Business Project

MATS34542 Business Project 40 Semester 2 Undergraduate Level 6 Aurelie Le Normand Unit coordinator Department of Materials 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Last part of a Bachelors ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 20.0 Welcome to The Business Project. This handbook aims to provide you with the information about the unit, including aims, indicative content, proposed delivery, how to contact until staff and assessment regime. Welcome to The Business Project. This handbook aims to provide you with the information about the unit, including aims, indicative content, proposed delivery, how to contact until staff and assessment regime.This handbook should be read in conjunction with the School of Materials Undergraduate / Postgraduate Programmes Handbook which can be found on the UG Virtual Common Room Materials via Blackboard.  Give students the experience of running a company and the different functions within it, leading to a better understanding of the relationship between effort, team working, good management and success.This unit aims to simulate the experience of starting up a business and the different functions within it, leading to a better understanding of the relationship between effort, teamwork, good management and success. .The unit counts for 40 credits and comprises of a series of lectures, seminars and workshops, supplemented through private study and guided reading.  We recommend that the set-up cost for your business should not exceed £100 per student, however in the academic session 2020/21 it may be considerably less or no cost at all as students will only be working on the concept.  If you wish to invest more money you would need to consult your business mentor as a discussion of managing the risk of loss will be conveyed.    A greater depth of the learning outcomes will be covered in the following sections:<ul><li>Knowledge and understanding</li><li>Intellectual skills</li><li>Practical skills</li><li>Transferable skills and personal qualities</li></ul> <ul><li>Critical appreciation and understanding of the business management issues entailed in running a business.</li><li>Understanding of the different functions within a company structure.</li><li>Knowledge of marketing, branding and finance within a business context.</li><li>Demonstrate the ability to be able to develop a business plan and communicate this.</li><li>Understanding of an e-marketing plan and how to pitch ideas to industry.</li></ul>Contributing to the programme learning outcomes:A1.     Systematically describe, analyse and appraise the structure of global fashion, textiles and related industries, with focus on the emerging issues of markets, services, consumer expectations within the macro-environment.A5.     Confidently distinguish the key elements of contemporary challenges and issues in fashion and textiles and use these systematically in strategic planning of operational responses.A7.    Interpret the language of imagery and symbolic content in fashion consumption, with particular reference to forecasting, branding and product development for the fashion and textile industries.A8.     Articulate the processes, procedures and practices of the global fashion industry.A9.     Demonstrate an understanding of product requirements, innovation, enterprise andcost issues in relation to textile and garment production.  <ul><li>Appreciate the theoretical underpinning of developing a business.</li><li>Research and evaluate appropriate marketing and communication methods to promote a business and apply marketing and other concepts.</li><li>Demonstrate critical reasoning. Identify and solve problems; analyse and interpret information;</li><li>Demonstrate and exercise independence of mind and thought.</li><li>Articulate and synthesise attributes and study skills in effective ways in the contexts of creative practice, employment, research and self-fulfilment.</li></ul>Contributing to the programme learning outcomes:B1.     Identify and conceptualise appropriate theories, applying them to the fashion and textile industry.B2.     Synthesise, assess and evaluate information and data from appropriate sources and use these to make informed, independent judgments and decision making in relation to technical product and/or business contexts.B3. Confidently select appropriate quantitative and qualitative approaches to identify, formulate and solve problem relating to contemporary business challenges.B4. Exercise original thinking and independent learning to design and execute a project to evaluate and analyse a business concept or a technical aspect of garment or textiles products.B5.     Communicate mathematical and technological information with clarity, logic and accuracy.B6.     Undertake the development and execution of a major independent project in an appropriate area.  <ul><li>Use appropriate sources of information to gain relevant information on management theory, business entrepreneurship, marketing and the fashion industry.</li><li>Write a cogent report, presentation skills and team-working skills.</li><li>Ability to ‘pitch’ ideas outlining research, a strategic plan and strategic recommendations.</li></ul>Contributing to the programme learning outcomes:C1.     Select, apply and evaluate appropriate numerical, statistical and physical testing methods for complex and open-ended tasks.C2.    Select, evaluate and use relevant software applications, including spreadsheets, CAD software, business applications, etc., for different tasks such as data analysis or design communication, within the context of Fashion and Textiles industry.C3.     Act Autonomously with limited supervision or direction within negotiated guidelines, individually and as part of a team.C4.     Identify and employ appropriate sources of information. C5. Plan, implement and interpret results of research or experimental studies.C6     Use practical design communication methods effectively in a fashion and textile context  <ul><li>Apply subject knowledge.</li><li>Communicate effectively to demonstrate knowledge of business management and the fashion business environment.</li><li>Solve problems.</li><li>Demonstrate strategic analytical skills.</li><li>Work independently and collaboratively on project based work.</li><li>Utilise creative and problem solving techniques to generate solutions.</li><li>Demonstrate a general working knowledge of the Windows and associated software such as Word, Microsoft Video and Power Point.</li><li>Show a high level of competence across a range of communication skills</li></ul>Contributing to the programme learning outcomes:D1.     An ability to act ethically and communicate appropriately in a variety of complex and unpredictable contexts.D2.     An ability to plan, manage and evaluate the investigation into and acquisition of new knowledge.D3.     Clear and effective communication, using a range of styles and employing various media appropriate to the context.D4.     Effective engagement in problem solving, academic discussion and presentation of arguments in a professional manner to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.D5.     Critical reflection upon own performance and use this to identify areas for personal development as part of a lifelong learning strategy and a foundation for continuing professional development.D6.     An ability to apply information technology, computation and numerical techniques in a range of appropriate contexts. D7. An understanding of factors that enhance group processes; leadership, negotiation and team working, evaluating own effectiveness with a team and modifying own behaviour as appropriate.D8.     An ability to apply creative and visual sensibilities in a commercial context.  <div>Pre-recorded lectures and seminar/workshops and interactive feedback session to be delivered. Minor changes to the delivery pattern may arise and students will be advised of such changes at the earliest opportunity. Locations of the sessions will be communicated at the start of term.</div> 2 Written assignment (inc essay) 30% 5 Portfolio 70% Written and verbal   N Students are not required to purchase any textbooks for this module. The following are recommended:Essential:Beaver, G. (2002) Small Business, Entrepreneurship & Enterprise Development, FT Prentice HallRobbins, S. & Hunsaker, P.L. (2003) Training in Interpersonal Skills International Edition, 3rd edition, Pearson Education, New JerseyRecommended:Adair, J. (1986) Effective Team Building: How to Make a Winning Team GowerCaproni, P. (2000) The Practical Coach Pearson Education, New JerseyCarter, S. & Jones-Evans, D. (2000) Enterprise & Small Business: Principles & Practice FT Prentice HallFry, R. (1997) Manage Your Time Kogan Page (out of print although Hollings Library has a copy)Gill, R. (2006) Theory & Practice of Leadership Sage, LondonJohnson, D.W. & Johnson, F.P. (2006) Joining Together: group theory and group skills 9th edition, Pearson Education Inc, Boston, USALambing, P. & Kuehl, C.R. (2000) Entrepreneurship FT Prentice HallPatten, D. (2001) Successful Marketing for the Small Business Kogan PageSolomon, P. (2004) Financial Accounting: A New Perspective McGraw-Hill/Irwin, New York  Lectures 72 0 328