smb300: introduction to small business/entrepreneurship sample · smb300: introduction to small...

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SMB300: Introduction to Small Business/Entrepreneurship Credit Hours: 3 Contact Hours: This is a 3-credit course, offered in an 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 the process of creating and managing a small business or entrepreneurial organization. Students shall learn about the process of business plan development and opportunities and challenges of establishing an independent business. Course Overview: An important part of the economy is built on the hard work, enterprise, and ingenuity of entrepreneurs and small business owners. Entrepreneurs begin with a dream, innovation, and the ambition to make it work; but they also need to understand the ins and outs of building an independent business. Students taking this course will learn how to create a strategic plan; how to identify funding sources; how to navigate the legal issues involved in building a start-up; how to target key customers; and the basics of HR that entrepreneurs must appreciate. Course Learning Outcomes: 1. Create a start-up strategic plan for a small business or entrepreneurial organization. 2. Identify funding sources for the start-up phase of business. 3. Understand the legal issues and requirements for a new business. 4. Select target markets and demographic preferences. 5. Evaluate purchasing of a business vs. starting a new organization. 6. Identify HR needs and evaluate the opportunities for hiring vs. outsource options for labor assistance. 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. SAMPLE

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Page 1: SMB300: Introduction to Small Business/Entrepreneurship SAMPLE · SMB300: Introduction to Small Business/Entrepreneurship Credit Hours: 3 Contact Hours: This is a 3-credit course,

SMB300: Introduction to Small Business/Entrepreneurship Credit Hours: 3

Contact Hours: This is a 3-credit course, offered in an 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 the process of creating and managing a small business or entrepreneurial organization. Students shall learn about the process of business plan development and opportunities and challenges of establishing an independent business. Course Overview: An important part of the economy is built on the hard work, enterprise, and ingenuity of entrepreneurs and small business owners. Entrepreneurs begin with a dream, innovation, and the ambition to make it work; but they also need to understand the ins and outs of building an independent business. Students taking this course will learn how to create a strategic plan; how to identify funding sources; how to navigate the legal issues involved in building a start-up; how to target key customers; and the basics of HR that entrepreneurs must appreciate. Course Learning Outcomes:

1. Create a start-up strategic plan for a small business or entrepreneurial organization. 2. Identify funding sources for the start-up phase of business. 3. Understand the legal issues and requirements for a new business. 4. Select target markets and demographic preferences. 5. Evaluate purchasing of a business vs. starting a new organization. 6. Identify HR needs and evaluate the opportunities for hiring vs. outsource options for labor assistance.

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. SAMPLE

Page 2: SMB300: Introduction to Small Business/Entrepreneurship SAMPLE · SMB300: Introduction to Small Business/Entrepreneurship Credit Hours: 3 Contact Hours: This is a 3-credit course,

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.

Live Classroom: Although participation is not required, Live Classroom sessions are held during Week 2 and Weeks 5 or 6. There are two total sessions.

Week # Readings Assignments

1

Chapter 1 in Entrepreneurial small business

Sinha, P. K., Pathak, B., & Thomas, S. (2014). Teaching social entrepreneurship: Development through the juxtaposition of heart and head. Indian Journal of Economics and Business, 13(3)

Elenurm, T. (2012). Entrepreneurial orientations of business students and entrepreneurs. Baltic Journal of Management, 7(2), 217-231. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/17465261211219822

Discussion (25 points)

Opening Exercise (0 points)

Mastery Exercise (10 points)

2

Chapter 6 in Entrepreneurial small business

Brulin, G., Svensson, L., & Johansson, C. (2012). Policy programmes to promote entrepreneurship and innovation: A study of the state of the art, design and impact issues. Journal of Strategic Innovation and Sustainability, 8(1), 36-45

Zahra, S. A. (2012). Organizational learning and entrepreneurship in family firms: Exploring the moderating effect of ownership and cohesion. Small

Discussion (25 points)

Opening Exercise (0 points)

Mastery Exercise (10 points)

Critical Thinking (90 points) SAMPLE

Page 3: SMB300: Introduction to Small Business/Entrepreneurship SAMPLE · SMB300: Introduction to Small Business/Entrepreneurship Credit Hours: 3 Contact Hours: This is a 3-credit course,

