Overview

This module will introduce students to the key tenets of business development with a particular focus on HRM aspects:- - first planning, designing, conducting and writing-up an effective feasibility plan (or new venture proposal) - then preparing an integrated business plan for a business/ management/ new venture creation (or related) idea.

Participants will be required to draft a proposal for a short feasibility plan (or new venture proposal) within business/ management/ new venture creation (or related) (etc). This will include (but not limited to) the formulation of a business/ management/ new venture creation (or related) idea, business/ management/ new venture creation (or related) acknowledgement of the problem, Proposed solution / Outline of approach, Timeline. Pricing etc

Students will then be supported through the principles involved in new venture creation and be required to develop a plan for a sustainable business activity. The overall process involves considering establishing a venture from idea generation to the completion of a business plan - including business description and the market, development and production, sales and marketing, management team and the financial plan. Students on this module will focus particularly on the HRM aspects of the process.

This module will introduce students to the key tenets of planning, designing, conducting and writing-up an effective feasibility plan (or new venture proposal) and a 3rd year undergraduate business plan for a business/ management/ new venture creation (or related) idea with a particular focus on HRM aspects.

Participants will be required to draft a proposal for a short feasibility plan (or new venture proposal) within business/ management/ new venture creation (or related) (etc). This will include (but not limited to) the formulation of a business/ management/ new venture creation (or related) idea, business/management/ new venture creation (or related) acknowledgement of the problem, Proposed solution / Outline of approach, Timeline. Pricing etc

Students will then be supported through the principles involved in new venture creation and be required to develop a sustainable business plan. This includes the process of establishing a venture from idea generation to the completion of a business plan. To follow the process of developing a business plan through its various stages, including business description and the market, development and production, sales and marketing, management team, HRM strategy, and the financial plan.This will include (but not limited to) Executive Summary (objectives, products and services, target markets, financial projections, investment required) Products and Services (Products summary, pricing, margins, profit per unit) External Analysis (economic indicators, market research and trends) Marketing Plan.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -D- to D+ (40-49%): Students must show that they have some grasp of the elements contributing towards a business related project. This will include some grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practical elements and some integration of theory/practice/information in pursuit of the assessed work's objectives.

-good -B- to B+ (60-69%): Students must show that they have a good grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practical elements and good integration of theory/practice/information in pursuit of the assessed work's objectives.

-excellent -A- to A* (70% +): Students will have shown an excellent grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practice elements and excellent integration of theory/practice/information in pursuit of the assessed work's objectives.

-another level-C- to C+ (50-59%): Students must demonstrate that they have a adequate grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practical elements and adequate integration of theory/practice/information in pursuit of the assessed work's objectives.

Learning Outcomes

• Appreciate and apply quality measures for assessing a credible, ethical and sustainable business plan.

• Appreciate the purpose of key aspects of planning and carrying out research into business and management.

• Demonstrate business industry information and interpretation skills.

• Demonstrate key presentation and organisation skills. This through planning, editing and compiling a substantial business plan project report.

• Evaluate the issues facing businesses considering developing their activities across a wide spectrum of management areas - including but not limited to operations, human resources, marketing, entrepreneurship, information, and finance - all within a sustainable and ethical agenda and emphasising HRM.

• Synthesise and critically appraise a body of academic or industrial literature, particularly for management of HR, to generate a feasibility proposal.