According toThe Hill, there are over 582 million entrepreneurs in the world. FreshBooks estimates that
more than 15 million Americans are full-time self-employed. Entrepreneurship is a
nearly-unlimited opportunity, given skills, knowledge, and determination.
FactFinder data indicates the 83.1% of American entrepreneurs started their own companies.
Guidant Financial says that 60% of new businesses are started by people between the
age of 40 and 60. Data from Babson College indicates that as many women start businesses
as men.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO START A BUSINESS?
Starting and running a small business requires mental, emotional and financial resources.
There is an established set of procedures that involve organizing, launching, and
operating an owner-managed business. Knowledge about legal and financial aspects of
business creation, development and management principles, and communication skills
are invaluable to the start-up entrepreneur.
DO START-UP BUSINESSES HAVE HIGH FAILURE RATES?
While conventional wisdom holds that a majority of new businesses fail, recent data
may point toward a different conclusion. According to Enrepreneur.com, new business
failure rates have fallen by 30% since 1977, due in part to the relatively low cost
of starting a small-scale business. Small Business Genius estimates the failure rate
for brand new businesses at 22.5% for the first year. A well-organized and professionally
run business has a nearly-80% chance of succeeding through the first year start-up
process.
IS TRAINING IMPORTANT FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP?
While some entrepreneurs start their businesses without formal training, a well-designed
entrepreneurship course provides formal knowledge about financial, legal, and management
issues they may not receive outside the course format. For example, according to CBInsights,
42% of businesses that fail do so because there is no demand for their product or
service. Another 29% fail for lack of proper capitalization and budgeting.
There are no prerequisites to take this course.
ESSENTIALS OF BUSINESS OWNERSHIP
Introduction to starting a business, finding a niche and establishing your leadership
style and company culture
FINANCIAL AND ACCOUNTING MANAGEMENT
Overview of financial aspects of entrepreneurship, including balance sheets, rations
and financial, income, and cash flows statements
MARKETING MANAGEMENT
Building a marketing program to support your business; marketing goals and planning,
budget, and implementation
STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT IN OPERATIONS
Defining your business model and strategic plan; creating and implementing strategic
alternatives
POSITIONING FOR AND FINDING FINANCING
Positioning the owner and the entity to find financing
PERSUASIVE COMMUNICATION
Fundamentals of communication and active listening; knowing the audience, establishing
credibility as the speaker
ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND DECISION MAKING
What is a leader?; leadership theories, decision making, and empowerment
LEGAL ISSUES IN OPERATIONS
Navigating Agency and Employment Law to run your business legally and ethically; Sales
and Products Liability
BUSINESS PLAN DEVELOPMENT
Defining and developing a comprehensive business plan
UNDERSTANDING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Debt vs. equity; factors to consider and terminology
ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CHANGE
Types of organizational culture and change; the human side of change and resistance
PRINCIPLES OF BUYING AND SELLING A BUSINESS
Key Steps in preparing to sale or purchase; considerations about corporate culture
Kelley Burgess
Kelley Burgess is a public-speaking coach and author and presenter of the half-day
seminar "Serving with Maximum Effectiveness." Previously spent five years teaching
speech, debate, and mediation at the high-school level and was named in "Who's Who
of America's Best Teachers" in 2003, 2004, and 2005. She holds a bachelor's degree
from the University of Maryland.
Katrina McBride
Katrina McBride's career reflects extensive experience in organizational leadership,
marketing strategies, and market development in multi-national corporate environments.
Her leadership abilities have been utilized to develop new programs and functional
areas. In director-level positions for Nortel Networks, she led strategy for competitive
intelligence, emerging markets, and lead generation. McBride holds an M.A. in organizational
management and a B.S. in psychology.
This course is 100% online. Start anytime.
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