Business Economics, 38(1), 51-65. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11187-010-9266-7

3

Chapters 4 & 7 in Entrepreneurial small business

Colbeck, T. (2012). Getting ahead by standing out; your competitive advantage is what sets you apart. In a nutshell, have one. Then be able to articulate it. Bank Investment Consultant, 20(9), 2

Nikolaou, E. I., Ierapetritis, D., & Tsagarakis, K. P. (2011). An evaluation of the prospects of green entrepreneurship development using a SWOT analysis. International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology, 18(1), 1-16. doi: 10.1080/13504509.2011.543565

Discussion (25 points)

Opening Exercise (0 points)

Mastery Exercise (10 points)

Critical Thinking (90 points)

Portfolio Milestone (40 Points)

4

Chapter 8 in Entrepreneurial small business

Bereznoi, A. (2014). Business model innovation in corporate competitive strategy. Problems of Economic Transition, 57(8), 14-33. doi:10.1080/10611991.2014.1042313

Freiling, J., & Wessels, J. H. (2013). Entrepreneurial failure in the spotlight of the competence-based theory of the firm. Paper presented at the ICSB World Conference Proceedings, 2(2) 1-50.

Discussion (25 points)

Opening Exercise (0 points)

Mastery Exercise (10 points)

Portfolio Assignment Milestone (40 Points)

5

Chapters 9, 10, 11, & 12 in Entrepreneurial small business

Donnelly, C., Simmons, G., Armstrong, G., & Fearne, A. (2012). Marketing planning and digital customer loyalty data in small business. Marketing Intelligence & Planning, 30(5), 515-534. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/02634501211251034

Taneja, S., & Toombs, L. (2014). Putting a face on small businesses: Visibility, viability, and sustainability the impact of social media on small business marketing. Academy of Marketing Studies Journal, 18(1), 249-260.

Discussion (25 points)

Opening Exercise (0 points)

Mastery Exercise (10 points)

Critical Thinking (90 points)

Portfolio Assignment Milestone (40 Points)

6

Chapters 13, 14, & 15 in Entrepreneurial small business

Santosuosso, P. (2013). Integration of ethical values into activity-based budgeting. International Journal of Business and Management, 8(20), 1-13.

Strieker, J. (2015). Developing a business plan. Alaska Business Monthly, 31(10), 22-25.

Discussion (25 points)

Opening Exercise (0 points)

Mastery Exercise (10 points)

Critical Thinking (100 points)

Portfolio Assignment Milestone (40 Points)

7

Chapter 19 in Entrepreneurial small business

Malhotra, R., & Temponi, C. (2010). Critical decisions for ERP integration: small business issues. International Journal of Information Management, 30(1), 28-37. doi: 10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2009.03.001

Small business; new small business study findings have been reported from University of Brighton (human resource management and performance:

Discussion (25 points)

Opening Exercise (0 points)

Mastery Exercise (10 points) SAMPLE

Page 4: SMB300: Introduction to Small Business/Entrepreneurship SAMPLE · SMB300: Introduction to Small Business/Entrepreneurship Credit Hours: 3 Contact Hours: This is a 3-credit course,

Evidence from small and medium-sized firms). (2014). Investment Weekly News, 595.

8

Chapter 18 in Entrepreneurial small business

Congressional and corporate leaders to address legal reform, international trade, health care and other issues impacting small and medium-sized businesses. (2011). PR Newswire.

Office of advocacy of the U.S. small business administration SBA; thinking about how you start-why the legal form of organization that a small business chooses matters. (2011). Investment Weekly News, 858.

Discussion (25 points)

Opening Exercise (0 points)

Mastery Exercise (10 points)

Portfolio (190 points)

Assignment Details

This course includes the following assignments/projects:

Critical Thinking and Portfolio Assignments

Module 1

PORTFOLIO PROJECT REMINDER

Option #1: Develop a Comprehensive Business Plan for a New Small Business

For the Portfolio Project, you will have one of two projects from which to choose. For Option #1, you will develop a comprehensive business plan for a new small business. In Modules 1, 2, and 7, you will have reminders regarding what you should work on and in Modules, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8, you will submit work and receive feedback from your instructor. Develop a comprehensive business plan for a new small business. This business must be a new business venture and not an existing venture. Analyze all of the required components of a business plan using the outline, which appears in Table 8.2 of Entrepreneurial small business. Cover letter

Title page

Table of contents

Executive summary

The company—company description; product/service/industry

The market

The organization

The financials

The appendices [optional] Your business plan must:

Be a minimum of 12 pages in length, not including cover and reference pages.

