Welcome to Small Business Essentials Level 4
Nau mai, haere mai!
Kia ora, kia orana, talofa, bula, and welcome to the NZMA Small Business Essentials Level 4 programme.
Acknowledging tangata whenua
Before beginning, we acknowledge Māori as tangata whenua (the people of this land). We give thanks for their careful kaitiakitanga (guardianship) of the waterways, land, plants, and animals.
In this programme we'll explore lessons we can learn from Māori business values, look at the importance of ngā kaupapa o te Tiriti o Waitangi (the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi), and look at government support for Māori enterprise.
About the programme
A programme is a group of modules that lead to a qualification. When you finish this programme you will be awarded the New Zealand Certificate in Business (Small Business) (Level 4).
Using these learning materials
This programme is designed to meet you where you are on your personal journey to small business ownership. It will give you a strong framework for setting up or refining your small business.
It is equally relevant if you:
- want to start a new business now or are already in the process
- already run a small business but want to do better at it
- want to start a new business in the future
- are an intrapreneur – someone starting up a new arm or a larger business.
Try not to get overwhelmed by the amount of material in each module. There are different ways you might want to use the learning resources. For instance, you could:
- skim the headings and skip ahead to subtopics you need to learn the most about
- do the above and read all of the text, watch the videos, and review the linked resources
- do the above and engage with the learning activities.
Use the resources in the way that works best for you. Where we give estimates for how long each module will take to complete, these are based on the approach described in number three of the list above.
The time you'll spend studying this programme will be a mix of:
- online learning, which introduces you to new information
- directed and self-directed research to help you fine-tune your business model, policies and procedures
- completing the assessments, which are directly related to developing your business.
Module Overview
The programme is made up of three modules:
| Module Name | Assessment | Learning Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Small Business Fundamentals | SBE01A1 SBE01A2 |
200 |
| Small Business Planning | SBE02A1 SBE02A2 SBE02A3 |
200 |
| Small Business Operations | SBE03A1 SBE03A2 |
200 |
How will you learn?
Learning hours are asynchronous. This means you complete them in your own time. There is no set class time, and learning takes place at different times for students/ākonga enrolled in the programme. You are encouraged to interact with other students/ākonga through forums and group messaging. Keep in mind that not everyone likes to study when you do, so you may need to wait for a response.
Total learning hours are 600 hours. That is about 16 hours of part-time study per week, including self-directed learning.
Assessments/Aromatawai
A total of 60 credits are awarded for the programme.
There are seven (7) assessments to complete across the programme. Assessments will be awarded an achieved or not-achieved result. All learning outcomes must be met to obtain an achieved result. All assessments must be completed in full, with all answers correct, for an achieved result.
Assessments are recorded as follows:
- Achieved – all work/unit has been achieved to the standards set in the assessment and performance criteria.
- Not Achieved – the student/ākonga has yet to complete the relevant work to be awarded the assessment or unit.
Assessment Submission
All assessments are due on a Sunday at 11.59pm (there is occasionally a due date on a Friday 11.59pm, however you will be advised of this at the start of the module). You will see the specific due dates for your intake by clicking on each assessment tab in the left navigation panel.
Part-time study
New Zealand Certificate in Business (Small Business ) (Level 4)
Studying at Level 4
Graduates of this qualification will be able to:
- Develop a business plan for a small business, which is suitable for external stakeholders, and which addresses management of finances, HR, marketing, technology; relationships with stakeholders, sources of information and support
- Operate and manage a small business to improve business performance and meet stakeholder requirements.
- Behave professionally and ethically and in a socially and culturally responsible manner and apply personal and interpersonal skills to manage a small business.
A graduate of a Level 4 certificate has or is able to:
- Broad operational and theoretical knowledge in a field of work or study
- Select and apply solutions to familiar and sometimes unfamiliar problems
- Select and apply a range of standard and non-standard processes relevant to the field of work or study
- Self-management of learning and performance under broad guidance
- Some responsibility for performance of others
We’re here to help
If you're ever unsure about something or need assistance, please don't hesitate to contact your tutor. You can send them a message via email or via the 💬 messages feature on the top right corner of the online campus.