2012/13 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LUBS1015 Enterprise in Action

10 Credits Class Size: 37

Module manager: Dr Richard Tunstall
Email: r.tunstall@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2012/13

Mutually Exclusive

LUBS1120 Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
LUBS1885 Business Practice

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

In supporting academic teaching with multi-award winning business simulation software, "SimVenture", this module will allow you to develop an understanding of strategic business planning and management from an entrepreneur's perspective. You will be able to understand, and experience, the consequences of decision making in all aspects of a small business (such as organisational structure, sales & marketing, finance and operations) by simulating best practice in business start-up. The consequences of these actions will then be explored, evaluated and used to illustrate key concepts in current enterprise and entrepreneurship literature.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. demonstrate an understanding of different theoretical and methodological approaches to business planning and management;
2. recognise & apply basic general small business management skills in the areas of planning, organising, directing & controlling;
3. assess business situations and understand how decisions can impact on the operation of a small enterprise as a whole;
4. employ functional concepts & operations in activities such as marketing, finance, personnel, sales etc.

Learning outcomes

The objective of this module is to introduce students to the decisions and processes involved in managing a small enterprise, to allow them to explore the consequences of their decisions and evaluate their progress within a simulated business environment.

By the end of the module students will have an in-depth awareness of what is involved in strategic business planning and management from a variety of perspectives.

Skills outcomes

Critical thinking, decision making, analysis, research, communication, presentation, group work, pitching a business, business planning.

Syllabus

Week // Topic
1. Groups formation & Info about how to Start a Company in the Real World
2. Introduction to the Simulation software; Basic features and analysis of the concept; Test drive
3. Introduction: Porter's 4 Ps (Product, Placement, Price, Promotion)
4. Market Research & Reports, Market Segmentation & Product
5. Sales & Marketing
6. Profit forecasting & Financial projections 1
7. Profit forecasting & Financial projections 2
8. Problem Solving
9. How to Build, prepare and present a Business Plan
10. Company Progress Presentation & Competition outcomes
11. Revision & Coursework Surgery Session

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
Computer Class 11 2 22
Lecture 4 1 4
Private study hours 74
Total Contact hours 26
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 100

Private study

Students must attend the lectures and computer workshops.

Students will be expected to read widely about the various theories of small business management from a variety of perspectives and understand how theses relate to current practices.

Students will be expected to prepare essays, presentations and team assignments.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Attendance will be expected at every session, and non-attendance without good reason followed up.

Each session will be intensely interactive and progress issues will be addressed during the sessions.

Students will complete a piece of written work as part of the assessment.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework
Assessment type Notes % of formal assessment
Essay 2,000 words excluding references 70
Poster Presentation Group project 30
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) 100

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading List

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 4/22/2013

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team