Be formatted according to the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA Requirements. SAMPLE

Page 5: SMB300: Introduction to Small Business/Entrepreneurship SAMPLE · SMB300: Introduction to Small Business/Entrepreneurship Credit Hours: 3 Contact Hours: This is a 3-credit course,

Cite a minimum of five to seven sources (five of which should be academic peer-reviewed scholarly sources in addition to your textbook). Use in-text citations to support your responses. The CSU-Global Library is a great place to find these resources.

Be received by the end of Module 8 (Week 8).

Refer to the Module 8 folder for information on grading for the final project. It is recommended that you review each of the Portfolio Project Milestones to familiarize yourself with the requirements. By the end of Module 1, please choose an option and begin brainstorming business ideas. Refer to the Portfolio Project grading rubrics for more information on grading. These are located in the Module folders for the week in which the deliverable is due. Option #2: Develop a Comprehensive Pitch to Potential Investors For the Portfolio Project, you will have one of two projects from which to choose. For Option #2, you will develop a comprehensive pitch to potential investors. In Modules 1, 2, and 7, you will have reminders regarding what you should work on and in Modules, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8, you will submit work and receive feedback from your instructor. Develop a comprehensive pitch proposal for potential investors for your new small business, including the presentation itself (10-15 slides, with narration) and accompanying documentation. Research and be prepared to provide the answers to all foreseen questions that such investors might reasonably have before helping to fund your small business. While an actual business pitch can be quite brief (depending on the context of the pitch, it could be anywhere from an “elevator pitch” of 30 seconds to 30 minutes or more), your pitch should have the basic documentation that an interested investor might call upon you to answer. The pitch documentation should include the following:

An executive summary

A description of your company and product or service and industry

The macroeconomic environment

The context of the marketplace

Some basic financials

Appendices with supporting documentation (as appropriate) For the presentation, prepare a 10- to 15-slide presentation with voice narration, as if you were addressing a potential investor. If you do not have access to a microphone, you may write out your narration as a script and submit as an accompanying Word document; or find an alternative way of presenting the narration, depending on the program. For instance, PowerPoint has the option to add notes at the bottom of each slide. Be sure to designate clearly which slide the narration accompanies.

If you do not have access to PowerPoint, you may use a program like Google, SlideRocket, Prezi or other software to create your presentation. Either embed voice narration in your presentation or follow the same directions above for a written script and submit it separately. Familiarize yourself with the program you choose early on in the process.

You are being graded on the thoroughness of your presentation, its usefulness as a pitch tool, your understanding of the concepts presented in this course, and writing style and mechanics.

Your accompanying pitch documentation must:

Be a minimum of six pages in length, not including cover and reference pages.

Be formatted according to the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA Requirements

Cite a minimum of five to seven sources (five of which should be academic peer-reviewed scholarly sources in addition to your textbook). Use in-text citations to support your responses. The CSU-Global Library is a great place to find these resources.

Be received by the end of Module 8 (Week 8).

SAMPLE

Page 6: SMB300: Introduction to Small Business/Entrepreneurship SAMPLE · SMB300: Introduction to Small Business/Entrepreneurship Credit Hours: 3 Contact Hours: This is a 3-credit course,

Refer to the Portfolio Project grading rubric available in the Module 8 Folder or respective Module folders for more information on grading.

Module 2

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: Income and Business Decisions Read the mini-case study from Entrepreneurship in small business Too Hot to Hold. Respond to the mini- case study questions, keeping in mind the following considerations:

What do you think about Sly’s explanation of the differences between his income statement and his 1040 Schedule C?

Suppose that the income statement is reasonably accurate. What do you think about the purchase price?

What information should Gwendolyn obtain before making a decision to purchase the business? Your well-written paper should:

Be 3-4 pages in length, not including cover and reference pages.

