Level 4 + Level 5 + Level 6 Diploma in Business Management

This unit is divided into three parts and examines communications at an organisational level, interpersonal communications and managing internal and external communications. Effective communications are vital to the success of any organisation, to ensure understanding, involvement and commitment to organisational policies and procedures. Organisations today often need to change their policies and procedures to survive in the developing local and global economies. It is important for managers to realise the importance of sound communication practice and systems to ensure the effective development and dissemination of new

ideas and decisions for change. This unit will help managers explore the links between good communications and the development of workforce understanding and commitment to change by considering what is meant by good communications practice. It will then help them look at their communication skills as well as how to improve links between their team, other parts of the organisation and beyond. The unit aims to develop the learner’s awareness of organisational, personal, team and external communications. Communication practices, systems, styles and tools are explored and how they support individual and group’s commitment to organisations and their objectives. Interpersonal communication with an emphasis on analysing the learner’s own personal style to empower and improve personal communication skills is central to the unit. For this purpose, learners should obtain feedback on their input at meetings, presentations, interviews and in discussions with peers and tutors.

This unit looks at the development of practical leadership skills at a non-strategic level within the rapidly changing working environment. The unit provides an opportunity for learners to explore in depth the attributes and skills of successful leaders. Learners will also be able to consider how some of the leadership theories and models can be applied to specific situations and to learn how leadership skills can be developed. The unit draws on a selection of established principles and on more recent work. It seeks to consider their relevance to specific working situations. Through a study of leadership styles, current theory and models learners will be gain an appreciation of leadership skills and their importance at all levels in organisations and for specific purposes.

This unit is designed to introduce learners to the nature, role and importance of financial information in organisations from a managerial perspective. Learners will have the opportunity to look at communication and interpretation of financial information for managing organisations, its regulation and structuring and use in decision making, together with the principles of accounting, standards expected, and concepts and conventions that influence the presentation of financial information. Learners will, through the examination of financial information, learn about the important issues relating to the measurement of efficiency, profitability and solvency, and the different demands on organisations made by different stakeholders. They will also explore the extent to which external confidence is determined by financial performance. Learners will examine how financial information can be interpreted, analysed and evaluated, how costs in an organisation can be monitored and controlled, and how the concept of contribution aids decision making. The overriding aim of the unit is to provide the learner with the necessary knowledge to be able to critically evaluate the financial systems, processes and procedures in their own organisations. Learners will gain understanding of accounting conventions, appreciate measurement for efficiency, profitability and solvency, and the different demands made by different stakeholders. Learners will gain understanding of financial commentary.

Management has often been defined as ‘creating change through people’ and this unit encourages learners to adopt this approach to change. It is designed for managers or potential managers working at first line or operational levels who are seeking to change ongoing systems and processes in the workplace. Learners will gain the realisation that it is only through the people that they work with that change can become successful. This unit will allow learners to take a problem solving approach, initially defining issues and then looking at options, before selecting an appropriate route to change. Finally, the unit looks at planning for implementation and evaluation of the change itself. There will be an emphasis on involving those directly affected, to gain their experience and knowledge as well as

their commitment to, and ownership of, the change itself. Throughout the unit, importance will be placed the need to manage and control the change process by effective monitoring and evaluation. Various change models will be used as the basis of activity. The aim of this model is to introduce different models and practices of change management. The unit further aims to help learners to develop an understanding of the issues and practices involved in the management of change and those activities that contribute to positive organisational change. Learners are encouraged to develop and use their problem solving skills.

This unit focuses upon the effective and efficient planning and management of work activities. It provides learners with the knowledge and skills to design, implement and change operational plans to improve effectiveness and efficiency, and to design and monitor appropriate systems to ensure quality of the products and services.

Learners may investigate their own organisation and their role within it. Their research will involve evaluating the importance of business processes in delivering outcomes based on business goals and objectives, establishing customer requirements and developing and implementing operational plans to meet them. This will include the identification of resources needed, the planning and allocation of appropriate work activities, the setting and monitoring of performance measures and quality standards, and then taking appropriate action or making suitable recommendations to solve problems at work and managing the resulting change. Consideration will be given throughout the unit to legal, regulatory and ethical requirements, particularly to the maintenance of health and safety. Learners will discover that the objectives of successful managers are largely achieved through others and that the involvement of teams, peers and individuals is crucial to the efficient and effective management of activities. This unit aims to enable learners to develop an understanding of the issues relating to the management of activities with a particular focus on problem solving. The unit provides a basis for understanding how different organisations are structured and controlled, and the importance of business goals and objectives. The workings and operations of the organisation are examined and Learners are required to develop and deliver operational plans.

This unit focuses on building, developing and supporting teams to enable them to achieve their goals and objectives. Learners must identify the skills and potential of team members while providing opportunities for them to gain new skills and experiences. Learners will evaluate team roles and their importance when allocating team members to appropriate tasks in order to achieve objectives. A key factor in a winning team is the team leader. Learners will have the opportunity to examine the qualities required of an effective leader to ensure that tasks are achieved, while building and developing the team and individuals within it. This unit also focuses on methods for monitoring team performance and approaches for handling poor performance and conflict. The unit focuses on building, developing and supporting teams to enable them to achieve their goals and objectives. Learners will identify the skills and potential of teams and individuals. Opportunities for teams to develop, gaining new skills and experiences and ways to evaluate and improve their performance are important to the unit too.