Helping you make your business plan into a reality!

ENTR 110: Getting Ready for Entrepreneurship

This course describes what it is to be an entrepreneur and explores the joys and pitfalls of entrepreneurship. Through self -assessment, you will analyze your skills and knowledge and relevant attributes of being a successful entrepreneur today. You will also learn how to plan, set goals and the awareness of time wasters.

ENTR 111: Assessing demand for Your Business Idea

This course prepares students to conduct their own market research for the purpose of the development of a business plan for a new venture.  It provides a practical 360° framework for research applicable to all new enterprises, introduces methodologies and both on-line and publication-based research resources.  The course also provides framework for analysis and evaluation of research results.  At completion of this course, students will have a comprehensive market research component for a specific business idea and business plan.

ENTR 112: Establishing Productive Business Processes

This course prepares students to develop the operations component of a business plan for a new venture.  It provides the necessary legal steps to set up a new business and includes helpful tools such as a framework, worksheets and checklists. Topics such as registration, licenses,  insurance and business policies are discussed to ensure effective operations. 

ENTR 113: Understanding Your Customer Needs

This course is designed to guide the student in the development of a marketing strategy leveraging the market research work completed. Participants will explore a variety of marketing strategies and evaluate them in terms of what is right for their business. Those strategies will include web and print-based media and referral-based marketing tools, developing a corporate identity and brand development. Special emphasis will be placed on cost-effective strategies that will optimize their marketing dollars in the first year of operation.

ENTR 114: Sales Effectiveness for New Start Ups

This practical course focuses on growing a business through effective selling skills, cold calling and networking using a communication- based and relationship building approach. It begins with a review of what the participant has learned about their target market in order to develop a sales strategy for their business. It explores different communication styles for interacting with customers and identifies techniques for effectively dealing with all types of customers.

ENTR 115: Small Business Customer Care Strategies

This course prepares students to define, develop and describe a customer service strategy for business.  It provides a practical approach and introduces useful processes and systems supporting the development of a comprehensive customer care policy and standards for start-up enterprises. 

ENTR 116: Connecting with Your Customers Online

This course will teach students how to create a social media strategy for their business. The course uses  the major tools in social media with a focus on best use and efficient use. Students will learn how to use social media as a marketing tool and create a strong social media presence for their business. The students will be empowered to use tools such as website building and optimization tools, blogs, video, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

ENTR 210: Budget Planning & Credit Management for Small Business Owners

This course prepares students to define and develop a financial plan for business and for the owner of the enterprise.  It provides tools for the process, including insurance considerations, budgeting, review of expenses, dealing with the bank for business, personal and business financing sources as well as credit bureau considerations for start-up enterprises.  At completion of this course, students will have a complete start-up financing plan for a specific business idea and business plan. 

ENTR 211: Understanding and Preparing Cash flow Forecasts for Small Business

This course prepares students to develop a financial plan and forecast as part of a business plan for a new venture as well as to conduct basic recordkeeping for start-up operations.  It includes how to calculate and apply variable versus fixed costs, breakeven, sales projections, cost projections, cash flow statements, income statements and transaction records. At completion of this course, students will have a comprehensive financial planning component for a specific business idea and business plan as well as basic tools to monitor financial performance of the business once up and running. 

ENTR 212: Business Tax & Law for Start Ups

This course prepares students to operate a business in accordance with Canadian tax regulations and basic legal principles.  It provides information on HST rules, hiring regulations, payroll, WSIB, and basic taxation differences between sole proprietorships and corporations. This course will help the entrepreneur choose the most appropriate legal form, create the necessary documents to interact with customers, employees, suppliers and directors/advisors in order to protect the business and intellectual property.  At completion of this course, students will have a foundation for major operational decisions, such as form of operation, taxes and other government deductions required, professional support, intellectual property protection and contracts.

ENTR 213: Business Communications & Proposal Writing

This course prepares students to apply the primary principles of effective business communications to their specific business. At completion of this course, student will have a foundation for writing a 30 second sales pitch, a sales letter and a proposal or quotation relative to their own business products or services.

ENTR 214: Government & Non- Government Tenders and Proposals

This course prepares students to apply best practices when developing a proposal for private or public tenders and provides information on the Canadian government purchasing and tendering process.  At completion of this course, students will have a foundation for writing proposals both for Government and non-Government tenders and participating in private and public purchasing and tendering processes.

ENTR 215 Delivering Your Business Plan Effectively

This course prepares students to deliver a Business Plan presentation by exploring presentation techniques and styles.  The course also guides the student through the planning and organizing process of delivering a presentation.  At completion of this course, students will have a comprehensive Business Plan presentation for a specific business idea.

ENTR 216 Recruitment & Management of Human Resources for Small Business

This course is an introduction to the human resources function and related elements and activities. It is intended for an entrepreneur who is hiring an employee or contractor for the first time. Upon successful completion of this course students will be prepared to facilitate and guide staffing, performance management, training, employee relations, health and safety, hiring and firing, and benefits compensation and administration functions.