MBE7082 - Developing a Business Proposal

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Understand and appraise a range of appropriate research techniques sufficiently to allow detailed investigation into relevant business and management issues.
Understand how to formulate a research proposal, research questions and research design to address a specific strategic management issue using established techniques of research and enquiry.
Conduct independent research, using appropriate research methods, into an area of practical and academic interest.
Understand how to acquire and analyse data and information, to evaluate their relevance and validity, and to synthesise a range of information in the context of new situations.
Critically reflect on and make effective and appropriate use of management theory; formulate and evaluate strategic options or devise realistic solutions to an organisational problem based on both academic literature and empirical research findings.
Understand how to produce a well presented and persuasive piece of work that effectively communicates and addresses a strategic issue and makes clear recommendations for action.

Content:

This module forms part of the senior leader apprenticeship. The apprenticeship standard can be found here Senior leader apprenticeship. On entering the Gateway to End Point Assessment (EPA) the learner must submit a business proposal for a work based project. The learner will provide a planning document within the first two weeks of Gateway which outlines the scope of the project, the key stakeholders and that the proposal has been reviewed and accepted by their employer. The learner will then submit a 4000 word project proposal during the 14 week Gateway period. This module is a precursor to this submission and provides the learner with the tools and knowledge to undertake a live work based project within their organisation. The modules have been developed in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In particular goal 4 (ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all) and goal 9 (build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation)

The apprentice is expected to demonstrate that they have an understanding of appropriate techniques sufficient to allow detailed investigation into relevant business and management issues and are able to analyse and synthesise theory, policy and practice which can then be applied in relation a chosen topic and a specific organisation situation during the Gateway period.

It is expected that the apprentice will demonstrate creativity in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to develop and interpret knowledge in business and management.

This module will enable the student to acquire and analyse data and information, to evaluate their relevance and validity, and to synthesise a range of information in the context of new situations. The learner will also be able to extrapolate from existing research and scholarship to identify new or revised approaches to practice.

In undertaking the module the apprentice will demonstrate an ability to conduct research into business and management issues that requires familiarity with a range of business data, research sources and appropriate methodologies, and for such to inform the overall learning process.

The knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) for this module must be demonstrated through the business proposal which is submitted during the Gateway to end point assessment (EPA).

Apprentices should be introduced to the content during this module which includes creating a high performance strategy focussing on improving efficiency and changing customer demands and trend analysis which is supported by key stakeholders. Take into account relationships across the organisation. Justification of why a particular approach has been taken to the design of the project, such as using a range of methodologies, critically analysing and synthesising the outcomes and producing creative solutions to areas of ambiguity or complexity. The apprentice must also demonstrate an understanding of how economic theories of financial modelling could be applied in their project to develop strategies and allocate resources in line with legal, governance and procurement requirements within their organisation. The apprentices must also understand the importance of brand management, organisational reputation and financial strategies and how this may be conveyed in their strategic business proposal.

Topics covered in this module will include:

How to identify a topic, issue or problem for investigation within your organisation and provide a context for its selection – ie the problem the business has identified along with the data provided.

Identification of a series of specific questions and objectives for the proposed investigation and contextualisation of these within an appropriate body of literature, appropriate conceptual frameworks and models and critically reflect on and make effective and appropriate use of management theory to support the proposition.

Formulation of a research design appropriate to the topic, issue or problem identified which identifies the methods to be used and explanation of why they may be selected, highlighting any constraints or likely problems and establishment of a feasible plan or timetable.

Data collection- in a systematic and rigorous way using the chosen research methods in appropriate and ethically sound ways.

Analysis and interpretation of data in light of the questions identified in the rationale and in the light of any additional research issues and questions which may emerge during the course of the investigation.
Formulation and presentation of answers to the questions/issues identified and assimilate these with general literature and business implications

Identification of potential and/or actual applications of research findings (and potential constraints on effective application).

The apprentice will be introduced to techniques from the areas of both business research methods and project management techniques.

The knowledge skills and behaviours relating to this module will need to be covered by the business research proposal submitted during the Gateway, therefore it is important for apprentices to review them thoroughly during this module.

The strategic business proposal’s subject, title and scope will be agreed between the employer and the EPAO at the gateway. A brief summary should be provided to the EPAO (of no more than 500 words) outlining the details of the strategic business proposal. The EPAO must sign-off the strategic business proposal’s title and scope to confirm its suitability at the gateway.

The knowledge, skills and behaviours covered by this module are:
K3 New market strategies, changing customer demands and trend analysis.
K5 Systems thinking, knowledge/data management, research methodologies and programme management.
K8 Financial strategies, for example scenarios, modelling and identifying trends, application of economic theory to decision-making, and how to evaluate financial and non- financial information.
K9 Financial governance and legal requirements, and procurement strategies.
K12 Influencing and negotiating strategies both upwards and outwards.
K14 Working with board and other company leadership structures.
K15 Brand and reputation management.
K16 Working with corporate leadership structures, for example, the markets it operates in, roles and responsibilities, who its stakeholders are and what they require from the organisation and the sustainability agenda.
S2 Set strategic direction and gain support for it from key stakeholders.
S3 Undertake research, and critically analyse and integrate complex information.
S11 Uses financial data to allocate resources.
S13 Use personal presence and “storytelling” to articulate and translate vision into operational strategies, demonstrating clarity in thinking.
S19 Manage relationships across multiple and diverse stakeholders.
S20 Lead within their area of control/authority, influencing both upwards and outwards, negotiating and using advocacy skills to build reputation and effective collaboration.
B3 Curious and innovative - exploring areas of ambiguity and complexity and finding creative solutions.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Lectures will deliver core theoretical frameworks, followed by tutorials and personal exercises for reflection and development. Tutorials will be designed to support learners to be self-directed in additional research and with particular emphasis on research within their own employing organisation. The module will present students with selected scenarios for basic analysis in order to develop both analytical competence and the ability to identify and apply appropriate techniques in a range of typical situations.

The module will make use of case studies and developing business trends and so the nature of the topics and exercises will vary. Students will be provided with, and/or directed to, relevant reading and additional questions/ exercises to support their progress through the module material

Lectures
Hours: 20
Intended Group Size: Cohort

Workshops/seminars
Hours: 10
Intended Group Size: 30

Guided independent study
Hours: 170

Further details relating to assessment
This module precedes the Gateway stage of the apprenticeship. At the Gateway stage, the apprentice must submit a 500 word project proposal scoping document which is a brief summary of the business proposal’s subject, title and scope which must be agreed between the employer and the EPAO at the gateway. After this has been agreed, the apprentice will use the gateway period (between 3 and 5 months) to prepare the strategic business proposal of 4000 words. This module will prepare the apprentices for the undertaking of the business proposal. It will include topics such as business research methods, work based projects, action research and the insider researcher. The 2000 word report in this module will cover some aspects of business research methods such as a review of the literature that may be relevant to the topic covered in the strategic business proposal.

Assessment:

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Paula Reynier
Level - 7
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 7AP7AP7AP

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