Be formatted according to the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA Requirements

Cite a minimum of three sources--two of which should be academic peer-reviewed scholarly sources, to support your responses--in addition to your textbook. The CSU-Global Library is a great place to find these resources.

Note that written assignments must have a title page, section headers, an introduction, a conclusion, and a reference page. Refer to the Critical Thinking Rubric available in the Module 2 Folder for information on grading. Option #2: Entrepreneurs and Ventures Given the pros and cons of starting a new venture, why would some entrepreneurs choose to start ventures—often more than one? Analyze the pros and cons—upon what do these things depend? Consider the roles of personality, context, environment, and the macro-economy. How do policies and programs promote entrepreneurship and small business owners? Consider Brulin, Svensson, & Johansson (2012) and other material from the module in your response. Your well-written paper should:

Be 3-4 pages in length, not including cover and reference pages.

Be formatted according to the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA Requirements

Cite a minimum of three sources--two of which should be academic peer-reviewed scholarly sources to support your responses--in addition to your textbook. The CSU-Global Library is a great place to find these resources.

Note that written assignments must have a title page, section headers, an introduction, a conclusion, and a reference page. Refer to the Critical Thinking Rubric available in the Module 2 Folder for information on grading. PORTFOLIO PROJECT REMINDER In light of our learning from the past two weeks, consider your choice of portfolio projects and the initial ideas you began developing last week. Make sure you are still on track for completing the Milestone in Module 3, which is when you are expected to submit a description of your company, service, or products for review.

SAMPLE

Page 7: SMB300: Introduction to Small Business/Entrepreneurship SAMPLE · SMB300: Introduction to Small Business/Entrepreneurship Credit Hours: 3 Contact Hours: This is a 3-credit course,

Module 3

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: Strategic and Tactical Actions Choose a company in the headlines—ideally a well-known brand and one that is of great interest to you—and develop, in presentation form and with narration, a SWOT analysis.

For the presentation, prepare a 10- to 15-slide presentation with voice narration, as if you were presenting to the top management team or Board of Directors of the company in question. If you do not have access to a microphone, you may write out your narration as a script and submit as an accompanying Word document; or find an alternative way of presenting the narration, depending on the program. For instance, PowerPoint has the option to add notes at the bottom of each slide. Be sure to designate clearly which slide the narration accompanies.

If you do not have access to PowerPoint, you may use a program like Google, SlideRocket, Prezi or other software to create your presentation. Either embed voice narration in your presentation or follow the same directions above for a written script and submit it separately. Familiarize yourself with the program you choose early on in the process.

You are being graded on the thoroughness of your presentation, its usefulness as a marketing plan, understanding of the concepts presented in this module, and writing style and mechanics.

Cite a minimum of three sources--two of which should be academic peer-reviewed scholarly sources to support your responses--in addition to your textbook. The CSU-Global Library is a great place to find these resources. Cite sources according to CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA Requirements.

Option #2: Strategic Advantage and SWOT Analysis Consider Nikolaou, Ierapetritis, & Tsagarakis (2011) and analyze this question in light of our learning in the past three weeks: What do they have to tell us about using a SWOT analysis to develop a strategic advantage? How can you most efficiently develop a SWOT analysis; and when might you decide not to use one?

Your well-written paper should:

Be 3-4 pages in length, not including cover and reference pages.

Be formatted according to the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA Requirements.

Cite a minimum of three sources--two of which should be academic peer-reviewed scholarly sources to support your responses--in addition to your textbook. The CSU-Global Library is a great place to find these resources.

