Competition and Change (Byte Size) Course 1 Lessons only £50.00
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The changing nature of the general business environment offers organisations both opportunities and threats. We can identify key drivers for specific organisations within this environment. The monitoring of the environment is a key activity for all businesses. We need to look at the competition and what is happening in the competitive environment, the environment that is closest to the organisation and has the most immediate impact on it. Once we have analysed the competitive environment, we need to develop strategies, and then formulate and implement actions to put the strategy into practice. This will require change, so we look briefly at some of the factors concerned with successful change in an organisation.
Stakeholders are the customers, suppliers, employees, owners, shareholders, pressure and consumer groups, regulators, professional organisations, competitors and any individual or organisation that has an interest in what an organisation does and how it does it. Some of these groups, such as consumer and pressure groups, are part of what we term the business environment. Some stakeholders such as employees are part of the organisation but, as customers, shareholders, members of pressure groups and members of professional organisations, they are also part of the competitive environment. So, not only are the boundaries between the business and competitive environment blurred, but these influential stakeholders also blur the boundaries between the organisation and the competitive environment. Therefore, before we look in depth at the competitive environment and how the organisation can respond to changes in it, we need to investigate stakeholders in more detail as they affect what the organisation is and what it does, and how it responds to the opportunities and threats in the business and the competitive environment.
We usually view the organisation as discrete and distinct from its environment. However, the precise boundaries of the organisation flex and change at the interface between the organisation and its environment. This occurs as the requirements of the organisation, the interests of the people of influence in the organisation and the shape of the environment changes. We use Porter's five forces model to analyse an organisation's immediate environment, its industry, and the activities of the organisation's competitors in the industry. We identify some responses the organisation can make.
We look at the sources of environmental information. We need to select and use appropriate information from the vast amounts of available data. We analyse an organisation's competitive and general environments, identify what we need to do with this information and see how the organisation responds to subsequent changes. This leads into an overall discussion of the nature of change in an organisation.
In the final section, we look at the way that business has been changing over recent years and identify some current trends that may provide direction for the future. In today's competitive world, the concept of competitive advantage needs to become an integral part of the culture of an organisation; one that manifests itself in the structure and in all functions. Success is achieved by efficiency in all business functions, in good overall co-ordination within the organisation and by effectiveness in achieving the mission and corporate objectives.
After participating in this course, you should be able to:
- identify stakeholders, evaluate the impact of stakeholder power and identify areas of conflict
- analyse Porter's five competitive forces for an organisation in its industry
- identify sources of environmental information appropriate for a range of organisations
- conduct a full environmental analysis for any given organisation
- evaluate the environmental factors driving change
- appraise why organisations need to manage change
- describe some sources of resistance to change
- summarise the key trends in the business world and their implications for an organisation.
- Course Syllabus
- Qualifications
- Fees
- Professional Membership
- Support
- Student Community
- Study Options
- Benefits
- Related Courses
- Further Info
Syllabus
Introduction
Objectives
Section 1: Stakeholders
Introduction
1.1 Who and what are stakeholders?
1.2 Conflicting interests
1.3 Stakeholder power
Summary
Section 2: Market Forces
Introduction
2.1 Industry life cycle
2.2 Porter's five forces
Summary
Section 3: Conducting an Environmental Analysis
Introduction
3.1 Monitoring the environment
3.2 Using environmental information
Summary
Section 4: Change and Competitive Advantage
Introduction
4.1 Responding to the PEST environment
4.2 Responding to the competitive environment
4.3 Implementing change
4.4 Future trends
Course Review Activity
Course Summary
References
Recommended Reading
Tutor-marked Question Paper
Qualifications
Qualification 1: Competition and Change (Byte Size) Diploma
Competition and Change (Byte Size) Diploma issued by Stonebridge Associated Colleges, entitling you to use the letters SAC Dip after your name.
Requirements for Entry
There is no experience or previous qualifications required for enrolment on this course. It is available to all students, of all academic backgrounds.
Fees
Online
Postal
Studying by Post. If you would like to pay by instalments, we do offer an affordable interest free payment plan scheme which allows you to spread the cost of your course over a number of months. However, to use this option you will need to study for your course using the traditional paper-based method. For more information on our payment plans please visit our website at www.stonebridge.uk.com
The reason why the course fee is less if you choose to study online, is because with online study there are no costs associated with postage and printing etc. and thus we are able to offer the course at a reduced rate.
The total amount payable over the term's period, is no more than the total cash price of the course. (APR = 0%). Written quotations are available on request.
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Professional Membership
On completion of this course you will be eligible to join the following Professional Associations(s):
On successful completion of your course your qualification is awarded. You will receive an attractively presented Diploma or Certificate issued by Stonebridge Associated Colleges, this will also allow you to use the letters SAC. Dip. or SAC. Cert. after your name.
Stonebridge Associated Colleges is one of the leading (and biggest) distance education colleges in the U.K and internationally. We have many thousands of students studying with us at any one time from locations all over the world. Our diplomas will always count towards your future, and will improve your prospects of future employment or higher level study etc. by proving that you have studied to a certain level, that you have proficiency in your chosen subjects and that you are interested in your field of choice. Education is always an investment in your future and you will find this to be the case with our qualifications in your jurisdiction.
