Course detail

Business Development Assessment

FP-BBDAEAcad. year: 2026/2027

The course focuses on the critical assessment and systematic diagnosis of the development potential of small and medium-sized enterprises. Students will learn to objectively diagnose the company's environment in order to identify barriers to growth or, conversely, new market opportunities in order to propose strategic interventions and measures to increase the competitiveness and value of the company. Emphasis is placed on the principles of intrapreneurship and strategic decision-making on the future direction of the company.

The teaching uses real projects in cooperation with the Inprofo consulting platform. The course develops students' entrepreneurial competencies in accordance with the EntreComp framework, in particular the ability to identify development opportunities, mobilize resources and propose strategic solutions supporting the growth of the organization.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

5

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

Ing. Veronika Bumberová, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Management (ÚM)

Entry knowledge

The course is based on an interdisciplinary basis and directly follows on from previously completed modules focused on competitiveness and communication. A prerequisite is knowledge of data collection and analysis methods (continuation of the subjects Market Research and Applied Analytical Statistics). Orientation in the basics of business management and marketing. Ability to work with financial statements.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

STANDARD COMPLETION OF THE COURSE:
The activities required of the student are aimed at connecting with practice and strengthening teamwork. The student must complete and complete three activities that are interconnected and form individual scored outputs within the overall assessment:

  1. Training activities (20%) - team solution of case studies and analytical tasks focused on business diagnostics and identification of development opportunities.
  2. Development and presentation of a problem solution for an external client from practice (60%) - team development of an analytical project for a real business entity. Students analyze the situation of the organization, identify key problems and propose measures for business development. The output is a written analysis and presentation of recommendations to the client.
  3. Knowledge prerequisites test (20%) - Individual test verifying knowledge of the basic concepts of business development, organization diagnostics and strategic development management.

Conditions for successful completion:

  • at least 50% of points from training activities,
  • active participation in a team project,
  • achieving at least 50 points from the overall assessment.

Overall assessment:

A – 90–100
B – 80–89
C – 70–79
D – 60–69
E – 50–59
F – less than 50

Aims

After completing the course, the student will:

  • Analyze the current state and development potential of SMEs using diagnostic tools.
  • Identifies innovation opportunities and growth barriers in accordance with the principles of intrapreneurship.
  • Proposes strategic interventions to increase the performance and competitiveness of the company.
  • Communicates and defends professional conclusions to the management of external companies.
  • Applies sustainable approaches in business development planning.

The course contributes to the development of entrepreneurial competencies defined in the European EntreComp framework, particularly in the areas of:

  • identification of opportunities for business growth and development,
  • formulation of strategic directions for organizational development,
  • mobilization of financial, human and organizational resources,
  • planning and implementation of development measures,
  • teamwork in solving complex business problems.

Study aids

The course focuses on the critical assessment and diagnosis of the development potential of small and medium-sized enterprises. Students will learn to objectively diagnose the company's environment in order to identify barriers to growth or, conversely, new market opportunities with the aim of proposing strategic interventions and measures leading to strengthening the competitiveness of the company. Emphasis is placed on the principles of intrapreneurship and strategic decision-making on the further direction of the company. The teaching uses real projects from practice in cooperation with the Inprofo consulting platform.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

BLAND, David J. a Alexander OSTERWALDER. Testing Business Ideas: A Field Guide for Rapid Experimentation. Hoboken, NJ: ohn Wiley & Sons, 2019. ISBN 978-1-119-55144-7 (EN)
Cummings Thomas and Worley Christopher. Organization Development and Change. 10th edition. Cengage Learning. 2014. 832 p. ISBN 1305143035. (EN)
HARNISH, Verne. Scaling Up: How a Few Companies Make It… and Why the Rest Don’t. 2nd ed. New York: Rockefeller Habits / Gazelles Inc., 2022. ISBN 978-0-9833993-1-3. (EN)
MOLIAN, David. Scale Up and Build Your Business. London: Kogan Page, 2024. ISBN 978-1398616037. (EN)

Recommended reading

BLANK, Steve a Bob DORF. The Startup Owner’s Manual: The Step-by-Step Guide for Building a Great Company. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2020. ISBN 978-1-119-69068-9.  (EN)
Davidsson, P. Delmar, F. Wiklund, J. Entrepreneurship and the Growth of Firms. Edward Elgar Publishing. 2006. 226 p. ISBN 1781009945. (EN)
Flamholtz, E. G., Randle, Y. Growing Pains: Building Sustainably Successful Organizations. 5th edition. John Wiley & Sons. 2007. 400 p. ISBN 1118916425. (EN)
Flamholtz, E. Randle, Y. Leading Strategic Change: Bridging Theory and Practice. Cambridge University Press. 2008. ISBN 1139471775. (EN)
SARASVATHY, Saras D. Effectuation: Elements of Entrepreneurial Expertise. 2nd ed. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2022. ISBN 978-1-83910-257-8. (EN)
Yaeger, T. F. Sorensen, P. F. Strategic Organization Development: Managing Change for Success. IAP, 2009. 309 p. ISBN 9781607522119. (EN)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme BAK-ESBD Bachelor's 3 year of study, summer semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. Veronika Bumberová, Ph.D.

Syllabus

Lecture structure:

  1. Introduction to business development and business diagnostics
  2. Business life cycle and implications for strategic development
  3. The role of the consultant in the business development process
  4. Analysis of the internal and external business environment
  5. Diagnostic tools for assessing business performance
  6. Identification of growth opportunities and strategic directions
  7. Strategic partnerships and business networks
  8. Innovation strategies and intrapreneurship
  9. Change management and implementation of development measures
  10. Evaluation of the impacts of strategic interventions
  11. Team presentations and defense of results
  12. Team presentations and defense of results
  13. Team presentations and defense of results

Exercise

13 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. Veronika Bumberová, Ph.D.

Syllabus

The exercises are focused on the practical application of diagnostic and analytical tools through teamwork on projects.

The main activities in the exercises:

  • critical analysis of information from case studies of companies,
  • work with diagnostic tools,
  • interpretation of company data,
  • design of development strategies and measures,
  • presentation (defense) and discussion of the results of the analyses,
  • teamwork on a project for an external client and its presentation.

Project work carried out in collaboration with an external organization develops EntreComp's competencies in the areas of:

  • resource mobilization,
  • opportunity management,
  • teamwork,
  • planning and implementing business solutions.

 

Professional knowledge

  • understands the concepts of business development and organizational diagnostics,
  • knows business life cycle models and their implications for strategic management,
  • knows analytical tools for evaluating the internal and external environment of an organization,
  • understands the principles of strategic interventions and organizational change.

Professional Competencies

  • analyze the business environment and identify key factors of business development,
  • interpret data and formulate recommendations for strategic decision-making,
  • propose specific measures supporting business growth,
  • work effectively in a project team when solving complex business problems.

Professional skills

  • comprehensively diagnose the functioning of a small or medium-sized company,
  • formulate business development strategies based on analytical findings,
  • present and defend proposals for development measures before the professional and business public,
  • reflect broader economic and business contexts when designing development strategies.

Self-study

70 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. Veronika Bumberová, Ph.D.

Syllabus

Self-study includes:

  • study of professional literature on individual topics,
  • preparation for lectures and exercises,
  • study of case studies,
  • independent work with analytical tools,
  • searching for relevant information about the analyzed company.

Individual preparation for an ending of the course

21 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. Veronika Bumberová, Ph.D.

Syllabus

Students prepare individually, mainly through:

  • study of recommended literature,
  • preparation for the knowledge test,
  • analytical and research activities on a team project,
  • preparation of presentation and defense of the project solution.