FY021 Introduction to Business Student Handbook PDF

Welcome to FY021: Introduction to Business- Student Handbook We're excited to welcome you to the Introduction to Business module! This course is designed to give you a clear understanding of how businesses function, both internally and externally. Whether you're aiming to build a career in business...

Welcome to FY021: Introduction to Business- Student Handbook We're excited to welcome you to the Introduction to Business module! This course is designed to give you a clear understanding of how businesses function, both internally and externally. Whether you're aiming to build a career in business or just want to expand your knowledge, this module will help you develop practical skills to succeed in the world of business. Module Overview In this module, you will be introduced to essential areas such as Finance, Marketing, and Human Resources (HR), while exploring how these business functions interact and work together. We'll also cover the broader business environment, looking at factors like globalisation, corporate social responsibility, and the economic influences that impact businesses today. Essential business areas: Finance, Marketing, and Human Resources (HR) Interaction of business functions: Exploring how these areas work together Broader business environment: Globalisation, corporate social responsibility, and economic influences Learning Outcomes By the end of this module, you will be able to: Organisational Collaborative Business Impact Financial Functions Practices Factors Management 1. Describe the role of HR, 2. Develop an 3. Analyse the main factors, 4. Understand the role of Marketing, and Finance understanding of both internal and external, financial management and functions within collaborative working that impact businesses. reporting within organisations. practices. organisations. How Will You Learn? We know that learning as an adult can be both exciting and challenging. That's why we've made sure that this course is practical, interactive, and designed to fit around your busy life. You'll engage in: Lectures and Tutorials: In these sessions, we will explore the core business concepts, enriched by real-life examples and discussions. Workshops and Group Activities: You'll engage in hands-on activities to apply what you've learned. Group work will help you develop your collaborative skills. Independent Study: Guided self-study activities will be provided, but you'll also have the flexibility to explore additional materials and enhance your understanding. Turnitin Submission and Training All your assignments in this module will be submitted through Turnitin via the specific submission point on Blackboard. This is an important step in ensuring that your work is correctly assessed for academic integrity. We will provide training in advance to help you understand how to submit your work through Turnitin. It's essential that you get comfortable with this process so there are no unexpected issues when the deadline approaches. We strongly recommend that you submit your work early to check the Turnitin similarity score. If your work is flagged for high similarity, you will have time to revise and improve it before the final deadline. Formative and Summative Feedback Throughout the module, you will receive two types of feedback and assessment: Formative Feedback This feedback is provided before your final submission to help you improve your work. It is critical that you take full advantage of this feedback to ensure you're on the right track. Summative Feedback After your final submission, this feedback will evaluate your performance and provide a final grade for your work. Make sure to submit your work in advance on Turnitin so you can use the formative feedback to improve your submission and avoid any last-minute stress. Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism Maintaining academic integrity is crucial in this module, and we take plagiarism very seriously. Plagiarism is using someone else's work without proper credit, and it can lead to serious consequences, including failing the assignment. Complete the Epigeum training on academic integrity and misconduct for valuable guidance on avoiding plagiarism and improving academic writing skills Utilise specialist writing support services for help with structuring your work and avoiding unintentional plagiarism Take advantage of available resources early on to prevent problems later To help you avoid these issues, we recommend completing the Epigeum training on academic integrity and misconduct. This training will provide valuable guidance on how to avoid plagiarism and improve your academic writing skills. If you need help with your writing, there are specialist writing support services available. They can help you structure your work and ensure you're not unintentionally falling into plagiarism. Take advantage of the resources available to you—don't hesitate to seek support early on to avoid any problems later. Blackboard LMS Engagement Regular Engagement LMS Content To get the most out of this module, it is essential that you Pre-lesson