Advanced Diploma in Business Administration - Marketing

at George Brown College - St. James Campus Canada

The four-semester Business diploma program prepares students to carry out a variety of business functions within local, national and global settings. Graduates will have demonstrated a practical understanding of key principles and practices necessary for success in the field of business.

Students who graduate from this program are prepared to work in diverse team settings and contribute to projects with practical presentation and research skills. They can use their functional knowledge in many areas of an organization (including accounting, finance, human resources and marketing), to achieve strategies within cross-functional teams.

This learning experience will enable you to:

• Use current concepts/systems and technologies to support an organization's business initiatives.
• Perform work in compliance with relevant statutes, regulations and business practices.
• Develop strategies for ongoing personal and professional development to enhance work performance in the business field.
• Apply principles of corporate sustainability, corporate social responsibility and ethics to support an organization's business initiatives.
• This Centre for Business program is part of our School of Management.

Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate demonstrates the ability to:

• Identify and discuss the impact of global issues on an organization’s business opportunities by using an environmental scan.
• Apply principles of corporate sustainability, corporate social responsibility and ethics to support an organization’s business initiatives.
• Use current concepts/systems and technologies to support an organization's business initiatives.
• Apply basic research skills to support business decision-making.
• Support the planning, implementation and monitoring of projects.
• Perform work in compliance with relevant statutes, regulations and business practices.
• Explain the role of the human resource function and its impact on an organization.
• Use accounting and financial principles to support the operations of an organization.
• Describe and apply marketing and sales concepts used to support the operations of an organization.
• Outline principles of supply chain management and operations management.
• Outline and assess the components of a business plan.
• Develop strategies for ongoing personal and professional development to enhance work performance in the business field.

This fast-track program is designed for students with a two-year Hospitality diploma or degree in a related field wishing to pursue a degree in business focusing on hospitality.

Qualified applicants who have completed one of the following diploma programs may be eligible:

• Food and Beverage Management (H132)
• Hospitality – Hotel Operations Management (H133)
• Special Events Management (H131)
• Tourism and Hospitality Management (H130)

Honours Bachelor of Business Administration (Hospitality) (Fast-Track) students will complete a bridging semester from May to August and then go on to complete all outstanding credits toward their degree. This pathway will give students an opportunity to earn a degree credential in two additional years plus the one summer semester, or more, depending on the total transferable credits granted (please see ’How to Qualify and Apply’ section for specific admission requirements).

The program is designed to teach you how to plan and manage complex integrated hospitality operations so that you can become one of the skilled, knowledgeable leaders the hospitality sector is pursuing. The employment prospects in this sector are outstanding. In Canada, the hospitality industry employs more than 1.2 million people, representing over 7 per cent of all employment In the Greater Toronto Area alone, the hospitality sector accounts for almost 329,000 jobs.

A Comprehensive Curriculum:-
The curriculum has been developed to prepare students for management, supervisory and administrative careers through training in analysis and problem-solving, critical thinking, integrated operations, customer management and international applications. Students will become technically proficient in the major components of a hospitality business, including operational processes, finance, human resources, facilities, risk management, research, sustainability and corporate social responsibility.

In addition, the curriculum is designed to:-

• Provide flexible student learning- Courses are offered in online and in-class hybrid format throughout the program to accommodate the paid work placements. Semester 7 is delivered completely online.
• Integrate knowledge and practical applications developed through projects and experiential learning in two paid work placements.
• Build strong management abilities, with every student working on projects individually and with team members.

Applied Learning – Benefit from Hands-on Training:-
Co-operative education is an important component of this degree program. Students spend two paid summer terms working full-time in industry, giving them a chance to apply the knowledge they have acquired in a real-life, hands-on situation. Students obtain practical experience and further develop their skills – an asset for our graduates and their future employers. Students also establish valuable contacts with potential employers, and many graduates find full-time employment with their co-op employer.

