BUS 476AB-001 Introduction to Fall 2015 Classes: M&W 4:00-5:15 in Ed621 Instructor: Asst. Prof. Aldene Meis Mason, PhD, FCMC, MBA, BSc. Office: ED 524.7 Phone: 306.337.2381 office, 306.789.6578 home (please don t call after 9:00 PM) Office hours: Very accessible. Call, email or drop in or set up a time to fit our schedules. Course web: UR Courses at http://www.uregina.ca/urcourses/ e-mail: through UR Courses or aldene.meismason@uregina.ca Asthma and Allergy Alert: Please use scents responsibly. Do not apply perfume, cologne, or hand cream before class or while in our classroom. 1. COURSE DESCRIPTION & OJECTIVES: This course introduces the students to the basics of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management. Students gain an understanding of how to establish and manage a small business. When completed students should understand the nature and role of entrepreneurship in the economy and the critical factors involved in launching and managing a small business. Prerequisites: Completion of 30 credit hours of university studies. 2. COURSE METHODOLOGY: This course is delivered face-to-face. It involves required readings, video and case analysis and discussion, and business simulation participation weekly. There will be individual assignments through the thirteen weeks of the course and a final exam. 3. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Discuss the importance of entrepreneurship and small business in Canada Describe considerations in deciding to start a small business Explain how to evaluate a business opportunity Decide whether to buy a business or to franchise Determine appropriate small business financing. Establish a marketing plan Describe how to manage the marketing mix Evaluate the use of the internet to market the business. Show how to effectively manage the finances Describe how to effectively manage small business operations Illustrate effective human resource management for small businesses. Describe how to deal with common problems associated with managing a growing business and outline an expansion plan Discuss the critical considerations in transferring or closing a small business 4. COURSE MATERIALS: Textbook: Balderson/Mombourquette, Canadian Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management, 9/e, McGraw Hill, 2014 (either print or ebook).
Business Simulation: Entrepreneur, Start and Manage a Small Business, Interpretive Simulations. (All registered students will automatically be enrolled. Students will be charged for their enrolment through Financial Services. Supplemental Resources: The following materials are available on our UR Courses BUS 476AB site: Course outline Reading and other resource material Videos, with discussion questions and links Cases for discussion, with discussion questions and links Business Simulation competition links Discussion Forum links 5. EVALUATION: Case Analyses (individual) Contributions (individual) Business Simulation Team outcomes (group) Final results report (group) Final exam (individual) Dec. 16 2:00-5:00PM Total 30 marks 10 marks 15 marks 15 marks 30 marks 100 marks Details on the business simulation decisions, final report and the final exam are provided separately. You will submit a one page case analysis summary for each assigned case. All hand in assignments and case analysis summaries should use Times New Roman 11 font, 1 ½ line spacing, 1 inch margins, 8 ½ x 11 paper. Please put your student number at the top of each page. Contribution is based on quality, not just quantity (i.e., large quantity but poor quality will not result in a favourable mark), so make sure that you are making worthwhile contributions. By extension, participation is not continuously dominating class and group discussion. If you must miss assignment deadlines due to a serious medical or other problem, then you MUST contact the professor prior to due date to re-schedule. A doctor's certificate or other documentation may be required. Your professor is not allowed to reschedule final exams. Please see the Business Administration Office. Permission will only be given in exceptional circumstances. Procedures regarding final exams are in the University of Regina general calendar. 6. KEYS TO LEARNING: You will maximize your learning in this class if you: Prepare thoroughly for each class. Look at the learning objectives. Carefully do the textbook and additional readings before you complete the cases or assignments. Remember to frequently review your notes. By doing this, you will be well-prepared for the video discussions, case analyses/discussions, assignments, including the business simulation, and the final exam. Attend classes. Be on time so as not to disturb to your colleagues. Catch up missed material Page 2 of 5
