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Essential Objectives

Course Syllabus


Revision Date: 03-May-24
 

Summer 2024 | BUS-2210-VO02 - Small Business Management


Online Class

Online courses take place 100% online via Canvas, without required in-person or Zoom meetings.

Location: Online
Credits: 3 (45 hours)
Day/Times: Meets online
Semester Dates: 05-21-2024 to 08-12-2024
Last day to drop without a grade: 06-10-2024 - Refund Policy
Last day to withdraw (W grade): 07-08-2024 - Refund Policy
Open Seats: 3 (as of 05-13-24 8:05 PM)
To check live space availability, Search for Courses.

Faculty

Marie O'Brien
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Nick Molander

Course Description

This course explores the practical aspects of organizing and managing a small business. It is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge to make informed business decisions. Topics include the basic concepts of accounting, finance, cash management, taxes, business law, government regulations, staffing, and marketing.


Essential Objectives

1. Develop a business plan that accounts for market analysis, appraisal of products and services, marketing strategies including key performance indicators (KPIs), organizing and staffing, and financial analysis.
2. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of buying an existing business, starting a new business, or acquiring a franchised business.
3. Describe and apply techniques of asset management including fixed assets, inventory, accounts receivable, and cash flow.
4. Apply marketing practices to product pricing, advertising, and sales promotion for small business.
5. Discuss federal and state laws and regulations and taxes affecting small businesses.
6. Discuss the ethical considerations inherent in decision-making in small business management.
7. Describe the opportunities and challenges small businesses face in competing in a global marketplace.
8. Illustrate the controlling function of management through the use of financial statement analysis and KPIs.
9. Demonstrate effective business writing and communication skills.


Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.


Required Textbooks and Resources

This course uses one or more textbooks/books/simulations, along with free Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials.

Summer 2024 textbook/book details will be available on 2023-11-06. On that date a link will be available below that will take you to eCampus, CCV's bookstore. The information provided there will be specific to this class. Please see this page for more information regarding the purchase of textbooks/books.

BUS-2210-VO02 Link to Textbooks for this course in eCampus.

For Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials details, see the Canvas Site for this class.

The last day to use a Financial Aid Advance to purchase textbooks/books is the 3rd Tuesday of the semester. See your financial aid counselor at your academic center if you have any questions.


Artificial Intelligence(AI) Policy Statement

CCV recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI tools are widely available and becoming embedded in many online writing and creative applications.

Allowed: This course's generative AI policy acknowledges technology, including generative AI, plays a supportive role in learning and feedback. During our class, we may use AI writing tools such as ChatGPT in certain specific cases. You will be informed as to when, where, and how these tools are permitted to be used, along with guidance for attribution. Any use outside of these specific cases constitutes a violation of CCV's Academic Integrity Policy.

If you use AI it must be clearly stated the part of the assignment generated with AI assistance and properly cited. It is strongly advised to establish an account in CCV's licensed version of AI CoPilot.



Methods

Methods:

Learning is achieved through:
Online discussion questions, reflections, and responses with classmates and the instructor
Textbook reading, written responses, viewing links, and weekly assignments
Real-world application of material
Specific individualized feedback from the instructor

Assignments are weighted by group:

Demonstrate Your Learning 20%

Assignments 20%

Quizzes 10%

Final Project & Papers 25%

Attendance and Participation25%

Total100%


Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

 HighLow
A+10098
A Less than 9893
A-Less than 9390
B+Less than 9088
B Less than 8883
B-Less than 8380
C+Less than 8078
C Less than 7873
C-Less than 7370
D+Less than 7068
D Less than 6863
D-Less than 6360
FLess than 60 
P10060
NPLess than 600


Weekly Schedule


Week/ModuleTopic  Readings  Assignments
 

1

MODULE 1 TOPIC: NAVIGATING THE ONLINE CLASSROOM
O
verview: The focus of this module is to learn to navigate the course and become familiar with the asynchronous class format. You may enter the class anytime during the semester before the 7th week. The entire 15 modules must be completed on or before the semester ends, but you will set your own pace. When you complete Module 1, Module two will then be made available. I have included several documents located in Module 0 to describe how the course works. We will begin reading the text in Module 2, so please be sure to purchase it from the CCV Bookstore. See the Syllabus for information on the textbook. assignments and papers in proper APA format. • Purdue OWL: The Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab to assist in properly formatting and creating citations for sources in APA format.