The Business Administration – Finance advanced diploma program provides students with the knowledge and skills to work in the financial services sector. The financial services sector continues to grow and adapt to the needs of clients through the use of technology. People with customer service skills and knowledge of financial planning, call centre operations, investments and risk management are needed in this fast-paced environment.

Upon completion of this program, you will be able to:

• Help clients take steps to achieve their life goals through an integrated approach to the management of all their financial affairs, including such areas as:
  • Financial Management – assess the client’s current and future financial position, based upon their cash flow, budget and net worth.
  • Investment Management – assess the nature of the client’s assets based on their risk tolerance, time horizon and expected rates of return
  • Retirement Planning – compare the client’s expected lifestyle in retirement to their current retirement assets and planned savings
  • Tax Planning – assess the client’s current and future tax obligations and strategies employed to minimize or defer taxation
  • Insurance and Risk Management – manage the client’s exposure to an unexpected financial loss due to death, health issues, property damage and other risks.
  • Estate Planning – assess how the client can meet their objectives upon death in the most efficient and cost-effective manner
• Prepare a comprehensive financial plan for a client situation, integrating and prioritizing the activities listed above

This program (B130) is also offered with work experience. Students who wish to apply for Business Administration – Finance with Work Experience should apply to B150. Find out more about Field Education at the Centre for Business.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Co-ordinate the processing and maintaining of financial records in compliance with relevant policies, procedures and regulations for individuals and/or organizations.
  • Co-ordinate the preparation and the presentation of financial information in compliance with relevant legislation and regulations for individuals and/or organizations.
  • Analyze financial reports for individuals and/or organizations by applying financial mathematics and statistics.
  • Develop and evaluate a financial plan to meet individuals’ and/or organizations’ needs and objectives.
  • Develop, implement, evaluate and co-ordinate marketing strategies to promote financial products and services and to enhance customer service.
  • Develop, implement and evaluate strategies to establish and maintain professional networking and business relationships in the finance sector.
  • Analyze and evaluate, within a Canadian context, the impact of economic variables, legislation, ethics, technology and the environment on individuals’ and/or organizations’ operations.
  • Develop, implement and evaluate ongoing strategies for personal and professional development, highlighting ethics, values and standards in the finance sector.
  • Co-ordinate the planning, implementation, management and evaluation of team projects by applying project management principles.

The food sector is always changing, particularly when it comes to hospitality and culinary arts. This constant change has reinforced the need for a more holistic approach to culinary education – one that allows students to examine the food system while mastering a variety of culinary techniques.

The Honours Bachelor of Food Studies program provides the food leaders of tomorrow with the skills, insights and knowledge to succeed in this rapidly changing field. It offers extensive career pathways for foodservice professionals, while providing the food sector with leaders who can thrive in both for-profit and non-profit organizations.

Graduates will be positioned to succeed in a wide range of food-related occupations including roles in culinary, education, tourism, recreation, health, food security, sustainability, economic development, agriculture, public policy and research. There are growing opportunities for careers informed by both culinary experience and versatile critical thinking.

Toronto provides a unique setting for this program because of its wealth of multicultural and Indigenous food traditions. In the classroom and beyond, students will be introduced to the vibrant world of food in a culturally diverse and inclusive environment. Students will participate in a paid co-op placement focused on the application of culinary and food animation skills. In addition, throughout the program, selected courses will include community-engaged learning opportunities. 

Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Articulate the interconnected structures and functions of food systems at the local, national and international levels.
• Analyze social, cultural, political and environmental influences on current and emerging food-related theory, policy and practice.
• Recommend informed responses to both practical and scholarly issues and challenges using insights from food systems theory and the study of global cuisine.
• Acquire foundational culinary skill proficiency and operational knowledge appropriate to entry into the culinary industry.
• Integrate a healthy, equitable, and sustainable food systems perspective into culinary theory and practice.
• Construct coherent arguments to address debates within the broad field of food studies.
• Appraise research methodologies used across disciplines related to food studies.
• Communicate effectively in a variety of formats appropriate to academic, government, non-profit, business and media environments.
• Articulate how uncertainty, ambiguity and limits to knowledge influence perception and interpretation of debates in food studies and consider issues from multiple perspectives.
• Demonstrate curiosity, initiative, integrity, collaboration, and social responsibility in personal and professional settings related to food.

