Mastering Business Essentials Program

Tuesday, Oct. 17, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Gardiner Centre, Signal Hill Campus

Drive your career forward while delivering critical value to your organization. The Mastering Business Essentials Program focuses on the most critical “need-to-know” elements in business, allowing participants to sharpen their business acumen and make strategic decisions in today’s complex business environment. Participants learn how to see the bigger picture by gaining knowledge in key disciplines including accounting, finance, economics, operations/processes, marketing, human resources, and project management and learning how to apply them to increase productivity and profitability. This program delivers learning in key subject areas and relates it to practical, real-world examples and exercises delivering tools and techniques to apply immediately in the workplace.

Each course is delivered by subject matter experts and practitioners who provide current and practical content combined with real-world experiences and learning activities through the case study method to solidify participant knowledge and practice.

Key Learning Outcomes

Build a solid foundation in the key functional areas of business
Recognize the connections between different functional areas
Know how to assess a business from multiple angles to reach more informed decisions
Develop your ability to spot opportunities and manage challenges
Identify the ways in which corporate strategy connects to every business function
Learn how to promote cooperation and action between various areas of the business
Gain hands-on practice applying the material through a simulated project woven throughout the program
Deepen your experience with peer networking and collaboration

Program Schedule

Training will take place from 8:30am to 4:30pm, Newfoundland Time on the dates below:

Module 1
October 17, 2023	Strategy and Environmental Analysis
October 18, 2023	Strategic Human Resources
October 19, 2023	Fundamentals of Project Management
Module 2
November 7, 2023	Finance Fundamentals
November 8, 2023	Accounting and Financial Reporting
November 9, 2023	Business Policies and Processes
Module 3
November 28, 2023	Marketing Strategy
November 29, 2023	Strategic Communications Planning
November 30, 2023	Project Integration

Program Content

Strategy and Environmental Analysis
Learn how a clearly defined strategy instills purpose throughout organization and informs a value proposition that brings true benefit to customers.

Define purpose, objectives and benefits of strategy
Identify critical components of the strategic planning process
Increase awareness of the internal and external factors that guide and impact strategic thinking
Discuss sources of competitive advantage and barriers to entry
Explore contemporary models of strategic planning
Consider the implications of strategic decision-making

Strategic Human Resources
Learn how an effective strategic human resource plan aligns with corporate strategy and develops culture and competencies for organizational growth.

Explore the fundamental principles of strategic human resources and strategic human resource planning
Discuss the benefits of engaging human resource professionals in strategic planning
Identify essential legislative requirements in the employment relationship
Explore best practices for attracting, acquiring and developing top talent
Review the strategic role of training and development within an organization
Outline the importance of goal setting and building confidence in employee development
Discuss the benefits of succession planning

Fundamentals of Project Management
Learn how a well-defined project can lead to a more efficient and effective implementation of your strategic plan.

Review project definition and success criteria
Identify common project challenges
Assess the nature of a project and its environment
Develop a project plan and link it to a sound business case
Practice thinking like a project manager

Business Processes and Policies
Learn how well-managed processes impact an organization’s bottom-line and create value for its customers.

Define business processes and business process management (BPM)
Describe the business benefits of well-designed business processes
Identify, model, analyze, redesign and monitor business processes
Explain how to manage the implementation of a redesigned or new business process
Identify ways to increase efficiency and lower costs
Review concepts in capacity and resource management

Accounting and Financial Reporting
Learn how to interpret and analyze financial statements in order to assess the financial position of an organization.

Discuss the role of accounting and the purpose of financial reporting
Identify the main users of financial statements, their information needs, and the desirable characteristics of financial information required to meet those needs
Review and analyze the components of financial statements, including the income statement, balance sheet, statement of retained earnings and cash flow statement
Describe how financial statements interact with each other
Describe the regulatory frameworks for financial accounting, reporting and assurance and appraise their effectiveness in ensuring the integrity of financial statements

Finance Fundamentals
Gain a clearer understanding of business finance basics, including financial planning and budgeting, resource management, and risk management.

Recognize the connection between organizational strategy and financial performance
Review concepts in modern investment and finance, including: asset valuation, capital budgeting, risk management and performance assessment
Interpret the information contained in the balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows to gauge financial health and performance
Develop budgets/forecasts for the business
Review a firm’s financing options and understand the implications of these choices for the value of the firm
Identify financial models used in decision making and appraise a finance project based on investment decision rules

Marketing Strategy
Learn how organizations recognise strategic market opportunities and create value for customers by differentiating themselves from the competition.