Note that written assignments must have a title page, section headers, an introduction, a conclusion, and a reference page. Refer to the Critical Thinking Rubric available in the Module 3 Folder for information on grading. PORTFOLIO PROJECT MILESTONE (40 Points) Be sure to review the Portfolio Project Description and Portfolio Project Rubric in the Module 8 folder for details. Option #1: Develop a Company Description for Business Plan Project SAMPLE

Page 8: SMB300: Introduction to Small Business/Entrepreneurship SAMPLE · SMB300: Introduction to Small Business/Entrepreneurship Credit Hours: 3 Contact Hours: This is a 3-credit course,

If you chose option #1 for your final Portfolio Project due in Week 8, you will complete this option this week. Now is the time to begin writing the Company Description, including the description of your products and services. You will submit a Company Description that meets the following requirements:

Be 1-2 pages in length, not including cover and reference pages

Be formatted according to the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA Requirements. Refer to the Portfolio Milestone Rubric available in the Module 3 folder for information on the grading. Option #2: Develop a Company Description for Pitch Project If you chose option #2 for your final Portfolio Project, you will complete this option this week. Now is the time to begin writing the Company Description, including the description of your products and services. In Module 3, you will submit a Company Description. Your Company Description should meet the following requirements:

Be 1-2 pages in length, not including cover and reference pages

Be formatted according to the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA Requirements. Refer to the Portfolio Milestone Rubric available in the Module 3 folder for information on the grading.

Module 4

CRITICAL THINKING ASSIGNMENT There is no Critical Thinking Assignment this week. PORTFOLIO PROJECT MILESTONE (40 Points) Option #1: Develop an Executive Summary for Business Plan Project Revisit your description document from Module 3, and continue organizing your thoughts. This is the week in which you will edit the document and determine which ideas best suit your new small business. In Module 4, you will draft an Executive Summary to begin fleshing out ideas for your proposal for your new small business. Your finalized Executive Summary should meet the following requirements:

Be 1-2 pages in length, not including cover and reference pages.

Be formatted according to the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA Requirements. Refer to the Portfolio Project Milestone Rubric in the Module 4 folder for information on grading. Option #2: Develop an Executive Summary for Pitch Project Revisit your description document from Module 3, and continue organizing your thoughts for your pitch to potential investors. This is the week in which you will edit the document and determine which ideas best suit your new small business. In Module 4, you will draft an Executive Summary to begin fleshing out ideas for your proposal for your new small business. Your finalized Executive Summary should meet the following requirements:

Be 1-2 pages in length, not including cover and reference pages

Be formatted according to the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA Requirements.

SAMPLE

Page 9: SMB300: Introduction to Small Business/Entrepreneurship SAMPLE · SMB300: Introduction to Small Business/Entrepreneurship Credit Hours: 3 Contact Hours: This is a 3-credit course,

Refer to the Portfolio Project Milestone Rubric in the Module 4 folder for information on grading.

Module 5

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: Company Marketing Plan Choose a company in the headlines—ideally a well-known brand and one that is of great interest to you—and outline, in presentation form and with narration, a marketing plan. It can be either your “reverse-engineered” analysis of their current plan or a proposal that you come up with that does not conform to their plan. Consider target audience, pricing and promotion strategies, and distribution. For the presentation, prepare a 10- to 15-slide presentation with voice narration, as if you were presenting to the top management team or Senior VP of Marketing of the company in question. If you do not have access to a microphone, you may write out your narration as a script and submit as an accompanying Word document; or find an alternative way of presenting the narration, depending on the program. For instance, PowerPoint has the option to add notes at the bottom of each slide. Be sure to designate clearly which slide the narration accompanies.

If you do not have access to PowerPoint, you may use a program like Google, SlideRocket, Prezi or other software to create your presentation. Either embed voice narration in your presentation or follow the same directions above for a written script and submit it separately. Familiarize yourself with the program you choose early on in the process.

You are being graded on the thoroughness of your presentation, its usefulness as a marketing plan, understanding of the concepts presented in this module, and writing style and mechanics.

Cite a minimum of three sources--two of which should be academic peer-reviewed scholarly sources to support your responses--in addition to your textbook. The CSU-Global Library is a great place to find these resources. Cite according to the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA Requirements.

Refer to the Critical Thinking Rubric available in the Module 5 Folder for information on grading. Option #2: Social Media and Marketing Strategies Consider Taneja & Toombs (2014) and in light of our learning from the last few weeks, analyze the marketing planning process. What role does social media have in planning a marketing strategy these days? What social media best practices are appropriate? How can you envision your own proposed business using social media for marketing purposes?

Your well-written paper should meet the following requirements:

Be 3-4 pages in length, not including cover and reference pages.

Be formatted according to the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA Requirements.

