Business Strategy

A study of the theories, concepts, methods, and tools that top managers can use to ensure the profitable and long-term growth of the businesses they run. The course will then require students to immediately put these to practice in workshop sessions designed to apply the concepts to case studies. Key topics include: why this or that business? Where will it operate? How is it going to differentiate itself? What tactics will be used to achieve its economic logic? The answers to these questions will be pursued within a framework of Christian principles.

Key concepts:

·      What is strategy?  How to think globally and biblically about your business

·      Introduction: The layers of the business environment

·      Competition & Differentiation (Cost leadership vs. differentiation, value chain introduction)

·      Expansion strategies & alliances

·      Strategic choices, trade-offs, consistency in strategic decisions

Marketing

This course will study the role of the marketing function of a business. Studying the way companies and organizations interact with the markets, it will also survey how marketing provides strategic analysis for business operations. Students will be introduced to foundational concepts such as the four ‘P’s of marketing (Product, Promotion, Placement and Price) and how they are practical tools that relate to the entire business process. Topics will be covered with a strong focus on integrity as the main principle for marketing processes.

Key concepts:

·      Introduction to marketing and marketing strategy

·      Market segmentation, targeting, and positioning

·      The marketing mix (4 Ps of Marketing)

·      Loyalty and relationship marketing

·      Truthful marketing as a Christian

·      How to position your brand as a Christian company

Accounting

1 & 2

A workshop/series of lectures on keeping ledgers, books and spreadsheets in the management of a business. The course will teach students how to read financial statements and report financial information from their businesses. Concepts such as break-even analysis, profitability, solvency, liquidity and other foundational accounting principles will be presented as tools for decision-making. The module will include a foundational session in elementary MS Excel.

*NOTE: People who have not attended Accounting 1 will not be allowed to attend Accounting 2.

Key concepts:

• Balance sheets, P&L, and cash flow statements

• Double entry bookkeeping (including showing information in T accounts)

• The trial balance (How to construct the Trial balance and check it is correct)

• Final Accounts preparation (taking T accounts to a provisional trial balance) & final adjustments; brief explanation of stock treatment in accounts, notes on profit margins and accounting for discounts allowed/received.

• Accruals and prepayments (accrued and prepaid expenses, accrued and deferred income; accounts payable and receivable)

• Fixed assets and depreciation (including common methods to calculate depreciation, disposals of assets and part exchanges)

Operations Management

A practical study that introduces students to the real-life processes of designing and running efficient business operations. Whether in services, manufacturing, or other industries, this course will teach students about processes and sub-processes used to plan, run, and assess the business from beginning to end. Students will learn how to identify and employ key operations frameworks, such as value-chain management, segment pricing, and total quality management. Case studies will be explored, with priority given to the context of entrepreneurship and business startups. 

Key concepts:

·      What is operations strategy?

·      Process excellence

·      Lean production and cost-effectiveness

·      Quality management

·      Project management tools and frameworks

·      Delivering service excellence

Theology of Business & Decision Making

A study of biblical principles applied to business practices, and how to make business decisions as a Christian. This course will survey the scriptures with focus on books and authors that deal with topics of creation, calling, stewardship and integrity. The course will cover the topic of business as an agent for transformation and as an essential element of support for the mission of the church.  It will show how principled business enterprises can be mission-minded and financially viable at the same time.  Discussions on how to engage the business world with a Christian worldview will be encouraged. Finally, the course will explore how faith should be a key driver for business leaders in their endeavors.

Key concepts:

·      The purpose of work in the Bible

·      The Kingdom-centered business, an agent for world transformation in Christ’s name

·      Creation, sin, and sanctification in the business world

·      Calling vs. work; work vs. business

·       “For-profit”, “non-profit”, or “profit for”?  Business’ place in the Bible.