Course Outcomes:

Unit 1: The Contemporary Business Environment – Level 4 – 15 Credits

The aim of this unit is to give learners background knowledge and understanding of business, the functions of an organisation and the wider business environments in which organisations operate. Learners will examine the different types of organisation (including for-profit and not-for-profit), their size and scope (for example, micro, small- and medium-sized enterprise, transnational and global) and how they operate. Learners will explore the relationships that organisations have with their various stakeholders and how the wider external environments influence and shape business decision-making.

 The knowledge, understanding and skill sets that learners gain in this unit will help them to have an insight into different business functions, which will support them with further study, support the development of analytical thinking and the application of key analytical tools used throughout business planning, and enable them to choose their preferred areas of specialism in future studies and in their professional career.

 Learning Outcomes:

1.     Explain the different types, sizes and scope of organisations

2.     Discuss the interrelationship of the various functions in an organisation and how they link to organisational structure

3.     Use contemporary examples to demonstrate both the positive and negative influence/impact the macroenvironment has on business operations

4.     Determine the internal strengths and weaknesses of a specific business and their interrelationship with external macro factors.

 Unit 2: Marketing Processes and Planning – Level 4 – 15 Credits

This unit is designed to introduce learners to the dynamic world of the marketing sector and the wealth of exciting career opportunities available to support their decision making in their career choices. Learners will have the opportunity to learn about the competencies and behaviours required by employers to work in the marketing sector. They will be introduced to the key principles of marketing, enabling them to develop a marketing plan and to employ elements of the marketing mix to achieve results. They will study the underpinning theories and frameworks of marketing while relating them to real-world examples, including products/services that they encounter in their daily lives.

 The knowledge, understanding and skill sets that learners will gain on successfully completing this unit will enhance their career opportunities; whether this is setting up their own business or employment in an organisation.

 Learning Outcomes:

1.     Explain the role of marketing and how it interrelates with other business units of an organisation

2.     Compare ways in which organisations use elements of the marketing mix to achieve overall business objectives

3.     Produce a marketing plan for an organisation that meets marketing objectives

4.     Develop a media plan to support a marketing campaign for an organisation.

Unit 3: Management of Human Resources – Level 4 – 15 Credits

The aim of the unit is to enable learners to understand and be able to apply principles of effective HRM to enhance sustainable organisational performance and contribute to organisational success, holding business outcomes and people outcomes in equal balance. Learners will apply HR practices in a work-related context, using their knowledge and practising skills and behaviours in relevant professional areas, including resourcing, talent planning and recruitment, learning and development and employee engagement.

On completion of the unit, learners will understand the purpose and scope of HRM activities. They will be able to apply a range of people-management skills to enhance the performance of an organisation by finding solutions to people-related problems.

Learning Outcomes:

1.      Explain the impact of the role of HRM in creating sustainable organisational performance and contributing to business success

2.     Produce a workforce action plan for recruiting and retaining talent to address skills shortages in an organisation

3.     Examine how external and internal factors can affect HRM decision-making in relation to organisational development

4.     Apply HRM practices in a work-related context for improving sustainable organisational performance.

Unit 4: Leadership and Management – Level 4 – 15 Credits

The aim of this unit is to help learners to understand the difference between the function of a manager and the role of a leader. Learners will consider the characteristics, behaviours and traits that support effective management and leadership. Learners will learn about the theories that have shaped the understanding of leadership and management and how these have provided a guide to action for managers and leaders who want to secure success for their businesses. Learners will look at leadership styles, how and why they are used and the extent to which they are effective. This unit also gives learners an understanding of motivational strategies. They will develop motivational strategies covering intrinsic and extrinsic aspects of motivation. Finally, learners will evaluate the importance of managing performance in achieving continuous improvement.

The ability to lead and manage effectively is highly sought after by industry, as employers seek to produce and develop managers who can motivate, enthuse and build respect throughout their workforce. The hard and soft skills required by leaders and managers are frequently highlighted by employers as skills gaps in recruitment. Developing these skills will help learners to meet career aspirations in leadership and management.

