Module Provider: |
Agriculture |
Number of credits: |
10 [5 ECTS credits] |
Level: |
H (Honours) |
Terms in which taught: |
Spring |
Module Convenor: |
Dr
TU
Rehman |
Pre-requisites: |
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Co-requisites: |
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Modules excluded: |
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Module version for: |
2006/7 |
Aims:
Note: Students considering undertaking this module should discuss their intentions with the convenor as it requires commitment for group work from the first week onwards.
Aims:
The module aims to:
• Develop understanding of the skills needed and the issues raised in setting up your own business. It concentrates on business start-ups rather than developing and existing business (although many of the skills and principles are the same).
• Develop transferable skills that students will need in management situations.
The main questions the module will try to answer are:
1. What is entrepreneurship and is it for me?
2. How do I do it?
3. What do I need to do to start my own business?
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Assessable learning outcomes:
At the end of the module you will have developed the following management and core skills:
Management Skills:
Business Development: understand the resource requirements and resources use implications of business development. Students should be able to appreciate the factors that affect embarking on new ventures.
People Management: developing 'softer' skills required in managing a business, such as negotiation, networking and leadership.
Core skills:
Report writing
Presentation skills: developing skills in presenting oral reports.
Analytical thinking: developing problem-solving, numeracy, literacy, reasoning and appraisal skills. |
Additional outcomes:
Team working: and interaction with other students.
Improve techniques of purposive questioning, data collection and analysis. |
Outline content:
Students are expected to study the following topics: not all of them will be taught therefore students are expected to research the topics themselves:
Am I an entrepreneur? Developing ideas for a business:
Decide whether to start a business
How to develop ideas
Forming a business
Writing a business plan:
Making your business plan stand out
Marketing and selling:
Marketing your business
Pricing your product or service
Effective PR
Advertising
Effective selling
Looking after your customers. What banks look for in a business plan:
Customer care
Negotiation
Credit control
Building your skills to lead your business:
Developing yourself to achieve your personal goals
Effective leadership
Team building and high impact communication skills
Motivating and empowering your staff
Networking
Finding a mentor
Building your business team. The main roles in a business:
Choosing and using an accountant
Recruitment and interviewing
Business law and using a solicitor
Employment law
Financing your business:
Sources of finance
Grants
Simple bookkeeping
Budgeting
Setting up your office:
Searching for premises
Property licences
Incubators
Setting up an office
Insurance
Setting up your first IT system |
Brief description of teaching
and learning methods:
Seminars: including visiting speakers
Directed learning
Independent learning
Presentations: discussion and presentations to tutors and other students of the visits
Business plan writing: students must produce a written business plan |
Contact hours:
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Autumn |
Spring |
Summer |
| Lectures |
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| Tutorials/seminars |
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12 x 1hr |
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| Practicals |
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| Other contact (eg study visits) |
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8 |
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| Total hours |
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| Number of essays or assignments |
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| Other (eg major seminar paper) |
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Assessment:
This is a practical module that encourages students to understand how businesses operate.
Students are assessed in three ways, each counting towards the module's overall assessment.
Teams of students will develop a business idea into a fully developed plan. The business plan should not exceed 30 pages including text, graphics, appendices and budgets.
Each team will give a three-minute pitch/presentation to other teams. The pitch must 'sell' the business idea to the other teams, who will assess the presentation.
Each team will also be asked to make a five-minute presentation to a judging panel just before submitting their business plan. This will be followed by five minutes of discussion (Question and Answer) for the judges to assess the viability of the proposed business.
The module will be assessed as follows:
a) Pitch: the other teams' assessment will be worth 25% of the overall mark
b) Presentation and Q&A: worth 25% of the overall mark
c) Business Plan: worth 50% of the overall mark
Relative percentage of coursework: 100%
Penalties/or late submission:
Standard University rule applies: 10% marks deducted for work submitted up to one week late. Work submitted more than one week late will be awarded a zero mark.
Examinations:
none
Requirements for a pass:
40% overall
Reassessment arrangements:
By coursework: Resubmission of Business Plan |
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