The essence of and reasons for running a business

Why run a business and be profitable? Economic systems in the world. Interaction between an enterprise and the state. Market economy. Private enterprise, competition.

The environment of an enterprise and the global context of business

The boundaries of an organization and the surroundings. Economic environment (economic growth, economic stability). Technological environment. Political and legal environment (institutional framework). Standards (hygienic, safety, technical etc.). Socio-cultural environment. New challenges and opportunities. A change of organization boundaries (acquisition, strategic alliances, the employee ownership model etc.).

The global business context

The current global economy. International Business Management. Obstacles in international business. Overcoming obstacles in international business. The single internal market of the EU and its rules.

Business ethics and social responsibility

Ethics in a global world. Social responsibility of a company. Implementing programmes of social responsibility. Responsibility towards the environment and preventing negative impact of business on the environment (Think globally, act locally).

Organizing an enterprise

Organization structure determinants (chain of command). Cornerstones of the organizational structure. Setting the decision hierarchy. Basic organizational structures (Organization design in 21st century). Informal management and informal relations in an enterprise.

Running a small or medium-sized business(entrepreneurship, founding a company, ownership)

Small and medium-sized businesses in the Czech Republic. The role of small and medium-sized businesses in the Czech Republic. The business process (e-business and social media solution, agility management). Founding a small or medium-sized enterprise. Success / failure of a small or medium-sized business.

Enterprise and operation management, productivity and quality

The management process. Strategic management. Alternative planning and crisis management. Management and corporate culture. Operation management. Differences between service operations and manufacturing operations. Operation planning, timing and control. The relation between productivity and quality.

Human resource and work relation management

Implementing the system of HR management in a company. Hiring. HR development. Compensation and benefits. The legal context. Unions and dealing with them.

Motivation, satisfaction, leading people, communication, teamwork and leadership

Forms of employee conduct. The HR management model, generation X and Y. The motivation reinforcement strategy. Leadership and motivation. Communication skills. Mental hygiene at a workplace.

Marketing principles

What is marketing? Creating a marketing plan. Marketing strategy: segmentation, target marketing. Marketing research. Understanding consumer behaviour. Organization marketing and purchase behaviour. What is a product? Developing new products and brands

Pricing, product promotion and distribution

Pricing. Price strategies and tactics. Product and service promotion. Advertising and media. Personal sales, direct (interactive) marketing, public relations and publicity. Distribution mix. Physical distribution. The role of middlemen.

Financial decisions, budgeting and risk management

The role of financial management in an enterprise. Establishing funds in a company (short-term – operational expenses, long-term – capital expenses). Sources of short-term funds. Sources of long-term funds. Shares as a financial source. The importance and role of accounting in financial decisions.