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Detailed information |
Pre-requisites |
SE BC2: Induction: Team development UND SE BC1: Foundations of management UND KS BC3: Foundations of management science
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Original study plan |
Master's programme Leadership and Innovation in Organizations 2024W |
Objectives |
- To guide students through the process of formulating a business case into a structured business plan, focusing on clarity, coherence, and persuasiveness.
- To detail the process for creating strategic marketing and operational plans that align with business goals and resources.
- To instruct on the principles of financial modeling and forecasting, emphasizing their importance in evaluating business viability and attracting investment.
- To cultivate an understanding of risk management strategies and their incorporation into business planning to enhance resilience and investor confidence.
- To refine students' ability to articulate a compelling business narrative that engages stakeholders and meets the expectations of potential investors and partners.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, the students will be able to:
- LO1: Critically analyze market opportunities and competitive environments to inform strategic business planning.
- LO2: Develop and articulate effective marketing and operational strategies within a business plan.
- LO3: Construct detailed financial models and forecasts to demonstrate the viability and financial strategy of the business venture.
- LO4: Identify potential risks and devise management strategies to mitigate these within the business plan.
- LO5: Effectively communicate a business venture's value proposition to potential investors and stakeholders through a well-structured business plan.
- LO6: Apply innovative thinking to solve business challenges and propose viable solutions within the business planning process.
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Subject |
The course prepares students to construct convincing business plans, pivotal for securing investment, partnerships and communicating with stakeholders. It emphasizes the development process of a business case into an investor-ready document, focusing on all elements of business planning: market analysis, competitive landscape evaluation, marketing strategies, operational planning, and financial forecasting. Through rigorous analysis and strategic insight, students will learn to develop compelling narratives that articulate value propositions, address investor concerns, and outline a clear path to profitability. This course integrates theoretical foundations with practical application, ensuring participants can effectively translate innovative ideas into viable business ventures within a competitive landscape.
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Criteria for evaluation |
The course leverages a comprehensive assessment framework to support diverse learning styles, ensuring a rich educational experience. This strategy encompasses both group and individual assessments:
- Business Plan (first version) (15%): This deliverable assesses students' initial ability to conceptualize and articulate a business strategy, touching upon LO2 (Strategize) and LO3 (Financial Forecasting).
- Pitch Deck (final version) (25%): This presentation tests students' capacity for LO5 (Persuasive Communication), demonstrating their skill in effectively communicating their business plan to potential stakeholders.
- Business Plan (final version) (40%): The comprehensive final business plan, incorporating feedback and additional research, evaluates a broader spectrum of LOs, particularly LO3 (Financial Forecasting), LO4 (Risk Management), and LO6 (Innovation Application), by requiring a detailed operational, financial, and strategic plan.
- Individual Reflection (20%): This reflective piece allows students to engage in self-assessment and critique of their learning process, directly relating to LO1 (Analyze and Evaluate) by encouraging them to reflect on their analytical and evaluative skills throughout the course.
This strategy ensures that each assessment component is directly tied to specific learning outcomes, facilitating a clear synchronization between what is taught and what is assessed.
Presence in all classes is mandatory; unexcused absence leads to minus 5 points in the grading scale (see below). In total, students have the possibility to reach 100 points:
- Sehr gut = 88-100 points
- Gut = 75-87 points
- Befriedigend= 62-74 points
- Genügend = 50-61 points
- Nicht genügend = 0-49 points
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Methods |
The course "MS4 Entrepreneurial skills" utilizes a blend of instructional approaches to meet the learning outcomes (LOs). To ensure students achieve a comprehensive understanding and application of business planning, the course employs interactive lectures, group projects, and reflective writing.
Interactive lectures present the theoretical background for business planning (LO1, LO4), including strategic marketing efforts and refine communication skills aimed at persuading stakeholders (LO2, LO5). Workshops facilitate engagement with financial modelling techniques, ensuring a practical understanding of financial forecasting (LO3) and encouraging the application of innovative solutions to business challenges, enhancing the business planning process (LO6).
To deepen understanding, students will engage in reflective writing. Self-directed learning will be supported by relevant reading materials (see “study and reading material”).
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Language |
English |
Study material |
Core material:
- Slides (provided right before or after each unit on Moodle)
- Bland, D. J., & Osterwalder, A. (2020). Testing business ideas. Campus Verlag.
- Evans, V. (2022). The Financial Times essential guide to writing a business plan: How to win backing to start up or grow your business (Third edition). Pearson.
- i2b – ideas to business (2022). Founding with a concept: The Business Plan Handbook.
- Lewrick, M., Link, P., & Leifer, L. (2020). The design thinking toolbox: A guide to mastering the most popular and valuable innovation methods. Wiley.
Relevant materials can be retrieved from MOODLE and/or will be announced in class.
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Changing subject? |
No |
Further information |
Themes/Timeline
Will be provided in Moodle in due time.
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Corresponding lecture |
986CAINMS4V19: VL MS4: Entrepreneurial Skills (3 ECTS)
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