Session 1: INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS START-UP

LEARNING OUTCOMES This module is intended for students who want to set up and run a new business or social enterprise. The module will draw on the participants’ new venture aspirations and take them rapidly through the five initial stages of business start-up: Idea, Proven Idea, Planning, Development & Ready to Start- Up. On completion of this module the student should be able to: 1. Write and present a formal plan for a new business or social enterprise. 2. Evaluate a peer’s business plan and offer constructive and supportive feed back on its content.

TOPICS COVERED Participants will produce a formal business plan that will include a component of each of the following: Week 1: Introduction Week 2: Entrepreneurship Week 3: Idea development Week 4: Marketing Week 5: Competitors and Organisational and legal structure Week 6: Technical developments and Risk assessment Week 7: Finance Week 8: Integrating and control Week 9: Guest speakers Week 10: Summary

TEACHING AND LEARNING METHODS Interactive workshop based approach: Participation Groupwork Presentations Self-study Attendance and performance of tasks outside classroom Ground rules: Be on time Mobile phones switched off No eating Learning by doing

METHOD OF ASSESMENT Their will be no formal examinations and all assessment will be via coursework only. All learning outcomes will be assessed as either written assignments or presentations. Re-assessment: coursework as appropriate.

RECOMMENDED READING TB Parks, Steve (2004) Start Your Business - Week by Week London: Pearson Books. also Barrow, C (2005), Enterprise Development: The Challenges of Starting, Growing and Selling Businesses. London: Thompson Burke, R (2006) Entrepreneurs Toolkit Lancaster: Gazelle Books/Burke Publishing. Burke, R (2006) Small Business Entrepreneur Lancaster: Gazelle Books/Burke Publishing. Stutley, R (2001) The Definitive Business Plan: The fast-track to intelligent business planning for executives and entrepreneurs. London: Financial Times Prentice Hall.

TOOLS TO BE USED Your university address CUOnline: Lecture notes and extra materials Communication and discussion

ORGANISATION OF THE MODULE Business Start-Up Thursday, 0900 – 1100, RC207 2 hour sessions: Theoretical material + discussions Groupwork + individual work 10 weeks = 10 sessions

CONTACT DETAILS SURGERY HOURS On Request

ANY QUESTIONS?