Entrepreneurship 101
$69.00
Course Length: 4 Weeks
Course Hours: 8
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Course Overview
In this course, you’ll learn the basics of entrepreneurship. You will learn how to find and evaluate business ideas, flesh out those ideas by developing value propositions and financial projections, consider your ownership options, prepare the appropriate documents (including a business plan, pitch deck, and white papers), and gather funding for your business. You’ll also learn the steps of developing, testing, marketing, and launching a product or service. To wrap things up, you’ll learn how to grow your business and become an entrepreneurial leader.
Wouldn’t it be nice to be your boss, work on your schedule, and make money doing something that you’re passionate about? Millions of people around the world are living that dream and running their own business. You can, too, with this introductory entrepreneurship course.
Many people have varied definitions of what is the meaning of entrepreneurship. However, most consistently agree that entrepreneurship is essential and necessary for economic growth and employment opportunities in the 21st century. This course will introduce you to the key fundamentals of entrepreneurship 101 and the tools needed to become your own personal Boss. It will also cover the building blocks from having an effective strategy and how to win customers over with your business products and services.
Learning Objectives
After you complete this course, you will be able to:
Identify the traits of an entrepreneur and assess your own entrepreneurial capabilities
Outline and evaluate a business idea
Develop a product idea
Identify your target market and customers
Develop your value proposition
Understand different types of business ownership and structures
Evaluate franchising and business purchasing opportunities
Create a pitch deck, executive summary, company presentation, technical white paper, and business plan
Create financial projections for your business
Identify where to find business funding
Create a product development plan, marketing plan, and sales strategy
Identify ways to protect your intellectual property
Describe effective ways to brand your product
Choose the right location for your business
Launch and grow your business
Demonstrate the behaviors of an entrepreneurial leader
Find appropriate resources to help you on your journey
Outline
Session One: Course Overview
Session Two: What It Takes to Make It
Pre-Assignment Review
Traits of an Entrepreneur
Session Three: Resources to Consider
Session Four: Laying the Groundwork
Finding Business Ideas
Considering the Options, Part One
Outlining Your Ideas
Considering the Options, Part Two
Assessing Your Ideas
Considering the Options, Part Three
Evaluating Your Capacity for Risk
Session Five: Building On Your Business Idea
Developing Your Product Idea
Making Connections
Identifying Your Target Market and Customers
Developing Your Value Proposition
Creating Financial Projections
Session Six: Business Ownership Options
Types of Business Ownership
Purchasing a Franchise
Purchasing an Existing Business
Session Seven: Key Documents to Prepare
Business Plan
Executive Summary
Pitch Deck
30-Second Pitch
Practicing the Pitch
White Papers
Session Eight: Gathering Funding
The Basics of Financial Statements
Brainstorming Solutions
Funding Options
Session Nine: Developing Your Product
The Steps of Product Development
Protecting Your Intellectual Property
Session Ten: Creating a Sales and Marketing Strategy
Introduction to Marketing
Stage One: Consumer and Market Analysis
Stage Two: Analyzing the Competition and Yourself
Stage Three: Analyzing Distribution Channels
Stage Four: Creating a Marketing Plan
Making Connections
Stages Five and Six: Implement, Evaluate, Review, and Revise
Leveraging Social Media
Building Your Sales Force
Session Eleven: Branding 101
What Branding Is All About
Developing Your Brand Name
Developing a Slogan
Types of Logos
Getting Creative
Session Twelve: Setting Up Your Office
Choosing a Location
The Pros and Cons of Home-Based Businesses
Session Thirteen: Launching the Business
Getting Off the Ground
Setting Up Your Organizational Chart
Recruiting and Engaging the Right People
Session Fourteen: Keeping the Business Moving
Keeping Track of Your Business
Growing Your Business
Don’t Give Up!
Session Fifteen: Being an Entrepreneurial Leader
Michael Gerber’s Three Perspectives
Case Study
Session Sixteen: Bringing It All Together
Recommended Reading List
Post-Course Assessment
Pre- and Post-Assessment Answer Keys
Personal Action Plan
Instructor(s)
Course Ambassador, Derrick Holmes CEO Benjamin Banneker Watch Company, and Dr. Lance McCarthy
Dr. Lance McCarthy is a nationally recognized Faith Based Economist and Investment Advisor, with a specialty in urban development. Dr. McCarthy has assisted non-profit organizations, churches, corporations, professional athletes and cities with economic development and financing plans. His public policy research, Fortune 100 experience, entrepreneurial endeavors and non-profit initiatives give him insight into our nation’s most pressing problems. Most recently Dr. McCarthy has been appointed National Economic Advisor for Faith Driven Consumer, the organization which represents more than 41 million Faith Driven Consumers in the United States, who collectively spend $2 trillion annually. Dr. McCarthy will be working with corporations to assist them in working with the Faith Driven Consumer. He also represents faith-based funding sources that have provided $1 billion dollars in investments for churches nationwide. Presently, Dr. McCarthy is a financial consultant on the upcoming movie “Mary”—set to arrive in theaters nationwide in December 2016.
Internet Connection
- Broadband or High-Speed – DSL, Cable, and Wireless Connections
*Dial-Up internet connections will result in a diminished online experience. Classroom pages may load slowly and viewing large audio and video files may not be possible.
