Introduction to Entrepreneurship

GEB 2930 CRN 24932

Spring 2010 Ten-Week Term (February 15 – April 27)

Winter Park Campus - Room 114

Professor: Michael A. Cipollaro

Course Schedule: Tuesdays 6:30-9:45 (NO CLASS March 9 – Spring Break)

Office Hours: To be scheduled individually

Professor is available by phone or e-mail

Phone: (407) 296-2462 office,(321) 287-9699 mobile

E-mail: ,

Course Description: This course is designed to teach students the disciplines necessaryto be a successful entrepreneur. These skills apply both in terms of starting a business and in building an existing one. They do not only apply to owners and founders or CEOs and Presidents, but also to managers with a wide variety of responsibilities. The course focuses on the steps inherent in the business planning process – opportunity recognition, concept development, feasibility testing, enterprise organization and staffing, marketing and sales strategies, and financial planning and management. Students will learn the knowledge, skills, concepts and strategies particularly relevant for start-up and early stage entrepreneurs. This includes a hands-on approach to developing a vision, conducting the research and planning, and selling the idea to potential investors and colleagues.

Course Prerequisites: None are required, thought prior course work in business and management or work experience may enhance student success in this course. Basic research skills are also a plus.

Required Text: ISBN 1-89616-64-1 FastTrac New VentureCollege Edition. 2009, Ewing Marion Kaufman Foundation

Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:

  • evaluate a business idea in terms of your personal vision
  • determine if you have the willingness and desire to be a successful entrepreneur
  • recognize, research and assess business opportunities
  • choose appropriate organizational and management structures for the business concept
  • evaluate your offering in terms of competition and other market conditions
  • project the financial prospects of your project including funding requirements and sources and profit potential
  • put all these elements together in a viable business plan

Course Methodology and Structure: To meet these objectives the class will use a combination of tools and activities to include:

  • practical applications of entrepreneurial concepts which will help construct a business plan of action
  • case studies to analyze and discuss situations that involve important business concepts
  • group or individual activities and exercises to apply entrepreneurial practices
  • guest speakers with useful experience to communicate and provide perspective which adds to classroom learning
  • facilitated lectures, presentations and discussions to reinforce the subject content

Student Evaluation: Evaluation of student performance will be based on the following criteria:

  • Class Participation: Involvement in the class discussions, participation in guest speaker appearances, demonstration of class preparation

based on responses to questions are all essential to the learning process. This is worth 25% of final grade

  • Completion of assignments done out of class is worth 30% of final grade
  • Individual or group exercises in class, including case study discussions,are worth 25% of final grade
  • The final exercise will be a 2 minute “elevator” pitch made for your business concept to a group of potential investors and major customers. This will be worth 20% of your final grade.

No Show Status
Class attendance is required beginning the first week of the term. If you do not attend class during the first week, you may be withdrawn from the class as a "no show". In this event you will be billed for the class and a "W" will appear on your transcript for the course.

Attendance: It may be difficult to attend all classes, but it is essential to attend and actively participate in as many as possible, and no less than 9 of 11 class participations is required unless absence is due to business travel. Less than 9 attendances will not permit you to obtain the full value of the class and could compromise your grade substantially, even to the point of receiving a failing grade. It is important to tell the instructor, when you know beforehand, that you will not be in attendance.

Course Schedule: Read the assigned chapters/pages before coming to class. Assignments are due at the beginning of the following class.

HomeAssignments

Class 1. Chapter 1 Exploring Entrepreneurship

Develop Business Concept Statement (Activity 1.2, 1.3)

Class 2. Chapter 2 Identifying & Meeting Market Needs

Competitors (Activity 2b) Conduct Market Research (Action Step 2.1), Evaluate & Refine Your BusinessConcept(Action Step 2.2)

Class 3. Chapter 4 Planning the Product/Service

Create Your Product/Service Plan (Action Step 4.1)

Class 4. Chapter 5 Researching & Analyzing the Market

Identify Target Market (Activity 5c) Create Marketing Plan (Action Step 5.2, 5.3)

Class 5. Chapter 3 Setting Financial Goals

Complete Your Business Concept Analysis (Action Step 3.4)

Class 6. Chapter 6 Reaching the Market

Prepare Marketing Map (page 227). Determine Marketing Activities & Costs (Advertising & Promotion)

Class 7. Chapter 7 Building the Organization & the Team

Identify appropriate legal form (explain), Identify Key Management Functions & Positions, Prepare an Organization Chart with personnel costs.

Class 8. Chapter 8 Planning for an Economically Viable Business

Prepare a P & L Statement

Class 9. Chapter 9 Cash Flow & Seeking Funds

Put Together the Chapters of Your Business Plan

Class 10. Chapter 10 Putting a Business Plan Together

Review Presentation Articles, Prepare 2 minute Elevator Presentation

Presenting Your Vision & Key Points to Investors and Clients