This module aims to synthesise student knowledge from previous modules by requiring learners to diagnose, develop and execute a business strategy for a simulated business and a live client brief.

Key decisions and planning will incorporate all major functional areas of a business, including Human Resources Management; Marketing; Financial Management; Operations Management & Environmental Management, as well as engaging with an entrepreneurial mindset.

Working in teams, students will critically explore the challenges and complexity of managing a modern service business in a dynamic environment.

The use of a simulated environment allows students to effectively test theory and receive direct feedback on decisions made providing experiential learning.

(LO1) Students will be able to critically evaluate company performance in various functional areas including marketing, human resources management, operations management, financial management and CSR.

(LO2) Students will be able to formulate a business strategy in a dynamic and competitive business environment.

(LO3) Students will be able to formulate strategic responses to real-time operational results from comprehensive management dashboards and market evaluations (computer simulated).

(LO4) Students will be able to formulate solutions to the challenges and complexities of managing a modern business.

(LO5) Students will be able to appraise their own performance and development goals as managers.

(S1) Flexible and adaptable

(S2) A problem solver

(S3) Numerate

(S4) Commercially aware

(S5) A team player

(S6) IT literate

(S7) Organised and able to work under pressure

(S8) An excellent verbal and written communicator

(S9) Ethically aware

(S10) Internationally aware

Teaching Method 1: Lecture
Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 24
Description: Weekly 2-hour lecture which will introduce students to concepts / contemporary issues which will be incorporated into the simulation exercise.
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method 2: Workshop
Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 33
Description: Weekly 3-hour session (x 11 weeks) where students will plan, and strategise the running of their business, input operational decisions and respond to real time simulation generated feedback. These sessions will incorporate, teamwork, decision making and execution as well as managing feedback.
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Self-Directed Learning Hours: 243

Description: Students are expected to familiarise themselves with the simulation environment and prepare responses to business challenges that will be incorporated into the simulation. Students will also engage with a ‘live’ business challenge which will be based on project briefs provided by industry partners. Self-directed learning hours be an opportunity for students to work in their teams, and to use this time for planning / decision making / strategizing. Additionally, some preparatory work for the live client portion of the module will be required.

Skills Mapping

Skill: Flexible and adaptable
How is it developed: The dynamic nature of the simulation will require student responses to the simulated environment to be both flexible and adaptable and to respond to output data from the software. Student inputs will have to be discussed and negotiated within the group setting, further enhancing these key skills.
How is it assessed (if applicable): Simulation Exercise, Strategy Evaluation, Professional Evaluation & Development Reflection

Skill: A problem solver
How is it developed: The module contains two distinct challenges which will be presented to students, one within the simulation and one ‘live 019; business challenge based on an external brief. Both challenges will require students to diagnose, analyse and address specific problems and provide suggested solutions.
How is it assessed (if applicable): Simulation Exercise, Strategy Evaluation, Professional Evaluation & Development Reflection

Skill: Numerate
How is it developed: A significant proportion of the simulation result data is financially based, and students will have to interpret this data and use it to make decisions for the simulation
How is it assessed (if applicable): Simulation Exercise, Strategy Evaluation, Professional Evaluation & Development Reflection

Skill: Commercially aware
How is it developed: The simulation and live challenge will require students to analyse and interpret commercial information and provide/implement solutions appropriate for the chosen business.
How is it assessed (if applicable): Simulation Exercise, Strategy Evaluation, Professional Evaluatio n & Development Reflection

Skill: A team player
How is it developed: The simulation and live challenge are team based so students will be working closely with colleagues throughout the module.
How is it assessed (if applicable): Simulation Exercise, Strategy Evaluation, Professional Evaluation & Development Reflection

Skill: IT literate
How is it developed: The module involves interaction with a computer-based simulation, inputting data and performing analysis based on results output. In addition to the simulation software, students will be encouraged to make use of software for analysis and presentation tasks during the simulation.
How is it assessed: Simulation Exercise, Strategy Evaluation, Professional Evaluation & Development Reflection

Skill: Organised and able to work under pressure
How is it developed: The simulation is time bound with students required to make and input decisions to a strict series of deadlines. The live chal lenge will also be required to be presented to a strict deadline, all of which will require individuals and groups to work together and produce output within established timeframes.
How is it assessed: Simulation Exercise, Strategy Evaluation, Professional Evaluation & Development Reflection

Skill: An excellent verbal and written communicator
How is it developed: The team-based nature of this module coupled with the individual focus of the assessment package require students to be excellent communicators both internally (within team) and externally (to stakeholders and business challenge participants). Planning, presentation and pitching skills will all be required during the conduct of this module.
How is it assessed: Simulation Exercise, Strategy Evaluation, Professional Evaluation & Development Reflection

Skill: Ethically aware
How is it developed: Ethical decision making will be at the core of each teams thinking and will be assessed directly via ethical challenges incorporated into the simulation provision.
How is it assessed: Simulation Exercise, Strategy Evaluation, Professional Evaluation & Development Reflection

Skill: Internationally Aware
How is it developed: An international perspective and examples will be provided throughout this module; students will be encouraged to seek their problem solutions from a broad pallet of case studies and applications from international businesses.
How is it assessed: Simulation Exercise, Strategy Evaluation, Professional Evaluation & Development Reflection

Key Topic Areas:
• Managing Service Operations
• Key Performance Metrics (Simulation Specific)
• Regenerative Business
• Crisis Management
• Emergent Strategy
• Performance Evaluation