Startup Entrepreneur - Starting a Business from - A to Z

Course details

Lesson 1 - Selecting the business that is right for you

• Evaluating the business you have in mind
• How to avoid the most common, but serious mistakes in starting a business.
• What things one should decide before starting a business
• Essential qualities that are required to become a  successful entrepreneur

Lesson 2 - Business Organization

• Whether to go into business alone or with a partner.
• What type of business organization (structure) to use for your new business: proprietorship, partnership, corporation, S Corporation or limited liability company.
• How can Professionals Help You. Professional advisors to assist you in deciding on the type of business organization as well as ongoing issues common to business ownership.

Lesson 3 - Business Licenses, Permits and Business Names 

• License and Permits
• Home Based Businesses
• Business Name or DBA (Doing Business As)
• Seller's Permit
• Employer Identification Number (EIN) / Federal Tax ID
• Business License and Permits Checklist

Lesson 4 - Business Location and Leasing

• Zoning Categories
• Criteria for a manufacturing, warehousing or industrial business
• Criteria for a retail business
• Criteria for home-based business
• Points to consider before signing a lease or purchasing property
• Basic lease provisions
• Rent or buy considerations
• Doing your homework
• Site location criteria

Lesson 5 - Business Insurance

• Business property insurance
• Liability insurance
• Workers compensation insurance
• Other insurance coverage
• Excess liability coverage
• Employment practices liability coverage
• Life insurance

Lesson 6 - Computers and Communication Tools

• Types of communication
  • Internal
  • External
• Basic communication tools
• Computers

  Hardware

  Software

  Auxiliary products

• Internet
• Technology planning
• Getting your business online

Lesson 7 - Financing Your Business

Understanding Financing

• Basic planning
  • What will the money be used for?
  • How much money do you need?
  • How will you payback the money?
• Estimate start-up costs
  • Fixed and Variable Expenses
• Break-even analysis
• Evaluate the need for cash

Sources of Money

Bank Loans

• Ability to repay
• Credit history
• Equity
• Collateral
• Experience

Small Business Administration  (SBA) Loans

Writing a loan proposal

Lesson 8 - Small Business Marketing

• What is marketing?
• How to do market research
• What is a marketing strategy?
• How to do target marketing
• Promotional Objectives
• How to develop a marketing plan
  • Define your business
  • Define your customers
  • Define your plan and budget
• What is marketing performance
• Managing the market mix
  • Products and services
  • Promotion
  • Distribution
  • Pricing
• Building a marketing mix
• Marketing tools
  • Business name and logo
  • Promotion
  • Mailing lists
  • Web Presence
  • E-Marketing
  • Tradeshow marketing
• Marketing ideas

Lesson 9 - Understanding Accounting

• Basics of accounting
  • What is accounting
  • Who uses accounting information
  • Generally Accepted Accounting Principals (GAAP)
  • Methods of accounting
  • Internal controls
• Cash vs. Accrual accounting
• Major financial statements
  • Elements of financial statements
  • Income statement
  • Balance sheet
  • Statement of changes in equity
  • Cash flow statement
• Bank reconciliation
• Selecting an accountant
• Accounting software

Lesson 10 - Creating a Business Plan

• Business plan basics
  • What is a business plan?
  • How will your business plan help your business?
  • What are the types of business plans?
• Organize your plan
  • Plan your plan
  • Your financing goals
  • How to use your plan
• How to write a business plan
  • Business plan formats
  • Elements of a business plan
  • Sample business plan template
• Essential features of a great business plan
• Do's and Don'ts 

Lesson 11 - Buying a Business or Franchise

• Basics of buying a business
  • Advantages and disadvantages
• How to evaluate the worth of a business
• Business plans
• New business vs. existing business
• What questions to ask and mistakes to avoid when buying an existing business
• Buying a franchise
  • What is a franchise
  • Why you should think about buying a franchise
  • What to consider when buying a franchise

Lesson 12 - Business Expansion

• Understanding what to expand
• Planning your business expansion
• Build a family dynasty and grow self sufficiency for your community
• Build business value by dominating a market niche
• Attract and retaining good employees
• Land the major clients
• Achieve economies of scale
• Ways to expand
• Expansion issues
• Using technology to aid expansion