BUSINESS 54—TELECOURSE—SPRING 2008—--Telecourse
Welcome to this telecourse in Business Startups. Your instructor is:
Dr. K. Schock, Business Division
Business Division—Office C
West Valley College
14000 Fruitvale Avenue
Saratoga, CA 95070
408-741-2447
email address: schockme@justice.com
This is a 3 unit course with a laboratory requirement of 1.5 hours weekly by arrangement in the Technology Center or as arranged and is satisfied by Internet assignments assigned by your instructor. The Internet Assignments are to be completed at the Technology Center and turned in to me at the end of the semester. See or email me if you are having any difficulties.
ON LINE OFFICE HOURS; MTUWTH—7:30 a.m.—9:00 p.m. and by arrangement
II. OFFICE HOURS: Office J by Appointment only or ONLINE Chat—see above
a. Email me anytime you have a question; I usually respond within 48 hrs.
III. This is an introductory course in Business Startups, which explores the many facets of planning for the opening of a small business and winning strategies for the management of a business after startup. The course content should enlighten the student with regard to the elements of a business startup, functions of management, risks and rewards of a business startup, and the many issues and strategies of choosing a business startup, writing a business plan, choosing the "right" business startup, running the business startup, et.
IV. Course
Outcomes/Objectives: Upon completion
of this course, students should be able to:
A. Know the relationship between small business and entrepreneurship.
B. Know how important small businesses are to larger firms and why large firms promote sound small business practices.
C. Understand that small businesses provide most of the new jobs created in the United States.
D. Articulate the relationship between ethical business practices and success.
E. Understand the elements of a successful business plan, why it is necessary to have a carefully thought out plan, and to be able to understand the information required in each business plan element.
F. Understand the essential elements in the Marketing Mix and know how to blend these elements into an effective Marketing Mix.
G. Use the computer to understand E-Commerce, understand how decisions are made in a simulated environment and know what factors will affect the business, sales, markets, and overall financial outcomes.
H. Use the computer to calculate necessary ratios as related to financial statements of a startup business.
The course CONTENT for this particular course includes the
following subjects:
A. You as an Entrepreneur
a. Characteristics of successful Entrepreneurs
b. Working in the right environment
c. Values, attitudes, needs, and expectations
d. Sources of New Business Ideas
e. The part-time entrepreneur
B. Ethics for Entrepreneurs
a. Facts you need to know.
b. Small Business Technology issues
c. The Global Entrepreneur
d. INTRODUCTION TO SHIP IN THE BOTTLE: the idea
e. Reviewing the basic concepts of business startups
f. Building a business plan
g. Is profit a dirty word? How much is too much?
C. Planning your Small Business
a. How to get started
b. The Business plan—what is it? How should it function?
c. Formulating a useful business plan
d. Sources for Planning Assistance
e. Ship in the bottle—the PLAN
D. Building your Business Plan
a. What are the elements?
b. Useful resources
E. Purchase an existing business or Franchise?
a. What are the options?
b. What are the advantages and disadvantages?
c. Tips on purchasing a franchise
F. Ship in a Bottle; new opportunities (ongoing business case)
G. Project: Strategies and guides for building your Business Plan
H. Legal issues and requirements of a small business startup
a. Naming the business legally—strategies and tactics
b. Forms of ownership you should know
c. Sole proprietorships
d. Partnerships
e. Corporations
f. Limited Liability Companies
g. Special regulations and related issues
h. Federal Trade Commission and how it affects you
i. Contracts
j. Taxes, licenses, and employment law issues
I. Ship in a bottle—Clearing Customs—related issues
J. More ethical considerations for Startup Entrepreneurs
Accounting issues
K. Writing a successful Business Plan—things you must know
a. Profile of a successful entrepreneur
b. Bruce Hill case—pg. 94
L. Developing a Marketing Plan—tips and strategies
a. The four p's of the marketing mix you must use.
b. Target marketing issue
c. Guerrilla market for you?
d. More marketing strategies for your business startup
M. Ship in a bottle: Looking for the Target that is right for you
a. The global entrepreneur
N. Conducting an Industrial analysis
a. Issues and answers
O. Dealing with your competition—issues and answers
a. Five-forces model of competition—what are they?
b. Competitive intelligence and analysis issues
P. Surveying the competition
a. Critical thinking issues
Q. Location and Facilities
a. Understanding convenience factors
b. Types of consumer goods?
c. Selling a product or a service? What are the strategies and selling strategies and differences?