Graduates of the Project Management graduate certificate program will be prepared to manage project scope and change, provide goal setting, project control, project staffing, risk management, utilize project management tools and perform other functions in careers that incorporate project management or in stand-alone project manager positions.

Graduates will have demonstrated their knowledge, job skills, soft skills and abilities related to business in general and project management in particular.

This learning experience will enable graduates to demonstrate:

• Implementation of Project Management Institute knowledge areas such as processes, lifecycle phases and the embodied concepts, tools and techniques in order to achieve project success
• Adaptation of projects in response to issues that arise internally and externally
• Implementation of general business concepts, practices and tools to facilitate project success
• Application of project management practices to the launch of new programs, initiatives, products, services and events relative to the needs of stakeholders

Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Manage the scope, cost, timing, and quality of the project, at all times focused on project success as defined by project stakeholders.
• Align the project to the organization's strategic plans and business justification throughout its lifecycle.
• Identify project goals, constraints, deliverables, performance criteria, control needs, and resource requirements in consultation with stakeholders.
• Implement the PMI project management knowledge areas, processes, lifecycle phases and the embodied concepts, tools and techniques in order to achieve project success.
• Adapt projects in response to issues that arise internally and externally.
• Interact with team and stakeholders in a professional manner, respecting differences, to ensure a collaborative project environment.
• Utilize technology tools for communication, collaboration, information management, and decision support.
• Implement general business concepts, practices, and tools to facilitate project success.
• Reflect on their role and effectiveness as a leader and follower.
• Apply appropriate legal and ethical standards.
• Adapt project management practices to meet the needs of stakeholders from multiple sectors of the economy (i.e., manufacturing, technology, consulting, government, arts, media, and not-for-profit organizations).
• Apply project management practices to the launch of new programs, initiatives, products, services, and events relative to the needs of stakeholders.
• Appraise the role of project management in organizational change.

Do you want to learn French patisserie? Join this specialized French pastry and culture program, learn from the experts here in Canada and then live, learn and get work experience in France!

Through this program, you will:

• Experience hands-on learning in both Canada and France with the pre-eminent French chef professors in the country.
• Build your knowledge of French pastry and culinary traditions and embrace emerging trends in French pastry.
• Benefit from our partnership with Ecole National Superieure de la Patisserie (ENSP), the world-famous Ducasse school, one of France’s finest pastry chef schools.
• Experience the vineyards, cheese producers and local markets of France as your open-air classroom.
• Study in some of the best patisseries, bakeries, restaurants and hotels, where you will get attention, training and an inspiring experience.
• After your experiences in France, demonstrate what you’ve learned through events, placements and showcasing your newly acquired skills back at George Brown College. Our faculty already have a reputation for excellence among French patisseries in Toronto and globally and this program and its unique opportunities will make you a sought-after employee when you graduate. "A bientot!"

Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Apply techniques such as reconstituting, revising, laminating and assembling to traditional French pastry and baking, using emerging trends in the French patisserie.
• Converse in basic French and use correct terminology within a food service operation.
• Identify the holistic practices in French gastronomy through field education and/or gastronomic theory.
• Prepare French pastries and baked goods within Canadian and EU Health, Safety and Nutrition regulations, standards, guidelines, and processes.
• Develop unique baking, pastry or confectionary product and manage the commercialization and marketing of that product.
• Manage the production, sales and business aspects of a personally created line of French pastries and baked goods.
• Work collaboratively as part of a culinary team, and conduct oneself in a professional manner.