Cite a minimum of three sources--two of which should be academic peer-reviewed scholarly sources to support your responses--in addition to your textbook. The CSU-Global Library is a great place to find these resources.

Note that written assignments must have a title page, section headers, an introduction, a conclusion, and a reference page. Refer to the Critical Thinking Rubric available in the Module 5 Folder for information on grading. PORTFOLIO PROJECT MILESTONE (40 Points) Option #1: Refine the Executive Summary for Business Plan Project

SAMPLE

Page 10: SMB300: Introduction to Small Business/Entrepreneurship SAMPLE · SMB300: Introduction to Small Business/Entrepreneurship Credit Hours: 3 Contact Hours: This is a 3-credit course,

You will take the Executive Summary that you submitted in Module 4 and flesh those ideas out. Revise your Executive Summary and submit a finalized copy. Your finalized Executive Summary should meet the following requirements:

Be 1-2 pages in length, not including cover and reference pages.

Be formatted according to the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA Requirements Refer to the Portfolio Rubric available in the Module 5 Folder for information on grading. Option #2: Refine Executive Summary for Pitch Project You will take the Executive Summary that you submitted in Module 4 and flesh those ideas out. Revise your Executive Summary and submit a finalized copy. Your finalized Executive Summary should meet the following requirements:

Be 1-2 pages in length, not including cover and reference pages.

Be formatted according to the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA Requirements. Refer to the Portfolio Rubric available in the Module 5 Folder for information on grading.

Module 6

CRITICAL THINKING ASSIGNMENT (100 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: Develop a Cash Flow Plan Read the mini-case study, Bulltuff Stock Trailers, Inc., from Entrepreneurial small business and answer the mini-case study questions, keeping in mind the following considerations:

What is causing Hal’s cash flow problems?

Develop a plan to address the problems. Your well-written paper should meet the following requirements:

Be 3-4 pages in length, not including cover and reference pages.

Be formatted according to the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA Requirement

Cite a minimum of three sources--two of which should be academic peer-reviewed scholarly sources to support your responses--in addition to your textbook. The CSU-Global Library is a great place to find these resources.

Note that written assignments must have a title page, section headers, an introduction, a conclusion, and a reference page. Refer to the Critical Thinking Rubric available in the Module 6 Folder for information on grading. Option #2: Ethical Issues, Forecasting, and Risk In light of Santosuosso (2013), what are the most important ethical considerations that you took away from this week of learning when it comes to budgeting for your small business? Consider and discuss ethical issues in the context of cash flow, the growth forecasting process, and risk management.

Your well-written paper should meet the following requirements:

Be 3-4 pages in length, not including cover and reference pages. SAMPLE

Page 11: SMB300: Introduction to Small Business/Entrepreneurship SAMPLE · SMB300: Introduction to Small Business/Entrepreneurship Credit Hours: 3 Contact Hours: This is a 3-credit course,

Be formatted according to the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA Requirements.

Cite a minimum of three sources--two of which should be academic peer-reviewed scholarly sources to support your responses--in addition to your textbook. The CSU-Global Library is a great place to find these resources.

Note that written assignments must have a title page, section headers, an introduction, a conclusion, and a reference page. Refer to the Critical Thinking Rubric available in the Module 6 Folder for information on grading. PORTFOLIO PROJECT MILESTONE (40 Points) Option #1: Develop References for Business Plan Project We’re getting closer toward your final submission! For this week’s milestone, collect all of your academic references for your final Portfolio Project. Consider how you can best support your business plan with outside references. Be certain to fill in any gaps in your outside resources to support your ideas, and submit a Reference page, formatted in APA style. You should have a minimum of five to seven sources--five of which should be academic peer-reviewed journal articles--in addition to your textbook to meet the Portfolio Project requirement. Refer to the Portfolio Project Milestone Rubric in the Module 6 folder for information regarding grading. Option #2: Develop References for Pitch Project We’re getting closer toward your final submission! For this week’s milestone, collect your academic references for your final Portfolio Project. Consider how you can best support your pitch with outside references. Be certain to fill in any gaps in your outside resources to support your ideas, and submit a Reference page, formatted in APA style. You should have a minimum of five to seven sources--five of which should be academic peer-reviewed journal articles--in addition to your textbook to meet the Portfolio Project requirement. Refer to the Portfolio Project Milestone Rubric in the Module 6 folder for information regarding grading.