from other students. Exams may use all text, materials on UR course, simulation, videos and in-class content (including guest speakers). In accordance with University policy, regular attendance is required to write the final exam. Participate in class activities. Contribute to discussions in classes and groups and in the on line forums every week. You can do this by summarizing, asking key questions, making observations that integrate concepts and theories, presenting solutions to assignments, describing your relevant personal experiences, bringing items of interest from the internet or media. Remember to listen with an open mind. You may respectfully disagree with the instructor or others when the different perspective assists in exploring a concept, theory, issue or practice. Devote an appropriate amount of time to this course. Assuming a 40 hour full-time work week and 5 courses per term for a full-time student, an average of 8 hours of work per course per week is expected over a thirteen week term. Some students may be working outside of school; however you are still expected to be spending 8 hours a week per class. This is how I suggest you allocate your time: Recommended time allocation Hrs/wk Class time 2.5 Assigned readings and case preparation 4.5 Studying and review* 1 Total 8 * This time allotment is for the semester only and does not include extra time for projects and during the final exam period. These numbers are averages and some weeks will require more or less work on assigned tasks than others. 7. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY (PLAGIARISM OR CHEATING): Organizational members are expected to operate ethically. This ethical standard applies to all members of the Paul J. Hill School of Business faculty, staff and students. As a professional Certified Management Consultant, I am also bound by the Code of Ethical Principles and Rules of Conduct of my professional organization. Students enrolled in Business Administration courses at the University of Regina are expected to adhere rigorously to principles of intellectual integrity. Plagiarism or cheating on examinations and assignments is a serious offence that may result in a zero grade on an assignment, a failing grade in a course or expulsion from the University. For more information on this important matter, please consult the University of Regina Undergraduate Calendar and the handout provided by the Paul J. Hill School of Business on Academic Misconduct. The library s website also provides information on sourcing and quoting ideas, models, artwork, etc. Some examples of academic misconduct include: Having another person represent you in class and/or in an exam. Representing as your own work, work done in whole or in part by any other person, even if that person is not in the course or is not a student at the University of Regina. Allowing your computer account to be used by another person. Using textbooks, course notes, past exams, personal computing devices, cell phones or any aids not approved by the instructor during an examination. Page 3 of 5
Failing to take reasonable measures to protect your answers from use by other students on an assignment or in an examination. Stealing or destroying the work of another student. 8. NEED FOR ACCOMODATION: I will be pleased to work with you regarding accommodations as outlined in your Accommodations letter provided by the Student Accessibility Office. Let me know early, if you require modified power points and handouts, separate exam space or use of adapted equipment. 9. RESPECTFUL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT: The University of Regina promotes a learning, working and living environment which is respectful and free of harassment and discrimination. If you have concerns about any conduct occurring in Bus 476AB, please discuss this with Aldene Meis Mason. Also refer to http://www.uregina.ca/hr/hdpo/understanding-and-recognizing and its accompanying websites for more information. For other assistance please contact Ian MacAusland-Berg at the Conflict Resolution, Harassment and Discrimination Prevention Office 585-5400; Riddel Center 251.14. 10. UNIVERSITY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES: The University of Regina Undergraduate Calendar 2015-2016 contains important information about the policies and procedures for courses and examinations. The official version of the Calendar is available at http://www.uregina.ca/gencal/ugcal/. The policy on course outlines can be found in Section 5.2.1 of the Undergraduate Calendar. 