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Dates: Fall 08 -- Sept
15 - Dec 15, 2008, 6:30
- 8:30 pm
Location: Rondo Library, 461 No
Dale St, St. Paul, 55103 map
link
Course
Description: “Developing Your Business Plan”
covers the essentials needed to write a good business plan for your
new or growing business. The approach is very practical, guiding
students in the purpose and structure of their plan, plus each
content area. It is applicable to all businesses: service, retail,
manufacturing, wholesale, or construction. Both experienced business
owners and individuals contemplating going into business will find
the class beneficial.
Class sessions will split into two types: formal classroom sessions and
individual meetings. There will be eight of each. Classroom sessions
will involve lecture, class discussions, small group work, guest speakers, and videos that enhance the topics.
Attendance is mandatory and participation is encouraged. If you miss
a class, contact me in advance of absence and to schedule a make-up
session.
Assignments involve readings, textbook assignments, business plan
assignments, and a final business plan. All
assignments are focused on the goal: to help you write a good
business plan for your enterprise. Typing (word processing)
assignments is encouraged for easy assimilation into your business
plan, but it is not required. Your final business plan must be
typed, properly formatted, and bound. The attached “Class Schedule
and Assignment” sheet details
assignments.
Course
objectives:
· Assess
your abilities as a small business owner;
·
Understand the multiple purposes of a
business plan;
·
Learn the structure of a business
plan;
·
Research your industry and specific
business;
·
Write good organizational, marketing, and
financial sections for your
plan;
·
Assemble supporting attachments for your
plan;
·
Create a sound business plan for your
business that you can confidently
articulate.
Text: The Successful Business Plan: Secrets
& Strategies by Rhonda Abrams, 4th edition,
2003. Cost is $30 and is available for
purchase in class.
Abrams, the author, also offers the book in deluxe
binder format with several nice enhancements. In addition, she has a
CD of electronic spreadsheets that are excellent and highly
recommended. You may purchase any of these items directly from her
website.
The spreadsheets work with Microsoft Excel and can be imported into
your accounting programs too. Much easier than creating spreadsheets
by hand! If you enter "Joanne Simons" in the box that asks how you
heard about the materials, you'll get an additional 5%
off.
Class Schedule and Assignments:
|
Class &
Dates |
1-on-1 dates |
Topic |
Assignments |
| 1 -- Sept 15 |
|
Intro: You and Business -- Ownership,
Dreaming, Planning |
-Chapters 1-3
-Complete worksheet "Basic
Business Concept", page 3
- buy 3-ring notebook,
dividers |
|
2 -- Sept
22
at Business
Planning Center
6 - 7:30
pm |
|
Business Concept: Data &
Research
Business Planning Center
2324 University Avenue,
#112
St. Paul --
651/209-1884 |
-Chapters 4- 6
-At Biz Planing Center, look
for sample plan, trade association
info, industry size & direct competitors
- Find article about your industry
in library or online. Bring to class.
-Create business filing system and
calendar/appointment system |
|
|
1 -- Sept
29
Click for appt! |
Time:___________
Place:__________ |
-Chapters 5, 11-13
-Research, research,
research |
| 3 -- Oct 6 |
|
Business
Description: Products, operations,
management, technology |
-Complete worksheets
-Write draft of business
description section of plan. Hand in at class #4. |
|
2 -- Oct
13
Click for appt! |
Time:___________
Place:__________ |
-Chapter 7-8
-Worksheets pp 90-3, 98, 106-7,
114 |
|
4 -- Oct 20 |
|
Marketing Fundamentals:
Marketing defined, target
marketing |
-Chapter
9-10
-Worksheets pp 147-151
-Complete Annual Marketing Calendar (class
handout) |
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|
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|
|
|
3 -- Oct
27
Click for appt! |
Time:___________
Place:__________ |
-Write draft of marketing section. Hand in
at class #6. |
|
5 -- Nov 3 |
|
Marketing
Techniques: media, guerrilla marketing, budget,
plan |
-Chapter
16; review ch 11
-Complete staffing budget, pp
248-9 |
|
|
4 -- Nov
10
Click for appt! |
Time:___________
Place:__________ |
-Review, revise Start-up Costs, p
176. Bring to class.
-Complete all worksheet elements on
pp 240-241. |
| 6 -- Nov 17 |
|
Fun with Financials:
Intro, cash flow, reports |
-Complete worksheets pp
248-251
-Bring to
one-on-one |
|
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5 -- Nov 24
Click for appt! |
Time:___________
Place:__________ |
-Complete 1-yr income statement
projections |
|
7 -- Dec 1 |
|
Financial Statements & Record
Keeping: computer lab working through
reports |
-Complete 3-yr income statement
projections, 1 yr cash flow projections, projected balance
sheet, sources & uses of funds,
assumptions |
|
|
6 -- Dec
8
Click for appt! |
Time:___________
Place:__________ |
-Hand in rough draft
plan |
| 8 -- Dec 15 |
|
Wrap-up:
financing sources, bank selection, plan
completion, continuing programs |
-Refine, revise plan |
|
|
7+ -- arrange
Click for
appt! |
Time:___________
Place:__________ |
|
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Jan
26
|
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Graduation! Come! Enjoy!
Potluck! 6:30 -
8 pm
Family, friends
invited! |
PLAN
DUE! |
Instructor: Joanne Simons,
763-458-4859, joanne@simonsmarketingworks.com
Neighborhood Partners:
NDC Program Coordinator: Ayan Abdi,
651-379-8434, aabdi@ndc-mn.org, Program Coordinator, Neighborhood Development Center,
Inc.
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