10 Jan Discuss what factors

Week 1 learning activities

Learning Activity #1

Discuss how creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship are related?

And, do you think creativity can be taught?

Post your response and give a minimum of 2 feedback to your classmates’ postings

Learning Activity #2

Tips for Avoiding Common Startup Mistakes

Watch the video below and summarize in one paragraph 2 of the common start up mistakes and how to avoid them.

Week 2 learning activities

Learning Activity #1

Legal form (i.e sole proprietorship, partnership etc.) is an important aspect to organizational structure. Present a legal form for a venture type and explain your choice. Give example(s) to support your choice and why it is appropriate choice.

Comment on 2 of your classmates’ postings

Learning Activity #2

a. Explain how personal conflict can affect partnership and how conflict can be managed effectively?

b. Watch this video on “Business Structures: How To Choose The Right Legal Structure For Your Business”

Week 3 learning activities

Learning Activity #1

All businesses have to face the uncertainty of market forces. Find a current news story about how a market force is affecting a business and discuss the potential impact, how the business can/is responding and your thoughts on the situation, especially how organizations can effectively manage the risks of market forces and uncertainty. Provide minimum of 2 comments/feedback to your classmates posts.

Learning Activity #2

Please watch the video below and provide your comment.

Using Porter’s 5 Forces to Analyze Your Small Business

Week 4 learning activities

Learning Activity #1

Discuss your understanding of a business plan and why every entrepreneur should create one?

For your chosen/hypothetical venture, name and explain two essential elements (i.e Marketing Strategy, Management Team, Products and Services description etc) that will be presented in your business plan?

Post your response and comment on two of your classmates.

Learning Activity #2

Watch the videos below and provide your comments

1. SBA Business Plan Webinar – Parts 1 through 8

2. The Simple Truths of Service – Differentiation

http://www.stservicemovie.com/

Week 5 learning activities

Startup Financing:

Small business financing is a critical issue in the market today; do some research and help us understand why it is so difficult for entrepreneurs to access the funding they need to start a business.

Share at least one source (current/recent article) that addresses this issue.

Learning Activity #2

VIDEO: 10 Ways to Finance and Start a Business – Brian Tracy

One of the key questions that first-time business owners ask is how to finance a business. Watch this video to learn the 10 best and most common ways to help finance your business, whether it is for a small business or a big company. Provide a 1-2 paragraph summary of the video.

Web link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmyrCLJGTtE

Week 6 learning activities

Learning Activity #1

a. Franchising continues to be a popular choice for individuals to become small business owners. After reviewing the information in this week’s reading and doing some online research, provide a list of at least three pros and three cons to going the franchise route versus starting the same business on your own. Be sure to list any sources you use.

b. Discuss why some Franchisees are successful and other do not?

Learning Activity #2

Advantages and Disadvantages of Buying a Business by Bill Bartmann

Summarize what you learn from the video in a short paragraph?

Week 7 learning activities

Learning Activity #1

The world economy is continuing to transform itself into a mosaic of humanity. New business ventures must consider diversity in all aspects of formation, development and growth. The research on the impact of being deliberate in creating and sustaining a diverse company is pointing to increased impact and performances. Search for a story or research on the diversity and how it relates to entrepreneurship and new venture development. Comment on at least two other classmates’ postings

Learning Activity #2

Discuss what factors an entrepreneur should consider when evaluating a region in which to locate a business? Where are such data available? Post a response and comment on at least one of your classmates post

Week 8 learning activities

Learning Activity #1

Share your thoughts on this course and what you’ve learned, specifically how it might help you in developing your start-up business/growing your existing business. Failure to post this week will result in a zero for participation.