Entrepreneurship

Curriculum guideline

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Course
BUSN 2253
Discontinued
Yes
Course code
BUSN 2253
Descriptive
Entrepreneurship
Department
Business
Faculty
Commerce & Business Administration
Credits
3.00
Start date
End term
Not Specified
PLAR
No
Semester length
15 Weeks X 4 Hours per Week = 60 Hours
Max class size
35
Contact hours
Lecture: 3 Hours Seminar: 1 Hour Total: 4 Hours
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Seminar
Learning activities

Lectures, seminar discussions, feedback instruments, case study analysis, role playing, guest lectures on specific topics relevant to entrepreneurship.

Course description
This course provides students with analytical frameworks for entrepreneurship self-assessment and developing a business strategy. Special attention is given to the practices followed and problems encountered in the challenging process of establishing a business from two mainstream perspectives - store-front and home-based business operations. Topics include: entrepreneurship self-assessment and career preparation, product-market strategies, the evaluation of business opportunities that are relevant to start-up and growth, franchising, and acquisitions.
Course content
  1. Assessing Entrepreneurship Potential
    • characteristics and roles of successful entrepreneurs
    • self-assessment of entrepreneurial aptitude and skills
    • preparation factors
  2. Entrepreneurial Product-Market Strategies
    • identifying new idea sources
    • evaluation of ideas
    • differentiation strategies
    • cost-leadership strategies
    • market segment focusing
    • sales planning and forecasting
  3. Assessing Business Entry Strategies
    • organizing a business from start-up
    • acquisition of an existing business
    • franchising
  4. Assessing Home-based and Store-front Business Operations
    • product-market considerations
    • regulations and legal requirements
    • advantages and disadvantages
  5. Conducting a Feasibility Study
    • technical and market assessment
    • cost and profitability assessment
    • evaluating attainment of financing
  6. Business Planning - the "Big Picture"
Learning outcomes

Entrepreneurship

The student will be able to:

  1. describe the importance of entrepreneurship, including its advantages and disadvantages;
  2. describe the different roles performed by entrepreneurs;
  3. evaluate his/her level of interest in, and aptitude for, becoming involved in business ownership;
  4. identify the preparatory factors that are critical for an entrepreneurial career.

 Business Opportunities

The student will be able to:

  1. outline various product-market strategies that are important to market entry and the creation of profit margins;
  2. evaluate a start-up and growth business opportunity;
  3. evaluate a franchising opportunity;
  4. evaluate a small business opportunity as a possible acquisition;
  5. identify the opportunities that are best suited to home-based and store-front business operations;
  6. evaluate situational factors vital to a home-based business operation.
Means of assessment
Midterm Examination  20%
Case Studies  20%
Group Project  20%
Final Examination  30%
Participation  10%
  100%
Textbook materials

Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students

Good, Walter S.  Building a Dream, Latest Ed. McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited 1997

 

Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Small Business, Tourism and Culture. 

                Exploring Business Opportunities  Latest Ed.

 

Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Small Business, Tourism and Culture. 

                Home-Based Business, Latest Ed.