Business Tools:Money, People & Projects

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable steps will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory activities. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their participation are encouraged to discuss this with the subject coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

This subject will give an overview of the tools required to operate successfully in an organisational environment. The focus of the subject is the internal workings of an organisation and specifically addresses three main areas: working with people, managing budgets and understanding basic accounting, and managing processes and projects.

This subject aims to provide an internal perspective on organisations. Students will learn how to work in teams and leadership styles. They will learn about some basic tools for managing people including motivating others and appraising and evaluating. In addition to people management, students will also learn basic accounting, net present values, product costing and budgeting. Finally, the subject will cover process types, choice of operational models and project management skills. The subject will be aimed at both those students planning a future career in business and those students envisaging working in a research environment.

Syndicate group assessments totalling 3,000 words or equivalent (60%), commencing from the first class and to be completed in the final two weeks of the subject (submitted materials may include interim proposals, presentation, report); a three-hour end of subject examination (40%).

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Generic skills which should be gained from this subject include:

• leading and participating in teams (including members from diverse cultural backgrounds), managing, persuading and influencing others;

• demonstrating the breadth of knowledge gained in an inter-disciplinary approach;

• applying advanced analysis, business communication and leadership skills in business and professional practice;

• developing the ability to exercise critical judgement, be capable of rigorous and independent thinking, be able to account for their decisions and adopt a problem solving approach;

• high level written report presentation skills;

• oral communication and presentation skills; and

• time management and self-management skills.

Students undertaking this subject will be expected to be competent in the basic use of Microsoft Excel.