activities: Materials and exercises to prepare regularly engage with the Blackboard Learning you for each week's lesson. Management System (LMS) at least twice a week. The During the lesson: Resources used in class to deepen your Blackboard LMS contains: understanding. Pre-lesson activities Post-lesson micro-learning activities: Additional exercises During the lesson resources to reinforce what you've learned and apply it to real-world Post-lesson micro-learning activities scenarios. Make sure you stay on top of these activities as they are designed to help you engage with the material continuously. Mentoring Sessions Scheduled mentoring sessions available through the Blackboard LMS Designed to support you with challenges during your academic journey Help available for: Understanding course content Managing your time Dealing with study-related stress Book a slot through Blackboard for a supportive one-on-one setting Opportunity to discuss any academic concerns Attendance and Catch-up Attendance is crucial for your success in this module. If you miss any lessons, please make sure to: 1. Visit Blackboard LMS 1 Review missed materials 2. Complete Weekly Exercises 2 Stay up to date with content 3. Compensate for Missed 3 Learning Ensure full understanding We recommend staying on track to avoid falling behind and to make sure you're fully prepared for the assessments. Assessments and Feedback Assessments for this module are designed to build your understanding step by step. You will work on a patchwork portfolio, meaning you will complete smaller assignments throughout the module, culminating in a final portfolio submission. This allows you to receive feedback and improve as you progress. Your assessments include: Group Presentation: Present on a key business theme with your peers. Poster Creation: Visually communicate a business idea or concept through a poster. Case Study Analysis: Apply your knowledge to a real-world business situation. Business Report: Write a report on one of the key business functions (HR, Marketing, or Finance), demonstrating your understanding of its role in an organisation. Important Dates Week 5: Group presentations and feedback session. Week 10: Final business report submission. Week 15: Submission of the complete portfolio, which includes reflections on your learning and activities. Feedback will be provided regularly, so you can continuously improve. Support and Resources Reading Materials Online Learning Resources Business Essentials by Ebert & Griffin (available as Access to lecture notes, recorded tutorials, and an e-book via the library) discussion boards will be available on the Virtual Accounting and Finance for Non-Specialists by Learning Environment (VLE). McLaney & Atrill (available as an e-book via the library) Business Databases Additional Help Tools like Mintel and TGI will be available to help you Tutor Office Hours: Drop-in sessions where you can explore business trends, markets, and competitor discuss your progress, ask for advice, or get insights. feedback on your work. Mentoring Sessions: Bookable through the Blackboard LMS, these sessions offer additional support to help with academic challenges. Peer Support: Engage with other students in study groups to enhance collaborative learning. We're here to help you succeed! The following resources will support your learning: How to Succeed in This Module 1 Stay Organised 2 Participate Actively Keep track of deadlines and assignments using a Don't hesitate to ask questions or contribute to calendar. Being organised will make sure you stay on discussions during lectures and tutorials. The more top of your studies. involved you are, the better your understanding will be. 3 Use Your Resources 4 Engage with Blackboard Take advantage of the library, online resources, and Log into Blackboard at least twice a week to ensure databases to deepen your understanding. you're up to date with your learning activities. 5 Attend Mentoring Sessions 6 Communicate If you're facing any academic challenges, book a If you're ever unsure about an assignment or topic, mentoring session to get personalised support. reach out to your tutor or classmates. We're here to help! Module Timetable Below is a rough outline of the topics we will cover throughout the module: Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 0 40 80 120 Week 1: Introduction to the Business Environment. Week 2: Exploring Core Business Functions (HR, Marketing, Finance). Week 3: Globalisation and CSR in Business. Week 4: Human Resource Management and Leadership. Week 5: Leadership, Motivation, and Group Work Presentation. Week 6: Marketing Fundamentals – Understanding Customers and Market Research. Week 7: Advanced Marketing Strategies. Week 8: Introduction to Finance and Accounting. Week 9: Financial Planning and Budgeting. Week 10: Business Skills – Teamwork, Communication, and Emotional Intelligence. Get in Touch If you have any questions or need help, don't hesitate to contact your module tutor or academic advisor. Module Lecturer: Assaad Dib Email: [email protected] We're looking forward to a great semester with you!