Program Description

In the program, you will be applying your learning to your own start-up or existing venture. The Program is divided into three (3) main phases and by the end of the first phase, you will be expected to have a fully functional business plan for a venture that has proven to be viable because of the research you have done within the program.

This Entrepreneurship Program currently has two streams. The two streams are;

Regardless of which stream you are in, the Program utilizes a strong technology based support and communication component.

Phase 1: Business Plan Development:

During this phase you will be taken through the 12 main instructional units of the Program. Within each unit there are between 3 and 7 modules each of which will take, on average, between 1/2 hour and 3 hours to complete. These modules include work on the business idea and work on yourself as a business owner. There are also tasks to be completed at the end of each module which can take up to 3-4 weeks to complete (e.g. market survey collection). These tasks result in components of your business plan being completed or information being collected to make decisions needed in your business plan. As you develop sections of the plan, you will be asked to submit them to the facilitators for their feedback so that you can make changes as you progress rather than waiting until the end of phase one.

You will also engage in a weekly meeting with the facilitators where the focus will be on your idea, developing strategies, highlighting areas that need attention and developing a checklist of tasks to complete for the next meeting.

At the end of this phase, you will present your plan to a panel of business advisors. The panel will provide a written assessment with one of three outcomes: recommendation for entry into phase 2, recommendation into phase 2 with conditions if there are specific concerns about the business model, or recommendation to pursue other career/training options should the business model not be considered to be viable at this time.

Time allotted to complete this phase: 12 weeks.

Phase 2: Business Start-Up:

During this phase, you will implement your business plan activities according to the schedule you developed in Phase 1. This will include activities such as locating financing; developing brochures, a web site, news releases, business cards & other promotional material; purchasing equipment; purchasing insurance; developing your space; hiring employees if required; setting up and completing your books and joining relevant associations.

Weekly meetings will continue where progress will be noted, changes made where necessary, discussions held regarding challenges, and brainstorming done to generate continued new possibilities. Checklists will continue to be developed, recorded and used as tools to help you attain your goal of start-up. If you are a home-based business, it is expected that you will open your doors within 4-6 weeks of this phase. If you are opening a venture requiring commercial space or significant financing, this could take up to 14 weeks.

Three to four additional workshops will be held during this phase relevant to getting your venture off the ground.

At the end of this phase, you will present a status report to the same panel of advisors on your activities to start your business, highlighting challenges and accomplishments and setting out goals for the next 12 weeks. They will in turn provide a written recommendation regarding entry into phase 3 of the Program based upon your progress. These are again one of three recommendations: recommendation for entry into phase 3, recommendation into phase 3 with conditions if there are specific concerns about the business model, or recommendation to pursue other career/training options should the business model not be considered to be viable at this time.

Time allotted to complete this phase: 14 weeks.

Phase 3: Business Operation:

During this phase you will be provided with ongoing support while you are in operation. It is expected that you will have opened your doors and be actively selling your product or service to the markets you identified.

Meetings will continue every two weeks in order to review problems you are encountering, discuss new ideas you have, measure how you are performing compared to your plan, make changes where necessary, and identify any areas that may pose potential problems in the future so that these issues can be monitored and plans developed to cope with them.

Two workshops will be held during this phase on issues relevant to start-up operations.

You will also be required to provide financial statements on a monthly basis with a report on actual vs. forecasted performance. In addition, we will assist you in identifying additional resource people that may be of more assistance to you in the start-up stage as issues are identified. At the end of this phase, you will present a final status report to the same panel of advisors on your activities running your business, highlighting challenges and accomplishments and discussing how well you achieved your goals from the last report. They will in turn provide written feedback and recommendations to you for future sustainability.

Time allotted to complete this phase: 12 weeks.

Cost
$7,900 - Regular full time day program
$4,900 - Self directed distance education program

To apply for this program start here.