Entrepreneurship

Students are introduced to the principles and techniques of problem solving, creativity and opportunity recognition that are critical to an entrepreneurial mindset.  A wide variety of creative problem solving and theory building skills are presented and students have the opportunity to apply those to the development of an innovation or invention.  

Creating new businesses, capturing new markets, and enhancing organizational effectiveness occur through improving productivity or innovation, or both. Students will explore the building blocks to develop successful frameworks, strategies, funding techniques, business model and design-driven innovation. Focus is on the selection of an appropriate business model.

Focus is on the startup and operation of a business. Students examine the accounting, finance, management, and marketing (tools) and processes (application of tools) as they pertain to entrepreneurial endeavors. Develops overall managerial awareness and analytical skills in small business problem solving.

Professional selling is predicated on question-based selling.  Students learn how to conduct an interview and make recommendations to customers. This course provides students with the knowledge and skill sets needed to give them the ability to make effective sales presentations to businesses or consumers, including direct selling.

Designed to help students understand the principles of leadership, students will develop the knowledge, confidence, skills, and self-image necessary to pursue entrepreneurial ventures in business.  Provides a foundation in the fundamentals of entrepreneurial leadership, as well as a source of how to assess and motivate themselves. 

The Franklin Covey Leadership academy  is integrated to develop leadership character and competencies. An introduction to the skills and tools necessary to become a modern leader. Each learner will evaluate personal leadership effectiveness, individual motivation strategies, and personal missions and goals

Every successful venture, big or small, started with a problem and an idea for a solution. New venture success is a measured combination of feasibility, practicality, testing, and luck. This course will teach students how to research and write an effective business plan.

This course will explore markets and learn how to identify and evaluate opportunities for new businesses. Topics covered include market analysis, researching venture creating opportunities, and finding a niche to operate.

Establishing a strong advisory board to utilize external expertise is vital to any business, small or large. This course will teach students about the team of professionals, often called an advisory board, and the impact this group of experts can make in successfully operating a business. Advisory boards may be comprised of a(n) accountant, lawyer, insurance agent, banker, and personal advisors.

This course will introduce students to the tools and process of gathering customer insights for identifying and developing new product opportunities. Students will acquire the knowledge and skills to turn their ideas gained from understanding customer needs into innovative products and solutions.

Effective project management skills are important to professionals in any business. In this course, students will learn how to define, plan, and execute a project whether the goal is simple or complex. Students will discover the tools and skills for delivering projects on time and on budget while meeting performance specifications. Students will explore the basic components of project management and the project life cycle.

This course provides a survey of the traditional functions of management in a startup business with a primary emphasis on planning, organizing, controlling, and leading. This emphasis involves coverage of managerial decision making, leadership, motivation, interpersonal communication, staffing human resources, organizational structure, design, and change and development.