Action-Driven Business Plan: From the ‘Classroom’ to the World

Overview

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"Action-Driven Business Plan: From the ‘Classroom’ to the World" is a capstone project, that requires you, our learner, to pull together all you will have learned in the three courses that comprise the "Startup Entrepreneurship" Specialization. This course is in fact the culmination of the process designed to provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate what you have learned on a real-world project of your choice. During the following six weeks you will gradually create, improve and refine your business plan, moving from one milestone to another. Each week will begin with a short note from Prof. Maital, explaining what the current phase is about and providing you with points to consider while working on the assignments. We encourage you to practice what you have learned using the self-assessment practice quizzes and brainstorm with your peers in the weekly forums. During the first week you will create a non-business plan as an initial step towards creating your business plan. In weeks two, three and five, you will be required to submit three assignments for peer evaluation, which will help you to prepare your final business plan. At the end of the course you will prepare and submit your completed business plan and an effective two-minute video describing your idea. Your business plan will include the following sections: The Need, the Product, Unique Features, The Market and Future Developments, a Gantt chart and a project budget.

Syllabus

Welcome & Make a Plan

Create a completed non-business plan (a series of actions each of which moves your idea toward implementation), including a list of the activities to be undertaken, with degrees of importance (scale of 1 to 3, where 1 is ‘most important’).

Zoom Out

Write a diary: recording conversations, data, insights, day by day, gleaned from a variety of sources, by face-to-face chats, email, Web searches, etc.

Zoom In

A revision of the original product or service idea, in light of information gathered in the Zoom Out process

Shape the Business Design - part 1

Begin to design the business or organization that will successfully implement your creative idea. Prepare an activity map.

Shape the Business Design - part 2

Prepare an initial cash flow statement, showing money flowing out (operations; capital) and flowing in. Estimate your capital needs realistically. Prepare a bootstrapping option (self financing). Prepare a risk map.

Write a Business Plan

Prepare a business plan comprising five sections: The Need; The Product; Unique Features; The Market; Future Developments. Include a Gantt chart (project plan – detailed activities and starting and ending dates); and a project budget. Prepare an effective two-minute video describing your idea, including your ‘pitch’