Summary:

Intro to Business 101 is a 25-week program designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of business and management principles. This course introduces students to the fundamentals of business, economics, and various functional areas within an organization. The curriculum integrates theoretical knowledge with practical applications, preparing students for future academic pursuits in business and fostering essential skills for professional success. Emphasis is on real-world practice and engaging experimentation with real business tools, strategies, and case studies.

This introduction course covers a wide range of topics, starting with an introduction to business and management, ethical considerations, and the fundamentals of economics. Students delve into key functional areas such as accounting, marketing, financial management, human resources, and operations. The program emphasizes the importance of effective communication, leadership, and strategic thinking in the business context. Special attention is given to contemporary business issues, including entrepreneurship, innovation, and the impact of technology on business operations. Throughout the course, students engage in hands-on activities, case studies, and simulations to reinforce their learning and develop practical skills.

The program also includes industry-specific insights utilizing financial news and live business simulation tools. Students have the opportunity to explore international business, corporate finance, business law, and the role of data analysis in decision-making. Additionally, the course addresses essential soft skills such as negotiation, conflict resolution, networking, and professional development.

The culmination of the program is a capstone project where students apply their acquired knowledge to solve real-world business challenges. This project allows for teamwork, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving, providing a meaningful and practical application of the concepts learned throughout the course.

By the end of the Intro to Business 101 course, students will have gained a foundation in business and management, acquired essential skills useful for elevating their leadership and integrity in school, and completed a capstone project that showcases their ability to apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios. This course sets the foundation for further studies in business and equips students with essential skills for future academic and career endeavors.

Assignments:

Students will engage in a variety of real-world assignments spanning all aspects of business including:

- Identifying their own leadership vision and management style

- Analyzing ethical challenges in real business case studies

- Reading and interpreting financial statements and balance sheets

- Designing a marketing plan and sales strategy

- Drafting a basic business plan and pitching their idea

- Drafting and negotiating a business contract

- Researching and reporting on emerging business technologies and trends

- Designing and completing a Capstone project aligned to their own business and entrepreneurial interests

- And more…

Textbooks:

The Personal MBA

Selected Articles and Case Studies

Week 1: Introduction to Business and Management

•  Overview of the business world and management principles

•  Introduction to various business sectors

•  Exploring the role of managers in organizations

Week 2: Business Ethics and Social Responsibility

•  Understanding ethical decision-making in business

•  Exploring corporate social responsibility

•  Case studies on ethical dilemmas in business

Week 3: Economics Fundamentals

•  Introduction to basic economic principles

•  Understanding supply and demand

•  Exploring the impact of economic factors on business

Week 4: Accounting Basics

•  Overview of accounting principles

•  Introduction to financial statements

•  Classroom activity: Creating a simple financial statement

Week 5: Marketing Essentials

•  Understanding the marketing mix (product, price, place, promotion)

• Introduction to market research

•  Classroom activity: Designing a basic marketing plan

Week 6: Financial Management

•  Basics of financial management in businesses

•  Introduction to budgeting and financial planning

•  Classroom activity: Creating a simple business budget

Week 7: Human Resource Management

•  Overview of HR functions in organizations

•  Understanding recruitment, training, and employee relations

•  Case studies on HR challenges

Week 8: Entrepreneurship and Innovation

•  Introduction to entrepreneurship

•  Exploring the innovation process

•  Classroom activity: Developing and pitching a basic business concept

Week 9: Operations Management

•  Understanding the role of operations in business

•  Introduction to supply chain management

•  Analyzing case studies on efficient operations and utilizing SWOT and other operations tools

Week 10: Business Communication

•  Importance of effective communication in business

•  Developing professional communication skills

•  Classroom activity: Business communication role-play

Week 11: Leadership and Team Management

•  Overview of leadership styles

•  Understanding team dynamics

•  Project: Creating a personal leadership vision statement

Week 12: Strategic Management

•  Introduction to strategic planning

•  Exploring competitive advantage, intelligence gathering, and benchmarking

•  Activity: Creating a simple strategic plan

Week 13: International Business

•  Basics of international trade and business

•  Understanding cultural differences in global business

•  Case studies on successful international companies

Week 14: Corporate Finance

•  Overview of corporate finance

•  Understanding capital structure and investment decisions

•  Activity: Financial decision-making simulation

Week 15: Business Law

•  Introduction to business laws and regulations

•  Understanding contracts and legal obligations

•  Moonwalk clauses and other contract strategies

•  Case studies on business law issues

Week 16: Data Analysis and Business Intelligence

•  Basics of data analysis in business

•  Introduction to business intelligence tools

•  Activity: Analyzing business data

Week 17: Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

•  Principles of negotiation in business

•  Strategies for conflict resolution

•  Dialectic and creating win-wins for all stakeholders

•  Activity: Negotiation role-play and case studies

Week 18: Business Technology and Digital Transformation

•  Role of technology in modern business

•  Exploring digital transformation trends

•  Activity: Evaluating technology's impact on businesses

Week 19: Business Networking and Professional Development

•  Importance of networking in business

•  Strategies for professional development

•  Classroom activity: Networking event simulation

Week 20: Industry-Specific Topics

• Exploring industry-specific challenges and opportunities

Week 21: Business Simulation

•  Engaging in a business simulation game

•  Applying knowledge and skills in a simulated business environment

•  Debriefing and discussion on simulation outcomes

Week 22: Capstone Project Introduction

•  Introduction to the capstone project

•  Explaining project expectations and requirements

•  Selection of project topics

Week 23-24: Capstone Project Work

•  Dedicated time for capstone project development

•  Guidance and feedback sessions

•  Milestone check-ins with project teams

Week 25: Capstone Project Presentations and Wrap-Up

•  Final presentations of capstone projects

•  Reflection on the MBA program

•  Certificate distribution and celebration