|
Dates: Oct 18, 2004 - Feb
21, 2005, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Location: 845 University Ave, St. Paul, MN,
651/324-3356
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.
You may also purchase from the author.
Abrams also offers the book in deluxe binder format with several
nice enhancements. In addition, Abrams 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 2000 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 -- Oct 18 |
|
Intro: You and Business -- Ownership,
Dreaming, Planning |
-Complete worksheet "Basic
Business Concept"
- Find article about your industry
in library or online. Bring to next class
- buy 3-ring notebook,
dividers |
|
2 -- Oct 25 |
|
Business Description:
Products, operations, management,
technology |
-Chapters 1-3, 4, 6
- Write draft of Company
Description (see page 71 sample) |
|
|
1 -- Nov 1 |
Time: ___________
Place: Ginkgo 721 North Snelling (at Minnehaha)
651/645-2647 |
-Chapters 5, 11-13
-Complete
worksheets |
| 3 -- Nov 8
BIC --
5:45-7:45 |
|
Business
Concept: Data & Research
Business Information
Center 2324 University Avenue, #112 St. Paul --
651/209-1884 |
-At BIC, download sample plan, find
trade association info, find industry size & direct
competitors -Write Industry Analysis,
Opera-tions, Technology, Management & Org sections.
Bring to Nov 15 class |
| 4 -- Nov 15 |
|
Marketing Fundamentals: Marketing
defined, target marketing |
-Chapters 7-8
-Worksheets pp 90-3, 98,
106-7, 114 |
| 5 -- Nov 22 |
|
Marketing Techniques: media, guerrilla
marketing, budget, plan |
-Chapter 9-10
-Worksheet pp
147-151 |
| |
2 -- Nov
29 |
Time: ___________ Place:
Ginkgo |
-Write draft of four marketing
sections |
|
6 -- Dec 6 |
|
Financials: Intro, cash flow |
-Chapter 16; review ch
11
-Review, revise Start-up Costs, p
176. Bring to class.
-Complete all worksheet elements on
pp 240-241; Bring to class Dec 13 |
|
7 -- Dec 13
|
|
Financial Statements & Record
Keeping |
-Complete worksheets pp
248-251
-Bring to
one-on-one |
| |
3 -- Dec 20 |
Time: ___________
Place: Ginkgo |
-Complete 1-yr income statement
projections |
|
8 -- Jan 10 Rescheduled
due to guest speaker unavailability |
|
Wrap-up:
financing sources, bank selection, plan
completion, continuing programs |
-Complete 3-yr income statement
projections, 1 yr cash flow projections, projected balance
sheet, sources & uses of funds,
assumptions |
| |
4+ |
ARRANGE. Click link to 1-on-1 schedule. Email me
with preference. |
-As determined from previous meeting |
|
Feb
21
|
|
Graduation! Come! Enjoy!
Potluck! 6:30 -
8 pm |
PLAN
DUE! |
Instructor: Joanne Simons,
763-458-4859, joanne@simonsmarketingworks.com
Neighborhood Partners: Nietta
Presley, 651-222-0399, asandcmn@aol.com,
Aurora/St. Anthony Neighborhood Development Corporation, and Sara
Reller, 651-291-7704, sreller@selbyareacdc.org,
Selby Area Community Development Corporation.
NDC Program Coordinator: Bonita Martin,
651-291-2480, bonita@windndc.org, Program Coordinator, Neighborhood Development Center,
Inc.
|
