BUS402 Week 1 Discussion 1 & 2 Latest 2017 June
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Week 1 Discussion 1
Entrepreneurs
Please respond to the following:
- Inc. magazine claims, “Entrepreneurship is more mundane than it is sometimes portrayed . . . you don’t need to be a person of mythical proportions to be very, very successful in building a company.” Discuss whether you agree or disagree with this statement and why.
- Analyze the characteristics of a successful entrepreneur and determine if you have what it takes to start your own business. Provide specific examples to support your response.
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Week 1 Discussion 2
Strategic Management
Please respond to the following:
- Analyze the steps involved in developing a strategic plan for a company and determine which step is the most difficult to get right. Explain your rationale.
- From the e-Activity, determine how you would leverage the support provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration in planning and starting your own business. Provide specific examples to support your response.
BUS402 Week 2 Discussion 1 & 2 Latest 2017 June
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Week 2 Discussion 1
Choosing a Form of Ownership
Please respond to the following:
- From the e-Activity, describe the most appropriate form of ownership for your new franchise based on your current financial situation. Provide specific examples to support your response.
- Assume the form of your new business will be a partnership (if you have not already done so). Discuss the types of conflicts that may arise and how you could prevent them from arising in the first place.
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Week 2 Discussion 2
Franchising and the Entrepreneur
Please respond to the following:
- Based on the case study (“Firehouse Subs”), determine which of the three options executives are considering would be most beneficial to a single franchise owner. Explain your rationale.
- From the e-Activity, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of being a franchisee of the franchise you selected. Provide specific examples to support your response.
BUS402 Week 3 Discussion 1 & 2 Latest 2017 June
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Week 3 Discussion 1
Buying an Existing Business
Please respond to the following:
- From the e-Activity, discuss the best possible method for determining the value of the business you selected. Explain your rationale.
- Create a strategy for negotiating the purchase of the business you selected in the e-Activity.
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Week 3 Discussion 2
Feasibility Analyses and Business Plans
Please respond to the following:
- Develop an idea for a new business and conduct a feasibility analysis. Please be as creative as you like in the development of your idea (but as careful as you can be in your analysis of that idea).
- Analyze the steps involved in crafting a wining business plan and make at least one recommendation for improving the process. Explain your rationale for making the recommendation you did.
BUS402 Week 4 Discussion 1 & 2 Latest 2017 June
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Week 4 Discussion 1
Creating a Solid Financial Plan
Please respond to the following:
- Discuss the best way to leverage a breakeven analysis when defining a business strategy.
- Analyze the 12 financial ratios mentioned in the textbook and determine which is the most useful to the greatest number of small businesses. Explain your rationale.
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Week 4 Discussion 2
Managing Cash Flow
Please respond to the following:
- Analyze the steps involved in preparing a cash budget and determine which steps presents the greatest number of obstacles to the greatest number of small businesses. Explain your rationale.
- Analyze the steps involved in avoiding a cash crunch and make at least one additional recommendation for doing so. Provide specific examples to support your response.
BUS402 Week 5 Discussion 1 & 2 Latest 2017 June
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Week 5 Discussion 1
Guerrilla Marketing
Please respond to the following:
- From the first e-Activity, discuss the key elements that made the guerrilla marketing so successful. Explain your rationale.
- Discuss possible best practices from the guerrilla marketing campaign that different types of small businesses could leverage. Provide specific examples to support your response.
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Week 5 Discussion 2
Advertising and Promotion
Please respond to the following:
- From the second e-Activity, determine the best possible way to leverage Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking sites to advertize and promote the small business of your choice. Explain your rationale.
- Select a small business with which you are familiar and then determine the best way for that business to stretch its advertising budget. Provide specific examples to support your response.
BUS402 Week 6 Discussion 1 & 2 Latest 2017 June
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Week 6 Discussion 1
Pricing and Globalization Strategies
Please respond to the following:
- From the e-Activity, discuss the best possible pricing strategy based on whether the company you selected is a retailer, manufacturer, or service firm. Explain your rationale.
- Discuss the best possible way the company you selected could expand its market globally.
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Week 6 Discussion 2
Globalization and Sources of Equity Financing
Please respond to the following:
- From the e-Activity, discuss how the company you selected might benefit from selling new customers on e-Bay (as opposed to building and maintaining its own Website).
