The University of Lethbridge – Faculty of Management
To our students, we make a promise:

A promise to do our best, so they can be their best

A promise to foster exploration, to share ideas and information, to teach but also to learn

A promise to build the buildings, acquire the technology, cultivate the partnerships and welcome the
people essential to advancing an environment that excites and ignites learning

A promise to create an environment where professors and students are colleagues and everyone grows
together, an environment that recognizes the power of every student’s dream

And helps that dream come true.
Management 3806
Small Business Management
Office Hours: Mon/Wed 15:15 – 16:30
or by appointment
Instructor: Craig Milner
E-522 329-2362
craig.milner@uleth.ca
Class Time: M/W 12:15 – 13:30
Location: L1050
Pre-Requisites: none
Course Description
Theoretical and practical knowledge to set up and manage a small business; characteristics and forms of
small business; time management; organize-purchase franchise decisions; forecasting and marketing;
obtaining financing; government and legal controls; tax considerations; accounting and financial controls;
personnel administration; location decisions.
Learning Outcomes
This course is designed to examine the important aspects of organizing and managing a small business. The
primary focus of the course will be from the point of view of establishing and running one’s own business
enterprise.
In general terms, upon successful completion of this course, the student will
1. understand the role of small business in Canada and the complexities surrounding the small
business decision
2. examine the components of starting a business including the importance of a solid business plan
3. recognize the pros and cons of buying, starting and franchising a small business
4. explore four basic components of operating a small business – marketing, financial, operations
and human resource management
5. prepare or analysis a small business plan
Required Text(s) and Materials
Canadian Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management (7th ed.), Balderson, D. Wesley. Toronto:
McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd., 2008.
Course Evaluation
This course has six elements that together will evaluate the learner’s understanding of the course material.
Some evaluations may be individual-based, others will require working in teams.
Course Evaluation will be as follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Individual Quiz
Team Quiz
Business Plan Project
Presentation Report
Final
Case Discussion/Participation
Total
20%
15%
30%
10%
20%
5%
100%
Jan 28th
Feb 25th
Mar 30 – Apr 06th
Apr 08th
TBD
Select Assignment Details
1. Individual Quiz (CH 1-3)
This in-class quiz will test your understanding of concepts from both the text and class discussions using
multiple choice and short answer questions.
Overall length of the exam and mix of questions will depend on content covered in class – but exams will
likely have approximately 40-50 multiple choice and 8-10 short answer questions.
2. Team Quiz (CH 4-7)
Same as Individual Quiz
3. Business Plan Project
There’s no better way to learn about Business Plans than by creating one or digging in and analyzing an
actual business.
We will discuss and form teams (of five) for this assignment on Jan 19th.
The objective of this major term project is to complete a thorough analysis of an existing business or
preparation of a business plan. A brief description of your proposed project is to be handed in no later
than Feb 2nd.
Each team will provide an 18-minute presentation to the class. Presentations will take place March 30th
to April 6th.
4. Presentation Report
Students will also prepare an individual presentation report. In this report, you will evaluate and
summarize the merits and risks of two of the team projects as presented in class.
While length may vary with your ability to write concisely, I would expect these reports to be in the three to
four page range. Space and a half is preferred to allow me room to write comments.
5. Final Comprehensive Exam
This exam will again consist of both multiple choice and short answer questions. The final will test
material from the entire course, but will emphasize that portion of the course not covered by the previous
two quizzes. As such it will be longer in length than the previous exams.
6. Participation/Case Discussion
In this class we will discuss the trials and tribulations of starting/operating a small business with the aid of
the comprehensive case “Sid Stevens”. This comprehensive case runs throughout the semester.
Each team will lead the class discussion for one of the ten parts. Teams will select their part on a first
come, first serve basis Jan 19th.
As well, class participation will also be noted and account for a portion of this grade.
Grading System
4.0
4.0
3.7
3.3
3.0
2.7
A+
A
AB+
B
B-
95 – 100
90 – 94
86 – 89
82 – 85
78 – 81
74 – 77
2.3
2.0
1.7
1.3
1.0
0.0
C+
C
CD+
D
F
70 – 73
66 – 69
62 – 65
58 – 61
50 – 57
00 – 49
Student Responsibilities

to demonstrate mastery of the skills and concepts outlined in the course description and learning
outcomes to a minimum of 50%

to come to class on time, actively participate in assigned activities

to be available to write tests/exams on the dates and times scheduled

to do assigned readings and be prepared for the class activities/discussions

to use the scheduled class time for assigned course work and activities

to find out what was studied, and what work was assigned during any classes that have been missed

to complete assignments as outlined by the instructor, and to hand in assignments on or before the
required due dates

to familiarize themselves with the course outline, course schedule, instructional and evaluation methods –
ie assume responsibility for your own learning
Instructor Responsibilities

to provide instruction in the study of managerial skills such that students are able to achieve the course
outcomes

to be in class on time, and to be available (by appointment) for additional assistance

to grade fairly

to be prepared for each class, and to be specific about what is required of the student for projects,
assignments and tests

to ensure that instruction is clear, practical, interesting and stimulating
Academic Honesty
During the learning process, the contribution of others are acknowledged, evaluated, and utilized for further
inquiry. To pass on the contribution and ideas of another person as one’s own is not only cheating, but also
deprives oneself of the challenge and opportunity to learn. For these reasons, academic dishonesty will not
be tolerated.
Academic dishonesty may take many forms, including: the unauthorized use of materials in exams and tests,
the unauthorized copying of another’s work, the falsification of results for reports and lab experiments, and the
submission of another’s work as one’s own. Any student caught cheating or copying (as determined by the
instructor) on any assignment or test, will receive a zero for that assignment or test.
The student will also be reported to the Assistant Dean of the Management Program for possible further
repercussions.
Retention of Student Records
Most examinations and assignments, when corrected are intended to be returned to students. If students do
not pick up these exams and assignments, they will be retained for at least three months from the end of the
month in which the exam period falls.
Any exam and assignment that are not intended to be returned to students (e.g. final exams) will be retained
in accordance with the Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, s.34 (b), for one year
from the end of the month in which the exam period falls. After the appropriate retention period, these
documents will be destroyed in a secure manner.
Attendance Policy
There is no attendance policy.
However, I am a firm believer that learning should take place in the classroom. If that’s the case then missing
classes will naturally harm a student’s ability to perform.
A Few Final Comments
Please note that unduly lengthy written submissions are not necessarily high valued, especially in those
cases where quantity is a substitute for quality. This also applies to the team presentations.
Assignments handed in past their due date will be lessened in value by 10% of the total assignment for each
day late.
Students should use the attached course schedule as a guide for their reading and preparation in the course.
Students are expected to read ahead – to at least the weekly assigned chapters in the text before each class.
Notwithstanding the weighting of the course evaluations, completion of all evaluation items is required to
achieve a passing grade in Management 3806.
07 – Jan – 2009
Craig Milner
Date