R. Getting to know your customer base
a. Who are your customers?
b. How do you sell?
c. The satisfied customer?
d. Dealing with unhappy customers?
S. Pricing strategies
a. Breakeven points
b. Markups and markdowns—related issues
c. Factors that will affect price
d. Ship in the bottle—setting prices
T. Promotional activities
a. Advertising issues
b. Promotional mixes
U. E-Entrepreneurship issues
a. Bricks, mortar, virtual, or both
b. E-Entrepreneur markets and models
c. Creating an E-Business
d. Look at Ebay
e. Myths of E-Entrepreneurship
f. Common Mistakes and how to avoid them
V. Managing and financing the small business
a. Profiles
b. Soichiro Honda—a name to remember
W. Human resource management issues
a. Staffing, Directing, and Controlling
b. Labor laws you need to know
X. Buildind a financial plan
a. Capitalization issues and answers
b. Financial records and records
Y. Management control tools
a. Ship in a bottle—taking control
b. Building your own business plan
IV. Materials REQUIRED for this class includes the follow two items:
A. TEXTBOOK--SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS
PLANNING FOR ENTREPRENEURS—AUTHORS: MOORMAN./HALLORAN; PUBLISHER: THOMSON/SOUTHWESTERN; ISBN
0-538-43921-1
http:://WWW.THOMSONLEARNING.COM
1. Tapes can be leased from West Valley College or you can watch them on television at various times; check the last few pages of this outline for more information as to how to secure these tapes on loan.
V. Class Meetings--there are only three class meetings (email me anytime if you have questions); be sure to state in the subject line: WVC TV student—BUS 54-STARTUP SPRING 2008. My email is schockme@justice.com
1st Meeting: REQUIRED
Orientation, THURSDAY
January 31, 2008
5 p.m. at West Valley College in the Business Division, Room BU 8.
2nd Meeting: Midterm Examination, THURSDAY, March 20, 2008 at 5 p.m. SHARP in the Business Division, Room BU 8. VIDEOS 1-6 PLUS TEXTBOOK CHAPTERS 1-8. 100 multiple-choice questions—40,000 pts. possible. BRING SCANTRON 882E and a No. 2 pencil; these items may be purchased at the WVC Bookstore. Class curve method will be used to assign grades. CLOSED BOOK, CLOSED NOTES EXAM.
3rd Meeting: Final Examination, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2008 at 5 p.m. SHARP in the Business Division, Room BU 8. Textbook chapters 9-16 inclusive; Video presentation program Nos. 7-12 inclusive; 100 multiple-choice questions—400 pts each X 100 questions = 40,000 points possible. BRING SCANTRON 882E and a No. 2 pencil; these items may be purchased at the WVC Bookstore. Open BOOK AND open notes exam. Class curve will be used to assigned grades. 70 percent of your semester grade will be based on the two examinations; 30 percent will be based on the REQUIRED assignments contained in this course outline. Note: if you do not complete the REQUIRED assignments, you will be given an automatic INC (I-F) for the semester. You will have one school year to make up the work; otherwise, the I-F will turn to an F.
