Business Management (DIBM)

Program Overview
The Diploma in Business Management provides students with a thorough understanding of business practices in local and international markets, focusing in detail on management strategies.
Students will receive specialized training along with interpersonal, organizational, computer, decision-making and practical skills needed to start a successful career in today?s fast-changing business world.
Transfer Credits
Ashton College?s DBM program does not qualify for the PGWP. We have a transfer credit agreement with Yorkville University. Please check the infographic below for more details.
The Diploma in Business Management provides a comprehensive exploration of business aspects of management. This program is delivered full-time in a comprehensive academic setting. It combines lectures and interactive discussions, real-life examples and case studies, and site visits to corporations to create an optimal learning environment for each student.
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:
Develop skills and practical knowledge in international business.
Analyze international business and marketing processes.
Develop skills and practical knowledge in sales and marketing management.
Develop skills and practical knowledge to perform bookkeeping duties and understand their importance in businesses.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of this program will be able to obtain positions within a variety of organizations and companies, including the following roles:
Bookkeeping Management.
Human Resources Management.
Sales Management.
Marketing Management and Public Relations.
Foreign Investment Specialist positions.
Export Sales Management.
Risk Analyst positions.
Procurement Management.
International Trade.
Shipping Specialist positions.

Course Descriptions
CB 01: Microcomputer Applications (40 hours)
This introductory course emphasizes computer concepts, Internet and email skills, as well as software packages that enhance effective business communications.
CB 02: Financial Accounting (40 hours)
This course provides an overview of the financial reporting process. It concentrates on the recording process and the production of financial statements.
CB 03: Computerized Bookkeeping 1 (40 hours)
This course is designed to introduce students to Sage 50 Accounting. Highlights include an overview of the interface, followed by a detailed summary of the key introductory bookkeeping tasks, such as creating a company, defining company settings and entering historical data. Students will have a better understanding of the setup process, as well as the use of payroll, inventory, projects, time slips and billing, budgets, multi-currency and departmental accounting. An introduction to advanced reporting, database management, year-end bookkeeping and form customization will also be made. The course concludes with the topic of users and security.
CB 04: Computerized Bookkeeping 2 (30 hours)
This course is an introduction to QuickBooks. It provides hands-on instruction in regards to setting up QuickBooks for small businesses.
CB 05: Cost Accounting (30 hours)
This course is intended to provide students with an in-depth knowledge of the fundamental cost accounting techniques for use in manufacturing and service environments. Emphasis is placed on product/service cost determination using job order systems, process costing systems and standard cost practices.
CB 06: Taxation (30 hours)
This course provides students with a basic understanding of the Income Tax Act and regulations to determine the income tax liability as it applies to individuals and businesses.
CB 07: Payroll Administration (30 hours)
This course offers a comprehensive and practical approach to federal and provincial legislation in relation to the payroll function. It also provides an overview of the requirements for processing payroll calculations and administering payments to employees, government agencies and other parties in compliance with the laws, regulations and contractual arrangements.
DIB 01: International Business (60 hours)
This is an introductory course to international business, with special emphasis on the environmental and cultural issues that global organizations are facing. The main focus is on contemporary business situations, critical events, coupled with class discussions and focus on the impact of technology. Topics include foreign exchange markets, global marketing and supply chain management, global management, and political and legal influences of international business. By the end of this course, students will be able to understand globalization, trade and investments; possess an increased awareness of the finance of global operations; and understand how to analyze the future global business environment.
DIB 02: International Sales (60 hours)
This course provides comprehensive coverage of consultative selling, strategic selling, relationship selling, partnering, value-added selling, and sales force automation, developing a presentation strategy and management of self and others. These are the major developments that have transformed selling from ?peddling? to a new level of professionalism that has dramatically changed the way products and services are sold around the world. This course teaches students to build upon past improvements in selling and adjust to the changes that have accompanied the age of information.
Students will investigate, discuss, and report their findings to the class. They will develop a written report of the personal selling implications inherent in the ongoing operation of a business. Each student will deliver an oral presentation of this plan.
DIB 03: International Trade Finance (60 hours)
This course looks at the role that finance and financing play in international trade, as well as the skill sets required to manage the financial aspects of international trade. This course addresses financial methods and tools used to conduct international business transactions successfully. Risks such as commercial and country are discussed alongside risk-mitigating techniques, their use, and legal implications. Learners will acquire a broad overview of the nature and scope of trade finance, in particular, the ?Four Pillars? of trade finance, i.e., payment facilitation, risk management, financing, and provision of information related to a transaction.
