MBA 608 Course Syllabus 1
School of Business
Course of Study & Syllabus
Course Title / Number: Business Plan Capstone. MBA608 – Fall I 2010
Instructor: Jennifer Weske
(901) 321-3365
Email:
Office Hours: M – W : 11:00 – 2:00
T – TH: 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
12:15 – 2:15 (Thursday Only)
By Appointment
Book: BizPlan Builder 10 with software
Attendance and Classroom Procedure: Attendance is required in this course. We will not hold class every week so it is imperative that you try to attend the on campus meetings. Should you need to miss a class, please contact me in advance so that I can get you up to speed and give you the materials you need.
Classroom Etiquette: This is an evening class. I understand that you have many responsibilities and obligations outside of work and class. I understand the need for cell phones in class. However, they need to be silenced. If you must take a phone call during class, please quietly step outside of the classroom before you answer. Try to keep disturbances to a minimum. I also encourage laptops in class. However, I will not allow web searches or internet material that does not apply to class. If you have a laptop, I will allow you to use it to research class discussion topics and to practice in class problems. I will not allow texting or e-mailing of any kind during class time.
Assignments and Quizzes: due to the nature of this course, there are not any assignments or quizzes. Your final grade will depend solely on the final project. As a result, I expect each group to check in with me periodically so that I can ensure you are on track.
Project: The project for this course is a completed business plan. This is a comprehensive plan that must be presented to the class. The business plan must be put together in a binder or bound in some way. While I am not placing a large portion of the grade on the appearance of the business plan, the plan must be professional, neat and in a format that can be presented to a bank or investors for financing. The project requirements are outlined below.
1. Plan Cover and Title Page: This requires the name, address and phone number of the company and the CEO or equivalent. A plan cover can also be used to insert a photograph of your product, someone your performing service, or your proposed logo to catch the eye of an investor or lender.
2. Table of Contents: a sequential listing and pagination of the sections of your business plan.
3. Executive Summary: A synopsis of your business plan that summarizes the highlights of the plan.
4. Company Description: Vision and Mission: A snapshot of the present stage of your business, plus a picture of where your business is going and what it will look like, and the goals and objectives on how to get there.
5. Industry Analysis and Trends: Basic information about your company: structure, management, staffing and strategic alliances. Size and growth of the company, maturity, industry, seasonal factors, technological factors, regulatory issues and distribution.
6. The Target Market: Demographics, geographics, lifestyle and psychographics, purchasing patterns, buying sensitivities, size and trends of market.
7. The Competition: Review of your current product or service and what makes it unique and competitive. Your future research and development plans and production and distribution are part of your product strategy. Barriers to entry, future competition.
8. Market Plan and Sales Plan: Company’s message, marketing vehicles, strategic partnership, marketing tactics, sales force and structure and sales assumptions.
9. Operations: Business locations, staffing, order fulfillment, returns, and the like. Information technology should also be covered here.
10. Technology Plan: Any hardware or software needs for the company. Be sure and include telecommunications and personnel.
11. Management and organization: The principles and key employees, board of directors, consultants and specialists, organization chart, and management style.
12. Community Involvement and Social Responsibility: Social responsibility goals, company policies and community activities.
13. Financial Plan: Your company’s capital requirements and the profit potential are analyzed and demonstrated here, and it consists of a a narrative and supporting spreadsheet data.
14. Development, Milestones and Exit Strategy: Include any long term goals, milestones and risk evaluation. The exit strategy explains how you will get out of your business. This includes an IOP, attracting a strategic buyer or even merging with another business.
Your business plan must be developed to target the appropriate audience. You generally need to present your plan to investors or a bank for your initial financing. You may also want to include potential employees or business partners as part of your target audience.
Grading: Your plan will be graded using a rubric. The areas for grading include:
· Complete: Do you have all 10 sections? Is the business plan arranged and presented professionally?
· Thorough: Does each section provide the necessary information? Can a business be started using this plan?
· Accuracy: Are your numbers reasonable? Is the business plan accurate enough to attract an investor and reasonable enough to obtain the optimal funding and requirements to begin?
· Mechanics: Is the plan free from grammatical and spelling errors? Are the sentences clear and concise?
· Attractiveness: Is the business pan professional? Would an investor take an interest in the plan?
Optional Resources:
Launch Memphis
“Iteration Trumps Perfection” breakfast with Larry Farrell
Wednesday Sept 14th, 2010 — 7:30am
Location: EmergeMemphis
Join LaunchMemphis and EmergeMemphis for a special breakfast with Larry Farrell, international speaker and best-selling author on global entrepreneurial practices.
Early Bird tickets are available for only $20
Class Meetings / Times:
Class 1: Thursday, August 26, 2010 6:00 p.m. Cooper Wilson Room 309
Executive Summary
Company Description
Vision and Mission
Industry Analysis and Trends
Target Market
Class 2: Thursday, September 2, 2010 6:00 p.m. Cooper Wilson Room 309
Competition
Strategic Position & risk Assessment
Marketing Plan & Sales Strategy
Class 3: Independent Work
Class 4: Thursday, September 16, 2010 6:00 p.m. Cooper Wilson Room 309
Guest Speaker: Brian Lutie, Mama Mia’s Pizza
Operations
Technology Plan
Management and Organization
Community Involvement and Social Responsibility
Class 5: Thursday, September 23, 2010 6:00 p.m. Cooper Wilson Room 309
Financials
Class 6: Independent Work
Class 7: Thursday, October 7, 2010 6:00 p.m. Cooper Wilson Room 309
Wrap – up
Final questions
Class 8: Thursday, October 14, 2010 6:00 p.m. Presentations: To Be Announced