Business Management
Overview
This program provides you with the skills to make strategic decisions in the fast-paced world of business. By developing your critical thinking and communication, you'll be well-prepared to take on management positions in a wide range of industries.
Looking for a well-rounded education focused on effective business management? The Business Management program is designed for university and college graduates who are eager to expand their management knowledge and skills. Using a student-centred, practical approach to learning, students work with professors with real world business experience to develop the tools needed for success in a Canadian or international business environment.
The curriculum has a broad focus designed to develop the fundamental skills necessary to manage human, physical and financial resources to meet an organization's strategic goals. Students will learn the essential aspects of business including marketing, sales, accounting, finance, human resources management and operations management. Through hands-on learning approaches, students will graduate with the communication skills, confidence and independent learning abilities needed to be successful in today's business world.
The work term that ends the program gives students the opportunity to gain valuable work experience that will help find permanent employment after graduation.
Admission Requirements
- University degree, college diploma, or advanced diploma or equivalent
The admissions process is competitive and meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission.
Lambton College reserves the right to alter information including admission requirements and to cancel a program or course at any time; to change the program curriculum as necessary to meet current competencies or changes in the job market; to change the pathways to third-party certification bodies; or to withdraw an offer of admission both prior to and after its acceptance by an applicant or student because of insufficient applications or registrations or over-acceptance of offers of admission. In the event Lambton College exercises such a right, Lambton College's sole liability will be the return of monies paid by the applicant or student to Lambton College.English Language Requirements
- IELTS of 6.0
- or -
- TOEFL iBT 69
- or -
- Passed Lambton Institute of English placement test
Meeting the minimum English requirements does not guarantee admission. Students with higher English proficiency scores will receive priority in the admission assessment process.
Costs
Technology Requirements
In order to keep pace with the requirements of each and every course in your program, Lambton College requires that each student have access to a laptop while studying at our college.
Courses
Human Resources Management
Effective Human Resources Management (HRM) is critical to the success of organizations today. This course will provide an overview of the key concepts of HR management and will include some history and theory of the HR function and important terminology. It will introduce students to the core competencies of effective HR practitioners and allow for self-assessment against these competencies. We will be discussing core HR practice areas such as Strategic Planning, HR Planning, HR Administration, Talent Management, Training, Learning and Development, Performance Assessment, Total Rewards (including Compensation and Benefits) Employee and Labour Relations and Health and Safety in the workplace. In addition, the course looks at the legal environment for effective HR management, and the role of HRM in mergers and acquisitions and organizational change management.
Applications of Marketing Concepts
This course uses a case-study approach to introduce students to foundational concepts in the ever-changing marketing environment. Students analyze and solve common marketing challenges through the evaluation of real-world marketing case studies. Students examine the current marketing environment including concepts such as environmental scanning, segmentation, targeting and positioning, and marketing research. Students deepen their understanding of the marketing mix with analysis of product development and branding, pricing, distribution, and the many types of traditional and digital promotions. In addition to case analysis, students further develop their abilities to make informed marketing decisions through simulation exercises designed to emulate real-world scenarios faced by marketing managers.
Introduction to Managerial Accounting
The managerial accounting course provides students with skills to become highly effective in environments where quick decisions are required. Students learn to use financial information to make quick strategic decisions including how to use data to evaluate the effectiveness of current operations. Learning to maximize the profitability of operations, students interpret financial statements and supporting financial data that drive decision making. Topics covered in this course include cost management, analysis of financial performance, application of pricing strategies, and budgetary planning and control for a business enterprise.
Workplace Communications Applications & Analysisi
In today's management and administration workplace, having strong computer skills is essential. This course provides students with resources and guidance to develop skills in Microsoft Office applications, focusing on three key areas: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. While learning about these programs, students develop skills in time management, accountability, and their ability to follow direction.
Professional Communications
This course is designed for international students with diplomas or degrees. It focuses on polishing communications skills acquired through one's academic career and workplace experience. Through various business writing and speaking scenarios, students learn Canadian business practices and communication styles, incorporating inclusivity and diversity. Close attention is paid to proper incorporation of the intellectual property of others to ensure academic integrity. Students will practice organized and dynamic speaking and will strive for polished business documents.
Principles of Economics
This course is a survey of the principles which apply to our society's efforts to solve economic problems. The survey includes an examination of fundamental economic problems, economic models, the nature of the Canadian economy, employment, inflation, the role of governments in managing the economy, and the functioning of demand, supply, and firms within the market system.
Integrated Marketing Communications
In today's marketing world, there are more advertising contact points and specialized media competing for consumers' attention than ever before. To effectively break through the clutter, companies need to use a well-coordinated approach to selecting different promotional methods to differentiate their communication and present a consistent message to target audiences. This course introduces students to the concept of integrated marketing communications (IMC); a strategic planning process that helps companies identify the most appropriate and effective methods for communicating and building relationships with consumers. Students will learn the essential components of an IMC plan, including how to integrate advertising, sales promotions, public relations, direct marketing and digital media to maximize the impact of communications. Students will utilize this knowledge to build their own comprehensive marketing communications plan for a selected product or service.
