The module examines the business planning process required to establish a viable small business.

This will include consideration of the following:

- Introduction to the business environment in which businesses operate; eg. UK economy, supply and demand theory, etc.
- Enterprise - the characteristics of an entrepreneur, developing an idea into a business proposition.
- Business Viability, classifications of costs; profit margins; contribution; break-even analysis and margin of safety.
- Capital Requirements; use and sources of finance, capital requirements; the decision to rent or buy.
- Legal Status; sole trader; partnership; limited company; franchise; business names; accounting requirements of the Companies Act; VAT and tax considerations.
- The Business Plan; objectives and templates; the importance, format & preparation of a business plan and cash flow forecasts.

Aspects of this process will be more fully explored in the Marketing & Communications and Managing Financial Resources modules.

The learning strategy for this module requires students to commit 150 learning hours (including assessment). This will include 24 hours of class support and 126 hours of independent and self directed study.

The class sessions will include formal lectures, case study analysis and group discussions based on student experiences in the subject area. Students will be encouraged to integrate their work based experiences with new knowledge and skills developed in the classroom as the module progresses.

Staffordshire University electronic resources and off-campus library facilities
The Blackboard website

LloydsTSB Business Banking Business Guides:
www.lloydstsbbusiness.com/support/businessguides/financing.asp
www.lloydstsb.com/success4business
www.businesslink.gov.uk [comprehensive business advice site]
www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/home.htm

Blackwell, E (2007) How to Prepare a Business Plan Kogan Page
Hughes V. & Weller D. (2006) Setting up a Small Business 3rd Ed, Teach Yourself Guide, Hodder & Stoughton Ltd.
Williams S (2008), The Financial Times Guide to Business Start-up Financial Times / PrenticeHall
Stokes, D. (2002) 4th edition Small Business Management. Thomson Learning

A Business Plan for a small business, comprising a written plan (1500 words) containing narrative and data (100%) (Learning Outcomes 1 - 4)