Pre-requisites:

BSAD 137 or Intructor permission plus strong motivation; Required course specific fee of $20; Restricted to Business students or dept permission.

Goals & Objectives:

This is the continuation of BSAD 137: Entrepreneurship. The focus is on the diverse challenges of developing realistic operational business plans to support business strategies and objectives. The major outcome for this course will be a detailed operational business plan for a new venture. To provide a variety of perspectives, there will be opportunities to meet with entrepreneurs and professionals who work with entrepreneurs.

As in other entrepreneurship courses, our goal is not to create entrepreneurs. Instead the goal is to help students interested in entrepreneurial careers to better understand and respond to the challenges and critical questions they will likely encounter in actually starting a new business venture. This means understanding in advance the types of questions about a new venture that must be answered, where to get the needed information, and how to evaluate and plan for the opportunities and inevitable risks of starting a new business. While we cannot create entrepreneurial talent and motivation V we can help students to make the most of their own talent and motivation.

The course is the result of careful thought and planning by faculty, students, entrepreneurs, and professionals. The course is itself entrepreneurial. As always, we welcome student feedback to make the course even better. All involved are very excited to be part of this entrepreneurial concentration. Welcome!

Learning goals:

Understand complex financial, marketing, legal and operational challenges and questions that require careful thought and planning for the first three years of a new business.

Develop the ability to acquire and integrate vital business and market information from diverse sources in developing strategies and operational business plans.

Produce a detailed, comprehensive and integrated operational business plan for a new venture based on real-world information and analysis.

Course Content:

Developing realistic operational plans:

QFD analysis. What market needs are you responding to? Current? Future?

Market positioning, strategy and development of operational marketing plans.

Promotional plans and schedules for new products or services.

Financial planning: Cost and revenue estimating and budgeting techniques for start-up and growth.

Cash flow planning and internal financial controls.

Alternative sources of venture capital and debt financing. Understanding investor perspectives and priorities.

Operational business issues such as facility requirements, quality management, risk management and supplier relations.

Human resource management concepts and techniques along with approaches to structuring the business internal operations.

Strategies for innovation and rapid growth management.

Books & Materials

Managing Growth V Kathleen Allen

The Owners Manual for Small Business V Rhonda Abrams

Course package for BSAD 138.

Grading:

Grading Comments:

1. All graded material must be the students own work. All students are assumed to be familiar with the Universitys policies on academic honesty.

2. Extensions on due dates will be given only in extreme circumstances such as a medical emergency. Except in cases of immediate emergencies, arrangement must be made with me in advance. As noted above, ten (10) points will be deducted per day for assignments that are submitted late.

Exam Comments:

No exams in this course due to extensive written plans and assignments.

Attendance Policy:

Class participation is required and is very important in developing an understanding of all materials and for your success in this course. You are strongly encouraged to participate in class discussions. This not only makes classes much more interesting for all but is an important way to develop your understanding of the course materials and improve your entrepreneurial capabilities.

Academic Honesty

The principal objective of the policy on academic honesty is to promote an intellectual climate and support the academic integrity of the University of Vermont. Academic dishonesty or an offense against academic honesty includes acts that may subvert or compromise the integrity of the educational process. Such acts are serious offenses that insult the integrity of the entire academic community.

Offenses against academic honesty are any acts that would have the effect of unfairly promoting or enhancing one's academic standing within the entire community of learners which includes, but is not limited to, the faculty and students of the University of Vermont. Academic dishonesty includes knowingly permitting or assisting any person in the committing of an act of academic dishonesty.

The policy distinguishes between minor and major offenses. Offenses purely technical in nature or in which the instructor does not perceive intent to achieve advantage are deemed minor and handled by the instructor. Major offenses are those in which intent to achieve academic advantages is perceived. A full statement of the policy can be found in the Cat's Tale. Each student is responsible for knowing and observing this policy.

Classroom Code of Conduct

Faculty and students will at all times conduct themselves in a manner that serves to maintain, promote, and enhance the high quality academic environment befitting the University of Vermont. To this end, it is expected that all members of the learning community will adhere to the following guidelines:

1. Faculty and students will attend all regularly scheduled classes, except for those occasions warranting an excused absence under the policy detailed in the catalogue (e.g., religious, athletic, medical).
2. Students and faculty will arrive prepared for class and on time, and they will remain in class until the class is dismissed.
3. Faculty and students will treat all members of the learning community with respect. Toward this end, they will promote academic discourse and the free exchange of ideas by listening with civil attention to the comments made by all individuals.
4. Students and faculty will maintain an appropriate academic climate by refraining from all actions which disrupt the learning environment (e.g., making noise, ostentatiously not paying attention, and leaving and reentering the classroom inappropriately).
5. Food and drink are not allowed in classrooms.

Instructors will inform students of any special/additional expectations.