Business Planning | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Business Planning

Future-proof your business

This Business Planning Course is proudly supported by the Queensland Department of Youth Justice, Employment, Small Business and Training

Micro and small businesses form the foundation of the Australian economy, employing approximately 44 percent of the Australian workforce and contributing around one-third of Australia's GDP. As approximately 97 percent of Australian organisations are categorised as micro and small businesses it is critical that this industry sector is supported in being successful.

This course is free and designed to provide local business owners with a clear understanding of the key factors that underpin their success and are critical to their long-term survival.

Participating in this course, comprised of a series of workshops, provides a platform for business owners to survive and thrive by adopting and implementing strategic management principles, thereby lowering the rate of business failure.

For businesses that are not located near a course delivery site, participants are welcome to join online, as per the below schedule. When registering, please choose the course with the most suitable dates.

Eligibility requirements

If your business is based in Queensland, employs fewer than 20 (full-time equivalent) staff and has been operating for at least 12 months, you are eligible to register for this series of workshops and we encourage you to take up this opportunity by registering now to participate.

Gain certification and credit

Participating in this course is a great way to experience what it is like to study at University and open up a pathway into a higher-level qualification. Upon completion of all modules and submission of assessment items, you will be eligible to receive a Certificate of Completion and a credit for one elective course in UniSC's Graduate Certificate in Business Administration.

Contact us

This course is FREE

Please register to attend this course.

For general enquiries, please email the Business Planning Course team.

Dates

Registrations are currently open for Redlands and Cairns

Townsville - June 2023

Townsville

Location: Smart Precinct, 143 Walker Street, Townsville.

Start Date: Tuesday 20 June 2023

Time: 9-11am On Tuesdays

Week 1: Tuesday 20 June

Week 2: Tuesday 27 June

Week 3: Tuesday 4 July

Week 4: Tuesday 11 July

Week 5: Tuesday 18 July

Week 6: Tuesday 25 July

Week 7: Tuesday 1 August

At the end of the course there is an optional 15-minute participant presentation. Dates to be confirmed.

Registrations have now closed
Redlands - August 2023

Redlands

Location: myhorizon, 1-15A Runnymede Road, Capalaba

Start Date: Tuesday 15 August 2023

Time: 9-11am on Tuesdays

Week 1: Tuesday 15 August

Week 2: Tuesday 22 August

Week 3: Tuesday 29 August

Week 4: Tuesday 5 September

Week 5: Tuesday 12 September

Week 6: Tuesday 19 September

Week 7: Tuesday 26 September

At the end of the course there is an optional 15-minute participant presentations on Tuesday 3 October and Wednesday 4 October

Registrations close on Monday 7 August 2023
Cairns - October 2023

Cairns

Location: Cairns Regional Council (Spence Street)

Start Date: Thursday 12 October 2023

Time: 9-11am On Thursdays

Week 1: Thursday 12 October 

Week 2: Thursday 19 October

Week 3: Thursday 26 October

Week 4: Thursday 2 November

Week 5: Thursday 9 November

Week 6: Thursday 16 November

Week 7: Thursday 23 November

At the end of the course there is an optional 15-minute participant presentations. Dates to be confirmed.

Registrations close on Friday 6 October 2023
Sunshine Coast - April 2023

Sunshine Coast

Location: UniSC Sunshine Coast

Start Date: Thursday 27 April 2023

Time: 9-11am On Thursdays

Week 1: Thursday 27 April

Week 2: Thursday 4 May

Week 3: Thursday 11 May

Week 4: Thursday 18 May

Week 5: Thursday 25 May

Week 6: Thursday 1 June

Week 7: Thursday 8 June

At the end of the course, there is an optional 15-minute participant presentations.

Registrations have closed
Module information

The content is delivered as workshops within this free, short course. The weekly schedule includes the development of a customised business plan that is suitably developed for sourcing funds from banks, investors or can be leveraged for grant applications. At the conclusion of the workshops there will be an opportunity for participants to deliver a 15-minute presentation to a panel of experts. Please note that minimum and maximum numbers may apply at each location.

Week 1: Overview of Small Business Planning

Week 2: Organisation and Industry Analysis

Week 3: Marketing Strategy 

Week 4: Business Structures, Operating Plan and Risk Management

Week 5: Succession Planning and Human Resource Strategy

Week 6: Financial Management

Week 7: Communications Skills and Preparing for the Presentation

Week 1-7 are 90-minute workshops, followed by a 30-minute Q&A and networking sessions.

Please note, at the end of the course there is an optional (oral) presentation of draft business plan. Dates to be confirmed.

Meet the coordinator

Dr Wayne Graham is a Senior Lecturer in Management and has co-authored three case studies for an Australian textbook on strategic management, as well as presenting his research at national and international conferences.

In addition to his work in the higher education sector, Wayne has worked in the vocational education sector, the automotive industry and local government.

Learn more...
Feedback from previous participants

"I came away with a road map to build a business that will be sustainable and the steps we need to take to get where we want to be in five years."

“At first I didn’t know what to expect from a university course, because it seemed a bit daunting but, having done the course, I would definitely recommend it to other local businesses."

"The course and writing the plan has definitely helped our business develop some strong foundations."

"I now have a clearer direction, and my business is more structured, I feel I can roll out my marketing strategy sooner than I had intended."

"This has been the best investment of my time that I could have made in myself and my business."

"Thank you for the amazing quality of the course, I genuinely got so much out of it. Thank you also for the opportunity to present, in hindsight I can see how utterly valuable that was and am grateful for your foresight."

"An outcome of the presentation was a nomination to the AusMumpreneur Awards, and I was one of three people in Qld who was a finalist in the “Coach of the Year” Award category."

UniSC helps small business owners plan for success

Small business owners and managers can learn how to future-proof their businesses by taking part in a short course offered by UniSC that focuses on developing strategies for sustainability and success.

Learn more...
UniSC course to help future-proof small businesses

Small business owners and managers can learn how to future-proof their businesses by taking part in a short course offered by UniSC that focuses on developing strategies for sustainability and success.

Learn more...