Faculty Syllabus

Small Business Management - BUSG 2309

Small Business Management is a course on how to start and operate a small business. Topics include facts about small business, essential management skills, how to prepare a business plan, financial needs, marketing strategies, and legal issues.

This is a comprehensive examination of establishing and operating a small business in today’s dynamic business environment.  This course covers such topics as risk taking and entrepreneurship, forms of ownership, planning, organizing and managing, feasibility analysis, financing, human resources management, ethics, international business, governmental regulation and taxation, franchising, starting or buying a small business and other relevant subject areas.

Course Objective 

The primary objective of this course is to inform the student of the nature and importance of small business in our society. We also wish to enlighten the student as to opportunities and risks inherent in small businesses. This course will provide a student with the following: 

• Small business management strategies
• essential management skills
• how to prepare a business plan
• financial needs and access to resources – information – general and financial  
• marketing strategies
• legal issues.

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY:

Instruction is in a traditional classroom setting using textbooks and multimedia presentations. The instructor will use textbook, concept explanations, current events information, and use of personal experiences that are relevant to starting a Small Business.

Textbook: Entrepreneurship – Starting and Operating a Small Business 5th Edition, Steve Mariotti, Caroline Glackin

ISBN: 9780135210529

Small Business Management - BUSG 2309

Small Business Management is a course on how to start and operate a small business. Topics include facts about small business, essential management skills, how to prepare a business plan, financial needs, marketing strategies, and legal issues.

This is a comprehensive examination of establishing and operating a small business in today’s dynamic business environment.  This course covers such topics as risk taking and entrepreneurship, forms of ownership, planning, organizing and managing, feasibility analysis, financing, human resources management, ethics, international business, governmental regulation and taxation, franchising, starting or buying a small business and other relevant subject areas.

Course Objective 

The primary objective of this course is to inform the student of the nature and importance of small business in our society. We also wish to enlighten the student as to opportunities and risks inherent in small businesses. This course will provide a student with the following: 

• Small business management strategies
• essential management skills
• how to prepare a business plan
• financial needs and access to resources – information – general and financial  
• marketing strategies
• legal issues.

Student Learning Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Identify management skills for a small business. Understand the key competencies necessary for effective small business management.

2. Outline issues related to choosing a business and obtaining a return on investment. Evaluate factors influencing business selection and strategies for ensuring profitability.

3. Create a business plan. Develop a comprehensive business plan that serves as a roadmap for starting and growing a small business.

Learning Outcomes:

Students will demonstrate the ability to:

• Explain the importance of small businesses and entrepreneurship to the U.S. economy.

• Identify market gaps and opportunities for new ventures.

• Choose an appropriate form of business ownership.

• Develop a business plan that includes marketing strategies, financial projections, and operational plans.

• Understand the legal requirements for starting and operating a small business.

• Implement strategies for staffing, financing, and managing a small business effectively.

These objectives and outcomes are designed to provide students with a practical understanding of small business management, preparing them to launch and sustain successful entrepreneurial ventures.

Grading: 

Orientation Quiz is worth 10 points, each of the three exams (Exam 1, Exam 2, and Exam 3) is worth 130 points, and the Business Plan is worth 100 points. All exams must be taken, and no exam may be taken over.  Each exam must be taken on Blackboard by the date stated on the syllabus.  The last exam is not comprehensive.

Grading: 

3 exams.  Exam 1 = 130, Exam 2 = 130, Exam 3 = 130.    Business Plan = 100 and Orientation Quiz = 10

Last exam is not comprehensive.  Grading Scale: 450-500=A, 400-449=B, 350-399 =C, 300-349=D, and below 300=F.

All exams must be taken, and no exam may be taken over.  Please contact the instructor if you will be missing an exam.  If you need to miss an exam, you are required to give the instructor prior notice, and the exam must be made up before the next class meeting.  If the missed exam is not made up by the time designated, a grade of zero will be given.  Extreme and unusual circumstances will be considered. The last exam is not comprehensive. Attendance will be taken and is part of your grade. 

Business Plan:  

You will be working on a business plan project throughout the semester. This project will allow you to apply the concepts and skills you are learning in class to a real-world business scenario. By developing your business plan over the semester, you will have time to research, analyze, and refine your ideas, culminating in a comprehensive plan that demonstrates your understanding of key business principles.