- Referring to the same company, determine the best source of equity capital available to the company you selected. Explain your rationale.
BUS402 Week 7 Discussion 1 & 2 Latest 2017 June
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Week 7 Discussion 1
Sources of Debt Financing
Please respond to the following:
- Briefly describe a small business you could envision yourself owning and discuss the most appropriate source of debt capital for that business. Explain your rationale.
- From the e-Activity, discuss how you could best use an SBA loan to get your business running or expanding. Provide specific examples to support your response.
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Week 7 Discussion 2
Location, Layout, and Physical Facilities
Please respond to the following:
- Using the same small business you described in the first discussion, determine the best possible location for your business within driving distance of where you now live. Explain your rationale.
- Discuss the layout and design configuration of a building you would like to use to house your business, including how you would comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
BUS402 Week 8 Discussion 1 & 2 Latest 2017 June
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Week 8 Discussion 1
Supply Chain Management
Please respond to the following:
- From the e-Activity, determine which best practices can be applied to the greatest number of small businesses. Explain your rationale.
- Analyze the principles of Total Quality Management (TQM) and Six Sigma in regard to quality control of a product or service, and make at least one recommendation for improvement. Explain your rationale.
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Week 8 Discussion 2
Managing Inventory
- Describe a retail business with which you are familiar and determine the most suitable means of inventory control. Provide specific examples to support your response.
- For the same business, discuss what innovative steps you could take to deter employee theft and/or shoplifting.
BUS402 Week 9 Discussion 1 & 2 Latest 2017 June
Week 9 Discussion 1
Fikes Products
Please respond to the following:
- From the case study, discuss possible new options for finding quality employees other than those considered in the case study.
- From the case study, discuss how Mark Sims could better motivate the employees he already has to become more productive and dedicated. Provide specific examples to support your response.
Week 9 Discussion 2
Management Succession and Risk Management Strategies
Please respond to the following:
- Assume you are the owner of a small business with which you are familiar. Outline the basics of a management succession plan for passing the business on to the individual of your choice.
- Referring to the same small business, determine the most appropriate way for that business to minimize its exposure to risk. Explain your rationale.
BUS402 Week 10 Discussion 1 & 2 Latest 2017 June
Week 10 Discussion 1
Ethics and Social Responsibility
Please respond to the following:
- Select a small business with which you are familiar and develop a plan of action for encouraging ethical behavior. Provide specific examples to support your response.
- Analyze a business’s responsibilities to the environment, employees, customers, investors, and the community, and determine which is the most important. Explain your rationale.
Week 10 Discussion 2
The Legal Environment
Please respond to the following:
- Select a small business with which you are familiar and discuss the most likely forms of business law it would need to be concerned about. Provide specific examples to support your response.
- Referring to the same company, discuss the most likely government regulations that would directly impact day-to-day operations. Provide specific examples to support your response.
BUS402 Week 11 Discussion 1 & 2 Latest 2017 June
Week 11 Discussion 1
Summation
Please respond to the following:
- Reflecting back on everything you have learned in this course, discuss the single most important lesson any entrepreneur should apply in order to be successful. Explain your rationale.
- Summarize the lessons learned in this course in 140 characters or less (something you could post on Twitter)
Week 11 Discussion 2
My Dream Business
Please respond to the following:
- Discuss the most innovative idea you can dream up for a new business. Explain why you think it would be successful.
- Discuss the major challenges you would face in running such a business and how you would expect to overcome them. Provide specific examples to support your response.
BUS402 Week 4 Assignment 1 Latest 2017 June
Assignment 1: To Build or Buy
Due Week 4 and worth 240 points
Select a small business that you visit often (e.g., coffee shop, bookstore, sporting goods store, etc.). Write a 6-8 page paper in which you:
aDetermine if it would make more sense to open the new business you describe or to purchase the existing business you selected. Explain your reasoning.
Discuss the most appropriate form of ownership for your new business (assuming your current financial situation).
Outline a business plan for your business. Visit http://www.sba.gov for tools and templates.
Include at least two (2) references outside the textbook.
Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:
Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:
Analyze the nature of entrepreneurship, business ethics, and social responsibility in managing a successful small business.
