Unit 1: Planning business
In this unit students explore the factors affecting business ideas and the internal and external environments within which businesses operate, and the effect of these on planning a business.
Unit 2: Establishing a business
This unit focuses on the establishment phase of a business’s life cycle. In this unit, students examine the legal requirements that must be satisfied to establish a business. They investigate the essential features of effective marketing and consider the best way to meet the needs of the business in terms of staffing and financial record keeping.
Unit 3: Managing a business
In this unit, students explore the key processes and issues concerned with managing a business efficiently and effectively to achieve the business objectives. They consider corporate culture, management styles, management skills and the relationship between each of these. Students investigate strategies to manage both staff and business operations to meet objectives.
Unit 4: Transforming a business
In this unit, students consider the importance of reviewing key performance indicators to determine current performance and the strategic management necessary to position a business for the future. Students study a theoretical model to undertake change, and consider a variety of strategies to manage change in the most efficient and effective way to improve business performance. They investigate the importance of leadership in change management.