MB602 All Discussions, Activities, and Stand Alone Project

MB602 Discussion Question 1 Entrepreneurial beginning

Discussion Question 1

1. During the course of a relatively normal week, observe the things that you might not normally see when you are in a hurry.  Watch people – what products and services they use and don't use.  Then list ten (10) product or service opportunities, needs, or solutions that you recognized from your observations.  Include a brief situational description for each.  State what you observed.  (50 points) (A 2-page response is required.)

 

 

MB602 DISCUSSION QUESTION 1-2

DISCUSSION QUESTION 1-2

MB602 Entrepreneurship

Lesson 1: Entrepreneurial Beginnings

Discussion Question 2

How could five (5) of the ten (10) products or services observed in Question 1 be changed or offered differently as a new business opportunity? Pick one (1) of the ten (10) opportunities, needs, or solutions observed and state why you feel it has the best potential to become a new business opportunity.  (50 points) (A 2-page response is required.)

 

 

MB602 Activity 2  Conducting market research of a nanotechnology product

MB602 Entrepreneurship

Lesson 2: Analyses of Markets, Product Life Cycles, and Resources

Activity 2: Market Research (100 points)

As you learned, the three "Ts" of marketing (trade shows, trade publications, and trade associations) can be used to research information about your competition.  However, they can also be helpful in providing information about a business concept's feasibility.  In this Activity, you will perform market research for a new nanotechnology product using the three "Ts" of marketing.  Your Activity responses should be both grammatically and mechanically correct, and formatted in the same fashion as the Activity itself.  If there is a Part A, your response should identify a Part A, etc.  In addition, you must appropriately cite all resources used in your response and document in a bibliography using APA style. (100 points)  (A 4-page response is required for the combination of Parts A and B.)  

Part A        Examine a nanotechnology product by researching relevant trade shows, trade publications, and trade associations.  Create an annotated bibliography of resources that includes a minimum of four (4) trade shows, four (4) trade publications, and two (2) trade associations that provides useful information about the nanotech product.  Be sure to include details about each event/activity/organization/publication (online and in print), etc.  Organize the annotated bibliography into the three (3) distinct sections (shows, publications, and associations) and for each section, include a statement explaining why this research is important when learning about the nanotechnology industry and competing companies and products. 

Part B        State the conclusions you have drawn after performing this market research activity and acquiring new nanotechnology industry, company, and product knowledge. Specifically address the following issues: 

1.      What else can you learn from the trade show Web sites besides information about the trade show itself? 

2.      What else can you learn from trade publications?

3.      What benefits can you obtain from trade associations?

4.      From a revenue perspective, why is researching the 3T's important?

 

 

 

MB602 Discussion Question 3-1 Proof of Concept (POC)

MB602 Entrepreneurship

Lesson 3: Stakeholders, Business Structures, and Social Responsibility

Discussion Question 1

1. Describe how the Proof of Concept (POC) differs from feasibility. Then explain the importance of POC. Finally, briefly outline the entrepreneur's micro strategy for proof of concept. (50 points) (A 2-page response is required.)

 

 

MB602 Discussion Question 5-1 Crossing the chasm

MB602 Entrepreneurship

Lesson 5: Strategies for Marketing, Resources, and Funding

Discussion Question 1

1. Explain the phrase "crossing the chasm" in product adoption. (50 points total)  (A 2-page response is required.)

 

 

MB602 Discussion Question 5-2 funding a startup venture

MB602 Entrepreneurship

Lesson 5: Strategies for Marketing, Resources, and Funding

Discussion Question 2

2.  Describe different ways start-up ventures can be funded. (50 points total) (A 2-page response is required.)

 

 

 

MB602 Activity #6 Funding Sources

Activity 6: Funding Sources (100 points)

 

This Activity is comprised of three (3) parts.  Your Activity responses should be both grammatically and mechanically correct, and formatted in the same fashion as the Activity itself.  If there is a Part A, your response should identify a Part A, etc.  In addition, you must appropriately cite all resources used in your response and document in a bibliography using APA style.  (100 points)  (A 4-page response is required for the combination of Parts A, B, and C.)  

 

Part A        The most popular source of capital for new ventures is private investors; these investors are called angels and are typically people the entrepreneur knows or has met through business acquaintances.  Today many angels have joined forces to create large pools of capital called angel networks.

 

1.      Perform research to find at least four (4) angel networks that exist in your state; if your state does not have four networks, then find networks by looking at bordering states.  (If you live outside the United States, change "state" to "province" or "region" in the above instructions.)

 

2.      Provide a general description of each angel network, its investment criteria, and the contact information in your response.

 

Part B        Many areas of the United States offer access to venture capital through institutes or organizations established on the campuses of major universities.  The university acts as a conduit through which the entrepreneurs and investors are matched and assumes no liability for, nor has any ownership interest in, either the new venture or the investor's company.   

