300  Business Management   120 Classes

Prerequisite(s):  None

Textbooks:  W.L. Megginson et al, Small Business Management:  An Entrepreneur's Guidebook, 4th edition, Irwin McGraw-Hill, 2002 (or comparable text). 

 

Course Description: While developing English language skills, this course introduces students to small business management.  Through reading, discussion, and case study analysis, students develop an understanding of small business planning, of marketing and operational strategy development, of legal and financial issues, and of day-to-day supervision and control procedures. 

Objectives:  By the end of the course, students should be able:

Instructional Methods:  Students will read, discuss, and write in English in response to

situations described in the text; in reponse to quotations, charts, tables, and pictures; and in response to "cases."

Grading:  The final grade is based on the following:

Class Participation

25%

Assignments

30%

Quizzes

10%

Project

10%

Exams

25%

Total

100%

The grading scale is:  A=90-100%, B+=85-89%, B=80-84%, C+=75-79%, C=70-74%, D=65-69%, F=60-64%

Course Outline:

Week

Topics

Assignments and Tests

1-2

Using the text:  parts of the book and learning aids. Introduction to small business issues and trends.

 

Read chapter 1.

Select one chapter "question for discussion" and write at least a paragraph explaining each.

Write a response to one  of the chapter’s case questions

3

Opportunities and challenges in small business

Read chapter 2.. 

Select one chapter "question for discussion" and write at least a paragraph for each.

Write a response to one chapter case question. 

4

Forms of ownership: 

Individual oral presentation within small group in response to a specific chapter case. 

Read chapter 3. 

Write a response to one chapter case question.

Prepare a small group oral presentation that responds to one chapter case question. 

5

Becoming a small business owner:  identifying a needed product and a market for it; franchising. 

Read chapter 4.

Write a response to one chapter case question. 

6-7

Planning in organizing and managing a small business; writing a resume. 

Brief individual oral presentations explaining a chapter visual or figure. 

Read chapter 5.

Write a response to one chapter case question. 

Select one component of the sample business plan and explain why it is important.

Write a resume for yourself. 

Open book test on material covered so far.  

8

Financing your business:  various forms and sources of financing; presenting yourself to lenders. 

Review for exam. 

Read chapter 6.

Write a response to one chapter case question. 

 

Exam. 

9

Marketing strategies:  marketing concepts; using research; packaging, pricing, and other aspects of marketing; implementing and evaluating a marketing strategy. 

Individual within small group oral presentations in response to a specific chapter case

Read chapter 7.

Write a response to one chapter case question. 

Work with a small group to prepare a small group oral presentation that responds to one chapter case question. 

10

Promoting and distributing a product:  choosing a distribution channel; advertising, merchandizing, and promoting the product; managing credit. 

Read chapter 8.

Write a response to one chapter case question. 

11

Human resources functions and regulations: 

Individual within small group oral presentations in response to a specific chapter case

Read chapter 9.

Write a response to one chapter case question. 

Work with a small group to prepare a small group oral presentation that responds to one chapter case question. 

12

Maintaining good employee relationships

Read chapter 10

Write a response to one chapter case question. 

13

Locating and laying out facilities

 

Read chapter 11

Write a response to one chapter case question. 

Prepare your part of a small group oral presentation that responds one chapter case

14

Purchasing, inventory, and quality control

Individual within small group oral presentations in response to a chapter case

Read chapter 12

Write a response to one chapter case question. 

Continue to work on small group presentation. 

15

Planning for profit

Read chapter 13

Write a response to one chapter case question. 

 

16

Budgeting and taxes

Review for exam.  

Read chapter 14

Write a response to one chapter case question. 

Work with a small group to prepare a small group oral presentation that responds to one chapter case question

Exam. 

17

Information technology for small business

Read chapter 15

Write a response to one chapter case question. 

18

Risk management, insurance, and crime prevention. 

Read chapter 16

Write a response to one chapter case question. 

Work with a small group on a small group oral presentation about one case question. 

19-20

Business-government relations and business ethics

Read chapter 17

Write a response to one chapter case question. 

21

Planning for the future:  preparing the next generation and preparing for management succession; tax and estate planning. 

Read chapter 18

Write a response to one chapter case question. 

Work with a small group on a small group oral presentation about one of the chapter case questions.  

22-23

Individual Project:  Developing a successful business plan. 

Read "Workbook for Developing a Successful Business Plan"

Follow instructor guidelines for developing an individual business plan

24

Individual project oral reports. 

Review for exam. 

Individual oral and written reports summarizing business plan.

Final exam. 

rev. 2/04, 2/07; 5/08