Analyze a business strategy and supporting business plan for a small business concept
Describe and analyze the necessary activities and key decisions to start a small business.
Use technology and information resources to research issues in small business management.
Write clearly and concisely about small business management using proper writing mechanics.
Grading for this assignment will be based on answer quality, logic/organization of the paper, and language and writing skills.
BUS402 Week 8 Assignment 2 Latest 2017 June
Assignment 2: Expanding Your Business
Due Week 8 and worth 240 points
Referring to the same business you either started or purchased in the first assignment, write a 6-8 page paper in which you:
1. Outline a financial plan for your small business.
2. Develop a guerrilla marketing strategy for your small business.
3. Discuss the most appropriate location for a second store (an actual street address). Explain your reasoning.
4. Outline a plan for securing sources of debt financing for your second store.
5. Include at least two (2) references outside the textbook.
Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:
- Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
- Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required page length.
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:
- Describe and analyze the necessary activities and key decisions to start a small business.
- Analyze the key financial management considerations in operating a small business.
- Develop a guerrilla marketing strategy for a small business.
- Analyze the role of pricing, credit, and equity financing in defining a business strategy.
- Use technology and information resources to research issues in small business management.
- Write clearly and concisely about small business management using proper writing mechanics.
Grading for this assignment will be based on answer quality, logic/organization of the paper, and language and writing skills.
BUS402 Week 1 Quiz Latest 2017 June
• Question 1
2 out of 2 points
Surveys show that owners of small businesses believe that:
• Question 2
2 out of 2 points
Companies started by women differ from companies started by men in that:
• Question 3
2 out of 2 points
Which of the following corporate trends have contributed to the growth of entrepreneurship?
• Question 4
2 out of 2 points
Customer service, convenience, speed and quality are all examples of:
• Question 5
2 out of 2 points
Launching and running a business can be an extremely rewarding experience, but it also can:
• Question 6
2 out of 2 points
One key to success with a business startup is to begin with enough ________:
• Question 7
2 out of 2 points
When running a home-based business:
• Question 8
2 out of 2 points
Kyoto has started an interior decoration business. Everything about the business, from its name to the color schemes used in the corporate letterhead, is an expression of her personality. She sees this business as her greatest personal achievement. Kyoto is experiencing the opportunity ________ of small business ownership.
• Question 9
2 out of 2 points
Which of the following trends is feeding the growth of entrepreneurial activity?
• Question 10
2 out of 2 points
“Copreneurs” are marked by:
• Question 11
2 out of 2 points
Juan is able to work well in a constantly changing atmosphere and has little concern for what tomorrow will bring. Juan demonstrates which of the following characteristics of a typical entrepreneur?
• Question 12
2 out of 2 points
The key ingredient-the crucial element-to avoiding the failure of a new business is:
• Question 13
2 out of 2 points
When building a home-based business, it is important that the entrepreneur:
• Question 14
2 out of 2 points
Primary cause of business failure is:
• Question 15
2 out of 2 points
Researchers who study entrepreneurs have discovered that:
• Question 16
2 out of 2 points
A small company following a ________ strategy seeks to build customer loyalty by positioning its goods and services in a unique fashion.
• Question 17
2 out of 2 points
________ are specific measurable targets to be accomplished in a defined time period.
• Question 18
2 out of 2 points
Which of the following best expresses the relationship of a company vision to its mission?
• Question 19
2 out of 2 points
A small business’s “aggregation of factors that sets it apart from its competitors” is its:
• Question 20
2 out of 2 points
The final step of the strategic planning process is:
• Question 21
2 out of 2 points
Small firms pursuing a cost leadership strategy have an advantage in reaching customers whose primary purchase criterion is:
• Question 22
2 out of 2 points
When the small business owner assesses her company’s strengths and weaknesses, she is dealing with the ________ business environment.
• Question 23
2 out of 2 points
________ focuses everyone’s attention and efforts on the same target market. It is an expression of what the owner believes in.
• Question 24
2 out of 2 points
These are products of the interaction of various forces, trends, and events that are outside the control of the small business.
• Question 25
2 out of 2 points
The strategic planning process for small businesses is:
• Question 26
2 out of 2 points
How is the strategic planning process for small companies different from that for large companies?
