BUS 50F - Developing a Business Plan

Instructor: Terry Barton
Email Instructor:  terry.barton@comcast.net

Course Description

Research, analysis and outlining logical and persuasive business plans, including market and competitive analysis, financial plans, management and operational plans, and plan outlines and executive summaries.

Check the college catalog for CSU/UC transferability and to see if this course meets AA/AS degree requirements.

This class begins August 17th and ends September 25th

Optional On-Campus Orientations

There are no required on-campus meetings for this class. You can attend an OPTIONAL, on-campus Orientation to Online Learning that provides Blackboard log in instructions and help, an overview of the Blackboard course management system, and tips on netiquette, time management, and study skills for the online student.  Attend any one of these sessions:

• Monday, August 17th, 5:30-6:30 p.m., in Room 1602

• Tuesday, August 18th, noon-1:00 p.m., in Room 1602

• Wednesday, August 19th, 4:00-5:00 p.m., in Room 1618

• Thursday, August 20th, noon-1:00 p.m., in Room 1602

• Saturday, August 22nd, 10:00-11:00 a.m., in Room 1602

• Monday, August 24th, 5:30-6:30 p.m., in Room 1602

Learn more about these orientations, which are NOT course-specific.

How This Class Operates

This is not a self-paced class; there are due dates throughout the semester that you are expected to meet, just like in a traditional, face-to-face class.  This class emphasizes discussions and class participation.  A variety of assignments; such as weekly graded discussion forums, internet research assignments and quizzes are included.  Students are expected to apply concepts from the course work to real-life situations.

Class Activities

There is a small group activity in this course that requires students to complete their own business plans, share them with a partner and provide feedback to each other.  A brief paper recapping the business plan reviewed and feedback given is also required.

Textbook Information

Jim Horan, (2006).  The One Page Business Plan.  California: One Page Business Plan Company.   Entrepreneur Edition

Available via the Chabot Bookstore and online

Succeeding in an Online Course

Students who succeed in online courses tend to be independent, self-motivated learners with good computer skills. If you are a procrastinator who relies heavily on the instructor for motivation, or can't use a computer too well, you should probably consider enrolling in a face-to-face course instead.   Or, you might consider enrolling in our Introduction to Online Learning course (GNST-4910), which provides an overview of online learning and equips you to succeed in your first online class.

Don't enroll in this class if you believe the myth that learning online requires less effort than learning face-to-face. This course covers the same content and has similar activities as the face-to-face version of the course; only the method of delivery changes.

Blackboard

This course will use the Blackboard course management system as its virtual classroom. To learn how to log in to Blackboard, go to the How to Begin an Online Course page. Once you enroll, you will not be able to log in until the first day of class.  Students are expected to become familiar with the use and operation of Blackboard functions and are encouraged to attend an orientation session provided by the Distance Education program at Chabot College. In addition, the professor provides a general unit on "How to Navigate in Blackboard" for students to understand how to use the major features the professor employs.

Register for this course