 

1.      Perform research to find one (1) major university offering access to venture capital that is geographically close to you.  If you live outside the United States, first perform this research within your country.  If none exists, then you should research major universities in the United States. 

 

2.      Provide a general description of an institute's or university's offering, its investment criteria, and the contact information in your response.  Discuss if the institute or organization targets a specific industry.

 

Part C        Many states provide venture capital funds or a loan program to help new and growing ventures.

 

1.      Perform research to find out if your state offers any venture capital funds or loan programs to help new and growing ventures. If your state does not provide this type of funding, investigate and describe a neighboring state's funding.  (If you live outside the United States, change "state" to "province" or "region" in the above instructions.) 

 

2.      Provide a general description of your state's offering, its investment criteria, and the contact information (i.e., address, phone, Web site, etc.) in your response.

 

 

 

MB602 Entrepeneurship Class Standalone Project

STAND-ALONE PROJECT

MB602 Entrepreneurship

 

Stand-Alone Project: New Venture Business Plan (200 points)

 

 

You should begin working on the Stand-Alone Project early in the courseEach assignment provides a benchmark for completing the Stand-Alone Project in a timely manner while working through the course.  You will find this information in the "Stand-Alone Project Benchmark" section of each assignment.  Your Stand-Alone Project responses should be both grammatically and mechanically correct, and formatted in the same fashion as the project itself.  If there is a Part A, your response should identify a Part A, etc.  In addition, you must appropriately cite all resources used in your response and document in a bibliography using APA style.

 

The Stand-Alone Project for this course requires you to assume the role of an entrepreneur and to create a business plan for a new venture of your own choosing.  The business plan should contain the following major sections in the order they are shown below. The Required Readings for each lesson can provide support for this project. Stand-Alone Project Benchmarks are located in each assignment to allow you to pace yourself with the completion of your Stand-Alone Project.  

(A 10-page paper, plus appendices is required.) (200 points)

 

NOTE:  Create a cover page (company name, the words Business Plan, the name of the contact person for the new venture, and the business' address and telephone number) and place it before (in front of) Part A.  (Do not count the cover page as part of the total number of pages required for the Stand-Alone Project.)

 

 

Part A       Executive Summary:  This section should not exceed 2.5 pages in length.  Be sure the Executive Summary answers the following key questions and includes evidence or support for your claims from credible sources, such as your own industry research and primary research with potential customers. 

 

1.      What is your business concept?  Include information about your business, customers, benefits, and distribution.

 

2.      Does your industry support the feasibility of the concept?  Explain.

 

3.      Is there customer acceptance for your business and its products/services?  What is the demand?

 

4.      What is your entry strategy?  How will you achieve initial market penetration and obtain your first customer?

 

5.      Who are your key competitors, and how will you differentiate your business from the competition?

 

6.      What is your pricing strategy, and how do you justify it?

 

7.      Does your founding team have the capabilities to implement the plan successfully?  If not, how will you find these capabilities?

 

8.      How will your business be designed to facilitate implementation in terms of legal structure, organizational structure, and process?

 

9.      In one paragraph, what is your marketing plan?

 

10.  Does your financial plan support a viable business?  Include a summary of key points and capital requirements (i.e., a needs assessment).

 

11.  How will you fund the business?

 

12.  Does the market support a potential for growth?  What are your key growth plans?

 

Part B       Proof of Concept:  This page in your business plan condenses the Expanded Executive Summary down into one page.  Answers in this section, for questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 10 from Part A, should be concise, yet complete. 

 

NOTE:  A detailed Table of Contents for the report should be created and placed on a separate page between Parts B and C.  (Do not count the table of contents as part of the total number of pages required for the Stand-Alone Project.)

 

Part C       Business Concept:  Include the following information in this section. 

 

1.      Business Concept Statement (i.e., product/service, customer, benefit, distribution)

 

2.      Purpose of the Business (i.e., why you are in business)

 

3.      Core Values

 

4.      Description and Uses, Unique Features/Benefits, Business Model

 

5.      Primary Customer(s)

 

6.      Spin-Offs or Secondary Market

 

Part D       Management Team:  Include the following information in this section. 

1.      Qualifications of Key Managers (founders)

 

2.      Management Team Needs (or gap analysis)

 

Part E       Market Analysis:  Include the following information in this section. 

 

1.      Industry Description

 

a.      Industry Size

 

b.      Industry Status (growing, mature, in decline – overall health)

 

c.       Growth Potential

 

d.     Geographic Locations

 

e.      Trends, Patterns of Change, and Entry Barriers

 

f.        Profit Potential

 

g.      Sales Patterns and Gross Margins

 

h.      Target Market

 

1)      Primary Target Markets

 

2)      Secondary Markets

 

3)      Demographics

 

4)      Results of Primary Research

 

5)      Customer Profile

 

6)      Customer Needs Analysis

 

2.      Distribution Channels (customer grid)

 

3.      Entry Strategy (initial market penetration)

 

4.      Competitors (show a competitive grid)

 

a.      Description

 

b.      Direct and Indirect Competitor

 

c.       Market Share (if known)

 

d.     Strengths/Weaknesses/Benefits/Distribution

 

e.      Emerging Competition

 

f.        Substitute Products

 

5.      Product/Service Differentiation and Competitive Advantage

 

a.      Unique Features

 

b.      Potential for Innovation

 

c.       Proprietary Protection (i.e., intellectual property rights)

 

d.     Other Competitive Advantages

 

6.      Pricing Strategy

 

7.      Value Chain

 

Part F        Operational (or Process) Analysis:  Include the following information in this section. 

