Introduction to business management

Goal(s)

To acquire basic notions, necessary to the understanding of business management.
To understand interactions between a company's main posts.

Content(s)

The following classes will be given:

• The market, commercial strategies and marketing
• Accounting: calculation of production costs
• Accounting: balance sheet, profit and loss account, and cash
• Social framework: social climate, human resources management, and pay
• Micro economy
• Legal
• Important communication concepts used in: writing a report, succeeding during an oral, working as a group.

These first steps in the professional world start with a make-believe company. Students, divided into groups of four, become the head of a company set in a world of competition. They must decide of their strategy and organization, and must take decisions: financial, technical and concerning human resources. Orders from the competing companies are entered by an organizer in a market simulator program, Winfirme. Students then analyze their results, and take further decisions. Inputs of fundamental knowledge alternate with game play. This simulation is in French, and takes place during a fixed period. At the end of it, students must offer an analysis of company management. They must moreover present a report of their actions. Context of this report is theirs to decide (interview with journalists, meeting ...)