Module 7

PORTFOLIO PROJECT REMINDER Option #1: Develop a Comprehensive Business Plan for a New Small Business By this time, you should finish revising your Portfolio Project, which is due in Module 8. Incorporate the feedback you received in the Module 6 Milestone and make sure that APA formatting and citations are correct throughout your paper. Option #2: Develop a Comprehensive Pitch to Potential Investors By this time, you should finish revising your Portfolio Project, which is due in Module 8. Incorporate the feedback you received in the Module 6 Milestone and make sure that APA formatting and citations are correct throughout your paper.

Module 8

CRITICAL THINKING ASSIGNMENT (190 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: Develop a Comprehensive Business Plan for a New Small Business SAMPLE

Page 12: SMB300: Introduction to Small Business/Entrepreneurship SAMPLE · SMB300: Introduction to Small Business/Entrepreneurship Credit Hours: 3 Contact Hours: This is a 3-credit course,

Develop a comprehensive business plan for a new small business. This business must be a new business venture and not an existing venture. Analyze all of the required components of a business plan using the outline, which appears in Table 8.2 of Entrepreneurial small business. Cover letter

Title page

Table of contents

Executive summary

The company—company description; product/service/industry

The market

The organization

The financials

The appendices [optional]

Your business plan must:

Be a minimum of 12 pages in length, not including cover and reference pages.

Be formatted according to the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA Requirements.

Cite a minimum of five to seven sources--five of which should be academic peer-reviewed scholarly sources --in addition to your textbook. The CSU-Global Library is a great place to find your resources.

Be received by the end of Module 8 (Week 8). Refer to the Portfolio Project grading rubric available in the Module 8 Folder for information on grading. Option #2: Develop a Comprehensive Pitch to Potential Investors Develop a comprehensive pitch proposal for potential investors for your new small business, including the presentation itself (10-15 slides, with narration) and accompanying documentation. Research and be prepared to provide the answers to all foreseen questions that such investors might reasonably have before helping to fund your small business. While an actual business pitch can be quite brief (depending on the context of the pitch, it could be anywhere from an “elevator pitch” of 30 seconds to 30 minutes or more), your pitch should have the basic documentation that an interested investor might call upon you to answer. The pitch documentation should include the following:

An executive summary

A description of your company and product or service and industry

The macroeconomic environment

The context of the marketplace

Basic financials

Appendices with supporting documentation (as appropriate) For the presentation, prepare a 10- to 15-slide presentation with voice narration, as if you were addressing a potential investor. If you do not have access to a microphone, you may write out your narration as a script and submit as an accompanying Word document; or find an alternative way of presenting the narration, depending on the program. For instance, PowerPoint has the option to add notes at the bottom of each slide. Be sure to designate clearly which slide the narration accompanies.

If you do not have access to PowerPoint, you may use a program like Google, SlideRocket, Prezi or other software to create your presentation. Either embed voice narration in your presentation or follow the same directions above for a written script and submit it separately. Familiarize yourself with the program you choose early on in the process.

You are being graded on the thoroughness of your presentation, its usefulness as a pitch tool, understanding of the concepts presented in this course, and writing style and mechanics.

SAMPLE

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Your accompanying pitch documentation must:

Be a minimum of six pages in length, not including cover and reference pages.

Be formatted according to the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA Requirements.

Cite a minimum of five to seven sources--five of which should be academic peer-reviewed scholarly sources--in addition to your textbook. The CSU-Global Library is a great place to find your resources.

Be received by the end of Module 8 (Week 8). Refer to the Portfolio Project grading rubric available in the Module 8 Folder for information on grading.

Course Policies

Course Grading 20% Discussion Participation 0% Opening Exercises 0% Live Classroom 8% Mastery Exercises 37% Critical Thinking Assignments 35% Final Portfolio Paper

Grading Scale and Policies

A 95.0 – 100

A- 90.0 – 94.9

B+ 86.7 – 89.9

B 83.3 – 86.6

B- 80.0 – 83.2

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 [email protected] for additional information to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. SAMPLE

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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.

SAMPLE