 

1.      Product/Service Technical Description

 

a.      Uses, Design, Prototype

 

b.      Obsolescence Issues

 

2.      Product/Service Development Status and Related Costs

 

a.      Current Status of Development

 

b.      Tasks Completed (including time and cost to complete)

 

c.       Potential Difficulties and hesitations (include how they will be resolved)

 

d.     Government Approvals

3.      Physical Distribution Plan (including a process grid – i.e., a graphic of the distribution strategy)

 

Part G       Organizational Plan:  In this section, include the management philosophy and the company culture including the following. 

 

1.      Legal Business Entity

 

2.      Organizational Chart

 

3.      Key Management Duties and Responsibilities

 

Part H       Marketing Plan

 

1.      Purpose of the Marketing Plan (one paragraph)

 

2.      Target Market

 

3.      Unique Market Niche

 

4.      Business Name/Identity

 

5.      Plan to Reach First Customer

 

Part I         Technology and Intellectual Property Plan:  Include the following information in this section. 

 

1.      Role of Technology as a Business Competitive Advantage

 

2.      Role and management (revenue, licensing, etc.) of intellectual property (proprietary rights, status, etc.)

 

Part J         Financial Plan:  Include the following information in this section.

 

1.      Summary of Key Points and Capital Requirements (full financials located in the appendices) 

 

2.      Needs Assessment Breakout (i.e., hard costs, soft costs, working capital, start-up, etc.)

 

3.      Funding Plan

 

Part K       Growth Plan 

 

1.      Growth Strategy

 

2.      Resources

 

Part L       Appendices:  The following documents are required in this section. 

 

1.      Financial Statements (Supports Part J above)

 

a.      Financial Statement Assumptions

 

b.      Proforma Financial Statements

 

1)      Cash Flow (Monthly, Years 1, 2, 3)

 

2)      Income (Monthly, Year 1; Annual, Years 2, 3)

 

3)      Balance Sheet (Annual, Years 1, 2, 3)

 

2.      Operational (or Process) Analysis Plan Supporting Documents

(supports Part F above)

 

a.      Manufacturing or Operating Requirements (and associated costs)

 

b.      Manufacturing Cycle or Service Delivery Process (process grid)

 

c.       Materials Requirements

 

d.     Inventory Requirements (also retail/wholesale business)

 

e.      Production Requirements (also retail/wholesale or service business)

 

f.        Labor Requirements (all businesses)

 

g.      Maintenance and Quality Control Requirements (all businesses)

 

h.      Financial Requirements (all businesses)

 

3.      Marketing Plan Supporting Documents (supports Part H above)

 

a.      Marketing Tools (such as advertising and promotion)

 

b.      Media Plan

 

c.       Marketing Budget (use and cost of each marketing tool)

 

4.      Organizational Plan Supporting Documents (supports Part G above)

 

a.      Key Management

 

b.      Key Policies

 

c.       Compensation Programs and Incentives (management, other groups)

 

5.      Contingency Plan

 

6.      Other Supporting Documents: These include resumes, contracts, maps, etc.

 

Stand-Alone Project:  Helpful Hints

 

1.      The report should be written in a clear and concise manner utilizing proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation.  All resources used must be properly cited within the report and documented in a bibliography using APA style.  In addition, the cover page and table of contents must be included and formatted according to the notes addressing them above.

 

2.      Before turning in your new venture business plan, please do the following, as it will help you find the "holes" in your plan and increase the grade for your plan.

 

a.   Determine if any information is repeated in your new venture business plan such that reading the plan is tedious.  If the information is duplicated, then remove the duplicate material and make a note stating where the reader can find it.  Your new venture business plan should read like a story that tells what your new venture is and how you will make it a success.

 

b.   Substitute your main competitor's name for your new venture's name everywhere in the plan.  Then read your plan.  If your plan would work for your competitor, then you do not have a unique selling proposition and you have not differentiated your venture from your competition.  Go back and work on your new venture business plan.  Repeat this step.  When you are satisfied with your changes, then go to the next step.

 

c.   Give your new venture business plan to three (3) business people, who are NOT friends or family, and ask them if they would invest in your new venture and buy your product or service on a regular basis.  Also ask them what they feel is missing from your new venture business plan.  Use their comments to strengthen your plan prior to submitting it.