DIB 04: Global Supply Chain Management (60 hours)
Companies are increasingly applying new logistics management techniques to their international distribution functions in order to successfully compete in the global marketplace. The focus of this course is on providing insights into global supply chain activities, including production and inventory management processes, as well as regulatory and security requirements. Participants will discover the role of logistics and its significance in providing traders with a competitive advantage.
DIB 05: International Trade Law (60 hours)
This course reviews the basic legal principles that are applicable to any corporation or businessperson. It incorporates a review of the Canadian legal system; legal structures through which business is conducted in Canada; and Canadian laws of contract, intellectual property, product liability and sale of goods. Students will have opportunities to discuss international business, including the resolution of international disputes, the choice of the proper law of contract, as well as the legal aspects of carriage of goods, payment and finance, and export controls.
DIB 06: International Market Entry Strategies (60 hours)
This course focuses on the evaluation of market entry strategies and selection of the most appropriate ones based on the proposed venture(s). While examining entry strategies, students will develop a better understanding of the roles that investment and partnering can play in facilitating international trade. Learners will be able to assess barriers to market entry, differentiate between market entry strategies, learn to recommend potential international partners by conducting consultations and analysis of strengths and weaknesses, and negotiate partnership agreements.
DIB 07: International Marketing (60 hours)
This course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to synthesize and apply existing marketing knowledge. It is designed to equip students with an understanding of the broad differences between domestic and international marketing. The course examines the impact of economic, cultural, political, legal and other environmental influences on international marketing. Within this context, discussions are conducted to identify and analyze worldwide marketing opportunities and examine product, pricing, distribution and promotion strategies. The course deals with all aspects of marketing from an international perspective. A high level of class participation is expected to ensure maximum learning and sharing of experiences.
DIB 08: International Trade Research (60 hours)
During this course, students will learn the essential characteristics of international market research. Students will understand the importance of international market research in ensuring the success of an exporting venture and will learn techniques to implement it. Learners will be exposed to methods of analyzing and presenting researched data and will be taught to identify and evaluate international trade opportunities.
The objective of the course is to prepare an international trade research paper that demonstrates the student?s ability to plan research, and then collect and interpret data.
DIB 09: International Business Management (60 hours)
This course ensures comprehension of the scope of international trade practices and their integration. The goal is to prepare and equip students to develop an international business plan. Learners will discuss the factors that ensure profitable entry into the import and export business and will focus on how corporate resources can be mobilized to capture qualified international business opportunities.
DSM 01: Introduction to Accounting (60 hours)
This introductory course presents accounting concepts within the context of Canadian businesses. Introduction to Accounting is concerned with the analysis and use of accounting data. Students will learn to take accounting data into consideration when making business-related decisions. Upon completion of this course, students will understand the basics of using accounting information when preparing financial statements and documents. They will also be able to analyze and apply the theories and concepts of accounting in order to develop effective accounting competencies.
DSM 02: Strategic Management (60 hours)
Strategic Management seeks to understand the environment in which the business operates, business challenges, as well as the direction that management intends to take, strategic plans for getting the enterprise moving in the intended direction, and the tasks behind successful implementation of the chosen strategy. This course aims to provide students with a range of frameworks, concepts and tools that can assist them in their efforts to analyze complex business situations, reach conclusions, develop and evaluate alternatives, and recommend specific courses of action to respond to such situations.
DSM 03: Financial Management (60 hours)
This course has been developed to provide students with a broad familiarity with the field of financial management. Particular attention is given to the valuation of cash flows, time value and money, source and application of funds, common shares, the cost of capital, budgeting, short- and long-term funding of new business opportunities, and managing international risks. Case histories are used to develop an understanding of financial analysis as a precursor to policy formulation. Students will learn to integrate financial analysis with other aspects of the business. Upon completion of this course, students will be aware of the responsibilities of financial managers, be knowledgeable about the role that financial decision-making plays within a firm and within the economy, possess the skills necessary to analyze typical business situations from a financial perspective, and have the ability to make appropriate financial management decisions.
DSM 04: Business Communication (60 hours)
The ability to communicate is an extremely important part of a manager?s role. This hands-on course covers communication theory and key aspects of written communication, and it introduces students to public speaking. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to communicate clearly through both written and verbal messages; write error-free business-related documents necessary to develop and maintain a career; research, prepare and write formal reports and/or proposals; and research, prepare, and deliver an oral presentation, including the necessary graphics.
DSM 05: Canadian Business Law (60 hours)
This course is designed to provide students with an overview of Canadian business law and an understanding of basic legal terminology. The major emphasis is on contract law since contracts are the foundation of all commercial transactions. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to distinguish and compare major philosophical bases for the legal system, understand the common law system (especially stare decisions), demonstrate a simple understanding of various types of private laws, detail the basic elements of the Canadian court system, learn and apply the case study method to various fact situations, and define various torts, defences thereto and the remedies available.
