Module Information
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Written Essay 2000 Words | 20% |
| Semester Assessment | Study Group Presentation 20 Minutes | 20% |
| Semester Exam | 3 Hours Written Exam | 60% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Study Group Presentation 20 Minutes | 20% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Written Essay 2000 Words | 20% |
| Supplementary Exam | 3 Hours Written Exam | 60% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Independently demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the essential features of a successful investor business proposal.
Critically compare various product differentiators for a given market and detail how the innovation/know how can deliver commercial success.
Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the key presentation skills and content that builds credibility in an investor forum.
Brief description
The ability to deliver effective business reports and presentations are key to securing company investments. This module brings key skills together from other modules so as to deliver a credible case to a potential investor. This will involve developing an understanding of the role of entrepreneurs and the associated investors and how to present the information in away that maximises successful investments and collaborations.
Aims
The aim of this module is to equip engineers and scientists with the skills involved in bringing innovative high-tech products to commercial success through effective team building, planning and presentation skills. The knowledge gained will be used in the integration of the various areas of expertise acquired in other parts of the MSc scheme through the use of multi-disciplinary case studies and assignments.
Content
• The role of the entrepreneur and entrepreneurial team in high-tech ventures.
• Evaluation of the market viability of new technology-based venture ideas and market definition; Strategies for high-tech product positioning, marketing and operations; resources(e.g., people, financing etc.) required for starting up and operation of a new venture and how to acquire them.
• Importance of research and development in competitive technology sectors.
• Innovations models: phase gate model, open vs closed, individual vs organisational, technology push vs market pull, user innovation, evolutionary innovation, disruptive innovation.
• Intellectual property, its protection, licensing and strategies.
Company registration and effective Team Building:
• Importance of building team with right skills and experience
• Networking (supply chain, customer, investors, public services etc)
• Company registration, board, shareholders and terms of reference
• Types of shareholdings
• Financial control and management
Product Management:
• Defining product specifications. Quality Function development for translating customer requirements into final products.
• Product investment Appraisal: Net Present Value, Accounting Rate of Return, payback period, Product Portfolio management: Expected Commercial Value analysis.
• Make and buy decisions - Subcontracting decisions and vendor assessment.
• Working Business plan
Securing investment:
• Targeting investors in the field and can add value
• What financiers seek in high-tech business proposals
• Development and Presentation of a high-tech proposal
• Key presentations skills
• Power of positive negotiations
• Case studies with invited external entrepreneurs presenting
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Co-ordinating with others | Students will be able to understand the importance of effective team building in the delivery of successful projects. They will develop the skill of understandng the strengths of the team and deploy these skills in a way that maximises success. |
| Creative Problem Solving | Identify problems. Identify factors which might influence potential solutions. Develop creative thinking approaches to problem solving. Evaluate advantages and disadvanatges of potential solutions. Construct a rational proposal in reponse to problems. |
| Professional communication | Develop communications skills including discussion and listening skills. Improve literacy skills by reading and writing reports and essays. |
| Reflection | Students must show critical reflective skills and adapt and improve solutions and the quality of the reports on an ongoing basis. Engineering analysis undertaken on real world engineering/technology issues with solution requiring realistic responses. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Students will be aware of the importance of team building, business cases and presentation approach and the key role it plays in enabling investments and successful commercialisation. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7