ObjectivesBusinesses are the backbone of the community and an essential part of any country’s economy. The ability of business to cater for the individual needs of the customer, and relate to them on a personal and economic level, is particularly important.
Anyone wishing to start up in business, whether on their own or with a partner or family member, will want to obtain the best possible training, to ensure that they are prepared for the difficulties and opportunities of their business venture.
This Start Your Own Business course will provide you with a better understanding of the type of knowledge needed to operate a business in the most effective and efficient way.
The course concentrates on getting you to analyse your business opportunities and the environment you will be working in, so that you can work out how best to use the resources available to you.
Because the business environment, particularly in relation to the law, varies enormously from one country to another, you will often be invited to investigate how a principle explained in the course actually operates in your country. In this way you will come to understand both the theory and the practice.
The course assumes that you have a reasonable knowledge of English (specific business terms are explained in the Glossary) and the tutor-marked assignments may require basic mathematical skills. Otherwise, all you need to get started is a business idea!
Academic titleLevel 3 Award in Starting Your Own Business
At the end of this course successful learners will receive a Level 3 NCFE Award certificate of achievement. That means that it is independently accredited at a level of learning equivalent to level 3 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) for England, Wales and Northern Ireland"
Course description Course syllabus
Unit One - Starting your own business
The aims of this unit are to enable you to:
think about the benefits and problems of starting a business
look at the practical aspects of setting up in business
look at the qualities you will need to succeed
Unit Two - Ways of starting a business
The aims of this unit are to enable you to:
think about the legal aspects of setting up a business
look at the different possible ways of buying a existing business
consider franchise and multi-level marketing operations
understand the difference between multi-level marketing and pyramid selling
look at how best to protect and exploit an original invention
Unit Three - Recruiting Staff
The aims of this unit are to enable you to:
know when you need to take on staff
consider the problems and advantages of working with people you know
understand the recruitment process
learn to write a Job Description and Person Specification
learn to select employees successfully by interview
know what to put in a contract
Unit Four - Dealing with staff
The aims of this unit are to enable you to:
determine appropriate pay rates and methods for staff
look at providing benefits
understand the importance of obeying the law on employment
consider the issues of discrimination and trade unions
Unit Five - Fraud and theft
The aims of this unit are to enable you to:
spot whether your business is vulnerable to fraud
prevent employees having the opportunity to commit fraud
set up financial controls
prevent theft of stock and equipment
protect intellectually property
promote your business
Unit Six – Marketing
The aims of this unit are to enable you to:
understand what is meant by marketing
analyse your market
understand market research procedures
develop, price and package your product
work out a marketing plan
Unit Seven – Advertising
The aims of this unit are to enable you to:
know what advertising is
recognise different types of advertising
know the rules governing advertising
Unit Eight - The Business Plan
The aims of this unit are to enable you to:
understand the function of business planning
list several reasons for developing a business plan
identify sources to get help in developing a business plan
identify the type of information to include in a business plan
prepare an outline of a business plan
The course is divided into six self-contained sections, and students are asked to complete nine assignments which will be marked by the tutor. Successful completion of these assignments will lead to the awarding of a certificate from the Open College Network and a UK Open Learning Diploma.