  

For this module, it is important to read all documents in Module 0: Course Preparation and in this module. Objectives: By the end of this module, you will: 1. Locate content in the available modules. 2. Explain and describe your ability to break out of your comfort zone. 3. Properly format, compose, and send a business e-mail. Resources • @ccv.edu Email Coming Your Way: Instructions on how to use your CCV email. We will use this throughout our course. • Hartness Library Citation Guide: Examples on how to cite your sources and create references for the reference list you will add to some of your assignments. • Citation Machine: This will help you develop citations for your entire course.

• Read the article, “Growth Happens When You Put Yourself Outside Your Comfort Zone”: You are beginning a new experience with this class. This article deals with growth and change.

• Please read the preparation materials in Module 0: Guidelines for Online Communication and Guidelines for Successful Course Completion.

  
  • Demonstrate Your Learning Forum Prompt: The Comfort Zone Read the article, “Growth Happens When You Put Yourself Outside Your Comfort Zone”. Relate the article to a recent event that placed you out of your comfort zone. • What was the event? • How did you feel before you made the leap? • How did you feel after deciding to begin or beginning the event? • What did you gain or lose by taking yourself out of your comfort zone? • What did you find in the article that related to your experience? Reply posts are encouraged!
  • Business Email Assignment Description: All businesses continue to receive and send e-mails. It is essential to compose and send e-mails that represent you and your company. This is an opportunity for branding and marketing. The e-mail can be your first introduction to possible clients, vendors, and or colleagues. A properly constructed business email contains: • A subject line to minimize the risk of the e-mail delivered to the receiver’s junk or spam folder • A salutation ending in proper punctuation • A body of no more than 2 paragraphs- if longer in length then create a separate document and attach it to the e-mail • A professional closing • A signature block permanently created to automatically appear at the end of all your emails. If the original recipient wishes to forward the e-mail to another manager, your email address disappears and is replaced by the new sender. You need to have your contact information in your signature block to ensure all can easily find your contact information and get in touch with you. Assignment Guidelines: Instructions: 1. Use your CCV email account (see the resource about locating your CCV email). 2. Please review the Email Template with Comments for directions on how to develop a formal business email. Then use the Email Template Without Comments to create your own email. 3. Create your Business Email and: a. Upload it to here. b. Email it to your instructor. You will earn 5 points for developing your email based on the template provided and 5 points for sending your email to your instructor. Please review the rubric for complete grading instructions. Points: 10
 

2

MODULE 2 TOPIC: ENTREPRENEURIAL SMALL BUSINESS START-UP

The focus for this module is your small business or entrepreneurship venture. It is important for the sake of this class to create a business even if that is not your life's intent. In the 15 modules, we spend together you will develop a Business Plan that is 8 pages minimum but can be longer (note this term is not in your text, but one we use to describe a plan that is not a "venture capital plan"). The Business Plan is your final project, but you will be completing sections of the plan as assignments all through the remaining modules.

  

Start here: Module 2 Lecture: Small Business Administration - A Brief History & Module 2 Lecture:

SWOT Analysis
• Entrepreneurship: The Art, Science, and Process for Success: Chapter 1
• US Small Business Association

  

Demonstrate Your Learning Forums
1. Key Term - Economies of Scale
2. Selecting Your Small Business After reading the text and locating the resources on the SBA website, it's time to make a decision. What is the small business you are planning on opening? Even if you do not plan on operating a small business for the purpose of the assignments and final project in this course, you must select a small business or an entrepreneurial enterprise. Please respond to the questions in the prompt.


