Maui Community College
Course Outline
1. Alpha and Number
BUS 125
Course Title
Starting a Small Business
Credits
3
Date of Outline
March 2004
2. Course Description
Surveys the small business environment, establishing a
firm, decision-making processes, marketing
assessments, financing, operations considerations, and
government regulations. Covers development of a
business plan. Designed for those who wish to start or
are currently operating their own small business.
3. Contact Hours/Type
3 hours/lecture
4. Prerequisites
ENG 19 with at least a C, or placement at ENG 22 or 55,
or consent.
Corequisites
Recommended Preparation
Approved by
ENG 22 or 55 with at least a C, or placement at ENG
100, or consent.
Date
2
5. General Course Objectives
To outline the benefits and opportunities of owning a small business. To explain that management of
small business can be learned, and that by learning the skills of small business management, the
number of business failures can be reduced. To help those who are currently in business, operate
their business more efficiently. To develop a business plan for those who wish to start their own
business.
For detailed information on how BUS 125 focuses on the Maui Community College general education
standards, see the attached curricular grids.
BUS 125 fulfills an elective for the AAS in Business Careers. It meets the three credit requirement in
Applied Studies for the Liberal Arts A.A. degree. The course is designed to complement and
supplement those courses already in existence in the Business and other educational divisions. To
provide information and knowledge for entrepreneurs who wish to start a small business or manage
one better. Is the foundation course for the Certificates of Completion -- Entrepreneurship I & II.
6. Student Learning Outcomes
For assessment purposes, these are linked to #7. Recommended Course Content.
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
a. evaluate business: now and beyond;
b. appraise business ethics and social responsibility;
c. recognize economic challenges facing global and domestic business;
d. differentiate competing in global markets;
e. evaluate options for organizing small and large businesses;
f. contrast starting your own business: the entrepreneurship alternative;
g. analyze electronic commerce: the internet and online busines;
h. discuss management, leadership, and the internal organization;
i. identify human resource management, motivation, and labor-management relations;
j. contrast improving performance through empowerment, teamwork, and communication;
k. analze production and operations management;
l. examine customer-driven marketing;
m. appraise product and distribution strategies;
n. identify promotion and pricing strategies;
o. formulate using technology to manage information;
p. identify accounting and financial statements;
q. review financial management and institutions;
r. evaluate financing and investing through securities markets;
s. judge risk management and insurance;
t. plan personal finances;
u. formulate the business plan;
v. examine legal problems, standards and options.
7. Recommended Course Content and Approximate Time Spent on Each Topic
Linked to #6. Student Learning Outcomes.
2-3 weeks:
Evaluate the Business Environment: Business environment, types of business,
your product (a, t, r, b, f)
2-3 weeks:
Before You Start Your Business: Legal structure and financial resources, write a
business plan, select and acquire a location (v, t, r, f, s)
1-2 weeks:
Prepare to Open for Business: Prepare your site, select suppliers, set prices (m,
e, k)
3
1-2 weeks:
Human Resources: Hire employees, human resources activities, human
resources responsibilities (b, i, j)
2-3 weeks:
Financial Services: Banking services, granting credit, insurance and taxes,
financial statements (r, q, p)
2 weeks:
Marketing: Marketing functions, advertising (l, m, n)
1-2 weeks:
Business Communication: Verbal communication, written communication,
communication challenges (u, p, o)
1-2 weeks:
The Growth and Expansion of Your Business: Growth and you business,
expanding your business (e, d, c, g)
8. Text and Materials, Reference Materials, Auxiliary Materials and Content
Appropriate text(s) and materials will be chosen at the time the course is offered from those currently
available in the field. Examples include:
Townsley, Maria, Survivor's Guide to Small Business South-Western Publishing
Thomas W Zimmerer, Norman M Scarborough Essentials of Entrepreneurship and Small Business
Management, 4/E Prentice Hall
9. Recommended Course Requirements and Evaluation
Specific course requirements are at the discretion of the instructor at the time the course is being
offered. Suggested requirements might include, but are not limited to:
40-80%
Examinations (written and/or oral)
0–30%
In-class exercises
0–30%
Homework
0–30%
Quizzes
0–40%
Projects/research
0–20%
Attendance and/or class participation
10. Methods of Instruction
Instructional methods will vary considerably with instructors. Specific methods will be at the discretion
of the instructor teaching the course and might include, but are not limited to:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
lecture;
discussion;
WebCT;
films;
prepared video tapes;
experiential exercises;
student demonstrations and presentations;
cases;
television programs;
guest lectures;
4
k.
l.
m.
n.
o.
p.
q.
groups and individual projects;
field trips;
simulations;
computer work;
assignments;
tests;
readings.