VI. Internet Web Research Assignment: (REQUIRED ASSIGNMENT)
You are to evaluate FIVE Web Sites AND WRITE A TWO -PAPER ANSWERING questions based on the criteria listed below PLUS print out two pages from a website; all reports and any additional extra credit projects will be due at the beginning of the FINAL EXAM. Web Sites may be on any STARTUP Business topic, which may be of interest to you. Do not duplicate work from other classes that you may have with the instructor. Duplicated work from Business Law, Management Functions, Business Management or Sales will NOT be given credit. Do your own work; you may work in pairs or groups, but do you OWN work and write your own papers. For each web site you00 explore, print two pages of the site; look at additional links, take notes and write two additional pages on your own. Therefore, you will have a total of 5 websites plus 4 papers (2 from the site and 2 from your own writing in essay summary form for a total of 20 pages plus one page for the title page listing ALL the contents and HTML listings. Your total page count should be 21 pages including the cover sheet. Please do not plagiarize or copy others' writings. Using a word processor, complete the report as the example shows on a later page in this document identified with the words in bold print, EXAMPLE. Reports that you write should have 1 inch margins all around with double spacing and 12 point font using Palatino, Bookman, or any similar font.
VII. Index: In the header, identify the Web site number or HTML address, search engine used, subject/search, and site reviewed. (Use as many search engines as you can find, i.e, google.com, findlaw.com, etc.) In order to receive full credit for each assignment, you must answer the following questions with five complete statements each:
1. Intent: What was the purpose or intent of the Page? Was the Site Clear? Who is the Intended Audience? What else did you observe?
2. Accuracy: Does the information support or contradict something else you found or understand? Were there any spelling or other errors present? Was the site inviting and compelling? Why or why not?
3. Format: Is the Format Language easy to read and understand? Were there inward and outward links and how was the Page set up?
4. Selling points: Were there additional links or suggested web sites to link to for additional information as selling points? What did you think of them? If none existed, what would you recommend?
5. Navigation issues: Are links and icons OBVIOUS and explained in detail? Is there a link BACK to the Homepage? Is the Page dated or have information as to when it was last visited by the author or by people visiting the site?
6. Value: What specific value do you place on the site and why? Are you satisfied that the information you gleaned from the site was worthwhile and useful? Would it perhaps be easier to get the information elsewhere?
7.What suggestions would you make in detail regarding how to improve this site and how might it help you should you decide to start up an Internet site or E-commerce
F I V E
INTERNET Site Papers are due at the Final examination, Thursday, May 22,
2008 at 5 p.m. —5,000 points each possible for a total of
15,000 pts. possible-- (Sorry, no papers can be or will be accepted
after THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2008 at 5 p.m.
All reports should be placed in an open folder like the
sample presented at the Orientation meeting with one cover sheet for five sites
at the final exam. POINTS WILL BE DEDUCTED FOR NOT FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS. Please note that NO ASSIGNMENTS OR PROJECTS ARE DUE UNTIL THE
DAY OF THE FINAL EXAMINATION.
Feel free to stop by my office (J) if you wish to examine samples of any
previously completed projects.
EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENT—(OPTIONAL--NOT REQUIRED) There is only one extra credit assignment
If you wish to enhance your standing in this class at the end of the semester, you should complete the following OPTIONAL extra credit assignment:
________________________________________________________________________
i. Answer: (1) a successful entrepreneur is passionate about the product or service he/she wants to sell. (2) A successful entrepreneur has a successful business plan. (3) A successful entrepreneur knows how to sell. (4) A successful entrepreneur knows pricing strategies, and (5) a successful entrepreneur reviews all the major strategies listed and discussed in this course—especially the chapter headings.
ii. (note to student)—I prefer bullets because it's easy to read and evaluate.
________________________________________________________________________
This is a REQUIRED ASSIGNMENT—DUE AT THE FINAL EXAM.
2. Choose a business startup that you might want to start and develop a detailed bullet outline startup plan outline based on your reading and watching of the videos in this class. Two-four pages recommended for full credit. Use 12 font (palatino preferred) with one inch margins all around.
VIII. SUMMARY of Grading policy and 2 required project assignments:
a. One Midterm examination--100 questions--Multiple-choice—CLOSED BOOK EXAMINATION; 400 pts. each for a total of 40,000 pts. The class curve will be used in assigning grades.
b. One Final
examination--100 questions--Multiple
choice; OPEN BOOK, OPEN
NOTES EXAMINATION; 400 pts. each for a
total of 40,000 points possible. Class curve method will be used in assigning grades. Students who
do NOT complete the required assignments will receive an INC for the semester.