Module 2 Assignments:

1. Small Business Administration Worksheet
2. SWOT Analysis Worksheet, create a SWOT analysis chart for your company

 

3

MODULE 3 TOPIC: RISK TOLERANCE, PERSONALITY & ETHICS

The focus of this module is family-owned businesses and small business launches. To begin to formulate business ideas, it is helpful to understand the three elements of an entrepreneurial outlook including:

1. Assessing your risk tolerance level,

2. Evaluating your prior experience, and

3. Considering the impact that your personality orientation has on the success of the business

  

Module 3 Lecture: The Three Elements of an Entrepreneurial Outlook & Module 3 Lecture:
Chapter 2 Key Terms
• Entrepreneurship: The Art, Science, and Process for Success: Chapter 2
• TedTalk with Maya Penn, a young entrepreneur
• Article: Why Should Small Business Owners Think About Ethics?
• Three Personality Assessments: • Myers-Briggs • Big Five • Enneagram

  

Demonstrate Your Learning Forums

1: Assessing Personality in Preparation for the Business Launch

2.:Ethics in Business

  • Module 3 Assignment:
    One-Page Pitch
  • Module 3 Assignment: Prepare for the Interview in Module 4
 

4

MODULE 4 TOPIC: ASSESSING AND EVALUATING IDEAS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR A BUSINESS
Overview: The focus of this module is assessing and evaluating ideas and opportunities for a business. In particular, we will explore how to perform a Gap Analysis. Several videos of well-known companies will further your understanding of profit and growth by performing a Gap Analysis. During the assignment to interview a business owner, see if their business idea grew out of a Gap Analysis!

  

Module 4 Lectures:
Gap Analysis
Chapter 3 Key Terms

Readings and Resourcess
• Entrepreneurship: The Art, Science, and Process for Success: Chapter 3
• Video: RedBox
• Video: TedTalk -
Uber Plans to Get More People into Fewer Cars
• Video: TedTalk - Elon Musk - The Mind Behind TESLA, Space X, and Solar City D

  

Demonstrate Your Learning Forum: Gap Analysis

Module 4 Assignment: Interview a Business Owner

 

5

MODULE 5 TOPIC: COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Overview: The focus of this module is the competitive analysis for your business. All the research and investigation you complete for the assignment in this module will be saved and become part of your Business Plan having to do with your competition. It will part of your Executive Summary (that you will complete in a few more modules) and will contribute to other parts of the Final Project Business Plan like the Marketing Plan section.

  

Start here: Module 5 Lecture: How to Gather Information About Your Competitors, Module 5 Lecture: The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), and Module 5 Lecture:
Chapter 4 Key Terms
• Entrepreneurship: The Art, Science, and Process for Success: Chapter 4
• North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Website
• Video: Redbox - Taking Risks and Making Profits within the Dynamic Business Environment

  

Demonstrate Your Learning Forum Prompt: Assessing the Environment

Module 5 Assignment: Competitive Analysis & Advantage Worksheet

Module 5 Quiz: Business Terms from Modules 1 - 5

 

6

MODULE 6 TOPIC: BUSINESS MISSION AND STRATEGY
Overview: One focus for Module 6 is The Mission Statement. The Mission Statement is usually 25 words and is written by the CEO/Founder of the company. The textbook mentions five elements to creating an exceptional Mission Statement.

The other focus for this Module is to select a business plan format or example business plan. There are many example business plans for the industry for your new launch. Research different business plans. There is also a sample business plan format in Module 0 that you could work from.

  

Resources
• Module 6 Lecture: The Mission Statement & Module 6 Lecture:
Chapter 5 Key Terms •
Entrepreneurship: The Art, Science, and Process for Success: Chapter 5 & “Building a Business Plan" on pages 311-314 in the text. This section includes a sample business plan for the company Fraudian Slip. Your final project is to write a business plan for your company.
• Review sample business plans from the Small Business Administration and/or reach out to the Hartness Librarian for industry-specific example business plans

  

Demonstrate Your Learning Forums
1: Mission Statement
2: Select A Business Plan

Assignment: Write a Mission Statement for your company.

