ENT I HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS
Homework One: Company Description
Write a brief description of the company you are creating for your
business plan. Include what the company is, why you chose it and
why you think it would be successful. Minimum one page, typed.
Homework Two: Vision & Mission
1. Write a vision and mission statement
2. Write down your core values
3. Prepare a strength and weakness balance sheet [see pg. 95]
4. Prepare a opportunity and threat balance sheet [see pg. 96]
5. Create a chart indentifying key success factors [see pg. 99]
Homework Three: Marketing
1. Define your target market
a. Include a complete demographic profile
b. Other significant customer characteristics
c. Describe the customers motivation to buy
d. Market size and trends
i. How large is the market?
ii. Is it growing or shrinking? How fast?
e. Advertising and promotion
i. Plans for generating publicity
f. Pricing
i. Cost structure
ii. Desired image in the market
iii. Comparison against competitors prices
g. Distribution strategy
i. Channels of distribution used
ii. Sales techniques and incentives
Homework Four: Competitors
1. Create a rough draft of a competitive profile matrix [pg 103]
a. Conduct as much research as possible on the
competitors in your industry, include sources used for
research
2. Identify potential competitors and describe the impact on
your business if they enter the market
Homework Five: Operations
1. What form of ownership will you choose?
2. Create and organizational chart
3. Describe who has decision making authority and how it will
be exercised
4. Write out a compensation and benefits plan for all
employees
Homework Six: Financials
1. Prepare a detailed budget for the first two years of the
business. Include:
a. Start up costs
b. Operating costs
c. Projected revenue
2. Prepare a loan or investment proposal. Include:
a. Amount requested
b. Purpose and use of the funds
c. Repayments or ‘cash-out’ schedule [exit strategy]
d. Timetable for implementing the plan and launching
the business