11. TENTATIVE CLASS SCHEDULE: Please see our UR courses BUS 476 website for more detail. Sept. 9 Sept. 14 Sept. 16 Sept. 21 Sept. 23 Sept. 28 Sept. 30 Oct. 5 Oct. 7 Oct. 12 Introduction to Course; Role of Entrepreneurship & Small Business Prep: Ch 1 Text, Video for Discussion Bright Lights, Deep Water The Small Business Decision Prep: Read Ch. 2 Text, Video for Discussion Java Nook Read Student Guide for Simulation and complete multiple choice quiz. Evaluation of a Business Opportunity Prep: Read Ch. 3 Text, Video for Discussion Beer Mitts, Evaluation of a Business Opportunity (con't) Prep: Case to Hand in Big D's Painting Company pg. 84 Organizing a Business Prep: Read Ch. 4 Text. Sept. 24 Decision 1 for Simulation is due by 11:59PM. Financing the Small Business. Prep: Read Ch. 6 Text Financing the Small Business (con t) Prep: Read note on Bricolage, Bootstrapping & Hijacking Do: Case Oct. 1 Decision 2 for Simulation is due by 11:59 PM Marketing Management Prep: Read Ch. 7 text. Video for discussion Julie Aurora. Watch Clay Christenson Marketing Management (con t) Case to hand in Alliance Cosmetics Oct.8 Decision 3 for simulation is due by 11:59 PM No Class Thanksgiving Holiday Page 4 of 5
Oct. 14 Oct. 19 Oct. 21 Oct. 26 Oct. 28 Nov. 2 Nov. 4 Nov. 9 Nov. 11 Nov. 16 Nov. 18 Nov. 23 Nov. 25 Nov. 30 Dec. 2 Dec. 7 Dec. 16 Marketing Mix Prep: Read Ch. 8 Text, Video for discussion Bijoux Bead Oct. 15 Decision 4 for simulation is due by 11:59 PM Marketing Mix (con t) Prep: Case for hand in Sadie s Country N Western Financial Management Prep: Read Ch. 9 Text, Video for discussion Baron of Beer Oct. 22 Decision 5 for simulation is due by 11:59 PM Financial Management (con t) Prep: Case for hand in Clark s Sporting Goods Operations Management Prep: Read Ch. 10 Text, Case for hand in Derocher s Market Oct. 29 Decision 6 is due for simulation by 11:59 PM Operations Management (con t) Nov. 3 Decision 7 is due for simulation by 11:59 Human Resources Management Prep: Read Ch. 11 Text, Nov. 5 Decision 8 is due for simulation by 11:59 Human Resources Management (con t) Prep: Case for hand in Home Mart Hardware Nov. 12 Decision 9 is due for simulation by 11:59 No Class Remembrance Day Holiday Guest Speaker Nov. 16 Decision 10 is due for simulation by 11:59 PM Managing Growth Prep: Prep read Ch. 13 text, Video for discussion Sugar High Nov. 19 Decision 11 is due for simulation by 11:59 PM Managing Growth (con t) Prep: Case for hand in Martha s Designs Nov. 23 Decision 12 is due for simulation by 11:59 PM Buying a Business & Franchising Prep: Read Ch. 5 text, Video for discussion Bulldog Interactive Fitness Buying & Franchising (Con t) Prep: Case to hand in Conrad s Photographer Supplies Final report for simulation due Managing the Transfer of a Business Prep: Read Ch. 14, Case for hand in Bailey s Office Supply Wrap up Final Exam 2 Pm 5 PM Page 5 of 5
Counseling Services Feeling Stressed? Some stress is normal when you re going to university but 1 in 4 students will suffer from mental illness during their time in University. What can I do? The U of R offers several counseling services free of charge for students at the U of R. These sessions are confidential and easy to access for students simply go to the second floor of Riddell, Room 251 to make an appointment. When should you go? Mental illness is tricky and it comes down to you. Some common symptoms of Mental Illness include feeling overwhelmed or paralyzed, experiencing significant mood swings, and feeling depressed. If these persist for more than a week or two, you will probably benefit from counseling. It can also be useful to go if you ve experienced a trauma like losing a family member or a close friend, or if you ve recently ended a relationship. What options are available to me for? Personal Counseling This is the perfect option if you d like one on one attention for challenges like anxiety and panic, relationship conflict, depression, grief and loss, academic issues, body image and substance abuse. Up to 5 appointments are free, per semester. Try it talking about your problems can be more helpful than you would think! Group Counseling Simply put, you re not alone. Many students are experiencing the same things as you. The U of R offers a wide variety of group counseling opportunities that can help teach many skills for managing your mental health, including: Meditation and relaxation, Healthy relationships, Stress Management and Self-Care. I can t afford mental health treatment Seeking treatment for mental health shouldn t be cost prohibitive. Most mental illness can be effectively treated in 5 sessions or less. Don t worry though, if you ever incur any costs, make sure you contact URSU and www.ihaveaplan.ca. Many expenses that are related to mental illness are covered by your Student health and dental plan! [FACULTY RESOURCES CAN GO HERE] Stressed out but don t know how to fix it? URSU s Student Advocate can help you free of charge! Academic Appeals Emergency Bursaries Disciplinary Appeals Notary Public Student Loan Appeals Rentalsman Appeals E-mail advocate@ursu.ca to schedule an appointment today!