Learning Outcomes:

1.     Examine leadership and management theories and principles, and their impact on the effectiveness of an organisation

2.     Review the influence of different leadership and management styles on the culture of organisations

3.     Develop a motivational strategy to optimise organisational performance

4.     Apply leadership and management approaches to managing performance to ensure continuous improvement.

Unit 5: Accounting Principles – Level 4 – 15 Credits

The overall aim of this unit is to introduce fundamental accounting principles that underpin financial operations and support good and sustainable decision making in any organisation. Learners will develop a theoretical and practical understanding of a range of financial and management accounting techniques.

On successful completion of this unit, learners will be able to assist senior colleagues in producing and analysing budgets, drawing up simple financial statements and using financial ratios to interpret performance. Learners will also explore wider aspects of accountancy, especially ethics, transparency and sustainability, and gain fundamental knowledge and skills that will enable them to progress to a higher level of study.

Learning Outcomes:

1.     Examine the context and purpose of accounting

2.     Prepare basic financial statements for unincorporated and small business organisations in accordance with accounting principles, conventions and standards

3.     Interpret financial statements

4.     Prepare budgets for planning, control and decision making using spreadsheets.

Unit 6: Managing a Successful Business Project (Pearson Set) – Level 4 – 15 Credits

The aim of this unit is to offer learners an opportunity to demonstrate the skills required for managing and implementing a small-scale business project. They will undertake independent research and investigation for carrying out and executing a business project that meets appropriate business aims and objectives.

On successful completion of this unit, learners will have the confidence to engage in decision making, problem solving and research activities using project-management skills. They will have the fundamental knowledge and skills to enable them to investigate and examine relevant business concepts in a work-related context, determine appropriate outcomes, decisions or solutions and present evidence to various stakeholders in an acceptable and understandable format.

Learning Outcomes:

1.     Explain the key stages of the project lifecycle that should be considered when project managing

2.     Produce a Project Management Plan (PMP) for a business project using primary and secondary research methods

3.     Implement the Project Management Plan (PMP) to communicate results from the research and make conclusions from the evidence of findings LO4

4.     Reflect on value gained from implementing the project and the project management process.

Unit 7: Business Law – Level 4 – 15 Credits

The aim of this unit is to enhance learners’ understanding of how business law is applied to the running of a business organisation. Learners will gain knowledge of business law and examine the impact of the law on business operations and decision making. Throughout the unit, learners will identify the legal solutions available to business owners and assess their suitability. The experience that learners gain in this unit will help them to better understand the different areas of law that apply.

The unit will enable learners to illustrate the impact of the law on normal business operations and when registering a company and inviting shareholders to invest in it. They will gain an understanding of the law in relation to market abuse and director responsibilities. Learners will be able to recognise the application of employment law while gaining a practical understanding of the skills and experiences undertaken by those practising in a business law context.

 Learning Outcomes:

1.     Explain the nature of the legal system

2.     Illustrate the potential impact of the law on a business

3.     Examine the formation of different types of business organisations

4.     Recommend appropriate legal solutions to resolve areas of dispute.

Unit 16: Managing the Customer Experience – Level 4 – 15 Credits

The aim of this unit is to give learners background knowledge and understanding of how businesses manage the customer experience – from the initial needs analysis through to after-sales follow-up. Learners will map the journey that a customer makes through a business, identifying crucial touch points and recognising how these touch points can be managed to optimise the customer’s experience. Learners will consider how technology is changing the way that customers interact with businesses and how digital initiatives should complement existing customer journeys while recognising that online and offline consumers are distinctly different.

Learners can then use this knowledge to provide customer service in business and services and in an online context to meet required business standards.

Learning Outcomes:

1.     Explain the needs and expectations of market segments for products and/or services of a given business organisation

2.     Produce a customer experience map to create business opportunities and optimise customer touch points

3.     Investigate the impacts of digital technology on customer relationship management

4.     Apply effective customer experience management within an organisational context to maximise customer engagement.