• Question 27
2 out of 2 points
________ are negative internal factors that inhibit the accomplishment of a firm’s objectives.
• Question 28
2 out of 2 points
________ are the broad, long-range attributes the small business seeks to accomplish; ________ are the specific, measurable milestones the company wants to achieve.
• Question 29
2 out of 2 points
The small firm’s “master plan” is its:
• Question 30
2 out of 2 points
________ are positive internal factors that contribute towards accomplishing the company’s objectives.
BUS402 Week 2 Quiz Latest 2017 June
Question 1
2 out of 2 points
All partnerships must have:
Question 2
2 out of 2 points
The most common form of business ownership is the:
Question 3
2 out of 2 points
In a joint venture, individuals join together in co-ownership for:
Question 4
2 out of 2 points
Which of the following is a disadvantage of the corporation form of ownership?
Question 5
2 out of 2 points
A partnership is:
Question 6
2 out of 2 points
The limited liability company is most like a(n):
Question 7
2 out of 2 points
Acme Corporation is chartered in Delaware, but its primary area of operation is in South Carolina. In South Carolina, Acme would be considered a(n) ________ corporation.
Question 8
2 out of 2 points
Which type of ownership is not subject to federal taxation?
Question 9
2 out of 2 points
The primary reason entrepreneurs choose to incorporate is because of:
Question 10
0 out of 2 points
The most critical disadvantage of the sole proprietorship is:
Question 11
2 out of 2 points
The ________ is a document that states in writing all of the terms of operating the partnership for the protection of each partner involved.
Question 12
2 out of 2 points
________ corporations have shares that are controlled by a relatively small number of people – family members, relatives, or friends.
Question 13
2 out of 2 points
A limited partnership is a modification of a(n) ________ form of ownership.
Question 14
2 out of 2 points
Common ownership interest in a business, sharing profits (or losses) of a business, and the right to participate in managing the operations of the business are characteristics of a(n):
Question 15
2 out of 2 points
Probably the most important feature of a partnership agreement is:
Question 16
2 out of 2 points
Territorial protection in franchising:
Question 17
2 out of 2 points
The biggest challenge facing the growth of new franchises is:
Question 18
2 out of 2 points
The primary advantage of buying a franchise over starting your own company is:
Question 19
2 out of 2 points
When it comes to purchasing products, equipment, etc., the franchiser:
Question 20
2 out of 2 points
When the franchisee has the right to establish a semi-independent organization in a particular territory to recruit, sell, and support other franchises, it is called a ________ franchise.
Question 21
2 out of 2 points
The failure rate for franchises is:
Question 22
2 out of 2 points
Another term for cobranding franchising is:
Question 23
2 out of 2 points
________ franchising involves providing the franchisee with a complete business system–the established name, the building layout and design, accounting systems, etc.
Question 24
2 out of 2 points
When buying a franchise, the potential franchisee should first:
Question 25
2 out of 2 points
There are two main risks in purchasing a franchise. First, that of the franchiser’s experience and business system, and second:
Question 26
2 out of 2 points
The ________ requires all franchisers to disclose detailed information on their operations at the first personal meeting or at least fourteen days before a franchise contract is signed or any money is paid.
Question 27
2 out of 2 points
When it comes to financial assistance for franchisees, the franchiser often:
Question 28
2 out of 2 points
The primary market for U.S. franchisers is:
Question 29
2 out of 2 points
Franchise advertising programs:
Question 30
2 out of 2 points
In franchising, the reputation of the franchiser is dependent on:
BUS402 Week 3 Quiz Latest 2017 June
Question 1
2 out of 2 points
Normally, when buying a business, the seller:
Question 2
2 out of 2 points
The biggest source for the best companies to buy is:
Question 3
2 out of 2 points
Before buying an existing business, the buyer should analyze two external elements of the business:
Question 4
2 out of 2 points
The inventory in an existing business:
Question 5
2 out of 2 points
The capitalized earnings approach determines the value of a business by capitalizing its expected profits using:
Question 6
2 out of 2 points
When a buyer is reviewing a candidate company’s lease arrangements, location and appearance, intangible assets, etc., he is answering what basic acquisition question?
Question 7
2 out of 2 points
Once an entrepreneur has evaluated him/herself, the next step in the acquisition process would be to:
Question 9
2 out of 2 points
Which of the following is an intangible asset?
