"Business Planning NCFE Level 2"

Student Profile

This programme is designed for people who wish to gain an understanding of principles and practice of Business Planning. No prior knowledge is required.

Objectives

The objectives of the course are to:

· Describe & evaluate your business idea

· Carry out market research into your idea

· Market your product or service

· Compile the financial information required to run a business

· Produce a business plan

· Identify sources of funding

· Instigate relevant business controls

Accreditation

At the end of this course successful learners will receive a level 2 NCFE Award certificate of achievement. That means that it is independently accredited at a level of learning equivalent to level 2 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.  The course is provided in conjunction with Kendal Publishing Limited – a licenced NCFE centre.

NCFE is recognised as an awarding body by the qualification regulators for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The regulators are the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual) in England, the Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DCELLS) in Wales and the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) in Northern Ireland

Study Method

The course is designed for study by distance learning at work or at home. Students receive course manual, assignments and studyguide plus tutor support by mail and email. You can start at any time and plan your studies over a period of up to one year from the time of registration.

Assessment

Each element is followed by a written assignment, which is submitted and marked by your tutor. There is no external examination required.

Course Duration

Students may register at any time and have a full year to complete their studies. The course will take around 120 hours of study to complete.

Pack/Course Contents

· Studyguide

· Comprehensive study notes for each element of the course

· Self-assessment activities

· Assignments

· Tutor support

· Assignment marking & feedback

· Accreditation

Price

The cost of the course is £230 inclusive of learning materials, tutor support and assignment marking.

COURSE CONTENT

The course is divided up into four modules, as follows:

Module 1: Planning to succeed

Personal profiling & self-assessment
Evaluating your business idea
Writing a business plan
Business structures
Basic accounting requirements

Module 2: Market Research

Types of Research
Survey methods
Questionnaires
Secondary research
Market research analysis

Module 3: Effective Marketing

The marketing cycle
Marketing plans
The cost per sale formula
Target customers
Business generation
The Marketing mix
Product life cycles

Module 4: Finance

Financial planning & control
A personal survival budget
Start up budget
The meaning of profit
Direct and fixed costs
Break even analysis
Costing & pricing
Sales forecasting and adjustments
Cash flow forecasting
Profit & loss forecasting
Capital requirements