Foundations of Entrepreneurship - Mentor Supported

36 Hours / Access Length: 8 Weeks / Delivery: Online, Mentor Supported

Course Overview:

The course focuses on the major elements of new enterprise formation and growth, whether through startup or acquisition. The following interrelated areas may be examined through lectures, cases, readings, audio and/or video presentations, and class exercises:

1. The characteristics and nature of the entrepreneurial personality. Types of Entrepreneurs. Do you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur? 
2. Startups and acquisitions.   How do new ventures get started?   How do you plan for startups. Should you buy an existing firm—how can you be sure that it’s the “right one”?
3. Marketing.  Marketing products and services, business location, advertising and promotion, and pricing strategies, among other marketing topics, will acquaint the student with basic marketing tools critical for business success. These topics will examine domestic and international business practices.
4. Financing and financial management.  We will look at capital budgeting, sources of capital formation, pro forma statements, financial statements, cash flow and cash budgets, insurance and risk management.
5. Business plan. A business plan is critical to entrepreneurial success. We will examine the parts of a successful business plan.
6. Global Entrepreneurial challenges. Entrepreneurs face numerous daily challenges.  Issues related to global entrepreneurship will be examined.
7. Human Resources and Management.  Large and small businesses know that hiring and retaining the best employees is critical to the success of the business.  Learning to manage all your resources—human, time, capital—will determine just how successful you may become.

The course is designed for the student who wants to:

• Become an entrepreneur.
• Work for a small company.
• Deal with smaller firms as a banker, accountant, or in some other professional capacity.
• Invest in a small company. 

OBJECTIVES AND COURSE REQUIREMENTS:  Students are expected to participate in discussions and other evaluation criteria assigned by the mentor. The course objectives include:

• Analysis of specific areas as they relate to entrepreneurship—business communication, accounting, finance, information systems, management, and marketing.
• Practice analytical and conceptual experiences through evaluation of entrepreneurial cases.
• Develop and acquire entrepreneurial skills.
• Learn about the purpose of and practical uses of a business plan.
• Develop individual skills and team-building skills.

Course Outline:

1. Overview of Entrepreneurship 
2. Innovation and Intellectual Property
3. Business Model and Strategic Planning
4. Feasibility Analysis / Business Plan
5. Forms of Business Ownership 
6. Franchising
7. Buying an Existing Business
8. Marketing 
9. E-Commerce and the Entrepreneur
10. Pricing Strategies
11. Financial Planning 
12. Managing Cash Flow
13. Sources of Financing
14. Location and Layout
15. Global Aspects of Entrepreneurship 
16. Issues related to management succession planning and exit strategies

Mentored courses are designed to provide research assistance. This is a self-directed course, NOT an instructor-led/guided course. Mentors cannot provide answers to specific test or exam questions, or provide guidance or consultation on specific business or legal matters.

This course is developed, designed, and offered through Global Entrepreneurship Initiative (GEI). GEI reserves all intellectual property rights. Content cannot be copied, shared, or redistributed without the express written consent of GEI. All inquiries regarding the content of this course or intellectual property rights and clearances should be directed to ip@geius.org.

• Cable and DSL internet connections are recommended for the best experience.

• CPU: 1 GHz or higher
• RAM: 2 GB or higher
• Resolution: 1280 x 720 or higher
• Speakers / Headphones
• Microphone (Webinar / Live Online sessions)

• Microsoft Windows 7 or 10 (Home, Pro)
• Mac OSX 10 or higher.
• Latest Chrome OS
• Latest Linux Distributions

NOTE: While we understand that our courses can be viewed on Android and iPhone devices, we do not recommend the use of these devices for our courses. The size of these devices do not provide a good learning environment for students taking online or live online based courses.

• Latest Google Chrome is recommended for the best experience.
• Latest Mozilla FireFox
• Latest Microsoft Edge
• Latest Apple Safari

• Office suite software (Microsoft Office, OpenOffice, or LibreOffice)
• PDF reader program (Adobe Reader, FoxIt)
• Courses may require other software that is denoted in the above course outline.