Question 10
2 out of 2 points
If the firm owns any trademarks, patents, or copyrights, or has built up a positive reputation with customers and suppliers, the business has what is/are called:
Question 11
2 out of 2 points
Which of the following is a way to smooth the transition of leadership/management from the seller of a business to the buyer?
Question 12
2 out of 2 points
When the buyer is examining the income statements, tax returns, and balance sheets of the business, he/she is seeking an answer to the basic question:
Question 13
2 out of 2 points
When buying an existing business, one should remember that:
Question 14
2 out of 2 points
When it comes to buying an existing business, it is not uncommon to find it:
Question 15
2 out of 2 points
The valuation method that is commonly used, but tends to oversimplify the valuation process, is called:
Question 16
2 out of 2 points
Your cash budget and an explanation of how much money you need to make your company and product a long-term success are the subject matter of the:
Question 17
2 out of 2 points
A well-developed business plan provides the entrepreneur with a number of benefits, such as:
Question 18
2 out of 2 points
Defining the target market’s potential and describing its characteristics is part of the:
Question 19
2 out of 2 points
The second essential purpose for creating a business plan is:
Question 20
2 out of 2 points
The primary purpose of building a business plan is to:
Question 21
2 out of 2 points
________ are long-range, broad statements of what the company plans to accomplish in the distant future, and they guide the overall direction of the company.
Question 22
2 out of 2 points
The ________ becomes the document that summarizes the analysis that has been done to justify a new business.
Question 23
2 out of 2 points
Proving that a profitable market exists involves:
Question 24
2 out of 2 points
A business plan:
Question 25
2 out of 2 points
The C of the five Cs that is a synonym for “cash flow” is:
Question 26
2 out of 2 points
A business plan performs a number of functions including:
Question 27
2 out of 2 points
The ________ is the first part of the business plan. It summarizes all the relevant points of the deal, but it should be the last part written.
Question 28
2 out of 2 points
The focus of the competitor analysis section of the business plan is to:
Question 29
2 out of 2 points
A ________ is what a customer gains from the product or service feature.
Question 30
2 out of 2 points
The C of the five Cs that relates to the circumstances relating to the business, such as potential growth in the market, form of ownership, location, etc., is called:
BUS402 Week 4 Quiz Latest 2017 June
Question 1
2 out of 2 points
The statement of cash flow:
Question 2
2 out of 2 points
A pro forma financial statement means:
Question 3
2 out of 2 points
________ measure the financing supplied by the company’s owners against that supplied by its creditors and serve as a gauge of the depth of a company’s debt.
Question 4
2 out of 2 points
The break-even point occurs where:
.
Question 5
2 out of 2 points
What is the difference between price per unit and variable cost per unit?
Question 6
2 out of 2 points
________ is/are the value of the owner’s investment in the business.
Question 7
2 out of 2 points
A technique that allows the small business owner to perform financial analysis by understanding the relationship between two accounting elements is called:
Question 8
2 out of 2 points
A ratio greater than ________ days would indicate poor collection procedures.
Question 9
2 out of 2 points
The profit and loss statement is also referred as the ________.
Question 10
2 out of 2 points
The ________ is built on the basic accounting equation: Assets = Liabilities + Owner’s Equity.
Question 11
2 out of 2 points
________ tell whether or not the small business will be able to meet its maturing obligations as they come due.
Question 12
2 out of 2 points
________ ratios tell whether or not the small company will be able to meet its maturing obligations as they come due.
Question 13
2 out of 2 points
________ ratios measure the financing supplied by business owners and that supplied by the firm’s creditors.
Question 14
2 out of 2 points
________ ratios help a business owner evaluate the company’s performance and indicate how effectively the business employs its resources.
Question 15
2 out of 2 points
________ ratios indicate how efficiently the small firm is being managed.
Question 16
2 out of 2 points
A bank account that technically never has funds in it but is tied to another master account so that when checks are presented for payment the master account is debited, permitting the company to use its own money during the “float” period, is called a(n):
Question 17
2 out of 2 points
Exchanging goods and services for other goods and services, or ________, is an effective way for a small business to conserve cash.
Question 18
2 out of 2 points
When investing surplus cash, the small business owner’s key