Selling
This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to professional selling and the skills required to find success in relationship building and sales. Students are introduced to the many career alternatives available as well as the day-to-day expectations of a successful salesperson. The focus is to assist students develop their personal brand and strengthen their presentation, communication, and negotiation skills through role-playing, simulations, and applied learning exercises. Both traditional and digital prospecting methods are explored, along with the application of effective discovery, proposal creation, and problem resolution strategies, all in support of creating a customer relationship built on trust. Topics include goal setting, planning, time management, sales analytics, key performance indicator analysis, and customer relationship building. Students apply their learning in a simulated, professional business-to-business sales environment.
Business Law
In this course, students are prepared for a business environment increasingly affected by laws. They learn how laws must be understood and applied by management in the conduct of business. They also learn how to analyze a business situation from a general legal perspective. Emphasis is placed on methods of dispute resolution, contracts, torts, employment law, methods of carrying on business, sale of goods, and marketing law.
Entrepreneurial Mindset
This course introduces students, through a Canadian lens, to the development of an entrepreneurial mindset. The ability to think like an entrepreneur and act like an innovator are critical skills for success across industries and are proven tools to help distinguish individuals in the workplace. Whether applied in a start-up company, or as an employee within an existing organization (intrapreneurship), learners develop knowledge on how to navigate barriers to creating, developing, and sustaining innovative new initiatives. Topics related to the development of resilience, focus, productivity, creativity, and success are introduced to support learners in building their own entrepreneurial capacity.
Social Media Marketing
This course explores online marketing tools and tactics, such as social media, email, digital advertising and content marketing, that businesses can use to build a profitable relationship with their customers. Students engage in simulated social media, email and digital advertising campaigns to gain a better understanding of how to use these tools in their marketing efforts. Along with learning about digital and social media marketing, students learn general principles of marketing that are key for every business, regardless of industry or size: identifying who your customers are; understanding what needs they have that you are uniquely able to serve; creating a brand voice that speaks to them; identifying who your competitors are; deciding how to differentiate your offering from theirs; and creating a plan for engaging customers across social media and digital advertising platforms.
Consumer Behaviour
Consumer behaviour is one of the most dynamic areas in marketing. Every day, a variety of media compete for our attention, shaping how we think, what we value, and the choices we make. In this course, students explore how marketers understand these influences and how consumers process information, form attitudes, and make decisions. Through an experiential learning project, students apply behavioural concepts such as motivation, perception, learning, and attitude formation to analyze audience segments and recommend evidence-based engagement strategies. The course also examines sustainable consumption and the increasing expectation for purposeful, accountable brand practices.
Job Search & Success
This course provides student with skills and knowledge to help support their career search and succeed in the workplace. Students align their personal skill set and goals to guide them on their career paths. They will learn how to effectively conduct a job search, build a professional and well-tailored resume and cover letter, and develop and practice interview techniques. Students will also develop their personal brand to help support effective career networking and aid in their job search. Teamwork and collaboration in the workplace are also discussed. Self-reflection is used to inspire insight and support their professional career journey.
Leadership in Change Management
One of the few constants in today's competitive business environment is change. Change leaders must have knowledge of what drives successful change, what challenges successful change, the options available, the ethical issues associated with change, and understand organizational theory and behaviour and its impact. Leaders are facing change as it relates to sustainability, climate change and the implications for business in the ESG realm. The environment, social-justice, diversity, and inclusion are all considerations and present organizations with both opportunities and challenges as we look with urgency to our collective futures. Effective leaders must identify the correct approach to leading transition within an organization, utilize skills required to lead in chaotic and fast-paced environments, optimize organizational structures, analyze, and assess change effectiveness, and ready their organizations to thrive. Through case study, readings, teamwork and class discussion, this course explores these knowledge areas and provides opportunity to practice and develop leadership skills relevant for successful change management.
Financial Analysis & Budgeting
This course is an introduction to the essentials of financial management with a view for wealth maximization of a business enterprise. Topics covered in this course include the following: analysis of financial performance, cost-volume-profit analysis, financing alternatives and costs, management of working capital, budgeting, and capital investment decisions.
Operations Management
Operations and supply chain management have evolved into one of today's most important business disciplines. In the dynamic world of manufacturing and service delivery, designing systems more effectively and efficiently is a key source of competitive advantage. This course introduces business students to foundational concepts and practical methods used in the design and operations of manufacturing and service firms. Students explore strategic decisions related to how firms compete including operations strategy, supply chain design, process and facility design, and capacity planning. Students also learn tactical and day-to-day strategies for inventory management, forecasting, resource scheduling, quality control, project management, and lean operating systems.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Conflict is inevitable, but how we respond makes all the difference. This interactive course explores practical methods for resolving workplace disputes through effective communication, negotiation and mediation. Students gain hands-on experience with proven ADR techniques, build confidence in managing difficult conversations, and learn how to foster collaboration in diverse professional settings.
