Certificate in Entrepreneurship:
Offered in partnership with Baruch's Lawrence N. Field Center for Entrepreneurship
This certificate teaches entrepreneurs and small business owners how to start and run a business. Participants will learn how to develop a business concept, identify and reach target markets, choose service providers, develop financial goals, and maintain and grow a successful business operation.
Upon completion of this program students will have developed a comprehensive business plan demonstrating the practical application of learning from all modules.
In addition to the program instruction, participants will have access to support services including one-to-one counseling with professional business advisors and networking with successful New York area entrepreneurs.
Hours: 75 hrs
Cost: $3,475
Module I Starting your business
Learn about the issues that entrepreneurs face when setting up a business. This course teaches individuals how to develop and assess their business concepts and short and long term goals. Topics including choosing a legal business structure (LLC vs. Corporation), licensing, obtaining permits and special certifications for business will be covered. Entrepreneurs will also be introduced to the elements required in a business plan.
1 session (7 hours)
Saturday
9:30am to 5:30pm
Dates: September 25, 2010
Module II Developing your product or service idea
This module will help the entrepreneur further develop the scope of their product or service. Entrepreneurs will learn how to determine their market niche, and what makes their product or service different or special. This module will also cover issues around manufacturing and service delivery. Trademarks, patents, and when these types of protection are warranted will also be covered.
1 session (7 hours)
Saturday
9:30am to 5:30pm
Dates: October 2, 2010
Module III Marketing for success
This module will help students define their marketing strategy, identify their markets and segments, develop effective marketing communications and explore their competitive environment. Other topics to be covered are market research, product development, pricing, positioning and promotions. At the end of this course students will develop a better understanding of how to develop the MARKETING AND ADVERTISING elements of their business plan.
1 session (7 hours)
Saturday
9:30am to 5:30pm
Dates: October 16, 2010
Module IV Operations and building your professional support team
Developing a professional support team is essential in driving your small business to success. This module will help participants find and evaluate experts and build that team. Entrepreneurs will explore key issues and liabilities to be considered when contracting service providers such as: Accountants, Bookkeepers, Lawyers, IT, PR-Marketing, Graphic Design, HR support, Manufacturer, Insurance and Importer-Shipper. Entrepreneurs will also learn essential managerial functions including planning, decision making and managing small business operations and human resources. At the end of this course students further develop their OPERATIONS plan.
1 session (7 hours)
Saturday
9:30am to 5:30pm
Dates: October 23, 2010
Module V Funding a start-up
Finding the money you need to jumpstart your business is vital. The course will cover important elements of the business financing process such as: techniques for cash generation, forecasting, planning and assessing. Also access to capital issues such as debt and equity financing and bootstrapping techniques will be covered. At the end of this course entrepreneurs will develop a better understanding of how to develop their business model and the FINANCE component of their business plan.
1 session (7 hours)
Saturday
9:30am to 5:30pm
Dates: October 30, 2010
Module VI Developing your business plan
This course gives students a deeper understanding of the elements of a business plan. Students will evaluate if their idea is a good business opportunity through the process of developing a realistic plan. At this stage students will integrate the knowledge acquired through previous modules and will produce a final business plan. Students will present their plans to the class and a panel of experts for feedback and critique.
8 sessions (40 hours)
Fridays --6:00pm to 9:00pm and Saturdays 9:30am to 5:30pm
Dates: November 5, 2010 to December 4, 2010