SU212 – BUSINESS MANAGEMENTMODULE FCM12 –BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Title / Business management
Code / SU212
Level / Level 5
Credit rating / 10 CATS
Pre-requisites / Normal entry requirements will apply
Type of module / Mandatory module for FdSc Complementary Healthcare
Aims / To provide students with the opportunity to develop the business skills required to set up and manage a profitable business. To equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for a managerial or supervisory role within a Complementary Healthcare or clinic team.
This module covers course learning aims 1,2,5,7 and matches course learning outcomes3,4
Learning outcomes / On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
  1. Write a business plan and understand its importance in showing that a business is viable.
  2. Keep necessary financial records and understand basic accounting documents such as Profit and Loss, Balance Sheets and Cash flow statements.
  3. Understand the process of managerial decision making, focusing on financial implications.
  4. Understand the role of effective Marketing in both gaining new customers and retaining existing customers.
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of Health and Safety, Consumer Protection and Employment Law.

Content / Each lecture will include practical exercises and group discussions to facilitate the development of a business plan. The content will cover:
  • Types of business, business plans and mission statements.
  • Keeping financial records, Profit & Loss, Balance sheets, and tax returns.
  • Writing a business case to support managerial decision making.
  • Developing a marketing strategy using SWOT Analysis.
  • Marketing principles including price elasticity, margins and mix.
  • Marketing tools including advertising, referral schemes, internet, e-mails, direct marketing and business partnerships.
  • Recruitment
  • Take a strategic approach to Marketing considering Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT)
  • Managing a team – leadership and motivation
  • Employment Law
  • Consumer Protection Law (including Data Protection) and Health and Safety Law.

Teaching and learning strategies / Theory and research will include lectures, seminars, reading and individual research projects.
Learning support / Allen L., 2011, A Massage Therapist’s Guide to Business, Springhouse Pub. Co.
Bailey, A. 2003. The Which? Guide to Starting you own Business. 5th ed. London. Which? Ltd
Bishop, P., 2004 Setting Up & Running a Complementary Health Practise, How to Books Ltd
Bowman, C and D. Asch. 1995. Managing strategy. London. Macmillan Press
Cressy, S.1996. Business Management for the Beauty, Health and Holistic Therapist. Oxford. Butterworth Heinemann
Denham P, Otter R and J Martin. 1999. Law: A Modern Introduction. 4th ed. London. Hodder and Stoughton Educational
Dyson, J. 1997. Accounting for Non-Accounting Students. London Pitman
Federation of Holistic Therapists. 2004. The Essential Business Guide for Therapists. 6th ed. Eastleigh. Federation of Holistic Therapists
Harold, S., 2011 Marketing Your Complementary therapy Practise, 4th ed How to books Ltd
Hayes, J and F Dredge. 1998. Managing Customer Service. Aldershot. Gower Publishing
Holub, M., Brown,E., Allen, L.,2010 More of the Magic Touch…Business & Marketing Secrets OliveVine Press
Jenkins, K., 2003 Business Practice for Therapists. Hodder & Stoughton Educational
Sheehan, J., 2009 Sole Trader, the Holistic Therapy Business Handbook, Jane Sheehan Pub.
Stanton, N. 1996. Mastering Communication. London. Macmillan Press
Tyler, R. 2003. Money Matters for Therapists. London. Worth Publishing.
Warren, G., 2010 Set up a Therapy Business, A Step by step Guide, Ethical Bus. Pub.
Wilson, L. 2002. Becoming a Complementary Therapist. 2nd ed. Oxford. How to Books Ltd
Woodruffe, H.1998. Services Marketing. London. Pitman
Assessment tasks / Assessment will be a written business plan assignment, (100%) which fully demonstrates a sound theoretical knowledge of the learning outcomes
Brief description of module content / This unit brings together a range of subjects including Economics, Finance, Marketing, Human Resources and Law. It is taught in the context of setting up and running a Complementary Healthcare practice with students being encouraged to think about their current and future careers and how business skills can be applied.
Area examination board to which module relates / FdSc Complementary healthcare
Module team / Module leader. Mark Alexander
Semester offered, where appropriate / Year 2 – study block 4
Site where delivered / Sussex Downs College, Lewes
Date of approval of this version / Oct 2011
Version number / 3
Course(s) for which module is acceptable and status in course / Mandatory module
FdSc Complementary Healthcare
This module can be studied as a stand alone module.
School home / School of Health Professions
External examiner / Tricia Tikasingh (Jan 2011 – Dec 2013)