Diploma in Small Business Management

This qualification is intended for persons who can function mainly as tactical (functional) managers in any enterprise. The qualifying learner will be competent in applying selected management principles and techniques in supporting and implementing strategies, policies and procedures and will be able to deal effectively with contemporary issues on a tactical (functional) level.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The qualification will also be awarded to a learner who has provided evidence that the stated competence of the qualification has been achieved through experience that complies with the stated specified outcomes.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate, NQF 4 granting access to Diploma studies.

Or

• Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4.
• National Certificate (Vocational), NQF Level 4.

Or

• Higher Certificate in a related field, NQF Level 5.

This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at NQF Level 5 and 6 totalling 360 Credits.

1. Management of resources for the effective and efficient achievements of enterprise goals.
2. Manage the process of transforming inputs into outputs.
3. Manage and develop people to contribute constructively to the achievement of goals of the enterprise.
4. Initiate and manage change to support growth and survival in a dynamic environment.
5. Manage social issues within the enterprise.
6. Manage legal requirements within the enterprise.
7. Train and supervise culturally diverse administrative staff.
8. Apply the principles of marketing within the enterprise.
9. Manage human resources within the enterprise.
10. Manage purchasing within the enterprise.
11. Manage production within the enterprise.
12. Ensure organisational effectiveness within the enterprise.
13. Develop a holistic overview and understanding of the establishment and functioning of an enterprise.
14. Apply basic quantitative techniques for decision-making.
15. Apply basic principles of business communication within the workplace.
16. Know the basic principles of industrial relations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Basic assessment of the entity's working capital position.
• Assess the influence of the time value of money on financial decisions.
• Analyse financial statements.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Logical reasoning in the analysis of a given context is demonstrated.
• Demonstrate a range of techniques to determine effectiveness and efficiency.
• The impact of decisions is assessed relative to other entities and the organisation as a whole.
• Apply quality assurance principles to a given context.
• Communication, monitoring and control are integrated to support quality management principles.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Describe ways of identifying development needs.
• Compile recommendations for development are compiled.
• Identify opportunities to develop own performance.
• Plan self-development.
• Take the necessary action to develop self.
• Create and enhance effective working relationships with one's immediate manager.
• Identify and minimise interpersonal conflict.
• Contribute effectively to the development and implementation of disciplinary and grievance procedures.
• Strategies, contemporary issues of groups and teams are taken into consideration to identify and describe the appropriate leadership for the context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Describe techniques for overcoming resistance to change in the enterprise.
• Evaluate the impact of strategy and contemporary issues.
• Suggest approaches to effect change.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Develop an understanding of corporate culture, social responsibility, ethics and politics.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Establish compliance procedures for regulatory codes and standards are established.
• Monitor compliance procedures.
• Review and assess procedures and legal obligations.
• Implement prescribed procedures for manufacture, transport, storage and handling.
• Correctly implement the necessary documentation for safe handling.
• Correctly interpret and apply applicable clauses of the Act.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Develop an appropriate staff development plan.
• Administrative staff is supervised according to supervisory principles.
• Illustrate the practical application of cultural diversity in the workplace.
• Coordinate the administrative functions effectively.
• Accurately prepare quality assurance principles.
• Cost is efficiently controlled.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Applied the basic principles of marketing.
• Manage the marketing function.
• Conduct strategic marketing planning, retail marketing and international marketing.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles of individual behaviour, social processes and personnel management.
• Manage the personnel functions within an enterprise.
• Understand and apply the concepts of organisational behaviour.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10

• Manage the purchasing function.
• Determine quality, purchasing quantities and sources of supply.
• Explain the integration of the purchasing function and techniques.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11

• Apply the basic principles of production management.
• Manage the production function.
• Manage the production function together with computer systems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 12

• Apply the basic principles of work study.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 13

• Identify the business and economic principles and justify their relationship.
• Identify and demonstrated an understanding of the place, purpose and objectives of the functional areas of an enterprise.
• Maintain and enhance a culture of entrepreneurship is effectively created.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 14

• Demonstrate an understanding and application of basic quantitative techniques.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 15

• Apply the basic principles of interpersonal communication, general business writing skills and oral communication.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 16

• Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of labour economics and industrial relations.

Integrated Assessment

• Written examinations.
• Case studies.

Business simulations/games or logbook (experiential learning component).