Learning Outcomes:

Topics:

Understand the structure of a business plan

Course Coverage

• Business planning 

• Analyse environment

• Vision, mission, goals and objectives

• Developing strategy

• Creating a business plan

• Structure of plan – executive summary, company information, market analysis, strategy, marketing and sales, financial issues.

Know how to carry out appropriate analysis to facilitate the development of strategy for an organisation.

Course Coverage

• PESTLE analysis – political, economic, social-cultural, technological, legal, environmental.

• Porter’s five forces analysis – buyers, suppliers, new entrants, substitutes, and industry rivalry.

• Extended model – globalization, digitalization, de-regulation, strategic partners.

Understand the key concepts central to competitive analysis and developing market strategy.

Course Coverage

• Strategic space or group analysis

• Geographical reach

• Market offerings

• Branding

• Quality

• Market research – definition of the problem, data gathering and analysis

• Ansoff matrix – market penetration, market development, product development, diversification.

Understand the role of measuring and monitoring business plan implementation.

Course Coverage

• Strategic choice – suitability, feasibility, acceptability

• Growth, customer satisfaction, value, and brand awareness. Project planning and management 

• Responsibility 

• Accountability

• Assessment against objectives – evaluation, corrective action and avoiding pitfalls

• Crisis management, scenario planning, contingency planning

Indicative reading list 

• Barrow, C., Barrow, P. & Brown, R. (2015) The Business Plan Workbook. 8th ed. Kogan Page
• Fleisher, C. & Bensoussan, B. (2015) Business and Competitive Analysis: effective application of new and classic methods. 2nd ed. Pearson
• Mullins, L. (2016) Management and Organisational Behaviour. 11th ed. Pearson 

Entry requirements

• Learners must be over 18 years old.
• Relevant Level 3 Diploma or equivalent qualification
• Or GCE Advanced level in 2 subjects or equivalent qualification.

English requirements

If a learner is not from a predominantly English-speaking country, proof of English language proficiency must be provided.

• Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) level B2 or equivalent
• Or A minimum TOEFL score of 101 or IELTS 5.5; Reading and Writing must be at 5.5 or equivalent
• Or A minimum Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) score of 51 or equivalent

The SIMI Swiss reserves the highest decision-making power for admission whether to accept or not accept after a specific review of each candidate’s profile to ensure that they can comprehend and gain benefits when participating. For the fake university or diploma mills, University Partners shall not be accepted.

After graduating with Level 4 Award, students receive all certified documents from the SIMI Swiss.

Certified Documents:

• e-Certificate from the Swiss Information and Management Institute (SIMI Swiss).
• Hard copy certificate from the Swiss Information and Management Institute (SIMI Swiss) – Optional.

Because the program is accredited and recognized, students can easily use certified in the working environment and have many opportunities for career advancement. In addition, in case if you want to study for a SIMI degree or university partner degree, students can convert all credits and the full paid tuition fee.

The SIMI Swiss’ Level 4 Award means:

SIMI Swiss Level 4 Award is a qualification at the undergraduate level and is equivalent to the following:

• Level 4 Certificate of the Regulated Qualification Framework (RQF) in the UK
• Level 7 Certificate of the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF)
• Level 4 Certificate of the Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales (CQFW)
• Level 4 Certificate of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF)
• Level 5 Certificate of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)
• Level 4 Certificate of the ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework (AQRF)
• Level 5 Certificate of the African Continental Qualifications Framework (ACQF)

Students can convert all credits and the full tuition fee when participating in the SIMI Swiss and/or University Partners academic programs if they want to study for an academic degree.

Credits transfer:

Learners can accumulate 20 credits from the Level 4 Award program when participating in the Level 4 Diploma program. Please see the credit transfer policy HERE.

Tuition fee transfer:

When participating in the Level 4 Diploma program, students who have graduated 1 Level 4 Award will receive a discount of full tuition fee which you paid. Please see the tuition fee transfer HERE.

The SIMI Swiss micro-credential program allows for the transfer of credits and tuition fees into full degree programs from SIMI Swiss and/or its university partners. SIMI Swiss reserves the right to limit admissions once the number of students exceeds the quotas.

Apply Policy:

• To participate in the SIMI Swiss micro-credential program, students need to meet the entry criteria corresponding to each level. Please see the “Entry” tab for more details.
• SIMI Swiss will not accept applicants if their entry qualifications are from diploma mill universities or schools/universities that are not accredited.
• English is not a mandatory entry requirement for Micro Credential programs, but candidates need to ensure that English is used in reading documents, listening to lectures, and doing assignments. Candidates should note that English is a mandatory requirement when switching to an academic program at SIMI Swiss and University Partners.

Apply Process:

1. Choose the program that suits your requirements.
2. Email your application to support@simiswiss.ch with all the required documents. You can download the application form here.
3. Our admission department will contact you and guide you through further processes if the registration documents need to be supplemented.
4. SIMI Swiss will issue the Letter of Acceptant (LOA). You wil proceed to the next steps according to the instructions and pay tuition fee.
5. SIMI Swiss will issue a student confirmation letter, login account to the e-learning system and related documents.
6. You have become an official SIMI Swiss student and enjoy your study journey.

The SIMI Swiss micro-credential program is fully online, allowing you to study anytime, anywhere. You have the option to attend live classes with SIMI Swiss. The final exam will be uploaded to the system and evaluated by the academic panel of SIMI Swiss. Students must submit assignments on time; failure to do so will result in the student being considered to have discontinued the program.