23716 - Business Plan

Learning outcomes

This laboratory provides the analytical tools and concepts for effectively preparing a business plan for service organizations. The laboratory examines the objectives and structure of the business plan, including the marketing plan and competitive strategy, the operations, organizational structure and the financial plan of the new service activity. Students will actively participate and be trained to the preparation of business plans.

Course contents

This course introduces the key concepts, tools and principles of new venture creation. It offers a framework for understanding the entrepreneurial process and exposes students to the challenges faced by entrepreneurs who start new ventures or by individuals who work in entrepreneurial settings. The emphasis of the course is on applying concepts and techniques related to business planning in the context of new venture creation. While previous knowledge of concepts related to accounting, marketing, operations and sales is desirable, no prior knowledge of the subject nor experience in founding or working for a new venture is needed. The core objective of the course is to ultimately demystify entrepreneurship and equip students with the skills and knowledge required to prepare a solid business plan. The approach used in the course is active experiential learning as you will be asked to actively engage in class conversations and discussions as well as to work with peers.

Ultimately, this course will expose students to the following critical theoretical and practical aspects related to new venture creation:

• Identification and exploitation of new venture opportunities
• Industry analysis and recognition of key trends
• Business modelling
• Product and customer development
• Start-up metrics
• Building entrepreneurial teams
  
  

Readings/Bibliography

Teaching material prepared by the Professor (lecture slides, readings, and case studies) and uploaded on Virtuale.

Selected chapters from the book "Successful business plan. Secrets and strategies" (6th edition) by Rhonda Abrams, Planning shop (optional for attending students, compulsory for non-attending students). The list of the selected chapters will be available on Virtuale.

Non-attending students will have to prepare both the selected chapters from the book as well as the readings, cases and other material uploaded on Virtuale. To be considered an attending student, it is necessary to have a minimum of 70% attendance rate and to participate in the class activities and the group assignments.

Teaching methods

The approach used in this course is active experiential learning (i.e. learning by doing). The instructor will use a combination of presentations, videos, case studies, articles, and papers to stimulate students during and beyond class hours. Class participation in a relaxed atmosphere will be used to facilitate interaction and free thinking. Part of class time will be devoted to analysis and discussion of cases related to new venture creation. Students will work in teams with the goal to produce a Business Development Plan (BDP) based on the ideas selected during session 2. The BDP will be presented by the teams at the end of the course.

Assessment methods

Attending students

Individual (30% of the final grade)

• Written test

Group (70% of the final grade)

• BDP written document and oral presentation

Non-attending students

• Written test (100% of the final grade)

The final grading (grading scale 0-30) will follow the criteria indicated below:

• <18 insufficient
• 18-23 sufficient
• 24-27 good
• 28-30 very good
• 30 e lode excellent

Please refer to the extended Syllabus of the course for additional information.

Teaching tools

Teaching material prepared by the Professor (lecture slides, readings, case studies) and uploaded on Virtuale.

Office hours

See the website of Leonardo Corbo