# Introduction

In a fast changing business environment, many business managers often seek to have a more "generalist" knowledge of business and business principles. This module aims to introducing some general business skills which learners can use to help them establish solid business foundations and understand the various leadership styles they may cultivate to ensure a cooperative structure within their business entities. The module also highlights organizational structuring and concludes with the significance of tenders, contracts and procurement. Components of business management skills, financing ICT/FOSS-SMEs, business skills and service provision, writing a FOSS business plan, and FOSS proposal contracts are the major modules covered in this module.
The module builds on already established FOSS concepts covered in Module 1. It makes use of the relevant FOSS business experiences covered in the case studies in Module 2, and the communicating FOSS skills and knowledge developed in Module 3. Equipped with introductory business skills in these modules, participants will then be able the have specific FOSS business skills (in Module 5) which may be appropriate for establishing FOSS business in their specific countries or regions.

# Learning Objectives

* To understand how to establish a solid business foundation.
* To know the various leadership styles of an effective businesses.
* To develop knowledge in key areas such as management, sales, and accounting.
* To understand the significance of tenders, contracts and procurement.
'Authors and Trainers:'Pool of African ict@innovation expert trainers
| | Name Module | Name |
| Module 4 | Introduction to General Business Skills | Kofi Kwarko Derek Lakudzala More Trainers per country in full Pool of Trainers http://www.ict-innovation.fossfa.net/wiki/public-wiki/course-advanced-african-foss-business-models/FBMTrainers |
Main contributors
| Module 4 | Sulayman K. Sowe (Facilitator), Arnold Pietersen, James Wire Lunghabo, Foibe Kalipi, Kim Tucker, Glenn McKnight, Derek Lakudzala, Alex Gakuru |
Additional material for Module 4: INTRODUCTION TO GENERAL BUSINESS SKILLS (presentations, tests, evaluation forms, pool of trainers, derived material) is available online at:
http://www.ict-innovation.fossfa.net/node/4252

# Sessions and Timetable

The entire content in this module is estimated to be delivered in 1 day, with some variations within the modules. For instructional purpose, the content of this module can be delivered as proposed in the summarized table below.
| Time | Session |
| 9:00 – 10:30 | * Starting a business |
| 10:30 - 10:45 | Coffee Break |
| 10:45 - 12:15 | * Business Plan |
| 12:15- 13:30 | Lunch |
| 13:30 - 15:00 | * SWOT Analysis Market |
| 15:00 - 15:15 | Coffee Break |
| 15:15 - 17:00 | * Leadership Organizational Structuring |
| Next day ||
| 9:00 – 10:30 | * FLOSS Proposals Contracts Corporate Profile End of Module Evaluation |
| 10:30 - 10:45 | Coffee Break |
| 10:45 - 12:15 | * Start Module 5, where appropriate |

## Notes

* ↑ Note: Depending on the speed of delivery and response from participants, delivery of the content of this module may extend into the next day. In that case, the lecturer/presenter may deliver this module in conjuction with Module 5.
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