Project assignment #1: Required
a. F I V E REQUIRED Internet Assignments due at final exam—(5,000 each times 3= 15,000 points possible) This represents 30 percent of your semester grade and is required. It is not possible to earn an A in this course unless you complete these assignments as outlined. Complete the extra credit assignments for growth and experience.
b. Complete an abbreviated BUSINESS PLAN—2-4 pages—(REQUIRED) due at the final exam. Elements of the report should include vision, mission, and strategy statements—see the textbook for samples.
COURSE EVALUATION AND ASSIGNMENT OF GRADES:
75 percent of your semester grade will be based on the exam performance.
25 percent of your semester grade will be based on the Web site and other assignments.
Students with documented disabilities—please note
- West Valley College makes
reasonable accommodations for persons with
Documented disabilities. Students should notify
the Disability and
Educational Support Program
(DESP) at 741-2010 of any special needs.
- Any student who may need an
accommodation based on the impact
of a disability (visible or
not) should contact me privately to discuss
your specific needs. You should
also contact DESP (408.741.2010 or
408.741.2658 TTY) to coordinate
reasonable accommodations for your verified
Disability.
- ADA Statement: The American
with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal
anti-discrimination statute
that provides comprehensive civil rights
protection for persons with
disabilities. Among other things, this
Legislation requires that all
students with disabilities be guaranteed a
learning environment that
provides for reasonable accommodation of their
disabilities. If you believe
you have a disability requiring an
Accommodation, please contact
DESP in the Learning Services Building
(408.741.2010 or 408.741.2658).
If you have any questions about
the statements, please call DESP at 408.741.2010.
Emergency
Information--West Valley College Classes
In the event of the following
situations, the West Valley College Safety
Committee requests that you
follow the directions below:
FIRE ALARM OR EVACULATION
NOTICE
If the fire alarm sounds in
the building OR an evacuation is requested by an administrator OR Campus
Police, follow your instructor to the designated assembly area (see maps at the
back of each classroom). Take your
VALUABLES with you. After your
instructor checks that all students are accounted for and the official "ALL
CLEAR" is given, you will be instructed when to leave the area. The nearest fire alarm is near
the Business Division Office.
The nearest Fire Extinguisher
is in the Business Division Office.
Call 911 to report a fire
before you attempt to put it out.
Inform the division or
department secretary that 911 has been called and where the emergency is
located.
EARTHQUAKES
If an earthquake occurs,
immediately take cover under a sturdy desk, table, or other furniture OR Drop
to the floor, fold arms on floor close to your knees and bury face in arms.
Move away from windows and
wall shelves and heavy equipment.
Do NOT run outside during the
shaking--you may fall and be injured
EVENING SAFETY ESCORTS
Escorts are available and highly recommended from 4-10 p.m. Monday--Thursday at NO COST during the Fall and Spring semesters. Call the District Police Office at 741-2092 to arrange an escort.
INJURY OR ILLNESS
If you or someone is injured or ill while on campus, contact the Student Health Center for first aid assistance, follow up care or referrals. Report to the Student Health Center all student accidents that occur on campus or at college sponsored activities.
Student Health Emergency
Line: Ext. 222. Call for First Aid assistance.
Life Threatening Emergencies
like heart attacks, strokes, etc., call 911
From the college offices,
dial (9); then, 911.
MAJOR DISASTER or
terrorist threat
A Command Center will be set up at the Campus Center in the event of a major disaster when phones may not be working and outside assistance is not readily available. A representative of your building or class should be sent to report problems or injuries.
The following is an example of how to complete the title page and label for the front of the folder you might submit for extra credit:
Business 54 Telecourse
Your first and last name (circle last name)
Subject: An analysis of starting your own business
4-8 page report
RED FOLDER EXTRA CREDIT OPTION
Date of Report:
Spring 2008
EXTRA CREDIT OPTION
TITLE OF PROJECT OR PAPER IS ___________________
Dr. Schock
West Valley College
10,000 pts possible