Explore the role of marketing in the value creation process and how products, services and strategic branding determine your marketing mix
Identify essential marketing concepts such as: buyer behaviour, segmentation, targeting, and positioning
Discuss contemporary marketing strategies that lead to organizational growth
Explain the importance of socially responsible marketing decisions
Examine the components of an effective strategic marketing plan

Strategic Communications Planning
Learn how a successful communications plan connects your organization with employees, partners, and clients in clear, meaningful ways.

Identify the building blocks of a successful communications strategy:
- identify and analyze target audiences
- create useful key messages
- identify appropriate spokespeople
- explore strategic considerations
- create the tactical plan
- measure for success
Examine how corporate communications functions can be structured within organizations or what resources can be sourced externally
Create a communications strategy to support business objectives and build on lessons learned from the previous topics

Project Integration
Working as a team, participants will apply their learning as they assess the program case study from a number of different, but always integrated, angles.

Review all areas covered to date
Demonstrate understanding of how all functional areas are integrated
Develop a presentation

Recommended Background
The Mastering Business Essentials Program is designed to benefit those who are:

Looking to transition into a managerial position
Professional people who have little background in business but who quickly need to get up to speed on strategic business practices
Entrepreneurs who would like to develop a well-rounded business acumen
Technical professionals looking to broaden their skills and advance in their organization
Business people who are seeking a refresher in business knowledge and skills

Program Case Study
The Mastering Business Essentials Program is delivered using the case study method. Prior to program start, participants will be assigned to a team and given a case to review

Participants will be placed on teams for the duration of the program and work together on a case study, exposing participants to real business dilemmas and decisions
Participants will gain the ability to assess business problems quickly while considering the broader organizational, industry, and societal context
Participants’ capacity for critical analysis, judgment, decision-making, and action will be strengthened through the case study analysis
All participants are required to collaborate with their teams in class assignments related to the case study
Each assignment will be used to tie the program together and serve as the background work for the final day of the program; Project Integration

Continuing Education Contact Hours: 63

Upon completion of all modules, participants will be issued a digital badge and framed certificate.

