1. Integrated Business Curriculum

2. Main objectives
Main goal is to enable students, through practical and theoretical knowledge, to start their own business
Develop attitudes and skills necessary for personal success; lifelong learning and employability
Gain an understanding of the potential SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) as future employers
Consider self-employment and business creation as possible future career options

3. Description
The IBC programme is not a business game, but a real business experience which is implemented over a full academic year.
Divided in two courses – IBC 1 (winter semester) and IBC 2 (summer semester)
IBC 1 is more theory intensive, while IBC 2 focuses on practical and real-world experiences

4. Incorporates practical and theoretical knowledge from:
Management, HR and Crisis management
Business law
Marketing and logistics
Finance and accounting

5. Implementation
Students are divided in smaller groups, discussing business ideas and products – several alternatives are chosen
Each group takes an idea and makes a preliminary marketing research, presenting it to the whole class
The class votes on the ideas and choses the best and most viable business idea
Students form the company and organizational structure, including a management team and several departments (usually production, marketing, finance, law and Human Resources)
Organizing an IPO

6. Implementation
A comprehensive business plan is created for the lifetime of the company. The plan is presented in front of business experts and APERM (Agency for Promotion of Entrepreneurship in the Republic of Macedonia)
Departments organize themselves with various activities regarding production of the product/service and marketing
Students organize sales events and direct sales in the period of 2-3 weeks
Performance and success evaluation
Liquidation of the company

7. Specific objectives Develop personal skills including:
Working as a team, Communication, Decision-making, Time management, Creative thinking
Gain an understanding of how a company works in totality, particularly:
Marketing, Operations, Finance, Quality, Customer satisfaction
Gain an understanding of the wealth creation process through:
Share ownership, Understanding finance, Understanding adding value, Understanding innovation

8. Learning outcomes
The Integrated Business Curriculum is not a business game, but a real experience which is run during the academic year. Through the program students will discover for themselves how a business functions in a real-life scenario. They will develop skills such as:
Working as a team
Leadership
Influencing others
Building relationships
Business Planning
Financial management and control
Taking responsibility for their actions

9. Grading system Exams 60% Company program 40%
Two exams taken where each exam has maximum 30 points on the total final scale, amounting to total of 60 points
Exams
60%
Attendance at classes – 10 points
Student’s Performance – 20 points
Company’s Success (Profit, Sales) – 5 points
Extra Performance/Engagement – 5 points
Company program
40%

10. Resources and tools 4 professors mentoring Classroom with materials
Individual and group consultations
Classroom with materials
Includes lessons, practical exercises and computers
Access to digital media
Banners, pictures and promotional texts, as well as social media platforms for promotion
Physical marketing instruments
Location and materials for selling products/services
Access to business experts

11. Examples