 

7

MODULE 7 TOPIC: FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Overview: The focus of this module is the financial health of your business. • Why is cash flow so important? Cash flow is actual cash that flows into the firm, minus the cash that goes out of the firm. • What are fixed costs and variable costs in a business? • When does a company or a project break-even and, oh, do we break into our happy dance when that happens?

  

Resources • Module 7 Lecture: Chapter 6 Key Terms • Please review the Publisher PowerPoint for Chapter 6. You'll see that there are notes for each slide that will help provide more context for the key points! • Entrepreneurship: The Art, Science, and Process for Success: Chapter 6 • Review this Excel Cash Flow Template • Cash Flow Statement Explanation from the Accounting Coach • Video: Management Your Business - Prices, Financing and Staffing

  

Demonstrate Your Learning Forum: Cash Flow and Costs in Your Business

Assignment: Utilizing this Cash Flow Template, complete three months of cash flow for your business. Add the name of your company to the top of the Spreadsheet and then begin to fill in the information. I

 

8

MODULE 8 TOPIC: FINANCING, ACCOUNTING, AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS Overview: In the last module and in this module, the focus is on the financial health of your business. In chapter 7 we'll work on the profit and loss statements for your business and you will investigate at least three widely available accounting packages.

  

Resources
• Module 8 Lectures: Module 8 Lecture: Grants & Module 8 Lecture:
Chapter 7 & 8 Key Terms
• Please review the Publisher PowerPoint for Chapter 7. You'll see that there are notes for each slide that will help provide more context for the key points!
• Entrepreneurship: The Art, Science, and Process for Success: Chapters 7 & 8

  

Demonstrate Your Learning: Accounting Software for the New Entrepreneur

Module 8 Assignment: Grant Opportunity for Your Business

 

9

MODULE 9 TOPIC: THE LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS & THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Overview: The foci for this module are the Executive Summary and choosing a legal entity for your launch. The Executive Summary is the “hook” that encourages the reader to examine the entire business plan. In the summary, you will briefly describe your business concept in one or two pages. You should be clear about how you will provide value to the customer and what your competitive advantage is. Often a business plan evaluator, either a banker, Angel Investor, an SBA business mentor or anyone else reading your Business Plan will often have 100 plans on their desk to evaluate. Writing the plan with clear sections including the Executive Summary helps. You can also write the Executive Summary in a narrative form.

  

Resources

•Module 9 Lecture:
Chapter 9 Key Terms
• Entrepreneurship: The Art, Science, and Process for Success: Chapter 9
• Please read the article, The Top Three Considerations When Choosing Your Startup’s Business Structure

  

Demonstrate Your Learning Select a Legal Entity for your new Business

Assignment:
Assignment Title: Module 9 Assignment: Write the Executive Summary for your company

 

10

MODULE 10 TOPIC: THE HUMAN RESOURCES SIDE OF OPERATING YOUR BUSINESS
Overview: The focus of this module is Managing Human Resources. HR is a complex and challenging part of any company. It is much more cost-effective to retain a good employee than to replace and then train a new one.

  

Resources • Module 10 Lecture: Chapter 10 Key Terms
• Entrepreneurship: The Art, Science, and Process for Success: Chapter 10
• Please select and read an article from Nolo Press Employee Law

  

Demonstrate Your Learning Forum: Human Resource Plan

Module 10 Assignment: Employment Law Paper

Module 10 Quiz: Business Terms from Modules 6 - 10

 

11

MODULE 11 TOPIC: UNDERSTANDING YOUR MARKET

Overview: The focus of this Module is the basic principles of Marketing. First, we define and examine the nature of marketing. Then we look at how marketers develop marketing strategies to satisfy the needs and wants of their customers. Next, we discuss buying behavior and how marketers use research to determine what consumers want to buy and why. Finally, we explore the impact of the environment on marketing activities.

