Entrepreneurship

This is an intensive writing course. Narrative and descriptive modes are stressed. Basic research strategies are introduced. An end-of-the-semester portfolio is required.

This course is designed for the business professional who must have an understanding of financial and managerial accounting as it is used in decision making. This course is not for transfer students seeking a bachelor’s degree or for accounting majors. Learn about annual reports, financial statements, balance sheet accounts and accounting transactions. Focus on how accounting information is used in decision making and not the mechanics behind that accounting information. This is an introductory accounting course required in some program areas. Students should consider their academic program and select either ACC 131 or ACC 231 for their first accounting course.

(SAME AS ECM 201) This course enhances electronic communication skills and computer concepts essential to using current advanced information technologies. Topics include web collaboration, web conferencing, web 2.0 applications, social media, mobile computing, file conversions and cross-platform compatibility.

There will be only one constant throughout your career, and that constant is change. The preferences of consumers are constantly changing, entire industries are rising and falling, and hard-working people often are finding themselves looking for a job. This course provides you with the foundation to design your own job, whether in the context of an existing organization (i.e., as an “intrapreneur”) or as someone who starts a new enterprise (i.e., as an “entrepreneur”). In this course you will learn more about your own strengths and weaknesses, as well as the key characteristics shared by successful entrepreneurs. You’ll also gain skills for matching your strengths with a business idea that fits you well, so that both you and your customers will benefit. Finally, you will begin developing analytical tools to help make sound decisions in a rapidly-changing world.

Organizations grow by serving the needs of customers. These needs are frequently changing; at times even the customers themselves don’t accurately express what they need. The key to entrepreneurial success is identifying the underlying needs of specific niches within the changing marketplace and then devising a plan which matches your driving passion and unique capabilities with the specific needs you have identified. This process is entrepreneurial marketing. In this course you will work with market research tools and develop analytical processes for identifying the needs of target customers, and you will produce marketing plans designed to capitalize on your unique advantages in order to delight customers. Simultaneously, you will begin developing a brand identity intended to become the preferred choice among your target customers.

The student will be able to evaluate their business concept and write a sound business plan for their entrepreneurial venture. In the process of doing so, the student will be able to assess the strengths and weaknesses of a business concept; collect and organize market research data into a marketing plan; and prepare the financial projects for their business venture. In addition, students will be able to identify and evaluate various resources available for funding the entrepreneurial venture. To be successful in this course, basic computer skills are required.