Ideation – Creating a Business Idea

Ideation is a course about ideas, but also an introduction to entrepreneurship and creativity. Overall it aims to give students practical knowledge about the process of creating and developing a business idea. It stretches all the way from the pre-idea to the development of a business idea through to the identification of target markets, and finally to introductory issues surrounding the actual launch of a product, service or experience.

Using real-world examples and analysis emphasis is placed on the creative process surrounding the development of a sound business idea, the identification of distinct market opportunities and especially the development of a strong business model.

Intended learning outcomes

After this course you should be able to:

• analyse and discuss the context of entrepreneurship
• identify a business opportunity
• develop and explain a business idea
• use creativity techniques to extend and further a business idea
• use key skill sets for early-stage entrepreneurship
• use basic models for customer, market and competitor analysis
• develop a basic business model.

Structure

In order for you as a student to be able to take SSES courses they are all scheduled after your daily classes (or workday), with some margin time to ensure you can commute to campus, pick up a coffee and arrive on time.

This course runs on Mondays and Wednesdays in two to three hour sessions for some seven weeks, but for a detailed timing check out the schedule in the box to the right. Teaching will incorporate lectures, debates, and exercises, as well as presentation from leaders in the field. 

Assessment

• Written assignment
• Final individual project