Textbook:  Understanding Business  8th edition w/online access card.  Author: Nickels, McHugh, and McHugh

Course Description:

BMGT 110 Introduction to Business and Management  is designed for students with little or no business background, and is recommended preparation for many other BMGT courses.   It’s a  survey course of the field of business management. Topics include human relations, technology in business, ethical behavior, the environment, global and economic forces, organization, quality, products and services, functional management, and current issues and developments.

Course Goals/Objectives:

By the end of the course, each student will be able to:

* describe and discuss contemporary business in the free enterprise system.
* outline the structure and forms of ownership of American business.
* list the functions of Human Resource Management.
* identify marketing planning and strategies.
* discuss management information systems.
* state financial management aspects and strategies, in light of the economy today.
* explain the impact of ethics, global and environmental forces, and diversity on business activities.

• Effective writing. There are writing assignments throughout the semester. Those assignments are expected to indicate appropriate professional writing skills. That is, they will be evaluated on the basis of grammar, sentence structure, spelling, and overall sound writing principles. The student should demonstrate effective written communications consistent with a professional business environment.
• Information literacy. Students will be expected to demonstrate proficiency in research activities using the library and use of online sources.
• Globalization. While this course will focus on domestic and national business and management firms, an important outcome will be the realization that the management principles apply to global and multinational organizations.
• Fluency in technology. The student should demonstrate proficiency use the computer for writing tasks (including charts/graphs in written assignments).
• Historical Perspective. Historical development of business management theory provides the student with a context for current practices.
• Civic Responsibility. Positive and negative ethical behavior and role of business organizations in society will be explored in this course.

Course Introduction:
The course consists of the following five sections:
 

Module 1: Contemporary Business and its Environment
In this first module we lay the groundwork for understanding the environment in which businesses operate. The business environment has economic, technological, social, competitive, and global characteristics that have an impact on how businesses function. Businesses also operate according to ethical standards that are an important determinant of the success of the business.

Module 2: The Structure of Business
Now that we understand the context in which businesses operate, we need to look more closely at businesses themselves. How do businesses get started? What are the options for organizing a business? Who are the owners and operators of businesses?

Module 3: Leadership and Management of the Organization
People are the key ingredients in any organization or business. Leaders must know how to motivate employees effectively. Employees must have a stake in the successful operation of the business. Customers are increasingly being seen as partners in the operation of the business rather than simply as recipients of goods and services. These human resources must be combined with other resources to create a product or service.

Module 4: Marketing Management
Most people think of marketing and advertising as the same thing, informing customers about a product or service and then trying to get them to buy it. But marketing is much more than that. Marketing is a process that begins by determining that there is an opportunity to satisfy a customer's need or want. A product or service is then designed to fulfill that need or want. This design must include all of the characteristics of the product or service, how it will be priced, where it will be sold, and how it will be promoted. This design includes maintaining a relationship with customers even after the sale is completed.

Module 5: Management Information Systems and Financial Management
In today's business world, the effective use of technology to collect, process, and distribute information to decision makers is a critical element of any business or organization. This information may be stock levels, assembly line error rates, or accounting data. Information has become a resource that must be managed correctly to have a positive impact on the success of a business. Financial resources are equally important. Businesses need funds for current operations and future growth. All organizations use budgets for planning how to manage their financial resources. Publicly held firms must provide annual financial reports to all stockholders. It is the role of the financial manager to perform these tasks and contribute to successfully meeting the goals of the business.

Grading Information and Criteria:

A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F below 60%

Project:        30   (Students will write a 5-8 page current issues paper.)
Mid term exam:  30
Final exam:     40
Total:         100
 

READINGS
 

The Contemporary Business Environment

1. Chapter 1.  Managing Within The Dynamic Business Environment.

2. Chapter 2.  Economic Systems

3. Chapter 3.  Competing in Global Markets

4. Chapter 4.  Ethics

The Structure of Business

5. Chapter 5.  Choosing a Form of Business Ownership

6. Chapter 6.  Starting a Small Business

Leadership & Management of the Organization

7.  Chapter 7.  Management & Leadership

8.  Chapter 8  Organizations in Today’s Market

9.  Mid-Term

10.  Chapters 9 & 14  Developing & Pricing Goods & Services

11.  Chapter 12  Labor Management Relations

Marketing Management

12.  Bonus Chapter A   p. 572

13.  Chapters 15 & 16  Promotion & Distribution

Information & Financial Management

14.  Chapters 17 & 18 Finance

15.  Chapters 19 & 20  Financial Institutions

16.  Final.