23716 - Business Plan

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to understand and know how to structure a business plan. The course provides elements of decision-making, tools and analysis techniques to analyze different scenarios and plan strategic decisions. After completing the course the student is able to: - understand the business opportunities; - understand the functions of the business plan; - make the competitive analysis, the definition of the business system and the marketing plan.

Course contents

The main goal of the course is to give students the main theoretical and practical aspects that distinguish the creation of a business:

- The entrepreneur
- The business idea
- The entrepreneurial strategy
- Starting a new venture
- The entrepreneurial team
- The business model and the business plan
- The funding of a new venture

The exercises proposed to the students in terms of preparation and discussion of case studies are part of the programme.

A business competition will be performed and the last lesson will be dedicated to the presentation of the business ideas developed during the course.

Readings/Bibliography

Selected chapters form the book "Technology ventures – From Idea to Enterprise" by Thomas H. Byers, Richard C. Dorf, Andrew J. Nelson, McGaw-Hill. ISBN: 978-0073523422.
Teaching material prepared by the Professor (additional readings and case studies, often in English).

NON attending students will have to prepare the entire book.

Teaching methods

The course includes the use of interactive teaching methods. We will use case studies, videos, lectures, group exercises, lectures of experts in the field.
The Course puts strong emphasis on the discussion of the presented topics and on an active participation of the students during the lessons.
It is advised to read in advance the readings.

Assessment methods

Attending students will be evaluated on the basis of a project-work to be completed in teams during the period of the calsses (weight 70%) and a written test of opened and closed questions, covering the topics of the program (wight 30%).
NON attending students will be evaluated on the basis of a written test of opened and closed questions, covering the topics of the program (see the programme for attending and non attending students in the section "Readings/Bibliography") (weight 100%).
The dates for the final exam and the list of participants are managed through Almaesami.

Teaching tools

Slides

Papers

Tutor

Office hours

See the website of Laura Toschi