Core Business Skills: Teamwork, Analysis & Communication

Course Overview:

This course is designed to equip first-year business students with essential skills needed for success in business environments. The three core areas ("modules") covered are: 1) team dynamics and teamwork strategies, 2) basic modeling and data analysis with MS Excel, and 3) presentation skills using MS PowerPoint. The course is highly practical, with hands-on activities, assessments, and real-world applications.

The course will be delivered in-person with online resources and practice exercises, by various course instructors. The course requires a high degree of asynchronous, indepedent work from students.

Module 1: Team Dynamics and Teamwork Strategies

- Understand the psychology of team dynamics and how to apply it to real-world business scenarios.

- Develop skills for organizing and optimizing teamwork, including task delegation, role identification, and goal-setting.

- Use effective communication techniques within teams and handle conflict constructively.

Module 2: Excel Skills for Business Modeling and Data Analysis

- Develop foundational skills in MS Excel for data analysis and modeling.

- Organize, analyze, and visualize business data using Excel tools.

- Understand basic financial modelling, forecasting, and analysis.

Module 3: Presentation Skills in MS PowerPoint

- Develop effective presentation design and delivery skills.

- Master the use of MS PowerPoint for creating professional, engaging, and visually appealing presentations.

- Understand the principles of visual design, effective storytelling, and audience engagement in business contexts.

- Practice delivering business presentations to different audiences.

Up to 4 hours per week organized activity, plus 6 hours group and/or individual work:

Self-study reading

Lectures

Guided tutorials

Group work & simulations

Quantitative modelling of basic economic problems in MS Excel or similar

Oral presentations