The course consolidates and builds on the work undertaken in the preceding course Entrepreneurship and Creativity. Students are guided to use this knowledge to produce a business plan or similar document as appropriate to the financial or other requirements of the business. The work to be undertaken may be in the context of a start-up firm, or a new project or product within an existing organisation.
The course is divided into eight modules. The first module of the course explains the business planning process and what is required in a business plan. The second module revisits and reviews the feasibility study undertaken in Entrepreneurship and Creativity. The remaining modules in the course consolidate knowledge and understanding of the entrepreneurial process and further develop and apply through practice core entrepreneurial skills.
Topics include:
- Introduction to business planning
- Review, revisit and revise external environment and introduction to SWOT analysis
- Mission, Vision, structure and scalability
- Market segments and value propositions
- Marketing strategy and plans (including marketing, mix, channels of distribution and communication)
- Operational strategy and plans (including resourcing requirements)
- Financial planning and analysis
- Executive summary and business plan presentation
A key focus for this course is to strengthen and deepen knowledge and research acquired during the feasibility analysis. The areas surrounding customer relationships, marketing strategy, operational strategy and extended financial forecasting and budgeting are specifically explored and applied in more depth in order to satisfy the required outcome of a comprehensively researched, justified and creditable investor-ready business plan.