BUA 530 - Small Business Management

Every business begins as a small business. This course will seek to explore the roll-up-your-sleeves, “do more with less” mentality employed by successful businesses as they seek to reduce costs, streamline operations, and achieve more with smaller, smarter staffs. This course is geared towards entrepreneurs but will most certainly benefit anyone working in( (or desiring to work in) a small company environment. In the context of a start-up or operating small business subjects covered will include product development and positioning, process creation and implementation, staffing (and/or outsourcing), customer service, sales, and PR with limited resources. The franchise model will also be explored. The course will be taught mostly case style. Students will also gain a working, hands-on knowledge of the QuickBooks accounting software-a cornerstone of so many small businesses. There will be a mid-term, individual and/or team assignments and a final team project in which you will envision a small business venture of your own in the form of a business plan and final presentation.

Credits: 3