Gogebic Community College Course Syllabus Spring, 2015 Online Course COURSE: Introduction to Entrepreneurship Bus 215

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1 Gogebic Community College Course Syllabus Spring, 2015 Online Course COURSE: Introduction to Entrepreneurship Bus 215 DAYS/TIMES: M, W, F 2:00-2:53 (Section 1) Online (Section 2) INSTRUCTOR: OFFICE LOCATION AND HOURS: Jim Dahlin 100A Solin Center; Office Hours as Posted OFFICE PHONE NUMBER: , ext. 242 dahlinj@gogebic.edu TEXTBOOK: Justin G. Longenecker, Carlos W. Moore, J. William Petty, Leslie E. Palich, Small Business Management: Launching and Growing Entrepreneurial Ventures,15 th Edition, South- Western/Thompson Publishing, Course Description What precisely is entrepreneurship, both as an activity and a field of study? How does it unfold over time as a process? How can we gather systematic and valid information about it? What are opportunities and how do they emerge? What cognitive factors play a role in creativity and in the generation of ideas for new products or services? This course is a comprehensive examination of the entire entrepreneurial process. Special emphasis is placed on the formation of a business plan for either an existing business or for a product or service that could be realistically be launched at the end of the semester. Prerequisites: None

2 Learning Objectives At the conclusion of the course, the student should be able to: Define entrepreneurship as a field of business Explain why the activities of entrepreneurs are so important to the economies of their countries, and why entrepreneurship is an increasingly popular career choice Define an entrepreneurial opportunity and explain why such opportunities exist List the different forms that entrepreneurial opportunities can take, and explain why some forms are better for new firms than others List several steps that he or she can take as an individual to increase skill in recognizing potentially valuable opportunities Explain why entrepreneurs need marketing information before beginning, and ways of gathering this information Explain why entrepreneurs should conduct a careful self-assessment as part of the process of choosing potential cofounders Explain why it is difficult for entrepreneurs to raise money from external investors Define debt and equity financing and explain how they differ Identify the behaviors and actions that successful entrepreneurs engage in to encourage investors to back them, and explain why these behaviors and actions are effective Define a business plan and explain why entrepreneurs should write one Describe the major sections of a business plan and the types of information they should include Describe the seven deadly sins of business plans errors all entrepreneurs should avoid Describe steps entrepreneurs should take to make effective verbal presentations to potential investors Describe the three major forms of business ownership, additional forms of business ownership, and explain the advantages and disadvantages of each Identify a real customer need and explain why an entrepreneur should seek to develop a product or service that meets a real need Describe how entrepreneurs price new products Define a competitive advantage and explain why an entrepreneur needs to have one to be successful Explain why entrepreneurs often start their businesses on a small scale, and expand if they are successful Define a patent, a trade secret, a trademark, and a copyright, and explain how entrepreneurs can obtain, use, and utilize them Describe several social skills and explain how social competence can influence entrepreneurs success Explain how entrepreneurs can effectively manage conflict and stress Explain why information about recruiting, motivating, and retaining high-quality employees is useful to entrepreneurs Describe various exit strategies for entrepreneurs, including transfer of ownership to family members, other insiders, and public offerings

3 Methods of Learning A variety of techniques will be used to enhance your learning for this course. These include lecture, discussion, business planning, debates, video cases, in-class group activities, out-of-class group and individual assignments, and Internet research. In addition, several visits and or presentations involving local businesses and entrepreneurs will be scheduled. You are expected to come to every session having completed your reading and/or other assignments. Online students are expected to read all chapter materials independently, to access online course documents and quizzes on a weekly basis, and, in general, to submit materials in a timely manner, as posted. Attendance Policy (not applicable for online students) Per college policy, attendance will be taken each class period, and reported at the end of the semester. Excessive absences (more than three) can reduce your final grade. Missed assignments, activities, or exams cannot be made up, except at the instructor s discretion.

4 Weekly Schedule Week # Dates Topic Assignments 1 January Chapter 1: The Entrepreneurial Life Chapter 1 Quiz Chapter 1 Discussion 2 January Chapter 2: Entrepreneurial Integrity and Ethics Chapter 2 Quiz Chapter 2 Discussion 3 January Chapter 3: Getting Started Chapter 3 Quiz Chapter 3 Discussion 4 February 2-6 Chapter 4: Franchising and Buyouts Chapter 4 Quiz Chapter 4 Discussion 5 February 9-13 Chapter 5: The Family Business Chapter 5 Quiz Chapter 5 Discussion 6 February Chapter 6: The Business Plan: Visualizing the Dream Chapter 6 Quiz Chapter 6 Discussion 7 February Chapter 7: The Marketing Plan Chapter 7 Quiz Chapter 7 Discussion 8 March 2-6 Chapter 8: The Human Resources Plan Chapter 8 Quiz Chapter 8 Discussion Book Review Due March 9-13 Spring Break No Classes 9 March Chapter 9: The Location Plan Chapter 9 Quiz Chapter 9 Discussion 10 March Chapter 10: Understanding a Firm s Financial Statements 11 March 30-April 3 Chapter 11: Forecasting Financial Requirements 12 April 6-10 Chapter 12: A Firm s Sources of Financing Chapter 10 Quiz Chapter 10 Discussion Chapter 11 Quiz Chapter 11 Discussion Chapter 12 Quiz Chapter 12 Discussion 13 April Chapter 13: Planning for the Harvest Chapter 13 Quiz Chapter 13 Discussion 14 April Chapter 14: Building Customer Relationships 15 April 27-May 1 Chapter 15: Product and Supply Chain Management Chapter 14 Quiz Chapter 14 Discussion Chapter 15 Quiz Chapter 15 Discussion May 4-8 Final Exam Week Complete Final Exam Writing Assignment #2 Due

5 Course Evaluation You will have several opportunities to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the principles taught in this course. Though much of the learning is actually achieved in-class, you are expected to complete certain assignments before class and turn in outside assignments on time. Maximum point values are as follows: Online Quizzes Discussion Participation Final Exam Written Assignments Business Plan Total 200 points 300 points 150 points 175 points 175 points 1,000 points Your grade will be determined as follows: A = 900-1,000 points B = points C = points D = points F = below 600 points Cell Phones/Pagers Please turn off all pagers and/or cell phones prior to coming to class. They interrupt the learning process for all involved. Please be considerate of others. ADA Statement If you have a need for disability-related accommodations or services, please contact the Special Needs Coordinator in the Dean of Students Office, (906) , extension 212. Reasonable accommodations and services will be provided to students if requests are made in a timely manner, with appropriate documentation, in accordance with federal, state, and Gogebic Community College guidelines. Revised: January, 2015

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