Introduction to Business Management
The nature of business, business plans and start-ups, legalities – sole traders and partnerships, limited companies, non-profit organisations, public sector organisations.
Operations Management
Production methods, cost, revenue and break-even analysis, quality assurance, production planning, project management.
Strategic Management
Vision and mission, objectives, planning and strategy, contingency planning, implementation, change control.
Marketing
Marketing concepts, market research, market segmentation, positioning and targeting, new product development and the product life cycle, brand awareness, the marketing mix (product, price, place, promotion), competitor analysis, marketing strategies, e-commerce.
Mathematics and Statistics for Business
Financial Mathematics, Calculus and Profit Maximisation, Descriptive Statistics, Measure of Association, Probability, Statistical Inference.
Financial Accounting I and II
Introduction to financial accounting, users of financial information, key accounting models, terminology, need for financial statements, the balance sheet, balance sheet layouts, ratio and the balance sheet.Income statement and layout, ratios, revenues and trade receivables, owners equity, cash flow measurement and documentation, inventories and cost of sales, tangible and intangible assets, liabilities, financial statements and recording transactions, preparing financial statements, analyzing and interpreting financial statements, analysis tools, auditing.
Macroeconomics
Introduction to macroeconomics, understanding macroeconomics, principles of economics, how the market works, gross domestic product, international trade, open economy, Labour market, income, expenditure and the circular flow, the consumer price index, cost of taxation, employment, cost of living, the Philips Curve, national income, supply and demand for goods and services, money and inflation, the quantity theory of money, interest rates, social costs of inflation, hyperinflation, exchange rates.Economic fluctuations, economic growth, economy in the long run, accumulation of Capital, population growth, policies to promote growth, the Solow Model, the business cycle, aggregate demand and supply, the IS-LM Model, the money market, how fiscal and monetary policies shift the LM Curve, floating and fixed exchange rates, the Mundell-Fleming Model, policy debates, investment, government policies.
Microeconomics
Introduction to microeconomics, trade, trade-offs and government policy, production and supply, elasticities, individual choice in supply and demand, production and cost analysis, competitive markets, oligopoly and monopolistic competition and strategic pricing, uncertainty.
Leadership and Communication in the Workplace
Effective communication skills, leadership styles, information gathering and interpretation, problem solving, decision making, workforce planning, conflict resolution, time management, delegation.
Effective Performance in the Workplace
Company organisational culture and structures, building an effective workforce – recruitment, team selection, appointment and termination, training and appraisal, motivational strategies, competition in the workplace. Wage and salary administration, job restructuring.
Employee Relations and the Law
Human resources management, employee representation, industrial democracy including bargaining, consultation and participation, industrial relations - action and disputes. Government policy (including EU and other industrial blocs), consumer protection, workforce protection, equal opportunities legislation, pressure groups. Taxation.
Business Ethics
Business ethics, business and the environment, corporate social responsibility. Commercial Law, Company Law, Contract Law, Employment Law, Law of Tort.
Entrepreneurial Skills
Innovation, research and new product development.
Spreadsheets (Calc)
Introduction to spreadsheets, step by step instructions on using the features, functions and applications for spreadsheets, customizing the spreadsheet software, installing the spreadsheet software, security, platforms, operating system compatibility.
Case Studies
Three business management case studies.
Setting Up & Marketing Your Own Consultancy
The Business Plan, Legalities, Setting Up, the Marketing Strategy, Knowing Your Competitors, Promotional Tools.
Presentation Skills
Preparation and Research, Speech Content, Subject Matter and Objectives, Speech Delivery and Variety, Body Language, Eye Contact, etc., Presentation Aids e.g. Visuals, etc., Management of Locations and Audiences, Presentation Structure.
Business Management Briefs
The projects are an important part of the course. Each course participant is given five project briefs. Participants are asked at the end of the course to produce five business management projects. This gives participants the opportunity to use the knowledge they have obtained during the course in a focused way.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Methods of Training
Online Lecture Modules, Subject Expert Feedback Sessions after each Module, Practical Case Studies, End of Module Practical Activities etc.
Subject Experts
Full support is available from our Subject Experts by email at the end of each module and an ongoing basis during the course.
Who Should Apply
Anyone working in the general business sector in a senior or support role which is likely to require Business Management Skills.
Qualifications
Successful candidates are awarded the Diploma in Business at Pass, Credit or Distinction level.