DSM 06: Introduction to Management (60 hours)
This is an introduction to the basic characteristics of business and management concepts. Modern management theory and practice are studied through the review of management functions using a systems approach. The current issues of business ethics, environmental concerns, international management, women in management, and the political environment are reviewed. Specific management functions such as planning, organizing, motivating, controlling, and decision-making will be examined using the case study approach. The focus will be on analysis and decision-making. The student will examine the major stages in an organization?s evolution and the key decisions which arise at each stage. This course covers the nature of managerial concepts, managerial functions, and organizational structure with emphasis on current issues.
DSM 07: Marketing 1 (60 hours)
This course provides an experience-based approach to marketing theory and its practical applications. The course introduces students to the essentials of marketing critical to managing profitable customer relationships in today?s dynamic and connected environment. During this course, students will study issues that are shaping contemporary marketing practices. Among these issues are price strategy, distribution channels, wholesaling and retailing, promotion methods, public relations, global marketing, and not-for-profit marketing. Students will investigate, discuss and report their findings to the class. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to describe the major trends and issues confronting marketing practices, define the impact of external influences on marketing mix strategies, explain the role of consumer behaviour with respect to the development of marketing strategies, identify the steps in organizational buying and procurement, describe market segmentation strategies and product strategy and management.
DSM 08: Marketing 2 (60 hours)
This course is intended to expand the students? understanding of how to identify alternatives and make sound marketing decisions. This course focuses on major decisions to harmonize the organization?s objectives, capabilities, and resources with marketplace needs and opportunities. Students will learn contemporary issues in marketing, such as market-oriented strategic planning, market environment scanning, market positioning strategies and differentiation, and branding formulation and implementation. Students will examine strategic concepts and tools that guide how a firm chooses its target markets, develops a value proposition for its target customers, and successfully differentiates from competitors.
DSM 09: Sales 1 (60 hours)
This course provides comprehensive coverage of new case studies, using working businesses to connect sales theory to the practical implications of selling in a modern environment.
DSM 10: Sales 2?(60 hours)
During this course students will study the important changes that are impacting selling and sales management today. This course explores the role and responsibilities of the sales manager in light of the changing sales environment, the competencies needed for sales management success, and the strategy planning process within organizations. The three interrelated processes that sales managers are responsible for (developing, implementing, and evaluating the strategic sales program) are also discussed.
DSM 11: Fundamentals of Human Resources?(60 hours)
Human Resources Management supports all of the activities related to challenges facing Canadian organizations in the context of managing their workforce. This course is both theoretical and practical in its organization and discusses how human resources departments are organized and function. Upon completion of this course, students will be aware of professional practices, organizational effectiveness, staffing, and training in the field of human resources. This course includes a group simulation project in an existing HR environment.
DSM 12: Public Relations?(60 hours)
This course is designed to offer students the history, key theories, concepts and tasks of public relations. Students will study major definitions, models, principles, perspectives, and practices to identify the objectives of public relations as well as major trends and developments.
DSM 14: Work Term Report
Students will have a minimum of 100 hours to prepare and submit the work term report. These hours may include interviews with the Student Services Coordinator.

Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
A minimum of a high school diploma, 19 years or older at the start of the applicant?s program or course; and
English Language Proficiency Requirements. The following tests are acceptable:
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):
Academic Level with a minimum score of 7980 (Internet-based)
213 for Computer-based
550 for Paper-based
The Canadian Academic English Language Assessment Test (CAEL):
A minimum score of 60
International English Language Testing (IELTS):
Academic Level with a minimum overall score of 6.0
Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency (MELAB):
A minimum score of 76
International Test of English Proficiency (iTEP):
Academic Level 3
Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP):
A minimum CELPIP Academic 4L Level
A minimum CELPIP General level 7 in all components
Cambridge English Advanced (CAE):
A minimum score 58 or C
Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB):
A minimum score 7
For more details, please see our Admissions Policy.

Fees
Tuition fees for this program are due and payable at least 30 days prior to the cohort start date. Students with guaranteed funding arrangements will be exempt from this requirement provided that they produce documentary proof at least 30 days prior to the cohort start date.
All formats of the program are eligible for Canada Student Loans, other forms of government funding, and bank financing. However, students are responsible for making their own funding arrangements and are advised to contact the relevant funder well in advance of the start date to make an application.
Application and tuition fees for this program are as follows:
Application fee: $200 (Domestic Students) or $300 (International Students)
Tuition fee (Domestic): $19,500
Tuition fee (International): $25,350
Note: Tuition fees do not include the cost of the required textbooks. The approximate textbook fee is $4,500.
This program was reviewed and approved by the Registrar of the Private Training Institutions Branch of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training.