Program Content

The following content will be covered in the program:

1. Introduction to Enterprise
2. Personal Assessments and Development
3. Creativity Development, Idea Generation and Evaluation
4. Market Research
5. Business Communication (Written and presentation skills)
6. Competitor and Trend Analysis
7. Business Ownership, Registration and Naming of Business
8. Government Regulations - getting through the red tape.
9. Revenue and Cost Projections
10. BUSINESS PLAN DEVELOPMENT
11. Financing Options
12. Marketing and Promotion
13. Accounting and Finance o Cash Flow o Profit and Loss Statements o Balance Sheet
14. Supplier and Customer Relations
15. Computer Applications
16. Selling Skills
17. Bookkeeping and Taxation
18. Business Management and Personnel Issues

Program Outline

There are three components to this Program. They include the following:

1. Facilitation and Workshop Component:

Includes seminars, workshops, field trips, guest speaker visits, etc. from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. Content covered includes enterprise-oriented curriculum, business, and communication skill development, personal assessments, creativity development, market research skills, computer skills, budgeting skills and business plan development skills. Consultations with Business Consultant will begin in week three.

2. Business Plan Development and Mentorship Component:

Work with a local entrepreneur in a business as closely related to your own for two days per week. Weekly consultations with Business Consultant. Attend in-class seminars one or two days/week: Seminar topics include marketing and promotions, publicity, accounting and finance, insurance and legal issues, networking, taxation and computer skill development Weekly milestone submissions.

Program Objectives

The Main Objectives of This Program Are:

1. To assist participants in gaining the skills and work habits required to successfully launch a new enterprise
2. To assist each participant in recognizing his/her potential
3. To provide each participant with a personalized development program
4. To assist participants to develop entrepreneurial attitudes, motivations and skills
5. To present self-employment as a career option
6. To instill in participants a permanent, positive and realistic attitude adjustment toward career focus and lifelong learning
7. To match talents, interests, attributes and abilities of participants to entrepreneurial opportunities
8. To encourage participants to take responsibility for, and control of, their personal career management
9. To assist each participant in identifying opportunities for business development
10. To assist each participant in the preparation of a professional BUSINESS PLAN
11. To nurture and expand an entrepreneurial support system within the Region
12. To foster an environment where information and experience are shared by entrepreneurs in the community
13. To develop a network of expertise in the fields of entrepreneurship, management, accounting, finance, marketing, law and government services

As well, this program seeks to develop enterprising people who should demonstrate the following competencies:

 ·        confidence and self-esteem
 ·        initiative and drive
 ·        being positive and flexible
 ·        making plans and decisions
 ·        communicating and negotiating skills 
 ·        being creative and innovative
 ·        managing people and resources
 ·        reviewing and reflecting on experiences
 ·        working in a collaborative fashion