COURSE GOALS:

• To identify entrepreneurship as a career and lifestyle option
• To build on business skills such as marketing and accounting
• To increase self awareness, especially work ethic
• To become acquainted with business leaders
• To develop a mindset for business and develop confidence
• To gain a "life role" credit after successful completion of the course

MARKS:

1. Regular testing
2. Project work
3. Major year-end assignment-the completion of a business plan
4. Presentations
5. Final Examination

1. Text: The Spirit of Adventure and The Entrepreneurial Spirit
2. Reproduced handouts
3. Published materials available in the community (school magazines, valley viewer, this week paper, free publications, etc)
4. Video clips (10 minutes each shown regularly)
5. Community special speakers
6. Lecture and notes
7. Class participation in various activities followed by reflection including student lead instruction where appropriate.

EXPECTATIONS

1. Reading. There will be a quantity of current literature to read and respond to.
2. Typing. If students are capable, they are expected to hand in assignments typed or in pen as if typed (ie: best quality and set-up)
3. Research. The internet is invaluable to the course. The best references for the students are current ones that reflect their own interests and aptitudes. Students will be supplied with a list of relevant internet sites.
4. The maintenance of an up-to-date binder for the course

COURSE OUTLINE

1. Entrepreneurship defined as well as related terms:
   • Venture, venture capitalist, and adventure
   • Goal setting/planning
   • Risk taking/resource management
   • The role demands of business
   • Reasons for failure (internal and external limits)
2. Variety in Entrepreneurship:
   • The concept of "change agent" and "intrapreneurship"
   • A manager verses an entrepreneur
   • Adv. and disadvantages of working for self versus others
   • Social ventures
   • The profit motive versus living a dream (and where they meet)
3. Characteristics successful entrepreneurs share:
   • Growth of women entrepreneurs
   • Factors most and least important to entrepreneurs
   • Surveys: Are you an entrepreneur?
4. Entrepreneurial skills:
   • Seven steps to a successful venture
   • Trying a venture-- the loonie business" - a one day venture
   • Finding a mentor
5. Innovation:
   • The challenge of innovation and how to encourage it
   • Student Project
6. Identifying and assessing opportunity:
   • Profiling Entrepreneurs: Ron Foxcroft and Mary Kay
   • Market research
   • Student Project
7. You - the idea machine:
   • Examining the creative process (colored hats)
   • Idea generation (out of the box)
   • Left and Right brain thinkers
   • Student Project
8. Planning your venture:
   • Goal setting - vision
   • Financial planning - costs, break-even, statements
   • Market Strategy - target market, surveys, advertising
9. Business plan generation: The major course project
10. Planning a presentation:
    • 3 minute (purpose: presentation feedback by teacher)
    • 10 minute (purpose: presenting the business plan for a guest panel)