Dates: Fall 08
-- Oct 21 - Feb 10, 6:30 - 8:30
pm
Location:
Seward Towers
West, 2515 South 9th
St., Minneapolis 55406
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
As a
result of this class, it is anticipated that you will:
·
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 -- Oct 21 |
|
Intro: You and Business -- Ownership,
Dreaming, Planning |
-Chapters 1-3
-Complete worksheet "Basic
Business Concept", page 3
- Buy 3-ring notebook,
dividers |
|
2 -- Oct
28 |
|
Business Description:
Products, operations, management,
technology
|
-Chapters 4- 6
Find article about your
industry in library or online. Bring to class.
-Create business filing system and
calendar/appointment system |
|
3 -- Nov 4
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 5, 11-13
-At Biz Planing Center, look for sample
plan, trade association info, industry size &
direct competitors
-Research, research, research |
|
|
1 -- Nov
11
Click for appt!
|
Time:___________
Place:__________
|
-Complete
worksheets
-Write draft of business
description section of plan. Hand in at class
#4. |
| 4 -- Nov 18 |
|
Marketing Fundamentals: Marketing
defined, target marketing |
-Chapter
7-8
-Worksheets pp 90-3, 98, 106-7,
114 |
|
2 -- Nov
25
Click for appt!
|
Time:___________
Place:__________ |
-Chapter 9-10
-Worksheets pp 147-151
-Complete
Annual Marketing Calendar (class
handout) |
|
|
|
|
|
5 -- Dec
2 |
|
Marketing
Techniques: media, guerrilla marketing, budget,
plan |
-Write draft of marketing section. Hand in
at class #6. |
|
|
3 -- Dec
9
Click for appt! |
Time:___________
Place:__________ |
-Chapter
16; review ch 11
-Complete staffing budget, pp
248-9 |
|
6 -- Dec 16 |
|
Fun with
Financials: Intro, cash flow,
reports |
-Review, revise Start-up Costs, p
176. Bring to class. |
|
|
4 -- Dec 23,
30
Click for appt! |
Time:___________
Place:__________ |
-Complete all worksheet elements on
pp 240-241. |
|
7 -- Jan 6 |
|
Financial Statements
& Record Keeping: computer lab
working through reports |
-Complete worksheets pp
248-251
-Bring to
one-on-one |
|
|
5 --Jan
13
Click for appt! |
Time:___________
Place:__________ |
-Complete 1-yr income statement
projections |
| 8 -- Jan
20 |
|
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
-Hand in rough draft plan |
|
6+--
arrange
Click for appt! |
Time:___________
Place:__________ |
-Refine, revise
plan |
|
FEB
10 |
|
Graduation! Come!
Enjoy!
Potluck! 6:30 -
8 pm
Family, friends
invited |
PLAN
DUE! |
|
|
|
|
|
Contact
Information
Instructor: Joanne
Simons, 763-458-4859, joanne@simonsmarketingworks.com.
Neighborhood Partner: Emily
Wergin, 612-338-8729, x 105, emily@sewardredesign.org, Economic Development Specialist, Seward
Redesign.
NDC Program
Coordinator: Ayan Abdi, 651-379-8232, aabdi@ndc-mn.org, Program
Coordinator, Neighborhood Development Center,
Inc.
|
