Units

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Sample subject outline - 6 Week Teaching Period - 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Persons starting their own business, and companies wishing to create a new business, require business-planning skills. Employers want graduates who can research and write formal business plans that integrate all aspects of a business into a coherent document. The business plan may serve as a roadmap for the business, and/or as a device to secure strategic resources such as investment funding and key personnel. Without a business plan, firms may wander aimlessly, or proceed from crisis to crisis. This could be avoided by an appropriate degree of business planning.

Aims

The mission of the MBA program is to provide world class graduate business education and a stimulating learning experience to current and future business leaders and managers. The aim of this particular unit is to equip students with fundamental knowledge of the issues involved in researching and writing a formal business plan for an entrepreneurial new venture, whether for a start-up firm or for an existing business

Objectives

Course Learning Goals

The QUT Business School has established the Assurance of Learning (AoL) Goals to meet contemporary industry needs and standards. Achieving these learning outcomes will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT - aligned with other internationally renowned business schools.

Have knowledge and skills pertinent to a particular discipline (KS)

1.1 Well-researched knowledge and critical understanding applied to issues at the forefront of a specialised discipline area
1.2 Ability to select and use effectively a range of tools and technologies to locate and/or generate information appropriate to the disciplinary context

Be critical thinkers and effective problem solvers (CTA)

2.1 Apply logical, critical and creative thinking and judgement to generate appropriate solutions to problems in the disciplinary context

Be professional communicators in an intercultural context (PC)

3.1 Ability to create and present professional documents and/or reports using high levels of analysis/synthesis/evaluation for a range of contexts and audiences
3.2 Ability to orally communicate and justify ideas and information, at a professional level, for a variety of contexts and audiences, including peers and discipline specialists

Be able to work effectively in a Team Environment (TW)

4.1 Operate effectively and with flexibility to achieve common goals in collaborative settings, using a range of skills, including leadership, negotiation, reflection, proactivity and support for team members

Have a Social and Ethical Understanding (SEU)

5.1 Apply knowledge of the ethical, social and cultural dimensions relevant to business situations, including appropriate standards or codes of practice, to provide courses of action

Unit Objectives

On completing this unit, you will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the knowledge necessary to define, evaluate, write and communicate a new business venture Business Plan. (KS1.1 (MBA 1 & 8); PC3.1 (MBA 3)).
2. Use analytical and cognitive thinking skills to critically evaluate this new venture concept and strategy. (KS1.1 (MBA 1 & 7); CTA2.1 (MBA 4)).
3. Use creative thinking skills to discover, assemble, and propose a compelling potential new investment opportunity using learned conventions whilst working in a team. (KS1.1 (MBA 5 & 8); CTA2.1 (MBA 4); PC3.1 (MBA 3); TW4.1 (MBA 6)).
4. Effectively present a business plan to a panel of investors and other professionals. (PC3.2 (MBA 3); TW4.1 (MBA 6)).

Content

This unit contains the following modules:
Week 1. The Structure and Content of Business Plans (Module 1)
Week 2. New Venture Strategy and New Venture Marketing (Modules 2 & 3)
Week 3. New Venture Organisation and Ownership (Module 4)
Week 4. New Venture Funding and Financial Statements (Modules 5 & 6)
Week 5. Exam Week 6. Presenting and Defending your Business Plan (Module 7)
Week 7. Business Plan Presentations

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The assessment instruments used in this unit are designed to measure the extent to which you have achieved the objectives of the unit. Careful consideration has been given to the fact that different people have different learning styles and different demands on their time. Class format is mixed lecture and discussion - your involvement will be actively encouraged. You are expected to read the assigned readings and business plans and come to class armed with the relevant information such that you can participate effectively in class discussions. A range of reading materials are available in the GSN416 Study Guide (which includes formative assessment items), and the prescribed textbook. You should refer to the Blackboard site for this unit, where it is possible to access a set of PowerPoint slides similar to the ones used in class, plus solutions to problems, sample examination papers, and various other resources.

Assessment

Student grades are determined by the Business Academic Board. The Unit Coordinators provide the detailed assessment results to the Board, working through the relevant School. These results are advisory in nature and do not necessarily constitute the final grades awarded by the Board. In its decision the Board compares results both within units and programs, using as a guide a set of standard distribution criteria. These criteria enable the Board to systematically compare student performance, but are not applied in a prescriptive fashion. If in doubt discuss with your instructor.Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:
· Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
· Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary
· Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
· Indirect: to the whole class

Assessment name: Examination (written)
Description: Students are required to answer four essay questions, which will relate to a mini-case, in a two-hour (plus perusal time) open-book, open-computer, nil internet connection exam held in-class during the fifth week's class session. Students may hand-write their answers if they choose to, but should note that an open-book, open-computer final examination is set for a variety of reasons:
The open book format requires students to focus on the application of the material covered in the unit to the nominated case, rather than their memory of raw data. This facilitates deeper learning.
The open-computer format follows the principle of 'authentic assessment' and mirrors real-world tasks that the graduate will be expected to complete in the workplace, by accessing files stored on his/her computer.
Length/Duration: 2 hours + 10 minutes perusal
Formative/Summative: Summative
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 and AOL goals: KS (1.1) CTA (2.1)
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 5

Assessment name: Business Plan & Presentation
Description: Week 2 outline and short presentation: Groups will identify the group members, the nature of their new product or service, and their intended target market, and a summary of their 'business model', following the 'Morris model' (see Study Guide Module #2).
Week 4 draft business plan: Groups will submit a draft of their business plan, as much as they have done so far (Any progress with financial section should be included for feedback although this is not mandatory).
Week 7 Formal Business Plan: Groups will submit a bound printed copy of their final draft of the business plan, plus upload a soft copy to the Blackboard site. This final assessment will not be returned.
Week 7 Presentation: Groups will present their business plan to the other groups and the instructor and other invitees. At least two members of the group must present (speak) however all other members of the group must take the "stage" as part of the presentation (not necessarily speaking but supporting the question and answer process).
Length/Duration: Outline: 3 pages + 5 - 7 minute presentation.
Draft Business Plan: Progress to date
Presentation: 12 minutes + 12 minutes question and answer
Final Business Plan: 20 - 25 pages.
Formative/Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.1, 1.2) CTA (2.1) PC (3.1, 3.2) TW (4.1)
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Week 7

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

There is no recommended text for this unit, as the Study Guide modules and readings are quite expansive.

The GSN416 Study Guide and Resource Book (available electronically in your Blackboard site) contains the readings and business plans that must be read for class discussions. You may also be referred to additional readings available from the On-line Teaching Site or from the instructor. The Study Guide for GSN416 can be downloaded from the GSN416 Blackboard Site . Other useful information may also be found at this site.

Other Resources

Students are encouraged to consult QUT Cite Write http://www.citewrite.qut.edu.au/ for style guidelines and advice concerning effective presentation of written work and the avoidance of plagiarism.

A laptop computer with wireless access is highly recommended for students undertaking this unit. This will enable students to access online resources and to participate in computer-based examinations if desired.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with lecturers or tutorials in this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to view the >Emergency video .

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 31-Oct-2012