SMB400: Managing a Small Business/Entrepreneurship Organization Credit Hours: 3 Contact Hours: This is a 3 credit course, offered in accelerated format. This means that 16 weeks of material is covered in 8 weeks. The exact number of hours per week that you can expect to spend on each course will vary based upon the weekly coursework, as well as your study style and preferences. You should plan to spend 14 20 hours per week in each course reading material, interacting on the discussion boards, writing papers, completing projects, and doing research. Course Description and Outcomes Course Description: This course shall discuss important, practical aspects of actually managing a small business. Students will learn the core business processes that are necessary for small businesses to not only survive but grow in today s economic environment. Course Overview: In this course, students will learn the core business processes that are necessary for small businesses to not only survive but grow in today s economic environment. They will examine case studies and participate in discussions designed to teach them critical business thinking skills. Course Learning Outcomes: 1. Explain how to operate and adapt to change within the life cycles of a small business. 2. Develop managerial and financial administration skills through knowledge creation enabling one to successfully run a small business. 3. Identify essential skills for dealing with employees and handling human resource matters. 4. Explain fraud risk assessments and internal controls for safeguarding the company s assets. 5. Describe best practices for managing and growing a small business to reach optimum profitability. Participation & Attendance Prompt and consistent attendance in your online courses is essential for your success at CSU Global Campus. Failure to verify your attendance within the first 7 days of this course may result in your withdrawal. If for some reason you would like to drop a course, please contact your advisor. Online classes have deadlines, assignments, and participation requirements just like on campus classes. Budget your time carefully and keep an open line of communication with your instructor. If you are having technical problems, problems with your assignments, or other problems that are impeding your progress, let your instructor know as soon as possible.
Course Materials Textbook Information is located in the CSU-Global Booklist on the Student Portal. Course Schedule Due Dates The Academic Week at CSU Global begins on Monday and ends the following Sunday. Discussion Boards: The original post must be completed by Thursday at 11:59 p.m. MT and Peer Responses posted by Sunday 11:59 p.m. MT. Late posts may not be awarded points. Opening Exercises: Take the opening exercise before reading each week s content to see which areas you will need to focus on. You may take these exercises as many times as you need. The opening exercises will not affect your final grade. Mastery Exercises: Students may access and retake mastery exercises through the last day of class until they achieve the scores they desire. Critical Thinking: Assignments are due Sunday at 11:59 p.m. MT. Week # Readings Assignments 1 2 3 4 5 Chapter 20 in Entrepreneurial Small Business Critical Thinking (70 points) Portfolio Milestone (10 points) Chapters 1 and 3 in Growing an Entrepreneurial Business: Concepts & Cases Select sections of Chapter 2 in Growing an Entrepreneurial Business: Concepts & Cases: Private High Growth Companies & Research Findings Select sections of Chapter 20 in Entrepreneurial Small Business: Growth Strategies Chapters 4 and 8 in Growing an Entrepreneurial Business: Concepts & Cases Select sections of Chapter 13 in Entrepreneurial Small Business: Uses of Financial Accounting ; Uses of Managerial Accounting ; The Business Plan and the Budget Process ; Decision Making Chapter 5 in Growing an Entrepreneurial Business: Concepts & Cases Critical Thinking (90 points) Portfolio Milestone (15 points) Critical Thinking (70 points) Critical Thinking (70 points) Portfolio Milestone (25 points)
6 7 8 Select sections of Chapter 19 in Entrepreneurial Small Business: Attracting Employees ; Matching the Worker to the Work ; Training Your Employees ; Rewarding Employees ; Compensation, Benefits, and Perks Chapter 7 in Growing an Entrepreneurial Business: Concepts & Cases Critical Thinking (70 points) Chapter 17 in Entrepreneurial Small Business Portfolio (300 points) Assignment Details This course includes the following assignments/projects: Module 1 CRITICAL THINKING ASSIGNMENT (70 points) Choose one of the following two assignments to complete this week. Do not do both assignments. Identify your assignment choice in the title of your submission. Option #1: BSI Contractors Download and read the following case study from Katz and Green s Entrepreneurial Small Business (2011): Case 20: Joseph Shaughnessy, BSI Constructors, St. Louis (attached below) In a well written paper, answer the following case study questions, providing an answer of at least 200 words for each question. Questions: How did Joe Shaughnessy seem to do in achieving the four bottom lines? Did Joe balance with the four bottom lines at the same time, or did some come before others? How did Joe use the business to promise beliefs he felt were important? Some folks would say the solution to balancing the four bottom lines is to never sleep. How do you think Joe Shaughnessy would respond? Do you agree with that approach for yourself? and APA Style. Questions: Option #2: Small Business and Balancing the Four Bottom Lines Review a small business where you know the owner and can speak with them about their business. In a wellwritten paper, answer the following questions, providing an answer of at least 200 words for each question.
