BUS 380 Small Business Development Overview Professor Brian Nejmeh
Course Objectives To survey the entrepreneurial process and the various aspects of launching a new venture To develop a business plan for company that honors God To learn how to work on an interdisciplinary team
Course Logistics 12:25-1:55PM Taught by Professor Nejmeh with guest lecturers Grades will be based on business plan milestones, final business plan presentation and class participation No exams No exams
Course Model Classroom lectures and interactive student discussions Active use of business plan case studies Student-directed topics for discussion –Some class periods will involve project teams presenting issues/solutions for class discussion Team meetings with instructor –Regularly scheduled times for project meetings with instructor instead of formal class to review progress, discuss issues, etc.
Key Business Plan Elements Business idea formation Organizational models and team formation Business legal structures Market and competitive analysis Unique selling points Sales model and distribution channel partners Business model Product/service definition and development Product Partnerships Pricing and financial plan/models Management and Staffing Risk management Operations and technology Customer support Raising capital
Business as Mission Movement Characteristics of a Christian company Characteristics of a transformational company –Transformational entrepreneurship is the process of utilizing limited resources to create and sustain efficient, effective and valuable enterprises around a product or service for the purpose of bringing about intentional and sustainable changes in the societal, physical, financial and spiritual realms of the communities in which we work (wherever they may be).
Key Business Plan Deliverables Executive Summary Full Business Plan Document Prospective Investor Presentation (to be judged by outside panel of experts) Transformational Mission and Plan
Potential Course Textbooks Small Business Development: An Entrepreneurial Emphasis by J. Longenecker, et al. Great Commission Companies by S. Rundle, et al. On Kingdom Business by T. Yamamori, et al. Significant number of articles and URLs List will be finalized in January
Business Plan Project Selection Guidelines It must honor the Lord Interdisciplinary team formed that has passion Has a reasonable chance of being funded Access to subject matter expertise and market information Looks feasible to do in a semester
Preliminary Business Plan Project Ideas Water purification for recreational vehicles Solar re-chargeable flashlight Import retail business (catalog, web, etc.) for West African products (jewelry, clothing, tents) Wireless agriculture systems integration firm Retirement home management information system Off-shore outsourcing (BPO, IT, etc.) firm
Project Teams Must be interdisciplinary Must include someone with a vision for the business (or high access to someone with the vision) Must include someone with an accounting/finance background Must include someone with a marketing background Each team will be assigned an outside business mentor Teams will have a maximum of 4 students Teams must recruit the expertise they do not have PRIOR to registering for the course
Project Web Site Each project team will maintain a web site containing all project deliverables I will provide samples of project web sites I will create web storage area for you to host your site
Preliminary Business Plan Project Proposal Business Plan Title Page –Tentative name of business, team members and addresses Business Overview Value Proposition Market Overview Known Risks Team: Members, Roles and Needs Justification Proposals due no later than Nov. 4; No more than 3 pages Please do not register for course unless you have submitted a proposal I have approved OR you have talked to me in advance Download this presentation and proposal template at: –
Summary I am exciting about teaching this course! It will be a unique experience! See or me with any questions or drafts of preliminary business plan ideas