Intro to Franchising

We will begin our research on franchising by reading an article on Entrepreneur.com. Click here to read the article entitled "Super Sleuthing". Answer the questions on the handout you received in class.

Economics of Business Ownership Students - Writing Your Executive Summary

Here some resources to help your write your executive summary section of your business plan.

Project 18 - Executive Summary Handout

Powerpoint: Mission & Vision Statements

Sample Company Mission & Vision Statement

Marketing - Product Planning Unit

Here are links to the powerpoints presented in class:

Chapter 30

Chapter 31.1

Chapter 31.2

Here is a link to the unit project:

Cereal Box New Product Development Project

Economics of Business Ownership - Project 10 Startup Funds Required

Now it is time to estimate the start-up costs to get your business up and running. Below you will find some helpful resources.

Powerpoint: Ways to Fund Your Business

Starting Costs Calculator

Startup Costs Worksheet

Business Plan Wrap-Up

Business Plan Wrap-Up
After many weeks of working on our business plans, we are drawing to a close. The finished product may be somewhat abbreviated to what may be actually necessary, should you decide to pursue this venture. To develop your business plan further, you may wish to seek business advice from SCORE (Service Corps or Retired Executives). SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business" is the best source of free and confidential small business advice to help you build your business—from idea to start-up to success. SCORE is a nonprofit organization that provides a public service to America by offering small business advice and training. SCORE was formed in 1964 to help small businesses flourish. SCORE's 10,500 volunteers have more than 600 business skills. Volunteers share their wisdom and lessons learned in business. Volunteers are working/retired business owners, executives and corporate leaders. Business counseling can help you start, grow and manage your business. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Services for Entrepreneurs
SCORE offers Ask SCORE email advice online.
Face-to-face small business counseling at 389 chapter offices. Find an office.
Low-cost workshops at 389 chapter offices nationwide. You may contact the local East Bay SCORE chapter for schedule.
"How to" articles and business templates

The final tasks for this project include:

• Project 8 The Marketing Plan Draft due Tuesday 5/20
• Project 10 Schedule of Start-up Funds Required Draft due Tuesday 5/20
• Project 18 The Executive Summary Draft due Wednesday 5/21
• Project 19 Creating the Business Plan Cover Page Final BP Due Friday 5/23
• Project 20 Final Assembly of Your Business Plan Final BP Due Friday 5/23
• Project 21 Business Plan Presentation Presentations Wed 5/28 - Fri 5/30

Final Business Plan
Review and revise all drafts, as necessary, and submit a final business plan. The final business plan should be word-processed and submitted in a presentation folder or you may wish to bind it in class. Remember that even though we have done these sections independently, they must now come together and flow as one project. Be aware of font, headings, format, etc to ensure project unity. In addition to your revised business plan, please also submit all draft work done (at the back). The finished business plan should include the following:

• Project 19 Cover Page (with the logo -project 3, name of your company, its address and phone number, and the chief executive's name)
• Table of Contents (with page numbers)
• Project 18 Executive Summary
• Project 2 Company Description
• Project 4 Product/Service Plan
• Project 5 Market Analysis
• Project 8 Marketing Plan
• Project 10 Schedule of Start-up Funds Required
• Appendix to include: logo (project 3), business card (project 6), company letterhead (project 7), trifold brochure (project 13), and a press release (project 14)
  

(Project 21) Business Plan Power Point Presentation
You will also be required to make a presentation to the class, pitching your business concept. You will prepare a Power Point Presentation with 10-12 slides and save this to a CD. All CD’s will be collected so they should be labeled with your name, your business name, the date, and your class period. Professional dress will be required.

Your presentation should include the following:

• Company Name & Description
• Opportunity/Feasibility & Product/Service Plan
  Explain the opportunity. What market need does your product or service fulfill?
  How do you plan to take advantage of the opportunity?
  What is your unique selling proposition (USP)?
  Who is your competition and how are your positioned in contrast to what they are offering
• Tell us about YOU!
  Why are you (or your team) uniquely qualified to make this business successful?
  Explain your credentials (experience, motivation, plan to acquire any skills or training that you don’t already possess).
• Market Analysis
  Discuss trends and growth patterns in your industry. Identify your direct and indirect competition. Explain any barriers to entering this industry. Clearly define your customer profile, in terms of demographics, geographics, psychographics & customer motivations for purchase. Explain how your data was collected, the importance of market research and how you plan to continually update your information.
• Marketing Plan
  Identify your marketing objective and explain how you will implement the marketing strategies of product, price, place and promotion.
• Start up Funds Required Briefly discuss the start-up funds required to open your business and explain how you plan to obtain them (savings, loan, investors etc.). Financial institutions like to see that you are willing to invest some of your own money, in addition to the money you may be acquiring from investors or in a start up loan.
• Closing Statement
  Make a strong closing statement reiterating the strength of you (or your team) and your qualificiations, your company, your product/service and why you are positioned for success.
  
  

Economics of Business Ownership Students- Creating A Promotional Trifold Brochure

Developing effective marketing materials is critical to the success of your business. At some point, you may wish to hire a professional to help you in this endeavor, but for a small business owner, cost may be prohibitive so let's explore the basics of creating a tri-fold brochure.

Read and take some notes on this article "6 Steps To Design Effective Brochures". Retain your notes for a future notebook check.

Here is an article entitled "Use Word to Create a Tri-fold Brochure", provided by Computer Companion, if you want to format the brochure yourself. If you prefer, you may opt for a simpler method, by utilizing previously designed templates (like the ones available on Microsoft Office Online).

Be sure to refer back to your notes on basic design principles such as balance, color, texture, line and harmony. Make your brochures decisions based on your knowledge of these principles, combined with the basic understanding of your business and it's target audience.