This module will enable students to acquire critical and transferable skills associated with the creation and growth of new business ventures. The module focuses on the development process, from start up to early stage growth of new ventures (new small businesses spin-offs from large firms, and especially innovative, technology-based firms). It covers essential processes associated with new venturing- opportunity identification, self-efficacy, ideas generation, bricolage and bootstrapping, developing business models, networking, marketing, financial, and behavioural aspects in different environments.
The module is practical in scope and character and is concerned with enabling students to critically examine and organise different forms of learning, skills development, and aspects of creating and managing new and entrepreneurial (especially technology-based)ventures.
This module introduces students to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). Students will learn the fundamental structure and concepts used in the MBTI, as well as developing an understanding of their own 'personality type' according to the theory. The theory is then applied to a variety of workplace and human resources issues.
It is expected that students will engage reflexively and critically with the theory of the MBTI and their own 'type'.
Topics to be covered will include the origins and ethical foundations of the MBTI, detailed explication of the theory itself and sessions applying this theory of personality to a range of work issues such as communication, conflict, stress and career selection.


Aims

To take a reflexive and academic approach to considering the impact of personality on a variety of work situations, via the MBTI

Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
1. demonstrate a detailed understanding of the origins, theoretical basis and ethical orientation of the MBTI;
2. show a reflexive awareness of the benefit of understanding personality dimensions of oneself and others, particularly with regard to work and careers;
3. critically analyse the strengths and limitations of the application of the MBTI to the world of work, for example, communication, conflict, stress and careers.

This module is compulsory for all 1st year students. It is a zero credit bearing module that will engage the students in the support mechanisms and effective study practices that are necessary for their study at EBS. The module will also provide students with guidance on their academic progress and personal and professional development. Assessment is via attendance. The module will be on the students' transcripts as completed or not completed.

Aims
This module aims to contribute to enhancing students' overall learning experience and performance. It forms part of the School's objective of developing students as engaged learners with the reflective ability to form holistic views on business and to benefit from research-led teaching. The module forms part of the Induction programme and will provide students with structured pastoral and academic support and guidance to help deal with the challenges they face. This structured regular contact with the tutor enhances communication and encourages discussion that fosters development beyond their formal studies – aiming to make every contact count. As the module will be compulsory for all EBS first year students, the aim is that the skills learned will benefit student learning and performance in all other modules as well.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this module students will have developed their:

KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING

* The importance of university support mechanisms including the library and search engines for independent research and as an integral part of being an active learner.
* The nature and scope of referencing, why it is important and necessary in developing professional skills.
* What an academic offence is and its consequences.
* The importance of a reflective approach to learning and how using feedback as part of a cycle of improvement to inform future work.
* The importance of forming networks and study groups to enhance the student experience.


SKILLS & ABILITIES

The technical, analytical and evaluation skills required in:

* Being able to use university support mechanisms in intelligent and effective ways to support their learning experience and performance across subject areas.
* Using best-practice in referencing to support written essays and arguments, and as part of developing ethical and professional judgment (e.g. through avoiding plagiarism).
* Becoming a reflective learner and using feedback as part of a developmental process to inform academic studies.
* Networking and building connections with academics and other students.


DEVELOPMENT OF PERSONAL TRANSFERABLE SKILLS
The module aims to develop a variety of personal transferable skills by encouraging students to:

* Make confident use of the support mechanisms available to them across the university.
* Develop learning strategies that facilitate an independent approach to learning.
* Build personal connections within the community of scholarship and enquiry.
* Develop confidence in using networking skills that enable students to build connections with each other.