Module 3 How did the small business you selected seem to do in achieving the four bottom lines? Did the selected small business balance with the four bottom lines at the same time, or did some come before others? How did the selected small business use the business to support the beliefs they felt were important? Some folks would say the solution to balancing the four bottom lines is to never sleep. How did the small business owner you interviewed respond to this question? Do you agree with that approach for yourself? and APA Style. PORTFOLIO PROJECT MILESTONE (10 points) Option #1: Review the Portfolio Project Description and rubric located in the Module 8 folder. Consider which Portfolio Project you want to choose. It is important to make that decision now as Portfolio Project milestone assignments throughout the course are dependent on your choice. Your Portfolio Project is due at the end of Week 8. This week, select the case you plan to study and review the questions you must answer in your paper. Throughout the course, strengthen your paper as we review the various topics in each module. For your milestone, describe which Portfolio Project you are choosing in two paragraphs. Option #2: Review the Portfolio Project Description and rubric located in the Module 8 folder. Consider which Portfolio Project you want to choose. It is important to make that decision now as Portfolio Project milestone assignments throughout the course are dependent on your choice. Your Portfolio Project is due at the end of Week 8. This week, select the case you plan to study and review the questions you must answer in your paper. Throughout the course, strengthen your paper as we review the various topics in each module. For your milestone, describe which Portfolio Project you are choosing in two paragraphs. CRITICAL THINKING ASSIGNMENT (90 points) Choose one of the following two assignments to complete this week. Do not do both assignments. Identify your assignment choice in the title of your submission. Option #1: 3 Fellers Bakery Download and read the case study from Hess s Growing an Entrepreneurial Business (2011): 3 Fellers Bakery (attached below) Write a paper answering the following case study questions, answering each question with at least 200 words. Questions: You are Susan Feller. Should you grow your business? Why? What are the key questions you must answer to decide question 1? What are Susan s growth options? What are the pros and cons of each? You are Susan Feller. How would you grow your business and why? Would you use technology? How? Growth can be good and growth can be bad. What does that mean with respect to this case?
