Foundations in Business Leadership Academy

Explore the essential principles of business strategy and effective leadership with the renowned UCLA Anderson School of Management! This immersive full-day academy combines hands-on learning with exposure to real-world business challenges to prepare students for college and future careers. Students will explore how businesses operate by examining compelling case studies from dynamic industries, with a special focus on the entertainment sector in Los Angeles. Through interactive workshops, team-based projects, business simulations, and strategic challenges, students will learn to read financial statements, develop business strategies, and apply different leadership approaches to solve organizational problems.

Students will hear from engaging guest speakers from the business world and work with peers on collaborative projects to gain practical exposure to how business fundamentals and leadership principles intersect in fast-moving environments. This program balances foundational business concepts with leadership development, critical thinking exercises, and professional skills that will benefit students regardless of their future major or career path. Students will complete a substantive capstone consulting project that showcases their learning and provides a tangible portfolio piece for college applications.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. Explain the key components of a business strategy, read and interpret financial statements, and analyze real-world business decisions using frameworks such as SWOT analysis and competitive analysis.
2. Identify characteristics of effective leaders, distinguish between different leadership styles, and demonstrate communication, teamwork, ethical decision-making, and conflict resolution skills.
3. Apply business frameworks and leadership principles to address real organizational challenges, work effectively in diverse teams under time constraints, and present business recommendations clearly, persuasively, and professionally.
4. Develop greater self-awareness of their personal leadership strengths and areas for growth, practice professional business communication (written and oral), and understand various career pathways in business and how to prepare for them.

Final Project

For the final capstone project, students will work in teams to serve as "management consultants" analyzing a real company in the entertainment industry facing a significant business challenge. Examples might include a streaming platform deciding on international expansion, a music company adapting to changing consumer preferences, or a game publisher considering a merger.

Field Trips

Possible academic field trips may include:

• Entertainment companies
• Business Incubators
• Networking events with Los Angeles-based entrepreneurs and business leaders in the entertainment industry

Note: Information is subject to change as instructors finalize course content and syllabi.