Tutor Support
With this course you will have unlimited access to your own personal tutor who specialises in their field of study. It is your personal tutor's role to ensure that you receive constructive feedback and to deal with any queries you may have. You are more than welcome to telephone, fax or email your personal tutor.
You will also have access to a dedicated and friendly team of administrators and course advisors who offer sound and professional guidance and advice when you need it. This ensures that you will never feel neglected and that you will always succeed!
Assessment Method
After each lesson there will be a question paper, which needs to be completed and submitted to your personal tutor for marking. This method of continual assessment ensures that your personal tutor can consistently monitor your progress and provide you with assistance throughout the duration of the course.
Student Community
We understand that studying from home may be a new experience for you. You could even be excused for feeling a little dauntedsince you will not be studying in a traditional "classroom environment". To help our students overcome these concernswe have developed the Student Zone. The Student Zone encourages a high level ofinteraction with your tutor and other like-minded students.
All of our students receive access to the Student Zone,within this area you can:
- Access the student forum which allows you to share ideas and chat with other students.
- View your tutor's feedback on your marked assignments.
- View optional reading lists for your course (where available).
- Access free online games, for when you need a break from studying.
- View the study guide with plenty of useful hints and tips on how to get the most out of your course.
- Access free courses such as: Improving Learning Skills, Job Interview Skills, The Effective Learner, Goal Setting and Time Management, Ten Tips to Complete a Good Test Paper.
- Find details on our generous Referral Programme.
Study Options
In order to offer our students the most convenient and flexible distance learning courses, Stonebridge Associated College offers you the option to study for your course via two methods:
- 1. Via the traditional paper-based method.
- 2. Through the online method via ElearnUK.
If you do not have Internet access, or would prefer to study this course via the traditional paper/postal based study method, you can find more information on the course by clicking on the link below.
Study Hours
This is only an approximate figure and is dependant upon how much time you can dedicate to your studies and how well you grasp the learning concepts in the course material. Furthermore, at the end of each lesson there is a question paper that needs to be completed and returned to your tutor. You should allow at least 1 - 2 hours of study to complete each question paper.
The approximate amount of time required to complete the course is: 20 hrs.
Benefits
What's Included
- All study materials
- Study Guide
- Full Tutor and Admin support
- The course fee includes the awarding body registration and certification fee (valued at up to £30.00).
Additional Benefits
This section is designed to help you with your study. It will help you to work more efficiently, manage your study time, improve your presentation of work, increase your ability to remember facts and concepts, and get the most out of your chosen course.
Studying is more than gathering information and reproducing it in assessment tasks such as essays and examinations. Studying involves knowing how to approach a problem, analysing the problem, identifying what you already know, deciding how to gather more information, and much more. This section will help you gain and improve your skills in studying.
Course outline
Studying is an active process. Open learning materials enable adult learners to take responsibility for their own learning. This course has been prepared as an open learning resource for people who wish to undertake a learning programme that involves them preparing for a period of studying. It is designed either to form part of any course of study or may be used as a freestanding guide by students.
You can use this course, as an active learner, to identify:
- what you know already
- what you need to know
- what interests you
- how to use your knowledge to enhance your critical awareness.
This course will enable you to improve your study skills and it is designed for students, practitioners and other people involved in learning and/or being assessed.
Syllabus
- Introduction and Objectives
- Learning to Learn
- Setting Aside Time for Study
- Concentration
- Effective Reading
- Effective Note-taking
- Preparing to Write
- Planning and Writing the Assignment
- Assessment
- Basic Research
- Introduction to Computers
- Spreadsheets and Excel
- Using Databases and Access
- Word Processing with MS Word
Cost of course: FREE to Elearnuk students
Cost to non-Elearnuk students: £125.00
Getting the job you want is not about following rules or giving the 'right' interview answer. It is about presenting yourself in the most authentic way that takes care of you and the interviewers at the same time. So many people throw their chances away: they do not take enough care and interview preparation time so that the whole process is enjoyable, stimulating and informative for both parties. This section aims to show you how.
This section will consider the importance of study skills and how we can identify and enhance our current skill set. We will then take a closer look at different learning styles and how knowledge of our own preferences in this area can make our learning more effective. Finally we will look at some basic time management techniques to enable you to plan and organise your studies and stay motivated.
Online videos are available for many of our courses to support your studies!
Our friendly tutors are ready to help with any queries you may have. You need never feel stranded or cut off from help!
Just started using the Internet? Don't be put off! Our Web Help area will give you the ideal introduction to using the Web!
A guide to the Elearnuk system, how to use it, how to contact your tutor - the answers to all these questions and more can be found here.
A collection of games to sharpen your concentration or just take time out from studying.
A collection of reference materials, links to e-journals, and reading lists compiled by our tutors
Looking for a second opinion? The forum is the place for students to share their thoughts and information with each other.
Regularly updated links to the latest news items!
Related Courses
Below you will find a list of courses that previous students have taken to complement their course. We hope that this list will give you some idea of the types of progression courses we offer, or alternative course options that may be of interest to you.
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After completing this course, you should be able to:
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Further Information
If you would like any further information regarding this course, please call an advisor today on 01288 356 300 (International: 00 44 1288 356 300) or email enquiries@stonebridge.uk.com