Prepare an argument for why Susan should not grow the business. Module 4 should be 4 5 pages, excluding title and references pages, and formatted according to CSU Global Guide to Writing and APA Style. Option #2: Technology in Small Business Technology can play a big part in the growth of a small business. Using the information provided in the course and additional reading, develop a vision for a small business (preferably the one you used in the first Critical Thinking Assignment) to increase the use of technology. Describe the needs, the risks, the mitigation of the risks, and the benefits of technology. should be 4 5 pages, excluding title and references pages, and formatted according to CSU Global Guide to Writing and APA Style. PORTFOLIO PROJECT MILESTONE (15 points) Option #1: You have chosen to do the case study Portfolio Project. Locate two sources you plan to read to provide support for your Portfolio Project. You will need a total of six sources in all. Provide a brief bibliography of these sources in APA format. The information you write should be original and describe why these sources will be helpful. Option #2: You have chosen to do a small business management plan Portfolio Project. Locate two sources you plan to read to provide support for your Portfolio Project. You will need a total of six sources in all. Provide a brief bibliography of these sources in APA format. The information you write should be original and describe why these sources will be helpful. CRITICAL THINKING ASSIGNMENT (70 points) Choose one of the following two assignments to complete this week. Do not do both assignments. Identify your assignment choice in the title of your submission. Option #1: Phionia s Finicky Feline Gourmet Cat Dinners Download and read the mini case study from Katz and Green s Entrepreneurial Small Business (2011): Phionia s Finicky Feline Gourmet Cat Dinners (attached below) In a well written paper, answer the following case study questions, providing an answer of at least 200 words for each question, as well as ample explanation for each subsection. Prepare the following budgets for the period, January through June: Sales budget in dollars Production budget in units Direct materials purchases budget in pounds Direct materials purchases budget in dollars Direct manufacturing purchases budget in dollars
Module 5 Comment on the viability of this business and the advisability of the investor making a $50,000 investment to get it started. Option #2: Budgets and Finances for Small Business Locate a small business where you can view the budget and finances. This can be the same business you used in previous CT assignments, if the owner is willing to share financial information. Prepare budgets for the owner for the period, January through June. Make sure to include: Sales budget in dollars Production budget in units Direct materials purchases budget in pounds Direct materials purchases budget in dollars Direct manufacturing purchases budget in dollars Share your budget with the owner and take notes on the owner s remarks. In a well written paper, explain your budget numbers, your decisions, and a synopsis of your discussion with the owner in at least 200 words for each budget item. CRITICAL THINKING ASSIGNMENT (70 points) Choose one of the following two assignments to complete this week. Do not do both assignments. Identify your assignment choice in the title of your submission. Option #1: Defender Direct, Inc. Download and read the case study from Hess s Growing an Entrepreneurial Business (2011): Defender Direct, Inc.: A Business of Growing Leaders (attached below) In a well written paper, answer the following case study questions, providing an answer of at least 150 words for each question. Questions: What do you think Dave means when he states, Businesses don t grow people do? What do you think Dave means when he states, Build a culture on purpose, not by accident? Why did Dave want to build a business that could be McDonaldized? Explain how Defender s business model of simplicity was scalable. What is the Circle of Life? Why is it important? How did Dave evolve his business model? Businesses don t grow people do. How did Dave grow? How did Dave s growth enable the business to grow?
Module 6 Option #2: Growing a Small Business Consider the characteristics you might need as a small business owner and how you would lead to grow your business. In a well written paper, answer the following case study questions, providing an answer of at least 150 words for each question. Questions: Describe your vision for the culture of your business. How would you grow personally? How would you grow your employees? What elements are essential in creating the culture you want in your business? Why is it important to have processes, policies, and procedures to define your business culture? What is the Circle of Life? Why is it important? PORTFOLIO PROJECT MILESTONE (25 points) Option #1: Review the Portfolio Project and provide a brief outline of the case study you have chosen. Provide the titles for each section and a 1 2 sentence paragraph describing what you will cover. Option #2: Review the Portfolio Project and provide a brief outline of your plan. Provide the titles for each section and a 1 2 sentence paragraph describing what you will cover. CRITICAL THINKING ASSIGNMENT (70 points) Choose one of the following two assignments to complete this week. Do not do both assignments. Identify your assignment choice in the title of your submission. Option #1: Hiring for a Small Business Imagine a business you would like to start that is at the stage of adding one or more employees. In a well written paper, complete or answer the following: 1. Craft a job description for the position you wish to fill. 2. Describe the salary range and explain how you came up with it. 3. List the interview questions you would ask potential candidates. 4. Describe the benefits package (e.g., healthcare benefits, retirement benefits, vacation days, sick time, perks). 5. How will you retain this employee?
