Mesa Community College

Thom Schuett: Business Department

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CONTENT SECTION

EPS295

The Business Plan/Business Start-up

Instructor: Thom Schuett                                   Office Hours: Call for Appointment

Telephone: 480-987-3798                                    E-mail: tschuett@mail.mc.maricopa.edu

Website:http://www.mc.maricopa.edu (after log-in, click on link next to course name, then on link in upper-left corner below the course number) The instructor’s web page is available to you at: http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/~tschuett

Textbook: Your First Business Plan, Covello, 4 th or 5 th edition

Meetings: Wednesday evenings, 7:10pm to 9:50pm, Red Mountain.

Course Description: Developing an integrated approach to strategic choices concerning new venture start-up including the preparation of a comprehensive business plan.

Course Competencies:

  1. Understand the key elements of the milestone approach to business planning.
  2. Describe the purpose and content of the marketing section of the business plan.
  3. Describe the purpose and content of the management section of the business plan.
  4. Describe the purpose and content of the operating section of the business plan.
  5. Formulate clearly defined and obtainable financial projections.
  6. Create an executive summary that outlines the most important decision elements of the plan.
  7. Prepare a detailed business plan for a specific business opportunity to the professional standards required of a lending institution or venture capitalist.

Course Design:

There are a set of generally accepted elements to any business.  Through reading, class participation and homework assignments, you will learn to identify and understand each and its importance to the strategic framework of a business.  Once understood the basics can be employed to help create a plan to implement a successful business.

Components of the course may require you to access materials via the internet and the distance learning tools used by the college.

It is recommended that you work on an overall business plan from the beginning of the semester through the end, using the information learned each week to help you prepare an overall business plan that could be used and will be required for your grade.

This business plan will require you to focus on a business enterprise which you are pursuing or have a desire to pursue.

Research and documentation will include, but may not be limited to, the following: (worksheets are in the text)

    • Business description
    • Market analysis
    • Marketing approach and pricing
    • Objectives
    • Management description
    • Financial projections

The final meeting of the semester will be reserved for business plan presentations to the class.  Please be prepared to present your plan and to review the plans of fellow class members.

There will be no final exam.  The business plan presentation that you make to classmates on the final meeting will be graded and represent an important part of your overall grade.

Technology / Software Required:

Due to the structure of this course, you will need to use the following software (both PC and Mac platforms are supported):

  • PowerPoint or PowerPoint Viewer
  • Microsoft Word (word processor) (NO alternates or substitutes are acceptable!)
  • Microsoft Excel (spreadsheet)
  • Internet access (search engine)
  • MyMCC Account ( Mesa Community College internet access)

Grading:

Points will be assigned to each portion of the class work.  They are as follows:

Class Participation               10 meetings, 5 points each                                      50

                                   (Absent, 0; no participation, 1; average, 3; well done 5)

Quizzes                                 3 quizzes, 10 points each, 1 quiz 20 points            50

Project Worksheets               5 worksheets, up to 20 points each                     100

Business Plan                       final meeting                                                         100

Total Points Available                                                                                       300

Your grade will be based upon the successful completion of all of the course requirements.  Your total points will be compared to the total score of the highest scoring student in the class.  Using the percentage of your points of that highest score, your grade will be computed according to the following scale:

                        A         90 - 100%

                        B         80 - 89.9%

                        C         70 - 79.9%    

                        D         60 - 69.9%

                        F            < 60%          

With the exception of assignments due on the last class meeting, no assignments will be accepted after the next-to-last class meeting.

Attendance:

Attendance is REQUIRED for this class.  You may be withdrawn by the instructor if you do not participate in this class.  (See Participation Policy below.)

Students with Disabilities:

I would like everyone to know that I am willing to make any reasonable accommodations for limitations due to any disability.  Disability Resource Services at the campus provides help with these accommodations.  Please feel free to see me if you have any questions or need assistance.

Ethics Statement:

In addition to academic performance, students should exhibit the qualities of honesty and integrity.  Any form of dishonesty, cheating, fabrication, the facilitation of academic dishonesty, and plagiarism may make you subject to disciplinary action.  Refer to the student handbook for information regarding institutional policy and due process procedures.

Appropriate Subjects for Discussion:

Students are expected to respond and write in a professional and appropriate manner when activities are assigned to students that ask students to create a scenario, discuss opinions, present on a selected subject, or post to the web board.  Inappropriate language or objectionable material will not be tolerated and could result in a failing grade for the class.

Participation Policy:

Students must actively participate in the class to receive a letter grade.  Students who do not participate in course work will receive a “W”.  If you participate in coursework and are unable to continue in the class, you must notify me if you want to be withdrawn.

Syllabus Disclaimer:

The information in this Syllabus is subject to change to meet the needs of the class.  Students will be notified of any changes throughout the semester.

Course Calendar:

The calendar only provides a guideline for class meetings.  It is by no means comprehensive, content and dates may change as necessary.  For the purposes of this calendar, discussion means lecture, video, guest speaker, individual, and team contributions. 

                                                        MCC Early Alert Program (EARS)

Mesa Community College is committed to the success of all our students.  Numerous campus support services are available throughout your academic journey to assist you in achieving your educational goals. MCC has adopted an Early Alert Referral System (EARS) as part of a student success initiative to aid students in their educational pursuits.  Faculty and Staff participate by alerting and referring students to campus services for added support.  Students may receive a follow up call from various campus services as a result of being referred to EARS.  Students are encouraged to participate, but these services are optional. The Early Alert Web Page with Campus Resource Information can be located at : http://www.mesacc.edu/students/ears.

Important Notes:

  1. Transmitting, storing, or receiving data or use of computing resources in an illegal manner (including obscenity, defamation, threats, etc.) will be dealt with based on MCCD Computing Resources Handbook.
  2. The MCC educational environment must be free of unwelcome sexual harassment and violations of MCC policy will result in disciplinary action.
  3. Cell phone use must be discontinued during class time.  If a call is taken, you must leave the room and not return to avoid further disturbance of class.

 

 

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