Individual OR Group (Tutor defined) Business plan 2500 words 50%
Individual, critically reflective report (1500 words) 50%

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. At level 6 this is a stand-alone module building
a critical understanding of the factors relevant to starting a new business.

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.

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)

Full time: 12 teaching weeks 3 hours per week
A mix of lectures/ tutorials/ large and small group activities, plus self directed learning, including accessing material on Blackboard. The learning strategy for this module requires students to commit 150 learning hours (including assessment). Guided independent learning and team working is an integral part of the module learning strategy, as is the independent formation of a suitable business team with identified roles.

There will also be an extended Workshop where invited speakers will offer advice on aspects of enterprise management and entrepreneurship. You will also have the opportunity to visit new start-up businesses, incubators and established enterprises. Further interaction with the wider business community such as banks, business angels, VCs, accountants, charities, community groups, schools, chambers of commerce and enterprise partners will be encouraged.

Therefore a key element of the learning strategy for this module is preparing for the presentation of the business idea and (marketing) plan to a specialist panel comprising where applicable the Young Enterprise Charity, module tutors, business consultants and professionals.

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

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 A SYSTEMATIC UNDERSTANDING AND CRITICAL 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 CRITICALLY 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)