Higher Certificate in Business Management

Purpose

The Certificate in Business Management (CIBM) is intended to be a one-year programme that provides an overview of the essentials of business management theory and practice. It is designed to provide a convenient and appropriate avenue into business management studies and eventual gainful employment for students coming straight out of school. It is also directed towards persons who may have taken employment in business without formal post-school qualifications and who have limited work experience. The CIBM may thus equip these learners for a formal career in management or small business management. The certificate can provide access to further study at NQF Levels 5 and 6.

Rationale

• Serves to integrate and develop business management practices.
• Facilitates capacity building and human resource development in management education for socio-economic development.
• Provides affordable access to management education for learners from previously disadvantaged communities.
• Empowers successful learners with management skills and competencies necessary to function, progress and provide leadership in the business environment.
• Promotes equity and redress by increasing the representation of qualified black persons, especially women, in business organisations.
• Recognises and caters for the career and economic needs of learners who are seeking gainful employment.

• The learner is proficient in the language of instruction.
• The learner is able to work independently.
• The learner has obtained the general theoretical, practical and academic knowledge and understanding at NQF Level 4.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Admission to this programme may be obtained through the recognition of prior learning. Candidates who do not qualify for admission in terms of the minimum admission criteria may be considered for admission through a process of RPL in keeping with the RBS RPL policy.

Access to the qualification

Candidates for admission to the programme are required to have an appropriate senior certificate or equivalent qualification, at least at NQF Level 4.

The programme will further accept candidates who provide evidence of formal/in-formal prior learning in this field of study.

Learning Component; Credits; NQF Level

- Fundamental learning; 20 Credits; NQF Level 5

> Business Communication (20 Credits).

- Core learning; 100 Credits; NQF Level 5

> Business Management (20 Credits).

> Financial Management (20 Credits).

> Business Information Systems (20 Credits).

> Marketing Management (20 Credits).

> Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management (20 Credits).

• Electives Learning; N/A.

Total Credits 120.

Overall Exit Level Outcomes

On completion of the CIBM programme learners will be able to

• Apply basic management principles in a business context.
• Analyse and use financial information for business decision making.
• Utilise financial management tools for effective acquisition and use of organisational resources.
• Utilise Information and Communications Technology to communicate effectively for business success.
• Identify the critical success factors for starting and managing a small business.
• Cite the key characteristics of entrepreneurs and their role in small business development.
• Design and implement marketing strategies to leverage business opportunities.

Specific Level Outcomes (for each Module)

Business Management

On completion of this module the student will be able to

• Explain the nature and structure of business organisations.
• Distinguish between the different types of business organisations and forces at work on it.
• Describe the stages in the evolution of management thought.
• Identify the central concepts involved that make an effective business.
• Assess the impact of change on a modern business organisation.
• Explain the effective use of tools for effective functioning of a manager.
• Advise on key parameters for effective managerial decision making.
• Design how an organisation determines and achieves its goals.
• Evaluate the role of a manager in modern context by using creative problem solving skills.
• Identify the challenges that contemporary managers face.

Financial Management

On completion of this module the student will be able to

• Define basic concepts in finance.
• Read the financial statements and make informed judgements on the financial well being of companies.
• Gain an appreciation and understanding of the sources and utilisation of the funds flow in an organisation.
• Advise on key parameters for effective financial decision making.
• Describe the benefits of budgetary planning systems in a business context.
• Identify and use key factors in making capital investment decisions.

Business Information Systems

On completion of this module the student will be able to

• Describe the operational and managerial roles of information systems.
• Gain an appreciation of the major concepts, developments and managerial implications involved in computer hardware, software, database management and telecommunications technologies.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how information technology is used in modern information systems to support the end user collaboration, enterprise operations, managerial decision making and strategic advantage.
• Utilize IS systems to support decision making.

Marketing Management

On completion of this module the student will be able to

• Explain the interface between marketing management and the environment.
• Describe the composition of the marketing environment.
• Analyse marketing opportunities.
• Indicate how markets are segmented.
• Outline factors that should be considered when selecting a target market.
• Describe positioning methods that marketers can pursue in practice.
• Define the steps in the marketing planning process.
• Develop basic marketing strategies.
• Differentiate between different types of competition.
• Demonstrate knowledge of technology behind the internet.
• Use electronic marketing concepts to develop new marketing strategies.
• Explain the nature of services marketing.

Business Communication

On completion of this module the student will be able to

• Describe the components of the communication process.
• Discuss communication skills and competencies in a business environment.
• Apply written, verbal and non-verbal aspects of communication.
• Prepare formal business communiqu�s.
• Plan and conduct business meetings.
• Plan and deliver business presentations.

Entrepreneurship and Small Business

On completion of this module the student will be able to

• Define entrepreneurship.
• Distinguish between entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship.
• Outline the role of small businesses in the economy.
• Draw up a business plan for an SMME.
• Evaluate franchising as a means of entrepreneurial development.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Specific Level Outcomes for Business Management

The final mark for each module is derived from an assignment and a formal two-hour written examination. The final mark for each module is then computed by taking a weighted average of 40% of the assignment mark and 60% of the examination mark. The student must obtain a sub-minimum of 40% in the written examination.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Specific Level Outcomes for Financial Management

The final mark for each module is derived from an assignment and a formal two-hour written examination. The final mark for each module is then computed by taking a weighted average of 40% of the assignment mark and 60% of the examination mark. The student must obtain a sub-minimum of 40% in the written examination.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Specific Level Outcomes for Business Information Systems

The final mark for each module is derived from an assignment and a formal two-hour written examination. The final mark for each module is then computed by taking a weighted average of 40% of the assignment mark and 60% of the examination mark. The student must obtain a sub-minimum of 40% in the written examination.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Specific Level Outcomes for Marketing Management

The final mark for each module is derived from an assignment and a formal two-hour written examination. The final mark for each module is then computed by taking a weighted average of 40% of the assignment mark and 60% of the examination mark. The student must obtain a sub-minimum of 40% in the written examination.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Specific Level Outcomes for Business Communication

The final mark for each module is derived from an assignment and a formal two-hour written examination. The final mark for each module is then computed by taking a weighted average of 40% of the assignment mark and 60% of the examination mark. The student must obtain a sub-minimum of 40% in the written examination.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Specific Level Outcomes for Entrepreneurship and Small Business

The final mark for each module is derived from an assignment and a formal two-hour written examination. The final mark for each module is then computed by taking a weighted average of 40% of the assignment mark and 60% of the examination mark. The student must obtain a sub-minimum of 40% in the written examination.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment centres on

• The extent to which the learner has grasped the basic concepts which form the base of management education.
• The application of theory to a practical context.
• The methods of research used.
• A balance between theory and practice and its relevance to the level of the qualification.
• The use of appropriate technology to ensure effective communication of ideas.

The Assessment methods measure the extent to which the learner has achieved competence in the different areas of study delivered through course modules and contact sessions. These assessment methods include:

• Case studies.
• Report writing.
• Interpretative and analytical problem solving in the written examination.
• Work based assignments.
• Self assessment activities in the course material.