Presented by Gardiner Centre

Event Listing 2023-10-17 8:30:00 2023-10-17 16:30:00 America/St_Johns Mastering Business Essentials Program Drive your career forward while delivering critical value to your organization. The Mastering Business Essentials Program focuses on the most critical “need-to-know” elements in business, allowing participants to sharpen their business acumen and make strategic decisions in today’s complex business environment. Participants learn how to see the bigger picture by gaining knowledge in key disciplines including accounting, finance, economics, operations/processes, marketing, human resources, and project management and learning how to apply them to increase productivity and profitability. This program delivers learning in key subject areas and relates it to practical, real-world examples and exercises delivering tools and techniques to apply immediately in the workplace. Each course is delivered by subject matter experts and practitioners who provide current and practical content combined with real-world experiences and learning activities through the case study method to solidify participant knowledge and practice. Key Learning Outcomes Build a solid foundation in the key functional areas of business Recognize the connections between different functional areas Know how to assess a business from multiple angles to reach more informed decisions Develop your ability to spot opportunities and manage challenges Identify the ways in which corporate strategy connects to every business function Learn how to promote cooperation and action between various areas of the business Gain hands-on practice applying the material through a simulated project woven throughout the program Deepen your experience with peer networking and collaboration Program Schedule Training will take place from 8:30am to 4:30pm, Newfoundland Time on the dates below: Module 1 October 17, 2023 Strategy and Environmental Analysis October 18, 2023 Strategic Human Resources October 19, 2023 Fundamentals of Project Management Module 2 November 7, 2023 Finance Fundamentals November 8, 2023 Accounting and Financial Reporting November 9, 2023 Business Policies and Processes Module 3 November 28, 2023 Marketing Strategy November 29, 2023 Strategic Communications Planning November 30, 2023 Project Integration Program Content Strategy and Environmental Analysis Learn how a clearly defined strategy instills purpose throughout organization and informs a value proposition that brings true benefit to customers. Define purpose, objectives and benefits of strategy Identify critical components of the strategic planning process Increase awareness of the internal and external factors that guide and impact strategic thinking Discuss sources of competitive advantage and barriers to entry Explore contemporary models of strategic planning Consider the implications of strategic decision-making Strategic Human Resources Learn how an effective strategic human resource plan aligns with corporate strategy and develops culture and competencies for organizational growth. Explore the fundamental principles of strategic human resources and strategic human resource planning Discuss the benefits of engaging human resource professionals in strategic planning Identify essential legislative requirements in the employment relationship Explore best practices for attracting, acquiring and developing top talent Review the strategic role of training and development within an organization Outline the importance of goal setting and building confidence in employee development Discuss the benefits of succession planning Fundamentals of Project Management Learn how a well-defined project can lead to a more efficient and effective implementation of your strategic plan. Review project definition and success criteria Identify common project challenges Assess the nature of a project and its environment Develop a project plan and link it to a sound business case Practice thinking like a project manager Business Processes and Policies Learn how well-managed processes impact an organization’s bottom-line and create value for its customers. Define business processes and business process management (BPM) Describe the business benefits of well-designed business processes Identify, model, analyze, redesign and monitor business processes Explain how to manage the implementation of a redesigned or new business process Identify ways to increase efficiency and lower costs Review concepts in capacity and resource management Accounting and Financial Reporting Learn how to interpret and analyze financial statements in order to assess the financial position of an organization. Discuss the role of accounting and the purpose of financial reporting Identify the main users of financial statements, their information needs, and the desirable characteristics of financial information required to meet those needs Review and analyze the components of financial statements, including the income statement, balance sheet, statement of retained earnings and cash flow statement Describe how financial statements interact with each other Describe the regulatory frameworks for financial accounting, reporting and assurance and appraise their effectiveness in ensuring the integrity of financial statements Finance Fundamentals Gain a clearer understanding of business finance basics, including financial planning and budgeting, resource management, and risk management. Recognize the connection between organizational strategy and financial performance Review concepts in modern investment and finance, including: asset valuation, capital budgeting, risk management and performance assessment Interpret the information contained in the balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows to gauge financial health and performance Develop budgets/forecasts for the business Review a firm’s financing options and understand the implications of these choices for the value of the firm Identify financial models used in decision making and appraise a finance project based on investment decision rules Marketing Strategy Learn how organizations recognise strategic market opportunities and create value for customers by differentiating themselves from the competition. Explore the role of marketing in the value creation process and how products, services and strategic branding determine your marketing mix Identify essential marketing concepts such as: buyer behaviour, segmentation, targeting, and positioning Discuss contemporary marketing strategies that lead to organizational growth Explain the importance of socially responsible marketing decisions Examine the components of an effective strategic marketing plan Strategic Communications Planning Learn how a successful communications plan connects your organization with employees, partners, and clients in clear, meaningful ways. Identify the building blocks of a successful communications strategy: identify and analyze target audiences create useful key messages identify appropriate spokespeople explore strategic considerations create the tactical plan measure for success Examine how corporate communications functions can be structured within organizations or what resources can be sourced externally Create a communications strategy to support business objectives and build on lessons learned from the previous topics Project Integration Working as a team, participants will apply their learning as they assess the program case study from a number of different, but always integrated, angles. Review all areas covered to date Demonstrate understanding of how all functional areas are integrated Develop a presentation Recommended Background The Mastering Business Essentials Program is designed to benefit those who are: Looking to transition into a managerial position Professional people who have little background in business but who quickly need to get up to speed on strategic business practices Entrepreneurs who would like to develop a well-rounded business acumen Technical professionals looking to broaden their skills and advance in their organization Business people who are seeking a refresher in business knowledge and skills Program Case Study The Mastering Business Essentials Program is delivered using the case study method. Prior to program start, participants will be assigned to a team and given a case to review Participants will be placed on teams for the duration of the program and work together on a case study, exposing participants to real business dilemmas and decisions Participants will gain the ability to assess business problems quickly while considering the broader organizational, industry, and societal context Participants’ capacity for critical analysis, judgment, decision-making, and action will be strengthened through the case study analysis All participants are required to collaborate with their teams in class assignments related to the case study Each assignment will be used to tie the program together and serve as the background work for the final day of the program; Project Integration Continuing Education Contact Hours: 63 Upon completion of all modules, participants will be issued a digital badge and framed certificate. REGISTER NOW Gardiner Centre, Signal Hill Campus Gardiner Centre