Hardware Requirements
- Processor – 2GHz Processor or Higher
- Memory – 1 GB RAM Minimum Recommended
* While our courses are accessible through multiple mobile learning platforms, some courses may include a CD or DVD with the Textbook, so you may need access to a computer with CD-ROM or DVD Drive.
PC Software Requirements
- Operating Systems – Windows 7 or higher
- Microsoft Office 2007 or higher. Also, you could use a general Word Processing application to save and open Microsoft Office formats (.doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx)
- Internet Browsers – Google Chrome is highly recommended
- Cookies MUST be enabled
- Pop-ups MUST be allowed (Pop-up Blocker disabled)
- Kindle Reader App is needed for many of our courses (No special equipment needed. This can be downloaded for FREE onto your computer.)
- PowerPoint Viewer (if you do not have PowerPoint)
- Adobe PDF Reader
- QuickTime, Windows Media Player &/or Real Player
MAC Software Requirements
- Operating Systems – Mac OS x 10 or higher with Windows
- Mac office programs or a Word Processing application to save and open Microsoft Office formats (.doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx)
- Internet Browsers- Google Chrome is highly recommended
- Cookies MUST be enabled
- Pop-ups MUST be allowed (Pop-up Blocker disabled)
- Kindle Reader App is needed for many of our courses (No special equipment needed. This can be downloaded for FREE onto your computer.)
- PowerPoint Viewer (if you do not have PowerPoint)
- Adobe PDF Reader
- Apple QuickTime Media Player
- Courses that include a CD-ROM or DVD may require an external drive and Parallels software to view.
How long does it take to complete a course?
When you register for a course(s), you will receive a start date and the time frame it takes to complete the program. Once the course begins, each course is self-paced, so you can start and stop each learning module at your own pace. However, you must complete the course within the time frame to receive a certification.
What happens if I do not have enough time to complete the course within the time frame provided?
If you don’t finish the course in the time frame, you will not receive a certification. The time frame allotted to complete each course has been based on each learner giving a concerted effort to complete the course, plus the number of hours it takes to learn the information and obtain the certification. Therefore, the time frame for each course has been calculated to ensure successful completion of the course. However, if for some reason a learner is unable to complete the course, you will have to re-enroll in the course and you will be required to pay the course price in effect at the time of re-enrollment.
Once enrolled in the course, and I realize that I can’t complete the course can I get a refund?
There are NO REFUNDS once you enroll in a course. However, if you are suddenly deployed while pursuing a certification course, we will work with you to ensure you complete your studies. Learners who need to delay their course for medical reasons, may be eligible to transfer their course(s) to a future term. A medical withdrawal will be considered only if accompanied by:
A written verification and phone verification from a medical doctor stating the student cannot complete the course due to illness or disability. Please not the doctor’s note must be in English to be considered.
You can contact our office at: info@aperionglobalinstitute.com
Are there any additional materials and/or books I am required to buy for a course?
No, everything you need is included in the course. Some courses will suggest additional materials/books that can help you grasp the information better, or expand your knowledge about a topic. However, you are not required to purchase the additional information.
Are there exams I will have to take in a course?
Yes, there are exams in each course to access your knowledge of the material. You will be required to pass those exams to successful complete the course. The type of exams you will take vary. They can range from multiple choice questions, essays, short answers, and/or video/audio submissions. If you diligently study and complete the assignments for each course, you will be prepared to pass the exams in the course(s).
Can I get financial assistance?
Aperion Global Institute (AGI) courses are non-credit courses, so they do not qualify for federal assistance in the United States, and AGI does not provide financial assistance. In some states, a vocational program, military program, or workforce development program will pay for qualified learners to take courses. You will be responsible for qualifying for financial assistance through those agencies and/or programs. For international students, you will also have to follow the guidelines and requirements regarding financial assistance at your institution or program.
What happens when I complete a course?
Upon successful completion of a course, within three (3) days you will receive a certification by email. You are free to save and print the certification for your educational and career needs. If for some reason you do not receive the certification, or can’t save or print the certification please contact our office at: info@aperionglobalinstitute.com
Once I provide an employer with the certification, am I guaranteed a job?
AGI does not provide direct job placement services after successfully completing a course. However, the certification you receive informs a potential employer that you have acquired the skills and knowledge to obtain employment, in most cases. We recommend that learners conduct research on the job market to make sure you have the required job skills and expertise.
What software or hardware do I need, and what are the system requirements to take courses?
To take our courses, you must have access to a computer and the internet. You can use a Mac and/or PC., tablet, phone. You don’t have to use the same device to log-in for the course(s). We recommend that you have a word-processing program (Microsoft Word is the best), Abode Player, and the latest version of a free web browser such as Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, etc.
When can I start the courses?
You can start the courses on the start date only. Once the course starts, you are free to access the course anytime, anywhere, and as many times as you want with an internet connection. Please note: There are no refunds once you enroll in a course(s).
Can I receive CEU credit for courses that I successfully complete?
Please do not assume that all courses that you take and successfully complete are eligible for CEU certification. If you are seeking CEU certification for a course, we strongly recommend that you contact your institution and establish eligibility for the courses you plan to take BEFORE you enroll in a course. Although we provide you with a certificate for successfully completing a course, it is solely your responsibility to ensure that the course you enroll in and the certificate meets CEU requirements for your profession.