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During the 16-week entrepreneurship course, students will learn to work independently and in collaborative environments much like the real world. From the classroom to the conference room, students will be motivated and challenged to be creative, solution oriented, and focused on conceptualizing, drafting, and finalizing a comprehensive business plan. This will only be achieved through rigorous focus on the fundamentals.
During the first four weeks, students will learn technical office skills with an emphasis on formatting and drafting business documents. Students will be introduced to basic design software for creating graphics, newspaper advertisements, brochures, newsletters, and basic web pages. There will be additional focus on resume writing, public speaking, and interviewing skills. One week will be devoted to workplace conduct, interview preparedness, and cyber-etiquette.
At the end of the first four weeks, students will have basic skills-sets to:
- Format and write a business letter or resume using Microsoft Word
- Create a sales brochure, newsletter, or business card using Microsoft Publisher
- Create a basic web page using Microsoft Front Page
- Conduct an interview with professionalism and confidence
- Navigate and conduct themselves in the workplace with respect and professionalism
The skills learned in the first four weeks will be revisited throughout the course to develop a portfolio of work to accompany the completed business plan.
Upon completion of the office skills training, students will begin a comprehensive 12-module curriculum that covers all aspects of business development. Topics include sales and marketing, advertising, bookkeeping, taxation, and licensing and regulation.
At completion of the course, students will present a concise and comprehensive business plan with a portfolio of marketing materials and supporting documentation. Students will be required to defend their business plans to peers, educators, and business and community leaders.
Curriculum overview
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MODULE 1: Entrepreneur? Who, Me? Y.E.S.S.! You
This module helps students:
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Define an entrepreneur and an entrepreneurial person
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Understand why problems are opportunities for entrepreneurs and why opportunities are so important for entrepreneurs
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Understand how wants and demand creates opportunities for entrepreneurs
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Understand the key role of entrepreneurs in the development of our economy
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Identify the key steps involved in setting up an entrepreneurial venture
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Identify the characteristics and skills that are important for entrepreneurs
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Determine each student's interest in Entrepreneurship
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MODULE 2: Opportunities -- They Are All Around You
This module helps students:
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Define an opportunity
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Describe what gives rise to opportunities
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Look for and recognize different kinds of opportunities
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Identify opportunities in their schools or communities
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Tell if an opportunity is a good one or not
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Understand the difference between an idea and an opportunity
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MODULE 3: Business Ideas For All Communities
This module helps students:
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Explore multiple entrepreneurial activities for young people
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Define aspects of entrepreneurial ventures and explain why each is important
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Select and analyze an entrepreneurial opportunity according to the aspects studies
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Identify at least one entrepreneurial idea which fits the individual student's neighborhood and interests, abilities and goals
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MODULE 4: How To Sell Your Idea -- The What's In It For Me Factor
This module helps students:
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Define and give an example of a market niche
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Describe ways to find out if there is a market niche for a particular business ideas
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List three ways to find out if there is a market niche
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List three ways to create a demand for a product or service
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Give three methods to motivate someone to buy a product or service
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List at least five questions to ask target customers
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List and describe seven different sales tools.
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MODULE 5: Money To Get Started
This module helps students:
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Determine what they need to start a business
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Examine different methods of obtaining start-up resources
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Identify various places to go for loans
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Compare and contrast advantages and disadvantages of various options.
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MODULE 6: Where To Do Business
This module helps students:
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Address questions related to establishing business location
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Explain why a good location for one business might not be a good location for another business
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Evaluate various location questions for various businesses.
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MODULE 7: Types Of Business Ownership
This module helps students:
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Recognize four types of business ownership
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Describe advantages and disadvantages of each type of ownership
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Distinguish among types and determine which type of ownership might be the best match with a particular business.
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MODULE 8: Where To Get Help
This module helps students:
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Define steps to take when solving problems
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Define technical assistance and indicate why an entrepreneur should use it
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Name at least six sources of technical assistance and list an example of technical assistance available from each source.
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MODULE 9: Records And Books -- Did You Make Any Money?
This module helps students:
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Understand why computer records are important to the success of business
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Define: purchase receipt, sales receipt, cash disbursements, cash receipts, accounts receivable, and accounts payable
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Write checks and keep careful checkbook records
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Describe the file card/cash method and differentiate it from the checkbook method
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Explain the envelope method
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Determine profit
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Indicate ways information garnered from accurate records assist a business owner in making decisions.
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MODULE 10: The Rules Of The Game -- The Law, Your Ethics
This module helps students:
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Name three requirements for a contract
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Differentiate between a legally binding contract and an agreement
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Identify instances where oral contracts are generally appropriate
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Explain why written contracts are better than oral contracts
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Examine issues related to minors and contracts
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Explain particular types of laws (zoning, health and safety, etc.)
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Examine tax issues related to business ownership
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Discuss specific issues of business ethics.
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MODULE 11: How To Mind Your Business
This module helps students:
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Identify differences between operating a business and working for someone else
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Define and practice goal-setting Describe the five functions of a manager,
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Examine guidelines for successful purchasing Identify two techniques to evaluate suppliers
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Differentiate between fixed and variable expenses Understand pricing and break-even analysis and practice pricing
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List and describe important areas which the owner/manager should understand when selling goods/services
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Examine the impact of competition and government action on business.
- MODULE 12: You Can Make It Happen -- Y.E.S.S.! You: The Business Plan
- This module is the final business plan developed during the previous 11 modules.
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