The learning strategy of this module requires students to commit to 150 learning hours comprising 30 hours of class support and 120 hours of independent and self directed study.

The module will draw upon all of the following:
- Tutor-led sessions
- Group discussions
- Case study analysis
- Directed reading

Action Learning Sets will be employed as part of the independent learning time, where students will have the opportunity to look at the real problems which concern them. They will also enable students to make commitments to action which they would not necessarily be in a position to do after having listened to a lecture or seminar, or as an individual working in isolation.

The module will be supported by Blackboard VLE.

During this time students will engage with and apply relevant graduate skills, gain library and internet skills to apply to both elements of assessment, and engage and apply presentation skills.

The module is ideal for students considering starting their own business and as a brief introduction for the Foundation Degree in Business Startup. It will to a great extent focus on the personal development aspects of the individual. The module looks at time management, goal setting, analysing personal strengths and weaknesses, and personal development planning.

Entrepreneurial skills will be introduced, including ideas generation and problem solving. This will include consideration of what enterprise means and the characteristics and behaviour of the entrepreneur.

The module will also facilitate the development of communication skills, in particular the delivery of an oral presentation.

The module examines the use of business planning techniques that you need:

- The importance of having a marketing plan - what one looks like and how it can be used effectively
- Understanding the value having of a business plan - the range of things you need to do in order to build one

The module is also concerned with a basic understanding of the role of accounting and finances in a business.

The module will introduce the key aspects of the environment in which businesses operate, including:

- Legal aspects and compliances
- Types of business (eg. partnerships, ltd, plc, etc.)
- Registering the business

Details - A written assignment, length 1000 words, weighted at 80% ( LO's 1, 2 & 3)
An individual 10-minute presentation, weighted at 20% ( LO's 3 & 4 )

A minimum grade point 4 must be achieved in each of the above to pass the module.

Barrow C. (2008). Practical financial management: a guide to budgets, balance sheets and business finance. 7th ed. Kogan Page. UK. [DAWSONERA]
Blackwell E. (2007), How to prepare a business plan. 5th ed. Kogan Page. UK. [DAWSONERA]

Burns P. (2001) Entrepreneurship and Small Business, Palgrave

Cottrell, S. (2003), Study Skills Handbook, Basingstoke, Palgrave

Hughes V. & Weller D. (2003) Setting up a Small Business, 3rd Ed, Hodder & Stoughton Ltd.

Levin P. (2008) Skilful Time Management Open University Press. UK. [EBRARY]

Northedge, A. (2005) The Good Study Guide Open University Worldwide

Price G. & Maier P. (2007) Effective Study Skills Pearson Education. UK. [DAWSONERA]

Reuvid J. (2008) Start up & run your own business: the essential guide to planning, funding and growing your own enterprise. 7th ed. Kogan Page. UK. [DAWSONERA]

Wallace, H.R. & Masters, L. (2000), Personal Development for Life and Work, South Western Education Publishers

Worthington, I & Britton, C. (2003), The Business Environment, Prentice Hall

Staffordshire University electronic resources and off-campus library facilities, typically:

Electronic data bases such as EBSCO

http://www.staffs.ac.uk/schools/business/ramsay/environment/
http://www.staffs.ac.uk/keyskills