module specification

‘Business innovation through events’ builds on previous learning from levels 4 and 5 by actively engaging the students with real business environments. The module will expose students to some of the challenges facing event entrepreneurs and freelancers in the 21st century.

Students will undertake an analysis of a given business or industry context, supported by evidence of innovation and best practice. By drawing collectively on learning from other modules, and through evaluation and synthesis, students will then develop a plan for a new business or event start-up; this needs to reflect class leading industry innovation as well as commercial viability.

The module aims to:
1. Develop students’ ability to evaluate concepts and then articulate development proposals that capitalise on current and advanced business innovation
2. Facilitate students in developing new business ideas and solutions, and enhance their ability to communicate these in a variety of mediums

• Market intelligence and research
• Review of innovation and best practice
• New product and service development
• Developing feasibility
• Demonstrating commercial viability

The overall teaching strategy is one of experiential learning. Students will engage in problem-based learning activities both in the classroom and in real business environments. A programme of lectures will be supported by seminar sessions; this will allow students to actively engage with the content by taking material delivered in the lecture and using it to work on individual and small group exercises in the seminars. All non-lecture activities will be substantially student-led. Students will then be given the opportunity to link theory to real world practice through the addition of regular business and event visits.

By the end of this module, student will be able to:
1. Analyse the business environment for a given industry context
2. Investigate and critically evaluate management/business solutions in terms of operational effectiveness and efficiency
3. Synthesise solutions that demonstrate class leading practice and innovation, as well a commercial viability
4. Formulate a business plan for a new start-up enterprise
 

Assessment 1 is a 10 minute video documentary identifying a business idea or problem that needs solving, within a given business or industry context. Students are expected to research and document examples of innovation and best practice, which can then be used to inform the next assessment. Students are encouraged to develop their video into an entry to the London Met Accelerator ‘Big Idea’ competition. Individual coursework.

Assessment 2 is a business plan portfolio. This plan would normally be expected to reside within the same context, or address the problem identified in assessment 1. It should comprise of (as a minimum) a ‘business model canvass’, financial template and a detailed set of assumptions. The business plan should demonstrate class leading best practice and commercial viability. Individual coursework.

Barrow, C. Barrow, P. Brown, R. (2012). The Business Plan Workbook. 7th edition. Kogan Page: London.

Berridge, G. (2007). Events Design and Experience. Routledge: Oxon, UK.

Conway, S. Steward, F. (2009). Managing and shaping innovation. Oxford University Press: Oxford, UK.

Drucker, P. F. (2007). Innovation and entrepreneurship: practice and principles. 2nd edition. Butterworth-Heinemann: Oxford, UK.

Drucker, P. F. (2007). The Practice of Management. Revised edition. Butterworth-Heinemann: Oxford, UK.

Jackson, N. (2013). Promoting and Marketing Events: Theory and practice. Routledge: Oxon, UK.

Johnson, G. Whittington, R. Angwin, D. Regner, P. Scholes, K. (2013). Exploring Strategy. 10th edition. Pearson: London, UK.

McKeever, M. (2008). How to write a business plan. 9th Edition. Nolo: Berkley, CA.

Porter, M. (2008). On Competition: Updated and expanded. Harvard Business Press: Boston, USA.