The need for graduates with skills in the area of business analytics is growing rapidly across all industry sectors. Harnessing the power of big data analytics, the Analytics for Business Decision-Making graduate certificate program prepares students to do data analysis specific to multifaceted business decision-making needs. It is about developing information into knowledge and converting that intelligence into action. The goal is to prepare the student to engage and to be competitive across various business divisions with the ability to “tell stories” about data, which assist decision-makers in their own activities. Through in-depth data analytics courses and business analytics courses, graduates will be prepared to work in the high demand area of business intelligence in Toronto, in Canada and beyond, and learn the knowledge and skills needed to support real-world business decision-making and planning through data insights, data management and data science.

In this business analytics program, the focus will be on skills development, technical and otherwise, including analytic understanding and dissemination for various business uses. A bold mix of skills, including some programming, applied statistical comprehension and database understanding, will be explored in the context of organizational Big Data (Operational) requirements.

The advanced diploma Business Administration – Marketing program will open doors to opportunities in the exciting and fast-moving field of marketing. Marketing at George Brown is more than textbooks and lectures. Our learning is hands-on and project-based, and this program provides opportunities for case studies as well as real-world projects that can involve industry partners.

What differentiates the three-year advanced diploma from the two-year diploma is the additional opportunities for more advanced hands-on learning as well as digital marketing courses, international marketing courses, marketing research courses, and marketing strategy courses. You can also expand your horizons with additional business electives.

This learning experience will enable you to:

• Develop an integrated marketing communication strategy for marketing products, concepts, goods, or services based on an identified target market
• Conduct primary and secondary market research to provide information needed to make marketing decisions
• Develop strategies to establish effective working relationships with clients, customers, consumers, co-workers, supervisors, and others
• Evaluate the viability of marketing products, concepts, goods, or services in an international market or markets
• Formulate and prepare a marketing plan including marketing objectives, marketing mix, marketing strategies, budgetary considerations, and evaluation criteria
• Integrate digital marketing and social media into a marketing plan with an understanding of various platforms and technologies.

PROGRAM STANDARDS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Develop a marketing plan that will meet the needs or goals of a business or organization.
• Develop an integrated marketing communication plan for marketing of a product, concept, good, or service based on an identified market need or target.
• Determine strategies for the development of new and/or modified marketing concepts, products, goods, and/or services that respond to evolving market needs.
• Determine strategies for the efficient and effective placement/distribution of a product, good, and/or service that respond to an evolving market.
• Determine the impact of using different marketing strategies for a product, concept, good and/or service, on the finances, return on investment (ROI), and business goals of an organization.
• Analyze the viability of a concept, product, good, and/or service in local, national or global markets.
• Conduct market research to provide information needed to make marketing decisions.
• Communicate marketing information persuasively and accurately in oral, written, graphic and interactive media formats.
• Plan, prepare and deliver an effective sales presentation or pitch to address the needs of the client.
• Develop strategies with clients, customers, consumers, co-workers, supervisors, and others to maintain and grow working relationships
• Develop learning and development strategies to enhance professional growth in the field.
• Apply entrepreneurial strategies to identify and respond to new career opportunities that might include contract employment, and self-employment initiatives.
• Apply and contribute to a framework of organizational policies and practices, when conducting business of the organization.
• Apply the principles of business ethics and corporate social responsibility to business decisions.

This program (B158) is offered with work experience. Students wishing to apply for Business Administration – Marketing without work experience should apply to B108.

The Advanced Butchery and Charcuterie postgraduate certificate will provide students with strong foundational knowledge in the theory of butchery and the science of raw, cured and fermented, and cooked charcuterie. In your classes and out on externship, students will butcher, prepare and taste Indigenous, local and international fresh, cooked and cured fish and meat products.

The curriculum will consist of two semesters of classes and one semester of externship. Weekly classes will be divided into three days of two-hour theory classes followed by four hours of lab practice. Students will focus on sustainability, team building and communication skills to create such products as wild game sausages, Genoa salami and pâté en croûte. Students will develop a portfolio that documents carcass and recipe yields and monitors cured and fermented production.

