46788 - Business Planning (4 Credits)

Academic Year 2008/2009

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Business Economics (cod. 0022)

Learning outcomes

One of the most exciting and satisfying activities in business is to start a new venture. In this course, students will learn how to prepare a comprehensive strategy for launching a new business. The vehicle for achieving this is the preparation of an executable business plan based on an opportunity that students have selected.

Course contents

Upon completion of this course students will:

·        Learn what is a business plan, its elements, and how do they fit together.

·        Know why and when you need to write a business plan.

·        Experience the difficult, but essential, process that all entrepreneurs go through when they plan their new venture.

 

Students will have the opportunity to apply their entire business education and experience to a very practical, hands-on project. Working in small teams, you will research the market for the product or service; prepare marketing, sales, development and operations plans; and make financial projections.

Readings/Bibliography

Borello, A. Il business plan, MacGraw-Hill, Milano, 2005

Reading material and articles will be provided by the instructor

Teaching methods

The most effective way to understand the business planning process is to take a hands-on approach. In this course students are expected to interact with the business community, be able to work effectively in teams, and be active participants in classroom discussions and exercises.

Strong written and oral skills greatly facilitate success in the business world. Those individuals that can effectively communicate their ideas will have an advantage over those that cannot. As such, the assignments in the course center on both written and oral presentations.

Assessment methods

There are various components used to determine student grades:

1. Group assignments. These assignments are designed to build toward a complete business plan.

2. Final group presentation. At the end of the semester, each group will present its business plan to the class.

3. Final written plan. At the end of the semester, each group will submit its final written plan for evaluation.

4. Peer evaluation. Each member will provide a “performance evaluation” rating of the contribution of all team members The peer rating is confidential between each team member and the instructor and will be used in apportioning individual grades for the Business Plan and presentation.

5. Final Exams. The final exam will be based primarily on the material covered in class.

Office hours

See the website of Simone Ferriani