Entrepreneurship

This online certificate program introduces key issues in entrepreneurship for those looking to start a business on their own. What does it take to build and grow a business from scratch? What personal characteristics are shared by successful entrepreneurs? What types of resources are available to budding entrepreneurs, and where can you find them? Learners who complete this program will have the answers to those questions and others that are essential to the success of their businesses.

Each 3 to 5 hour, self-paced course offers an assortment of interactive exercises, videos, selected readings, case studies, and self-assessments that engage entrepreneurs and structure their learning about their field.

Upon successful completion of the program, you can download a printable certificate of completion for this online course suite. This certificate has no textbooks or prerequisites.

Curriculum & Course Details

The Certificate in Entrepreneurship consists of five courses. Students have five months to complete all of the coursework. * Accounting and Finance for Entrepreneurs * Business Law for Entrepreneurs * Introduction to Entrepreneurship * Leadership and Management for Entrepreneurs * Strategic Marketing for Entrepreneurs

After completing this entire certificate, students should be able to complete/discuss each of the following:

Accounting and Finance for Entrepreneurs:

• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Rules of Double-Entry Accounting
• The Accounting Cycle
• Relationship of Financial Statements
• Financial Planning and Budgets
• Calculating the Master Budget
• The Cash Budget
• Pro Forma Financial Statements
• The Financing Plan
• Evaluating New Ventures
• Break-even Analysis
• Return on Investment and Payback Period

Business Law for Entrepreneurs:

• Legal Environment
• Sole Proprietorships
• Partnerships
• Corporations
• Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Partnerships
• S Corporations and Limited Liability Companies
• Franchises
• Intellectual Property Rights
• Patents
• Copyright
• Trademarks and Trade Secrets
• Employment Law
• Forming a Contract
• Contracts and Fraud
• Sales Contracts
• Taxation and the Employer's Responsibilities
• Government Regulation
• Personal Property
• Real Property
• Transfer of Real Property Ownership
• Bankruptcy

Introduction to Entrepreneurship:

• Describe the characteristics of a successful entrepreneur
• Outline the eight stages of the entrepreneurial process
• Explain the discovery stage
• Describe the evaluation of the market for a new venture
• Outline ways to structure the venture
• Discuss the strategic planning process for an entrepreneur
• Describe the operational and financial planning needed for a new venture
• Outline how an entrepreneur develops and employs a business plan
• Describe the options for funding the new venture
• Discuss issues in implementing the plans for a new venture
• Recognize the ethical issues faced by entrepreneurs

Leadership and Management for Entrepreneurs:

• Describe the managerial roles played by an entrepreneur
• Outline the five key managerial activities
• Describe self-management techniques for managing time and organizing, planning, and prioritizing
• Discuss the autocratic (ODS-A), participative (ODS-P), and empowering (GEM) management styles and their application
• Describe the process for staffing an entrepreneurial venture
• Discuss Katzenbach's Five Motivational Paths and how they apply to new ventures
• Describe the process for coaching employees
• Outline the USED Model for training employees
• Discuss the importance of active listening when communicating with employees

Strategic Marketing for Entrepreneurs:

• Describe the role of strategy and marketing in an entrepreneurial setting
• Discuss the basics of strategy, including the three levels of strategy and the five competitive forces identified by Michael Porter
• Explain marketing basics, including the marketing process and the Four P's
• Discuss the role of marketing in the discovery stage of a new venture
• Describe the evaluation of the market for a new venture, including market segmentation, target marketing, and exploring customer needs
• Discuss the role of strategic planning in the entrepreneurial process
• Describe the key elements of a marketing plan
• Outline the factors for success in creating a new venture business plan

Each of these self-paced courses offers an assortment of interactive exercises, selected readings, quizzes and self-assessments. It is recommended that students complete the courses in sequential order, but students are able to access all five courses at any time. Upon completion, learners are given a summary of what they've learned for quick reference while at work.