Small Business and Techno-Entrepreneur
Program Length: 8 to 9 months (36 Semester-credits – 900 Hours) - Credential: Certificate
Program Description:
The Small Business and Technopreneurship program is designed to test and validate basic concepts and knowledge in entrepreneurship and small business management. These core concepts include entrepreneurship; recognize and evaluate opportunities; planning, starting, and operating a business; marketing and sales; and financial management. This program will prepare the student to acquire the Entrepreneurship and Small Business (ESB) certification by Certiport®. For each core concept, the ESB exam will certify knowledge and skills in several specific objectives.
General Objectives:
Successful candidates will have the knowledge required to:
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The Entrepreneur
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Business Management
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Starting a Business
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Business Operations
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Marketing and Sales
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Financial Management
Specific Objectives:
The student must meet the following objectives:
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Entrepreneurship:
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Identify the characteristics of entrepreneurs.
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Given a scenario that includes a self-assessment outcome, identify the strengths, weaknesses, and risk tolerance that the self-assessment identifies and how to compensate with services
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Faced with a scenario, recognize a business opportunity
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Identify the risks, benefits, opportunities, and disadvantages of being an entrepreneur
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Recognition of opportunities:
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Identify the benefits and drawbacks of different types of opportunities (for example, starting a new business, buying an existing business, and buying a franchise)
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Given a scenario, analyze the demand for goods or services and the opportunities in an environment
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Given a scenario, identify potential customers or customers for a business
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Given a scenario, recognize a value proposition
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To start a business:
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Identify the purposes and value of a business plan.
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Identify the appropriate legal structure, benefits, and drawbacks for the different legal structures of a company.
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Given a scenario, identify the different types of licenses and regulations that are required
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Identify the benefits and drawbacks of various sources of seed funding: Equity (friends/family, angels, business), debt (bank, credit cards, personal loans), and grants (government, foundation, businesses)
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Given a scenario, identify the support available to the business at the local, state, and federal level.
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Identify the ethical practices and social responsibilities of a company.
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Identify possible exit strategies for a business.
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Business operations:
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Given a scenario, identify key positions and human capital needs (including compensation and benefits)
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Given a scenario, determine if the owner can complete the job or if employees or service providers are needed.
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Given a scenario, identify the taxes that are required
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Given a scenario, identify trademark, copyright, and patent intellectual property issues
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Given a scenario, identify standard operating procedures (eg setup, conduct, internal controls, separation of duties)
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Given a scenario, identify the factors that led to sustainability
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Given a scenario, identify milestones as part of a growth strategy
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Marketing and sales:
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Given a scenario, develop a sales strategy and identify the characteristics of a successful sale
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Given a scenario, identify and analyze the costs/benefits of finding customers
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Given a scenario, identify how to retain customers and develop a relationship with repeat customers.
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Given a scenario, determine the value and methods of communication, including websites, brochures, social media, and Advertising
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Financial management:
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Given a scenario, interpret basic financial statements, such as income statements and balance sheets.
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Given a scenario, identify the factors that influence credit ratings and the importance of a positive credit rating.
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Given a list of expenses, identify which are fixed versus variable
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Given a scenario, identify the factors that impact the price for the customer
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Given a scenario, identify and analyze cash flow, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, inventory and debt.
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Given a scenario, create a cash flow budget
