This module is the first of a pair of modules which together make up `The Enterprising Graduate'. This first module (EG1) is concerned with developing a business idea and business plan and presenting it to a specialist panel.
It builds a critical understanding of the factors relevant to starting a new business. It can be taken as a stand-alone module but it is also a pre-requisite for enterprising graduate 2 (EG2).

This module will develop enterprising graduates `who have the skills, knowledge and attributes needed to apply creative ideas and innovations to practical solutions'. This includes `initiative, independence, creativity, problem-solving, identifying and working on opportunities, leadership, acting resourcefully and responding to challenges' (Rae, 2007, p 611).

The module considers the personal skills and knowledge required of enterprising managers, enabling students to research business ideas, products, services and markets. The programme aims to produce enterprising, entrepreneurial graduates, enhancing their employability.

The Enterprising Graduate, if they so wish, may move on from EG1, the idea and plan, to implementation in EG2; actually founding and running a business.

Students also have the opportunity to be an 'assistant business volunteer', helping to deliver a programme in the community enhancing business skills. They also create for themselves a business experience to draw on in job applications and interviews

Indicative module content:
- Managerial competencies
- Forming the business
- Business Research and Marketing Research - methods and evaluation
- Idea formulation and feasibility studies - proof of concept
- Resource planning
- Awareness of regulatory requirements
- Presentation skills
- Finance, marketing, staff in the small business (triple bottom line people, planet, profit)

Libraries for textbooks and journals
Module website via Blackboard
Lecture notes and handouts
The Internet

Group Business Plan and presentation (60%, 2500 words)
Individual critically reflective report (40%, 1000 words)

Barrow, C., Barrow, P. and Brown, R. (2008) The Business Plan Workbook: The Definitive Guide to Researching, Writing Up and Presenting a Winning Plan, 6th Edition, Kogan Page

Burns, P. (2011) Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 3rd Edition, Palgrave Macmillan

1. DEMONSTRATE AN UNDERSTANDING AND EVALUATION OF THE PERSONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS NECESSARY FOR SUCCESSFUL ENTERPRISE (Analysis, Knowledge & Understanding)

2. EXPRESS NEW IDEAS AND ARGUMENTS IN A CONVINCING MANNER WHICH AUGMENT OR JUSTIFY A LINE OF REASONING AND PROVIDE A RATIONALE FOR MAKING DECISIONS AND INNOVATING (Learning)

3. APPRECIATE TEAM DYNAMICS AND BE ABLE TO CRITICALLY MONITOR, EVALUATE AND MODERATE ONE'S OWN BEHAVIOUR IN PURSUIT OF BUSINESS OBJECTIVES, INTERACTING CONSTRUCTIVELY AS PART OF A TEAM (Application, Knowledge & Understanding, Learning, Reflection)

4. TO BE ABLE TO REFLECT ON THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT AT A MACRO-AND MICRO LEVEL AND TO BE ABLE TO INCLUDE SUCH IN A BUSINESS PLANNING DOCUMENT (Application, Communication, Learning, Reflection)

The learning strategy for this module is based around students committing a total of 150 hours of activities towards achieving the learning outcomes. These will be split between 39 hours of direct contact with a tutor and 111 hours of directed, guided and self-study, together with preparation for and completion of the assessment tasks. Learning support material will be provided for the module.
The module will draw upon a mixture of activities including lectures, web-based activities, case study analysis, relevant videos and in-class discussions, individual and group problem solving and self-directed learning.