Module 8 Option #2: Hiring for Small Business Locate a job ad from your employer, the internet, or other source of a position you think your new small business might need as your first hire. Investigate the human resources for the position to locate information on benefits and salary for this type of position. In a well written paper, complete or answer the following: 1. Why does this job description fit your business? 2. What is the typical salary range for this position? 3. Develop interview questions you would give to potential candidates. 4. Describe the benefits package (e.g., healthcare benefits, retirement benefits, vacation days, sick time, perks) you plan to provide. 5. How will you retain this employee? PORTFOLIO PROJECT (300 points) Option #1: Select one of the case studies from Hess s Growing an Entrepreneurial Business (2011): Click on the following files attached below to view and select: James Abrams @ Clockwork Home Services, Inc.: Lessons from a Serial Entrepreneur Jeff Bowling at the Delta Companies: From Baseball Coach to CEO Mellace Family Brands, Inc.: Building a Socially Responsible Enterprise Trilogy Health Services, LLC: Building a Great Service Company Compose a well written, paper answering all of the proposed case discussion questions (found in each PDF linked above). Support your answers using at least six sources (for the entire assignment) and may include the textbook. Your paper should be 8 10 pages, excluding title and references pages, and formatted according to CSU Global Guide to Writing Option #2: Throughout the course, you have been providing milestones to support the development of a small business management plan. In your final assignment, it is time to put the plan together. The topics you should include are: 1. Executive Summary 2. Company Description 3. Market Analysis 4. Organization and Management 5. Service or Product Line 6. Marketing and Sales 7. Funding Request
8. Financial Projections 9. Appendix Support your answers using at least six sources (for the entire assignment) and may include the textbook. Your paper should be 8 10 pages, excluding title and references pages, and formatted according to CSU Global Guide to Writing Course Policies Course Grading Grading Scale and Policies A 95.0 100 A 90.0 94.9 20% Discussion Participation 0% Opening Exercises B+ 86.7 89.9 8% Mastery Exercises B 83.3 86.6 37% Critical Thinking Assignments B 80.0 83.2 35% Final Portfolio Paper C+ 75.0 79.9 C 70.0 74.9 D 60.0 69.9 F 59.9 or below In Classroom Policies For information on late work and incomplete grade policies, please refer to our In Classroom Student Policies and Guidelines or the Academic Catalog for comprehensive documentation of CSU Global institutional policies. Academic Integrity Students must assume responsibility for maintaining honesty in all work submitted for credit and in any other work designated by the instructor of the course. Academic dishonesty includes cheating, fabrication, facilitating academic dishonesty, plagiarism, reusing /re purposing your own work (see CSU Global Guide to Writing and APA Requirements for percentage of repurposed work that can be used in an assignment), unauthorized possession of academic materials, and unauthorized collaboration. The CSU Global Library provides information on how students can avoid plagiarism by understanding what it is and how to use the Library and Internet resources. Citing Sources with APA Style All students are expected to follow the CSU Global Guide to Writing and APA Requirements when citing in APA (based on the APA Style Manual, 6th edition) for all assignments. For details on CSU Global APA style, please review the APA resources within the CSU Global Library under the APA Guide & Resources link. A link to this document should also be provided within most assignment descriptions on your course s Assignments page. Disability Services Statement CSU Global is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all persons with disabilities. Any student with a documented disability requesting academic accommodations should contact the Disability Resource Coordinator at 720 279 0650 and/or email ada@csuglobal.edu for additional information to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Netiquette Respect the diversity of opinions among the instructor and classmates and engage with them in a courteous, respectful, and professional manner. All posts and classroom communication must be conducted in accordance
with the student code of conduct. Think before you push the Send button. Did you say just what you meant? How will the person on the other end read the words? Maintain an environment free of harassment, stalking, threats, abuse, insults or humiliation toward the instructor and classmates. This includes, but is not limited to, demeaning written or oral comments of an ethnic, religious, age, disability, sexist (or sexual orientation), or racist nature; and the unwanted sexual advances or intimidations by email, or on discussion boards and other postings within or connected to the online classroom. If you have concerns about something that has been said, please let your instructor know.