Module 1 Active
Learning Exercise 1
Noted psychologist David McClelland characterized
entrepreneurs as possessing the following traits: (1) Desire for
responsibility, (2) Preference for moderate risk, (3) Confidence in their
abilities, (4) Determination, (5) Desire for immediate feedback, (6) High level
of energy, (7) Future orientation, (8) Skill in organizing, and (9) Value of
achievement over money.
Using the Entrepreneurial Self-Assessment, rate yourself on
each trait based on a scale of 5 (this trait is most like me) to 1 (this trait
is not at all like me). Note an example about your behaviors that demonstrates
and supports your rating on each trait. Remember that no one scores high on all
of the traits. Then, based on your reading and the results of your assessment,
write an essay analyzing your personal profile:
Discuss your strengths as well as some areas that you would
like to develop.
Explain how your personal and professional experiences,
formal and informal education, or people you have met or for whom you have
worked have prepared you to become a successful entrepreneur.
Then explain how your personal values or ethical standards
relate to your profile.
In addition to earning your MBA, discuss any other goals you
have made or steps you plan to take in order to enhance your success as an
entrepreneur.
Review the Essay Instructions before you submit this
assignment. Submit your self-assessment and your essay to the Dropbox no later
than Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT. (This Dropbox basket is linked to Turnitin.)
Module 2 Active Learning Exercise 2
MBA 597 Active Learning Exercise 2 Instructions
Write an essay describing, in detail, the specific type of
business venture you plan to evaluate in
this course. You may choose any type of business that you
find interesting. The essay should
discuss why you are interested in this venture, and why it
is appropriate for you.
Please give thoughtful, reflective consideration to the type
of business you wish to investigate;
for the remainder of the course, you will be concentrating
your efforts on this type of business.
You should already have the framework for a successful
business in mind; we expect that this
course will provide you with the tools to analyze the
viability of your business idea.
At a minimum, the essay should include the following
components:
? Based on what you have read and
learned so far, provide a comprehensive description
of the business and any elements which you believe are
interesting, creative, and/or
innovative.
? Additionally, every entrepreneur must
take steps to protect the intellectual property
associated with every aspect of the new business venture.
Your essay should discuss in
detail what action(s) you will take to ensure that your
intellectual proper rights and those
of your business are adequately protected.
? Also, based on your research, discuss
how you would address the “risk vs. reward”
components of the business model. Explain your assessment of
the risk level or failure
rate of new businesses in your industry. Consider the actual
cost of failure even beyond
the money you invest. Business failure can have significant
negative impacts on you as
well as on your relationships with significant others.
This assignment may be more difficult than it appears
because you are being asked to put a
great deal of “meat” on the “bones” of a business idea
that you have probably been thinking
about for a while. Your analysis should be supported by your
research of the industry as well as
the market in which you will operate the business. While you
will develop your idea throughout
the course, take the time now to organize your thoughts and
provide as much detail about your
business as you can.
General Essay Instructions
Essays should be cohesive, detailed, and thorough. Following
APA, the essay should feature an
introduction, a body, and a conclusion. The introduction
should conclude with a thesis statement
which clearly explains the purpose and focus of the essay.
Each essay should consist of in-text
citations and a reference list to cite all sources.
The essays will be evaluated according to the following
criteria:
1. The essays should demonstrate critical thinking, original
ideas and insights, an
understanding of the assignment, and comprehension of course
concepts.
2. Integrate research to support your analysis. Follow APA
to cite your sources.
3. Each essay should reflect a detailed and thorough
analysis of the relevant concepts.
4. The essays should be well-written, reflecting
well-developed paragraphs with sound
structure, grammar, punctuation, and spelling in sentences
and paragraphs.
5. Read and edit your document to ensure you have fully
developed and supported your
analysis.
6. Begin the essay with an engaging opening and a sound
thesis statement. Provide
sufficient development of the thesis and a conclusion that
summarizes your paper.
7. The essay should follow the APA style guide (6th
Edition); each essay should also
consist of a reference page.
8. The reference page should list all of the sources
mentioned in the essay; do not list
sources on the reference page which you have not referred to
in the essay.
9. The paper should be presented in the following format:
MSWord, double-spaced, 1”
margins on all sides, Times New Roman, 12-point font.
10. Give the essay an original title which reflects the
substance and content of the essay.
Module 3 Active
Learning Exercise 3
Following Scarborough & Cornwall’s (2016) nine-step
strategic management process, develop a thorough strategic analysis of your
proposed business venture. This paper should also consist of a feasibility
analysis of your proposed business modeled upon the material found in Chapter
4. As with the exercises from the previous modules, you should continue to
refine the content of this analysis as your research reveals additional
information. Remember that your research is critical for the support of every
aspect of your analysis. Follow APA to cite your sources in-text and on the
References page.
Review the Essay Instructions before you submit this
assignment. Submit your paper to the Dropbox no later than Sunday 11:59 PM
EST/EDT. (This Dropbox basket is linked to Turnitin.)
Module 3 Active
Learning Exercise 4
Following the guidance provided on pages 242-244 of your
textbook, conduct a detailed due diligence study of a business similar to your
proposed business venture. Follow APA to cite your sources in-text and on the
References page.Review the Essay Instructions before you submit this
assignment. Submit your work to the Dropbox no later than Sunday 11:59 PM
EST/EDT. (This Dropbox basket is linked to Turnitin.)
