Course Title: The Business Enterprise 1

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: The Business Enterprise 1

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

BUSM2365

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

630H Management

Internet

Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 2 2009

BUSM2367

East Gippsland TAFE Bairnsdale

Undergraduate

630H Management

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 2 2010

BUSM2368

RMIT University Vietnam

Undergraduate

630H Management

Face-to-Face

Viet2 2007,
Viet3 2007,
Viet1 2008,
Viet2 2008,
Viet3 2008,
Viet1 2009,
Viet2 2009,
Viet3 2009

Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Carlene Boucher

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 5914

Course Coordinator Email: carlene.boucher@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: RMIT University, School of Management, Level 16, 239 Bourke Street, Melbourne Vic 3001 Australia

Course Coordinator Availability: Via email appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Only students enrolled in the Bachelor of Commerce Program are eligible to enrol in this course


Course Description

Welcome to Business Enterprise 1. This course outlines the steps an entrepreneur takes to identify, screen and bring into the market place a commercial opportunity.
In this course you will focus on developing an enterprising mindset and using the tools of innovation –a powerful combination! The largest challenge for this practical and demanding course is for you to explore new ways of approaching traditional business challenges and opportunities. The course has five elements which, when combined, will give you the ability to objectively analyse whether a new business venture or innovation strategy is an idea or actually a true opportunity. The elements are:
• Creative or entrepreneurial thinking
• Screening ideas
• The innovation tool kit
• The plan
• Making ’it’ happen
The key to this subject is a ’mind set’ – a way of thinking. You will constantly be challenged with ’reality checks’. In other words, the subject matter is not theory but a set of useable tools for the real world.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

On completing this Course, you will have developed a working understanding of the skills and mindset of the entrepreneur. In particular you will have the strategic and business tools to:
1. Develop ideas faster than you (and your competitors) currently can.
2. Screen and identify fatal flaws in those ideas quickly and without emotional attachment.
3. Identify when strategic and innovation tools are applied to create and sustain advantage in the market place.
4. Develop and complete a plan of action (an executive business plan) that will satisfy both university and commercial requirements.
5. Complete an implementation plan to make your idea happen


Students will have a clear understanding of the difference between good "ideas" and those ideas that present as plausible, feasible business ventures.  Students will be able to identify, screen and test the feasibility of business ideas.


Overview of Learning Activities

The aim of this course is to introduce the mindset and skillset of the entrepreneur. Key concepts and challenges in today’s turbulent market place will be explored, tested and ’shaped’ for your business or community opportunity. Your learning experience will be challenging and exciting as this course will change your mindset and give you the necessary tools to maximise your choices. Your course facilitator will challenge your thinking, push your creativity and hopefully give you the courage to think and try out ideas in an enterprising way.

Online learning environment

The Business Enterprise course is based in an online environment, with learning materials and resources situated on the Learning Hub. The online course materials highlight the main areas of theory and are designed to support the textbook readings. Students should ensure they read the entire chapter of the textbook as outlined in the online course material as well as read widely in regard to the many concepts discussed.
It is important to use the Learning Hub site as your main resource, and to visit regularly to check for messages from the course coordinator and fellow students. You will be expected to engage in discussions throughout the course.
The five online modules take you through a series of steps to create, identify, screen, strengthen and implement your ’idea’ to hopefully reach a successful outcome. You are required to work through each module and complete the tasks in each. These tasks will build to a plan of action to take your idea to the market place.


Overview of Learning Resources

Timmons, J. Spinelli, S (2007) New Venture Creation 7th edition, Irwin/McGraw-Hill, Boston.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment tasks will include Case Studies, Ideas Screens and a Business Plan.