Assignment: ABSTRACT & BUSINESS PLAN
MGT 487: Entrepreneurism and Small Business Management
Each student in the class is responsible for creating a written Business Plan. The
elements of the Business Plan are enumerated in pages 268-271 and the content of the
Business Plan is covered in Chapter 8 of the textbook. So, please make certain you
read this chapter carefully. Otherwise, the Business Plan can be based on a suitable
format such as the templates for the SCORE “Business Plan for Start-Up Business” and
“Financial Projections.”
The process of writing the Business Plan begins with the Abstract that provides a brief
description (approximately 250 words) of the business idea or concept for a start-up
venture. The Abstract should highlight the main features of a product or service, the
user need or “problem” that is addressed, and some of the essentials of the market
environment.
Once the Abstract is submitted and approved by the instructor, students should begin
the research needed to develop and complete the Business Plan Report. This research
will necessarily encompass the functional areas such as accounting, finance,
economics, management and marketing, and includes a Feasibility Analysis germane to
the research for the Business Plan. The written Business Plan Report represents the
culmination of the material and information in the course. The Business Plan Report
should be no more than 25 pages, plus appendices for financial projections.
Finally, each student is responsible for an Oral Presentation that focuses on the
highlights of the Business Plan. The oral presentation should be designed to make “the
pitch” to potential investors and partners – explanation of the new venture and how its
product or service solves some problem or meets opportunities, description of
anticipated benefits and what makes the company unique. The presentation is no
more 15 minutes, covers a maximum of 10 powerpoint slides, with a font size of
40. The presentation slides are due electronically to the professor by 2:00 p.m.,
Wednesday, May 21. (Late submissions receive zero (0) points, but must be
submitted.)
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Reading Assignment: Scarborough and Cornwall, Chapter 8
Business Plan: Abstract
= 5 points
Due: Thursday, April 10
Business Plan: Report
= 80 points
Due: Tuesday, May 27
Business Plan: Oral Presentation = 15 points
Due: as scheduled starting May 22
Note: A Business Plan in this course represents proprietary information and, as such,
strict confidentiality will be maintained. However, keep in mind, that the oral
presentations are made in a somewhat public forum for MGT 487.