Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management
Nurturing Nascent Entrepreneurs!
"A viable solution to the high unemployment in this country is to build the capacity of the people, especially the youth, in entrepreneurial skills to facilitate the creation of new businesses and the related jobs."
Entrepreneurial activities in the country have been limited and often concentrated on trading and retailing of consumer products, and in low skilled ventures, with little or no economic impact. There is the need to shift towards providing value-added services that require top-notch technology and management competencies.
CITAM seeks to provide rigorous training in practical entrepreneurship to individuals, especially the youth, to be able to create product or service businesses in the following areas: Information Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, Procurement, Human Resource, Insurance, Financial and Consulting.
Below is a sample of our courses:
1. Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation
2. Hi-Tech Product or Service Development
3. Starting and Growing a Professional Practice
4. Business Plan Development
5. Small Business Management
1. Entrepreneurship & New Venture Creation
Overview
This course is practical in nature and seeks to transform those "thinking" about new ventures to actually "doing" the entrepreneurial activities. Learners deals with the critical factors of initiating and managing new and existing growth-oriented ventures. Learners are exposed to the behaviors of entrepreneurs, the networks they use, innovation management, strategies and tools to start a new venture, ways of financing your business, successful market analysis and penetration, financial, legal and taxation issues.
Course Outline
Ø Entrepreneurship Concepts
Ø Innovation and idea generation
Ø Testing for available market
Ø Developing and executing the business plan
Ø Beyond ideas to launching your business
Highlights
This course is intended to create a "can do" and "make it happen" attitudes towards new venture creation, and challenges you to do the activities you need to do to start the business.
To understand the essentials of the planning and issues involved in a new venture creation.
To learn and apply a variety of tools and concepts including feasibility analysis, trends analysis, opportunity recognition and financial analysis for making entrepreneurial decisions.
To make you realize that being an entrepreneur is a life-long career choice that may be a very viable option for you.
Who should attend?
Ø Individuals who are serious about starting their own businesses
Ø Executives and professionals
Ø Business owners
Ø Those who evaluate business plans
Ø Individuals who manage businesses
2. Small Business Management
Overview
Successfully managing a business requires specific management skills in addition to knowledge of key business practices. Within this section you’ll learn about leadership traits, decision-making skills, and how to manage your employees. Additionally, we’ll walk you through a host of important topics to manage your business including: marketing basics, setting prices, filing your business taxes, legal considerations, forecasting for future growth, and financing options
Lead
No man or woman is an island, especially in the business world. You need other people to help carry out your business vision; this requires the ability to lead and influence others.
Make Decisions
One of the best decisions you can make is to learn how to be a good decision-maker. This requires commitment, understanding, and skill. It will be worth the effort.
What are the major reasons for small business failure?
Ø Lack of experience
Ø Insufficient capital (money)
Ø Poor location
Ø Poor inventory management
Ø Over-investment in fixed assets
Ø Poor credit arrangement management
Ø Personal use of business funds
Ø Unexpected growth
Ø Competition
Ø Low sales
Course Outline
i. Business Planning
Today's business environment is one of constant change. Being prepared to meet these changes requires planning. This unit covers the research and development of a business plan for achieving business goals and objectives.
ii. Small Business Marketing
No business can succeed without marketing. This unit will build your knowledge and understanding of all aspects of the marketing process including market research, marketing strategies and the marketing mix. You will then apply your knowledge and skills to develop a marketing plan for your own business or intended business.
iii. Financial Planning
Control of finances is a critical element in the success of a small business. This unit covers three main aspects of financial planning - planning for profit, planning the financial structure of your business and planning for cash flow. You will gain the skills necessary to project profits and to develop a financial plan for your own business or intended business.
iv. Maintain Financial Records
Good business management depends on accurate information. Whether you intend to use a manual or computerised accounting system, this unit will provide you with the skills necessary to prepare accurate financial records and the knowledge to understand them.
v. Legal Issues
Avoid legal problems. Know your rights and your obligations! This unit will provide you with a broad overview of legal and administrative requirements affecting the operation of a small business.
vi. Manage your Team
Managing people requires skill, knowledge and practise. Staff can be your greatest asset or your biggest headache! This unit will develop your skills and techniques in selecting, inducting, training and managing staff.
vii. Monitor a Safe Workplace
Occupational Health and Safety is a legal requirement for all workplaces. It also makes good business sense as lost time means lost money. This unit covers Occupational Health and Safety policies and procedures to meet relevant legislative requirements.
viii. Customer Service
Excellent customer service can give your small business a competitive advantage. This unit will enable you to develop effective skills in managing customer relations in a small business. Networking can be an effective, low cost marketing tool for your small business. This unit covers the skills and knowledge required to develop and maintain effective workplace relationships and networks. It covers the activities of communication and representation. x. Develop Work Priorities This unit covers the skills and knowledge to plan your own work schedules, monitor and obtain feedback on work performance and development. xi. Research Business Opportunities An introductory subject for students not yet in business. xii. IT/ Telecoms Today’s very competitive business climate demands that business owners understand and use advanced technologies. Technology is an enabler; it can help a business improve efficiencies and even expand operations. However, the use of technology should be balanced with business needs and practicality. Benefits Who can take this course? Entrepreneurs, business owners, business managers, business executives, knowledge seekers. College graduates, managers and senior executives are qualified to attend. Format The course format comprises of academic learning, case studies and individual or group projects. Topics Covered Ø Developing the Business Concept Ø Testing your idea in the market Ø Developing Prototypes Ø Developing Sales and Marketing Strategies for your new venture Ø Developing your financial plan – How do you make money? Ø Assembling a winning team – Employees, Management & Board Ø How to get Funding – Sources of capital Ø Product or Service completion and market readiness Ø Launching and Opening your business – celebrate! Course Benefits Ø Advice on how to get financing Ø Confidence building in new venture initiation 4. Business Plan Development Objectives This course is intended to create a "can do" and "make it happen" attitudes towards new venture creation, and challenges you to do the activities you need to do to start the business. Ability to develop a business plan that meets the requirement of banks, financiers, investors and business partners. Develop the competency of evaluating business plans and proposals to make objective decisions. Who should Attend? Ø Entrepreneurs, Investors, Banking professionals who evaluate business plans Ø NGO executives, Donor Agencies, Consultants and Knowledge seekers Course Outline Ø Entrepreneurship Concepts Ø The Business Planning Process Ø Market Analysis Ø Financial Analysis Ø Corporate Structure & Legal Issues Ø Ownership & Equity Ø Management Team Ø Operating Plan and Milestones Ø Final Project Work Ø Group or Individual Presentations
ix. Establish Business Networks
Finding the right business or business opportunity can be difficult. This unit covers searching for business opportunities and investigating whether or not they are likely to be successful. It discusses the different ways to get into small business and looks at the essential management skills required. In the process it asks you to assess your existing skills and examine if you are suited to small business.
3. The IT Entrepreneur
Hi-Tech Product or Service Development
Starting a new venture requires careful planning and execution of a viable idea. How you communicate this idea to potential investors, financiers and management team is a critical part of launching the business. This workshop is designed to help you zero-in on your idea and present it in a professional manner to receive the desired attention.
Bring your idea to this practical workshop and develop your own business plan!