Entrepreneurship 350 Strategies for Startups

CATALOG DESCRIPTION:

Focuses on the opportunities and challenges involved with starting acquiring, owning and operating new business ventures.  Examines the three primary strategies used by entrepreneurs to acquire a new business venture and create personal wealth.

REQUIRED TEXTS: Scarborough, Norman M. “Effective Small Business Management: An Entrepreneurial Approach” 10th Edition (Person Prentice Hall 2012). ISB No.: 978-0-13-215746-9

PREREQUISITES: ETR 210 – Introduction to Entrepreneurship

COURSE OBJECTIVES:  During the course we will cover the following topics:

  1. The diversity of entrepreneurs and the challenges of entrepreneurship.
  2. The theory and practice of successful entrepreneurship.
  3. The 10 sections of a business plan for a start-up venture: executive summary, business description, marketing, financials, management, operations, harvest strategy, critical risk, milestone schedule, and appendix.
  4. The elevator speech and business plan presentation.
  5. Evaluating a business idea from the perspective of an investor or venture capitalist.

TEACHING AND LEARNING STRATEGIES: The principal vehicles for exploring the content of this course will be lectures, class discussions, videos, tests, case analysis reports and examinations.  Because of this choice of approach, a high degree of class involvement is necessary to assure effective session outcomes.  Readings and preparation for each class must be accomplished in advance of the class meeting.

STUDENT COMPETENCIES:  This course satisfies Hampton University competencies: 1. Critical Thinking, 4. Information and Technology Literacy, 5. Oral Communications, 6. Quantitative Reasoning, and 8. Written Communication; School of Business competencies: 1. Business Theory, 2. Law and Ethics, 3. Global, 4. Quantitaive Methods, 5. Written Communication, 6. Oral Communication, 7. Critical Thinking, 8. Leadership, 10. Techincal Skills; and Entrepreneurship program competencies: 1. Critical Thinking, 2. Individual Creativity, 3. Strategic Analysis and 4. Business Knowledge.

In addition, at the completion of this course, a student should be able to:

  1. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key entrepreneurship terms and concepts that relates to new venture creation and small business management;
  2. identify and analyze issues in new venture creation/small business management and propose possible solutions;
  3. engage in independent research of the practical and theoretical aspects of entrepreneurship through an interview of an entrepreneur/small business owner;
  4. demonstrate the ability to communicate research findings in written and oral delivery;
  5. research, write, and evaluate a business plan for a new venture; and
  6. make an effective business plan presentation and “elevator” speech to investors.
  7. interview a successful entrepreneur or business owner and present information in written and oral delivery.