Small Business Management

The University Of Lethbridge 
 Management 3806   --   Spring 2012
Section A
Instructor: Jim Clark     Office & Phone: M4065 
Class Time Sec A:  T-Th   12:15-1:30 
 Room: AH177		 Office Hours: M-W 11am - Noon
E-mail: clark@uleth.ca 
WEB PAGE -  http://people.uleth.ca/~clark/

TEXT: Canadian Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management (8th Edition) - Balderson (McGraw-Hill Ryerson)

BACKGROUND

This course is designed to examine the important aspects of starting and managing a small business. It will also include a brief investigation of the current status of small businesses in Canada and their contribution to the Canadian economy. The primary focus of the course, however, will be from the point of view of establishing and managing one's own business.

FORMAT

Each student is expected to read the assigned readings in the text prior to the related lecture. Lectures will include discussion of the text material, case studies, video examples and guest speakers to illustrate the topics covered.

Each student will write three mid-term exams in addition to completing the major project. This project will involve the complete analysis of an existing small business or the preparation of a business plan for a new business.

Details of the exams and project are found on the following pages.

Classroom Technology (Laptops, PDA and Cell phones)
They are great, love them, and use them in my personal life and for my business endeavors. Even though I think they are great, please do not use them in class unless it is related to the course while I am lecturing. I find these mediums very distracting (especially web surfing and texting). If you need to use these devices please for your social calendar/activities please use them at the beginning or end of class, not during my lectures.

GRADING:

Mid-term Exams 3 @ 19%   57%

Participation and Group Assignments   3%

Major Project 40%

Excellent:
A+ (97-100)
A (93-96.9)
A- (90-92.9)
Superior:
B+ (87-89.9)
B (83-86.9)
B- (80-82.9)
Satisfactory:
C+ (77-79.9)
C (73-76.9)
C- (70-72.9)
Pass:
D (60-69.9)
D (60-69.9)
D (60-69.9)
 

Course Outline

LECTURE SCHEDULE:

Lecture topics and corresponding text chapters from the text which students are expected to read are listed below.

 

Course Outline

Date  

Readings

 Assignment
Jan 10 class 1  The Role of Business in Canada Ch. 1 Chapter 1 ppt

Bread Man
Barman
Surviving Enron
Jan 12 class 2 The Small Business Decision Ch. 2

 Access the Business Development Bank of Canada website and fill out the self a assessment checklist for an entrepreneur.

 

 Chapter 2 ppt

American Clothing
Java Nook
Pet Safe Ideas
Jan 17 class 3 The Small Business Decision Ch. 2

Business Selection - Feasibility Analysis Ch. 3

http://www.gdsourcing.ca/

 Bright Lights
Wikes
MukLuks
Jan 19 class 4 Evaluation of a Business opportunity Ch. 3

Please bring text to class today

 Chapter 3 ppt

Fou Fou
Beer Mits
Biker Campground
Jan 24 class 5  Feasibility Analysis Ch. 3

Please bring text to class today

 Starman
Kinetic Energy
Jan 26 class 6 The Business Plan Ch. 4 Baron of Beer
Caribbean Beer
Greenbox

Chapter 4 ppt
Jan 31 class 7 Exam #1 Chapter 1 , 2, 3  
Feb 2 class 8 Buying a Business Ch. 5
Passion For Fashion
Flipart
Montreal Sandwich
Sex Suds Style

 Chapter 5 ppt
Feb 7 class 9 Franchising Ch. 6

 

 

 Girls Gymn
Win Lottery&  Buy Store
Ace Clear Defence
Reading the Fine Print
 
Feb 9 class 10 Financing the Small Business Ch. 7
Dave's Sports
Mad science
Bull Dog Fitness
Cerealicious

Chapter 6 ppt
Feb 14 class 11 Financing the Small Business Ch. 7 Cottage Cheese Cake
Gift Wrap Game
 Mia yogurt
Chapter 7 ppt
Feb 16 class 12 Marketing management Ch. 8 Brand Man
QVC
Skeets & Skiles
NY  Smells
Feb 28 class 13 Project Day - see chapter 4

Identify the business you will be completing a plan for.

Project Day - Business Objective & Market Approach work class

  
March 1 class 14 Project Day - see chapter 4

Business Objectives & Market Approach Completed - submitted at start of next class on March 6

 
March 6 class 15 Exam 2  chapter 4,5,6,7  
March 8 class 16 Marketing management Ch. 8 Vulcun Start-up
Fields of Seeds
 QR CODES

Chapter 8 ppt
March 13 class 17

Small Business and Electronic Commerce Ch. 9

 

 

 Surviving High Tech
CD Baby
Social Diva
Baby Dad
Importing

Chapter 9 ppt
March 15 class 18

Financial management Ch. 10

Sugar High
Two for the show
March 20 class 19 Financial management Ch. 10 Mohair Sock
Ocean Hotel
Past Due

Chapter 10 ppt
March 22 class 20 Human Resource management Ch. 12
Nuts & Bolts
March 27 class 21 Human Resource management Ch. 12

Sona Restaurant
Boxes R Us

Chapter 12 ppt
March 29 class 22 Tax management Ch. 13
Race #1
Race #2
Race #3

Chapter 13 ppt
April 3 class 23

Growth Management Ch. 14

Managing the Transfer of the Business Ch. 15

 

 Joe Six Pac
Bird Cages
Super Bacteria
Golf Gifts
Sports Cars

Chapter 14 ppt
April 5 class 24 Managing the Transfer of the Business Ch. 15 Spit Decisions
All in the Family
Chapter 15 ppt
 
April 10 class 25
Exam 3 chapter 8, 9, 10 , 12, 13, 14, 15		  
April 12 class 26 MANAGEMENT 3806 – PROJECT  
April 17 class 27 MANAGEMENT 3806 – PROJECT  

Download:
Initial cash requirements
Cash flow budget worksheet

MANAGEMENT 3806 – PROJECT GUIDELINES

GENERAL

- Project topics should be cleared with me by the end of the first month of classes.

  1. - This project is designed to allow the student to apply the things which have been learned in this course (and others) to an actual small business situation or idea.
  2. - Each student is to do either option A (small business plan) or option B (small business analysis)
  3. - Businesses do not have to be located in southern Alberta
  4. - If the business selected does not seem to fit the evaluation sheet be sure to discuss this with me prior to handing in the project.
  5. - Student projects are to be done individually
  6. - There is no required length for this project but the average is in the 20-40 page range
  7. - This project will require outside research and probably an interview with the owner of a small business. A reference letter is available on request. Confidentiality of the contents can be strictly observed if required.

 

OPTION A

  1. - The end result will be a business plan for a new business. It will include a feasibility analysis and the other steps of a business plan as outline in chapters 3 and 4 of the text.
  2. - Research will include secondary sources of information and may require interviews with current business owners. Secondary sources will be provided in class.
  3. Grading scheme for option A

OPTION B

  1. - The end result will be a description and analysis of a small business. Much of this information is found in chapters 8-12 of the text.
  2. - Research will include secondary sources of information and will require interviews with the owner of the business.
  3. Grading scheme for option B