Retailing
This course provides students with a solid understanding of the complexity of operating a retail business in Canada and serves as a strong foundation for a career in retailing or other industries that support the retail supply chain. The course offers an overview of the retail industry in Canada and its significance within the Canadian economy. Students explore key trends impacting the dynamic retail environment, including the evolving expectations of retail customers, with an emphasis on sustainability in retail operations. Through experiential learning activities, students engage with sustainable retail concepts and explore the expanding role of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing both operational performance and customer experience. They evaluate market opportunities, analyze location considerations, and make informed decisions related to store design and layout. In addition, students are introduced to retail financial analysis and core operational functions such as buying, merchandise management, and pricing strategies.
Secondary Market Research
This course introduces students to the constantly expanding world of secondary data research. This is the first of two research courses designed to develop research techniques and skills that meet the needs of today's business. Students develop their research technology skills by learning how to locate, evaluate, and qualify high-quality data. Students strengthen their ability to critically interpret and evaluate the data collected and suggest potential trends and implications. An important focus of the course is learning to create appropriate tables, graphs, and infographics that aid in understanding and visualizing the data. Through a series of research assignments, students learn to craft high-quality written reports, presentations and infographics with accurate references and citations. Throughout the course, students are exposed to a wide variety of government, business, and economic information expanding their knowledge of the dynamic business environment.
Co-op Work Term
Co-operative education provides students with the opportunity to apply classroom learning to the workplace, undertake career sampling and gain valuable work experience that may assist students in leveraging employment after graduation.
WIL Project
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Project is aimed at enriching students by connecting different program areas of study, cutting across subject-matter lines, and emphasizing unifying concepts. The focus of the WIL Project is to make connections between study and industry by engaging students in relevant and meaningful activities that are connected to and practiced within the professional workplace. WIL Project allows students to enhance and strengthen their employability prospects post-graduation by fine tuning skills and knowledge and meeting the expectations of today's employers. Students are required to attend the scheduled shifts in the WIL office, reporting to the WIL Supervisor. Weekly real-world challenges are presented in the WIL office, designed by industry professionals. In addition to the weekly assigned deliverables, students are also offered professional development sessions, and exposed to industry guest speakers, enhancing their opportunity to develop their professional network.
Co-op Eligibility & WIL Project Fee
In order to be eligible to secure an approved full-time co-op work term (CPL-1049), students must have a GPA of 2.8 or greater and complete all the co-op eligibility requirements. Failing to do so will require students to enroll in CPL-5559 WIL Project at an additional cost.
Contact
Centre for Global Engagement
LAMBTON COLLEGE SARNIA
1457 London Road
Sarnia ON N7S 6K4
After Graduation
Employment Opportunities
Graduates will be prepared to work in numerous business sectors, from entry-level work to movement into management. Depending on the unique qualifications of the graduates, these could include employment in Canadian and international locations in the areas of manufacturing, market research, retail, logistics, banking, insurance, and sales. Some graduates may opt to become entrepreneurs and develop their own business.
Co-op
About Co-op
Students in this program have the opportunity to gain valuable work experience by applying classroom learning during co-op experiences.
Learn more about co-op terms and the roles and responsibilities of students and co-op advisors.
More Information
Technology Requirements
It is recommended that you use a Windows laptop for your coursework. While other devices like MacBooks or Chromebooks might work for some tasks, they may not support all the software required for your program. If you're unsure, check with your professors before buying.
Internet Speed Requirements
To get the best experience while learning online, we recommend having an internet connection with at least 40 Mbps download speed and 10 Mbps upload speed. This will help you use video calls, attend online lectures, and access other learning tools smoothly.
Because students live in many different areas, we can't suggest a specific internet provider. You'll need to check with local companies to find one that works best for you.
Laptop Requirements
In order to access the internet and virtually-delivered software and courseware, student laptops should include the following at a minimum. By meeting the following specifications, students will be equipped to access software and courseware on their laptop through the internet:
- Intel i5 8th Gen Processor or equivalent
- 8GB of RAM
- 100 GB HDD or more
- Webcam with a microphone
- Wi-Fi capable (802.11n/ac 5GHz)
- Windows 11 operating system
Mobile Device
Students will require a mobile device (smartphone) for:
- Accessing your digital student ID
- Using campus applications and services
Software
To ensure students are getting the most our of their classroom experience, some software will be required.
Lambton College has made this software easily accessible online. Students can leverage our Microsoft Office 365 software packages and services. In addition, much of the software you require for your courses will be available on demand for use on any device - on or off campus.