MN5W50 - Creating a Winning Business 1 (2026/27)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2026/27 | ||||||||||||
| Module title | Creating a Winning Business 1 | ||||||||||||
| Module level | Intermediate (05) | ||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||||||
| School | Guildhall School of Business and Law | ||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||||||
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| Running in 2026/27(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) | No instances running in the year |
Module summary
Why do some companies succeed while others fail? Are some business ideas fundamentally better than others? How can you tell which ideas and/or solutions are worth investing time and money in and which are not?
This module is a key introduction to identifying, critically assessing and developing new business opportunities. The approaches and processes covered can be applied equally to new commercial ideas, social enterprises or new ventures within an existing business.
The foundation of the module is a live client brief with a real organisation, where you will develop your own solutions leading to a presentation and designing a consultancy type. At each stage you will learn the concepts covered in the module by applying them to the brief.
This module will be delivered through weekly lecture/seminars. The sessions will consist of a combination of theoretical input and problem-based tasks, supported by multimedia, including videos, case studies and student-centred discussions. You absolutely need to attend regularly each week to keep up.
Students will be able to receive support from the work placement team at the University for how to identify a relevant business for the assessment tasks.
The Student Enterprise at London Met will provide guidance to any student considering setting up their own business or wishing to utilise their knowledge to work as a freelancer.
The module is particularly relevant to anyone engaged in business or working at setting up his/her own business. Those considering starting their own business, working for an SME or taking on an intrapreneurial role within a large organisation will find application and a plethora of take-aways.
Please note:
● International students on a Student Visa must ensure their placement meets UKVI monitoring requirements. This includes:
• Prior approval of consultancy dates and hours by the Module Leader and the University Visa Compliance Team.
• Submission of timesheets signed by a line manager/supervisor.
Prior learning requirements
NO
Syllabus
The syllabus examines creativity techniques; the Lean Business Model approach, including the Business Model Canvas approach to testing the potential viability of a business idea and the importance of self-reflection to improving your business skills and potential employability.
The London Metropolitan University’s Enterprise Team will contribute to the programme by giving presentations on Enterprise and Entrepreneurship at LMU with a view to highlighting opportunities and resources available to students to support their entrepreneurial development. The team will provide students with opportunities to gain exposure to established student and graduate entrepreneurs so they may share their valuable experiences in developing and implementing their business ideas as well as advising them on how to maintain a healthy balance between business development and studies, as well as other relevant important issues they are likely to face when setting up their own business or developing their freelancing career.
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Guided independent study (50 hours) for this module is essential. For the student to achieve a high grade, it is essential that each week, some 2 to 3 hours is devoted to the task of examining and working in response to a client brief and preparing for a professional presentation assuming the role of a consultant (40 hours).
Students will work within small teams on a real business brief, live project requiring 24 hours of work. The hours will be spread across the weeks the module runs. Students will gain valuable experience of supporting a business to tackle issue they face and designing a solution.
The module programme indicates clearly what the student is expected to do and achieve at certain “milestones” during the course. Scheduled learning and teaching and assessment preparation takes place in weekly Lectures and Seminars – incorporating full class teaching, provision of client briefs, small group discussion/reflection and individual advice/support.
As this is a Work Based Learning module, there is a strong emphasis on reflective learning to develop personal skills for career opportunities.
Learning outcomes
On completion of the module students should be able:
LO1: To demonstrate creativity by applying the Lean Business Model Approach, including the Business Model Canvas technique against client briefs from the SME sector to test viability of ideas and present the initial results in a short video assuming the role of a consultant to the business
LO2: To demonstrate in a Business Workbook an in-depth evaluation of the client brief business idea having comprehensively applied the Business Model Canvas technique and other supportive models
LO3 To explain the outcome of reflective learning during the module in terms of self-development, including knowledge gained on setting up a small business or working as a freelancer.
Bibliography
Please see online reading list at:
See reading list here.