  

Resources
• Module 11 Lecture: The Marketing Plan and Module 11 Lecture: Chapter 11 Key Terms • Entrepreneurship: The Art, Science, and Process for Success: Chapter 11
• Watch this video about Poe Weavers. The young mother in the video is a former student, Amber. She made a joint promo with her friend from Poe Weavers. Notice the necklace on Amber. Amber's company is Love at First Bite. She sells wearable teething jewelry. She noticed her kids sucking and chewing on everything including her jewelry. The beautiful family in this video is not made up of actors, but Amber, her husband, and their kids. Awe!!
• Please watch this TedTalk: How to Get Your Ideas to Spread • SCORE's Explanation of the Marketing Plan

  

Demonstrate Your Learning Forum Prompt: Marketing, Reaching Customers and Creating Sales

Module 11 Assignment: Write The Marketing Plan for your business

 

12

MODULE 12 TOPIC: ORGANIZING OPERATIONS FOR THE BUSINESS & MANAGING YOUR TIME

Module 13

Module 14

Module 15

Overview: The assignment for this module is to develop a list of all activities necessary to begin and open your business and then create a Critical Path Chart to organize them. This can save money and time!

  

Resources

• Module 12 Lecture: The Critical Path Chart & Planning and Operations Charts and Module 12 Lecture:
Chapter 12 Key Terms
• Entrepreneurship: The Art, Science, and Process for Success: Chapter 12 (Here is the Publisher PowerPoint to review as well!)
• Read 24 Time Management Strategies to Be More Efficient from Entrepreneur

  

Demonstrate Your Learning Forum: Time Management

Module 12 Assignment: Critical Path Chart

 

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

  • In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
  • Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
  • Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.


Participation Expectations

To earn full participation points for the week, students should:

  • Read the assigned material and demonstrate an understanding of those resources in your assignments and posts. Readings and resources should be cited using APA format.
  • Post an original response to the weekly prompt(s) before Friday at midnight (11:59 PM) and a minimum of two responses to peers before Monday at midnight (11:59 PM). You are welcome to post early and/or more frequently, as your schedule allows, but you will not receive full credit if you do not meet these minimum requirements and/or deadlines.
  • Posts should be substantive and demonstrate college-level writing. A substantive post is well-developed, a minimum 300words, and references the reading or another appropriate source. Include to quotes in bold face and properly cite APA format. A substantive post is NOT one or two sentences of general statements or unsupported opinion.
  • Make sure that assignments are visible in the Canvas classroom. I will not open links to view your work.

Attenance Grade:

0 absences = 100%

1 absence = 85

2 absences = 70

3 absences = 55



Missing & Late Work Policy

Demonstrate Your Learning/ Discussion forums

Must be submitted on time on or before the due date. No extensions permitted. This is your virtual classroom. You must be present and participate. The class will move onto the next week's work after the due date.

Assignments/Papers:

You have an automatic one week late extension for assignments. You will receive a 10 -point deduction in your earned grade. After the extension date the “0” will remain.

Quizzes

Must be completed within the week due.

Final Project

Must be submitted by August 12, 2024.

No extensions or incompletes are granted for this class.

Get in touch with me if I can be of help.

Marie A. O'Brien Faculty, CCV CEO, NextLevel, LLC 8 Tamshell Dr. Kent, CT 06757 860 355 2360 mao05190@ccv.vsc.edu or the InBox


Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:


CCV strives to mitigate barriers to course access for students with documented disabilities. To request accommodations, please
  1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
  2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
  3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.


Academic Integrity


CCV has a commitment to honesty and excellence in academic work and expects the same from all students. Academic dishonesty, or cheating, can occur whenever you present -as your own work- something that you did not do. You can also be guilty of cheating if you help someone else cheat. Being unaware of what constitutes academic dishonesty (such as knowing what plagiarism is) does not absolve a student of the responsibility to be honest in his/her academic work. Academic dishonesty is taken very seriously and may lead to dismissal from the College.