Module 3 Active
Learning Exercise 5
Explain, in detail, how you would determine the “fair value”
of the business you selected in Exercise 4. See pages 242-243 in Scarborough
& Cornwall (2016) for guidance in valuing this business. Follow APA to cite
your sources in-text and on the Reference page.
Review the Essay Instructions before you submit this
assignment. Submit your work to the Dropbox no later than Sunday 11:59 PM
EST/EDT. (This Dropbox basket is linked to Turnitin.)
Module 4 Active
Learning Exercise 6
Select the most appropriate form of ownership for your
proposed business. Explain in detail the reasons why this form of ownership is
appropriate for you and your firm.
What were the critical factors that you considered in making
your choice? Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this form of
ownership that you considered in your decision. Explain how you can mitigate
the challenges or disadvantages of this form of ownership. Be specific in your
explanation, and discuss the research that helped you to form your conclusions.
As with the exercises from the previous modules, continue to
refine the content of this analysis as your research reveals additional
information. Remember that your research is critical to the support of every
aspect of your analysis. Follow APA to cite your sources in-text and on the References
page.
Review the Essay Instructions before you submit this
assignment. Submit your work to the Dropbox no later than Sunday 11:59 PM
EST/EDT. (This Dropbox basket is linked to Turnitin.)
Module 5 Active
Learning Exercise 7
Your textbook describes 14 principles that, combined creatively,
can be the basis of an effective bootstrap marketing strategy. Based on these
principles, develop a bootstrap marketing strategy for your proposed business
venture.
As with the exercises from the previous modules, continue to
refine the content of this analysis as your research reveals additional
information. Remember that your research is critical for the support of every
aspect of your analysis. Follow APA to cite your sources in-text and on the
References page.
Review the Essay Instructions before you submit this
assignment. Submit your work to the Dropbox no later than Sunday 11:59 PM
EST/EDT. (This Dropbox basket is linked to Turnitin.)
Module 5 Active
Learning Exercise 8
Based on the new business venture that you are proposing,
determine and explain—in detail—any e- commerce opportunities that your firm
could effectively and profitably pursue. Explain why these opportunities are
appropriate for the success of your business.
As with the exercises from the previous modules, continue to
refine the content of this analysis as your research reveals additional
information. Remember that your research is critical for the support of every
aspect of your analysis. Follow APA to cite your sources in-text and on the
Reference page.
Review the Essay Instructions before you submit this assignment.
Submit your work to the Dropbox no later than Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT. (This
Dropbox basket is linked to Turnitin.)
Module 5 Active
Learning Exercise 9
Describe in detail the pricing strategies and tactics that
you plan to implement for your proposed business. Also, explain the logic
behind the pricing strategies and tactics that you have identified.
As with the exercises from the previous modules, continue to
refine the content of this analysis as your research reveals additional
information. Remember that your research is critical for the support of every
aspect of your analysis. Follow APA to cite your sources in-text and on the
Reference page.
Review the Essay Instructions before you submit this
assignment. Submit your work to the Dropbox no later than Sunday 11:59 PM
EST/EDT. (This Dropbox basket is linked to Turnitin.)
Module 6 Active
Learning Exercise 11
Construct a detailed cash budget and all relevant pro forma
financial statements for your proposed new business venture.
Then, develop an essay explaining what these statements tell
you about the financial viability of your proposed business venture. Reflect on
your previous analysis of risk and rewards. Do your financial statements
justify the creation of your new business venture? Discuss the evidence to
support your conclusions.
As with the exercises from the previous modules, continue to
refine the content of this analysis as your research reveals additional
information. Remember that your research is critical for the support of every
aspect of your analysis. Follow APA to cite your sources in-text and on the
References page.
Review the Essay Instructions before you submit this
assignment. Submit your work to the Dropbox no later than Sunday 11:59 PM
EST/EDT. (This Dropbox basket is linked to Turnitin.)
Module 7 Active
Learning Exercise 12
Explain both the amount and the sources of financial capital
that your business venture will require. Before you search for investors or
lenders, consider the following and discuss this information in your analysis:
Define the percentage of the equity in the business that you
will “give up” for each dollar of externally invested capital.
What interest rate on lent money can you afford to pay?
How will the interest expenses impact your profitability?
When can you demonstrate that the business will achieve
financial break even?
Detail the specific terms and conditions associated with
each type of funding.
Be sure to discuss the research that supports your plan.
Follow APA to cite your sources in-text and on the References page.
Review the Essay Instructions before you submit this
assignment. Submit your work to the Dropbox no later than Sunday 11:59 PM
EST/EDT. (This Dropbox basket is linked to Turnitin.)
Module 7 Active
Learning Exercise 13
Review the information provided about federal and state
lending programs in Chapter 13 of your textbook. Explain the criteria and how
you might utilize at least two of these programs or institutions to finance
your proposed business. Follow APA to cite your sources in-text and on the
References page.
Review the Essay Instructions before you submit this
assignment. Submit your essay to the Dropbox no later than Sunday 11:59 PM
EST/EDT. (This Dropbox basket is linked to Turnitin.)
