business

Understand the range of social Media Tools available and evaluate those which are best suited to particular types of businesses.

Independent research

500 word report

Webinar, online videos

5

Environmental Issues

Investigate waste processing, and the use of natural energy, recycling

Lecture, discussion,

Completed 800 word report assessed

Hand out and a reading list, of information resources

International Trade

• Be able to discuss local import and export regulations.

• Evaluate the idea of a global market place

Case Study working remotely in assigned peer groups

Presentation to class  

Hand out and a reading list of information resources

This course provides the softer skills and awareness of the skills involved in being an entrepreneur. Many businesses fail because the people skills are not present. They do not know how to communicate with workers, suppliers, customers, potential customers. Being an entrepreneur is all about managing relationships with others from investors to cleaners because people are what determine the success of a business. People do business with people they trust and customers buy because they want to have a good experience

Week

Topics & Objectives

Learning Outcome

Teaching Method

Assessment Methods

Materials & Resources

1

How is entrepreneurship defined?

What drives Entrepreneurial Talent?

Developing and managing new ideas

Understand what enterprise and entrepreneurship means in a personal and wider context.

Recognise the value of ideas and how they can be harnessed and developed into credible business propositions.

Lecture, discussion

Home work: Research 2-4 people you admire as leaders and why. What are the key qualities?

Participation, feedback,

Video,  wipe board, pens

2

Leadership

How do we identify and define “good leadership”?

Self-awareness and strengthening your leadership

Awareness of your own leadership skills.

Leadership styles explored

How to respond to difficult people and situations by inspiring and fostering respect

Negotiation skills

build new skills to increase confidence

Methods of Motivating others

Lecture, discussion, research,

3-7 minute presentation to the class on chosen leaders.

Leadership Style questionnaire. Self-assessment discussion and reflection.

Emotional Intelligence self-assessment quiz

Demonstrate the attributes of an emotionally-intelligent leader

Awareness of how our emotions are involved in our daily decision making.

Case study: Role Play

Participation and feedback

3

Relationship Building.

Stakeholders in your business.

Be able to define a good customer relationship.

How to create and maintain Stakeholder Relationships

Lecture, video, discussions

Creating a Customer Charter

International Trade

Be able to discuss local import and export regulations.

Evaluate the idea of a global market place

Case Study working remotely in assigned peer groups splitting the topics

Presentation to Networking event  

Hand out and a reading list of information resources

4

Business Communications

Minute taking, Conducting Meetings, Setting the Agenda, Inviting Attendees.

Online Meeting tools, Skype, Google Hangout, Centrix

Case study: Role Play

Student Observers, peer analysis

Participation, feedback

5

Environmental Issues

Investigate waste processing, and the use of natural energy, recycling

Lecture, discussion,

Completed 300 word report assessed

Hand out and a reading list, of information resources