With the aim of evaluating corporate financial performance and making financially rational decisions, this course introduces students to financial accounting, reporting and analysis. This module aims to develop awareness in students of the way in which accounting is embedded in a particular socio-economic, political and cultural context and challenges the perception that accounting is a purely technical, uninterested and neutral practice. Within this framework, the module seeks to provide students with a broad introduction to the need for external accounting systems, the principles explicit and implicit within such systems, and the strengths and weaknesses in such systems. 

The objective of this course is to assist students begin the process of crafting entrepreneurship, by exploring and engaging with entrepreneurial thinking, opportunities, an unknowable future, and building from strong ideas, within a context of limited resources. The course also addresses the key realities of (affordable) risk, and entrepreneurial failure. Participants will develop an understanding of how to use their commonly available resources to build viable, productive, enduring organizations that create real value. Built upon the radical means-driven approach of effectuation theory, this class challenges learners to think about how they can transform current realities into valuable new possibilities.   They will learn to use commonly available and highly personal resources (their intelligence, insight, energy, initiative, educational background and personal relationships) to create, finance, and build new opportunities of every kind.

This introductory course outlines the main principles of writing academic and business reports. In this course, a series of activities are used to develop, extend and enhance analytical and synthetical writing skills. The course explains the importance of knowing one’s audience, purpose and subject of a written report. The sequence of steps in writing effectively is analysed. Prewriting, revising and editing techniques are discussed. The process of conducting a comprehensive literature review is outlined, which compares and contrasts relevant studies, in order to create a solid theoretical foundation, upon which one’s own views can be presented and justified. Finally, the importance issue of plagiarism and how to avoid it is discussed.

The workshop on presentation skills teaches you how to prepare and deliver presentations effectively focusing on providing you with the necessary tools that will help you enhance your presentation skills in a face to face and virtual setting. Preparation and delivery techniques are analyzed and emphasis is given on proper structure of content.

The objective of this course is to bring students close to established entrepreneurs with the aim to learn from them, and understand the dynamics of setting up, growing and managing a venture. Learning expectations include critical analysis of entrepreneurship theory, in the light of practice, with special attention being paid to entrepreneurial processes, and networking. Students will form teams, connect with an entrepreneur and prepare a detailed case study on them. They will need to meet, interview, research and undertake any other activity necessary to get a well-rounded understanding of the entrepreneur’s journey. At the conclusion of the course, student teams will prepare a case study and a relevant presentation. Students will also prepare a story telling presentation related to an entrepreneur they admire.

The main goal of this course is to provide students with a framework of the theoretical concepts and practical tools of modern marketing. Students will learn how to translate business level goals into marketing strategies. How to use the basic marketing levers (i.e. product/service, price, distribution, marketing communications, and marketing research) to accomplish such strategies. Moreover, they will develop a critical thinking of new trends in marketing management and how they transform established marketing practices. Ultimately they will develop a more concrete understanding of what marketing is and what are its capabilities and boundaries within the contemporary business practice.

This course is about research methods in action where students will learn the basics of research methodology using examples and cases in the context of important strategic marketing phenomena. By putting together important business phenomena in the context of marketing cases, real datasets, analyses, and spreadsheet decision models students will learn to design and implement research projects in a hands-on practical way.

The objective of this course is to teach student teams how to “road test” their Lean Start-up Models by carrying out a full feasibility analysis. Using the “Business Plan Road Test” model, teams will develop research plans to investigate industry and market domains, at both micro and macro levels. They will also engage firmly with the internal elements of their venture, considering formally the competences, social and human capital, and motivational aspirations of their entrepreneurial team. After carrying out detailed secondary and primary market research, student teams will assess the financial, strategic, operational and marketing feasibility of their concepts, enhancing still further their business models.

Becoming an effective leader is hard work that takes much more than learning the latest leadership theories. It is about transforming ourselves. The primary objective of this course is to guide you through a process of self-exploration and skill-development that can facilitate your personal growth, fulfilment of your true potential and future success in the career of your choice. This course aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of key concepts, processes and practices of leadership, introduce you to trait-based and behavioral approaches and further focus on authentic, relational, transformational and charismatic leadership perspectives. It will heavily emphasize aspects of leadership and leader identity development and will help you embark on a journey of inner growth and self-awareness. You will identify personal strengths and areas of development as well as take a deep look in the future, articulate a vision for yourself and unfold future possible selves and directions. The course will heavily rely on experiential learning, i.e., group exercises, role playing and fun activities that will draw on your personal experiences from your own life. Also, a very important component of this course are the group coaching sessions that will be conducted by professional coaches (outside regular teaching hours) and will help you interpret the feedback from your various assessments and put things together into a coherent and dynamic learning plan for the future. You will be expected to be open and hones to your self, your professor, coaches and fellow students as many of the exercises involve sharing personal feelings, thoughts, aspirations, values and fears.

This course delves into the transformative impact of digital technologies on businesses, exploring questions about how innovation disrupts markets, economies, and business models. Students will examine the implications for leadership, organizational structures, and management practices in the face of rapid technological change. The course emphasizes the significance of sound strategy and effective implementation in leveraging technological opportunities. It aims to cultivate a forward-thinking mindset by addressing key issues such as the reconfiguration of organizations, digital transformation, and the evolving role of management in the knowledge economy. Learning objectives encompass fostering awareness of digital possibilities, understanding digital disruption mechanisms, exploring new business models, and developing leadership strategies for navigating digital challenges. The course also tackles organizational structures, ethical considerations, and broader responsibilities in the context of radical technological change. Overall, it aims to equip students with the skills to identify opportunities and drive results in the dynamic landscape of digital business.

The objective of this  intensive workshop is to  introduce the theories and practices required to master the post start-up phase of entrepreneurship, focusing on survival techniques, growth strategies, and modern approaches such as pivoting, and co-opetition. Exit options, and dealing with entrepreneurial failure, will also be covered. The emphasis on the workshop is on combining the latest theory with mini-cases, class exercises, and other forms of real life example. It is anticipated that the content of this class will form an additional conceptual underpinning for the Entrepreneurship Team Field Project.

The objective of this course is to provide students with an insight on how entrepreneurs move from feasibility analysis to the actual planning of new ventures. It guides them through the steps required to start a new venture, the assessment of plans for new businesses and the gathering and organization of resources. Sources of financial support, and deal structuring, are an integral part of this course. Successful entrepreneurs share their experiences with students to provide practical knowledge of entrepreneurship. Students are exposed to the conceptual and practical difficulties of new business formation from a legal, financial, and operational perspective. Working in teams to develop a new start up business plan is an integrating feature of the course. Special attention is paid to the preparation of business plans, and their presentation, for specific stakeholder communities.

The New Venture Project is a unique learning experience and a cornerstone of Alba's educational philosophy. It is the culmination of a year's intensive learning. Students will elaborate and implement concepts and methods for an entrepreneurial idea. Each student will work on their own idea over a two-month period to design and validate an effective business model. Students are required to follow a specified time plan, work on a Business Model Canvas (or other relevant tool) building on their idea and prepare a pitch. The course will conclude with the students presenting their pitches. Students will work independently and will submit a reflection paper after the conclusion of the course. A group activity is included to showcase the idea development process.