Business Methods
- Education
- 100 level
- 2 credit units
- 122 pages
- 15 units
This course introduces students to business methods, covering business planning, structures, and management. It explores communication skills, business correspondence, and report writing. The course also examines trade documents and postal services, equipping students with essential knowledge for effective business operations and communication. Students will learn to develop business plans, understand organizational communication, and manage business correspondence.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Study hours
- 40 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assignments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of BED114, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
BED114 · Unit 1: BUSINESS PLAN
Your course material is the main text for this course. However, you are encouraged to consult other sources as provided for you in the list of references and further reading below.
What you should be able to do
- Explain the relationship between business, profit, and entrepreneurship.
- Describe the meaning and components of a business plan.
- Enumerate the important features of different business structures.
- Explain the meaning of joint venture and partnership in a business environment.
- State the meaning and importance of business correspondence.
- Explain report writing and demonstrate how to write a report.
- Explain the meaning and types of business documents.
What it prepares you for
- Business Manager
- Office Administrator
- Entrepreneur
- Sales Manager
- Business Consultant
- Retail
- Manufacturing
- Services
- Consulting
- Education
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- MODULE 1: BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Unit 3: Business Structure 2
Understanding the legal implications and liabilities associated with different business structures requires careful analysis.
- MODULE 2: COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Unit 4: Pattern of communication flow in the office/ organization
Applying communication theories to real-world scenarios and understanding the impact of different communication styles can be challenging.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 42 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Course Guide · 3 hours
Read the course guide to understand the course objectives and structure.. Complete the feedback form and submit it to your tutorial facilitator..
- Week 2MODULE 1: BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Unit 1: Business Plan · 3 hours
Define business activities and their importance.. Explain the concept of a business plan and its components.. Identify the need for a business plan and its benefits..
- Week 3MODULE 1: BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Unit 2: Business Structure 1 · 3 hours
Define sole proprietorship and its features.. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a sole proprietorship.. Explain the meaning of a joint venture and its characteristics..
- Week 4MODULE 1: BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Unit 3: Business Structure 2 · 3 hours
Define partnership and its types.. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a partnership.. Explain the contents of a partnership deed and its dissolution..
- Week 5MODULE 1: BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Unit 4: Management and Control of Business · 3 hours
Compare sole proprietorship, partnership, and corporation.. Describe the documents needed to start a sole proprietorship business.. Discuss the importance of the business environment..
- Week 6MODULE 2: COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Unit 1: Introduction to communication · 3 hours
Define communication and its importance.. Explain different viewpoints and perspectives of communication.. Discuss the goals of organizational communication..
- Week 7MODULE 2: COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Unit 2: Communication process · 3 hours
Enumerate the stages of the communication process.. Discuss the principles of effective communication.. Explain the importance of communication and its role in business..
- Week 8MODULE 2: COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Unit 3: Forms and media of communication · 3 hours
Identify the media of communication.. Differentiate between various media of communication (written, oral, non-verbal).. Discuss the merits and demerits of each communication form..
- Week 9MODULE 2: COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Unit 4: Pattern of communication flow in the office/ organization · 3 hours
Describe different patterns of communication flow in an organization.. Explain ways to manage rumors and grapevine.. Identify barriers to effective communication and how to overcome them..
- Week 10MODULE 3: BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE
Unit 1: Meaning of Business Correspondence · 3 hours
State the meaning of business correspondence.. Explain the importance of business correspondence.. Identify essential features of business letters..
- Week 11MODULE 3: BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE
Unit 2: Type of business correspondence · 3 hours
Identify different types of letters used in business.. Identify points to remember while writing an order letter.. Understand the purpose and components of various business letters..
- Week 12MODULE 3: BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE
Unit 3: Report Writing · 3 hours
Explain report writing and its importance.. Demonstrate how to write a report.. Identify different attributes of a good report.. Differentiate between a report and a memorandum..
- Week 13MODULE 4: DOCUMENT OF TRADE AND POSTAL SERVICE
Unit 1: Meaning of business document · 3 hours
Explain the meaning of a business document.. State the importance of trade documents.. Outline the major characteristics of business documents..
Revision · 3 hours
Review all modules and units.. Work on assignments and prepare for final examination..
Preparing for the exam
- Review all learning outcomes for each unit and ensure you can confidently address each one.
- Create concept maps linking key concepts from Modules 1 and 2 to understand business structures and communication flows.
- Practice writing different types of business letters (enquiry, order, complaint) from Module 3.
- Study examples of well-written reports and memos, focusing on structure and clarity.
- Familiarize yourself with the different types of trade documents and their uses from Module 4.
- Allocate specific time slots for revision each day in the week leading up to the exam.
- Answer all Self-Assessment Exercises (SAEs) at the end of each unit and review your answers.
- Review all Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) and understand the feedback provided by your tutor.
Questions students ask about this course
What is BED114 about?
This course introduces students to business methods, covering business planning, structures, and management. It explores communication skills, business correspondence, and report writing. The course also examines trade documents and postal services, equipping students with essential knowledge for effective business operations and communication. Students will learn to develop business plans, understand organizational communication, and manage business correspondence.
How many units does BED114 have?
BED114, Business Methods, has 15 units across 4 modules, over 122 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is BED114?
BED114 carries 2 credit units, at 100 level in Education.
Is BED114 hard?
BED114 is rated beginner level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical work.
How long does BED114 take to study?
About 40 hours of study, spread across its 15 units.
How is BED114 assessed?
BED114 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assignments and final examination.
What can I do with BED114?
Business Manager, Office Administrator, Entrepreneur, Sales Manager and Business Consultant.