After successful completion of this program, graduates will have Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) related to inventory control, sanitation, health and safety, and be able to practice within the regulatory framework of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). As a final skills demonstration, students will present a capstone project to industry partners for feedback and assessment.  

This program draws on the expertise of industry leaders and sector employers, drawing on partners such as Meat and Poultry Ontario, Sanagan's Meat Locker, La Cultura Salumi, grocery partners, meat and charcuterie based restaurants and many others.

Your Field Education Options
As part of the program, you will complete a 14-week industry externship. George Brown works with employers and industry partners to identify potential work experience opportunities. Students are also encouraged to pursue self-directed industry work experience opportunities within Culinary Management that align with their personal career goals and that meet the program's learning outcomes. This practical work experience will enhance your resumé and your value to employers.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Butcher a variety of animals using artisanal, local and international techniques for different applications.
• Execute federal Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) in the production of butchery and charcuterie.
• Create a variety of international raw, cooked and cured meats and fish products in accordance with restaurant and wholesale regulations.
• Communicate the scientific processes, using the appropriate terminology, throughout the production stages of charcuterie.
• Integrate social, environmental, and economic sustainability into planning, preparation and sale of charcuterie.
• Determine the profitability of charcuterie in terms of labour, product control, packaging and shelf life.
• Differentiate among raw, cured and cooked products using sensory analysis.

The Strategic Relationship Marketing program responds to the growing need within the marketing industry for a new skill set – one that places the customer at the centre of business decisions. This skill set is critical since modern marketing success depends on targeting and attracting new customers while retaining and strengthening relationships with current customers at all points during their journey.

This one-year graduate certificate program provides students with a foundation in marketing, with a focus on the examination and application of Customer Relationship Marketing (CRM) and Customer Experience (CX) best practices, strategies, tactics, tools, and techniques. Students will have an opportunity to apply industry-standard marketing analytics and CRM platforms and technologies to marketing processes and create a comprehensive marketing plan.

Key areas covered in the program include database marketing strategy, loyalty marketing, marketing research, omnichannel marketing, marketing automation of email, social media and online content for personalized customer journeys, and marketing analytics and measurement. In the final semester, students work on a capstone project based on a real business situation.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Create a professional marketing plan using standard marketing planning processes and tools.
  • Develop a comprehensive Customer Relationship Management (CRM) marketing plan that uses a client’s current database strategy that is personalized and scalable.
  • Apply strategic communication planning processes and tools to generate leads and improve customer retention, satisfaction and profitability.
  • Evaluate data extracted from a variety of marketing technology platforms to support problem-solving and decision-making processes in marketing.
  • Apply Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Customer Experience (CX) best practices, strategies, tactics, and techniques to strengthen customer relationships for both business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) markets.
  • Design customer experience journey mapping to identify areas to improve customer experiences and automate personalized digital marketing.
  • Apply industry standard marketing analytics and CRM platforms to sales and marketing processes.
  • Gather and analyze primary and secondary marketing research in order to support sound marketing decisions that improve customer experiences.
  • Communicate complex marketing material verbally, in writing, and digitally for a variety of audiences and purposes.
  • Model professional standards to provide reliable and actionable analysis while respecting Canadian regulation and practice related to data privacy and security.

Your Field Education Options

• WORK EXPERIENCE (CO-OP OR INTERNSHIP WORK TERM)
  • This program requires the successful completion of a one-semester work experience to graduate. This work experience is either co-op (paid) or internship (unpaid). Either one will give you the practical experience employers value. The work term occurs after the end of the second academic semester.
  • George Brown works with employers and industry partners to identify potential work experience opportunities. Students then apply for these opportunities and go through a competitive interview process. Students are also strongly encouraged to pursue self-directed industry work experience opportunities they believe would provide the learning experiences they value and meet the learning outcomes of the program. This valuable work experience can in turn be added to your resume.