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Syllabus Entrepreneurship
Syllabus Entrepreneurship
Syllabus Entrepreneurship
Abetti
ENTREPRENEURSHIP Summer 2006
SYLLABUS
Summer 2006 – July 6 - 9, 2006
Course Title
Entrepreneurship
Instructor:
Pier A. Abetti, Ph.D. - Professor, Management of Technology and
Entrepreneurship, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180-
3590, USA
Phone: Tunis, 913.000; (Hotel Golden Tulip) USA, 1-518-276-6834;
Fax, 1-518-276-8661
Email: abettp@rpi.edu
Texts:
(1) R.A. Baron, S.A. Shane; Entrepreneurship, Thomson, 2004,
ISBN 0-324-27356-8
(2) Selected cases and articles
Objectives:
(1) Provide understanding of entrepreneurship, that is, initiating
an innovative new business venture and developing it into a
self-sustaining and profitable enterprise
(2) Provide understanding of the process whereby a person
decides to become an entrepreneur, screens opportunities,
selects an appropriate product/market target, obtains the
necessary resources, and launches a new enterprise
(3) Provide the practical knowledge for the preparation of drafts
of business plans for the development of new products,
processes and services and for the financing of new
enterprises.
Course Structure:
(1) One-third of the time, approximately, will be lectures,
including a guest speaker
(2) One-third will be case discussions and class exercises
(3) One-third will be the preparation and review of business plans
by participants in teams.
(4) Formal presentations of business plan summaries to a jury of
business persons will conclude the course
Schedule:
Classes will meet during 4 days, July 6 to 10. Classes are held from
9 AM to 12:30 with a short break and from 2:00 to 5:30 with a short
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ENTREPRENEURSHIP Summer 2006
break. On the last day, class will end around 3:00. Accordingly, this
syllabus is divided into 8 sessions, including the final presentations of
business plan summaries during the last day.
I would like to suggest the following procedures for a smooth running course.
1. Reading Assignments:
1.1 Since this is a new course, the syllabus is tentative and may be
changed depending on the progress, and interest and suggestions of
the class.
1.2 Readings should be completed before assigned sessions, in order to
understand the subjects to be presented and discussed.
1.3 The textbook is for reference only.
2. Cases:
2.1 Case preparations must be completed before class.
2.2 The instructor will briefly summarize the facts of the case and open
the discussion.
2.3 All participants are expected to contribute actively to the discussion.
3. Assignments:
3.1 There are two group assignments for the business plan. No reports
are required. Groups will hand in copies of their charts and 2-3 page
executive summary at the last session.
4. Team Work:
4.1 Participants are expected to work in teams. Synergy is expected,
that is, two participants in a team should produce more than the sum
of two individual contributions.
4.2 Teams should be as diversified as possible, in terms of academic
interests, experience and backgrounds.
4.3 Participants should take turns in making presentations so that all can
obtain credit for class participation.
5. Attendance:
5.1 Attendance is compulsory and roll call will be made during all
classes.
5.2 Justified absences (for reasons of health or work) should be
discussed with the instructor preferably before the fact. Participants
with 2 or more half-day absences will be required to do additional
work.
6. Grading:
6.1 Final course grade will be weighted as follows:
40% Class participation and case discussions;
20% Homework charts and presentations (first assignment)
40% Final project (in lieu of final exam).
6.2 Grades will be given according to the following criteria:
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ENTREPRENEURSHIP Summer 2006
7. Counseling:
7.1 Students are encouraged to meet with the instructor, during breaks,
before or after class.
7.2 In case of problems do not hesitate to call the instructor at the hotel
(913.0000). Please, no calls after 10 PM.
8. Feedback:
8.1 The procedures listed above are tentative. Your feedback, in class or
privately, is most welcome and your suggestions will be given full
consideration.
8.2 This is a new course for all of us. It can only succeed if we all work
together to improve the subject matter and the learning process, and
participate fully in the discussions.
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MSB Pier A. Abetti
ENTREPRENEURSHIP Summer 2006
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
3. CUSTOMER BENEFITS
(WHY WILL THEY BUY YOUR PRODUCT OR SERVICE?)
NOTES:
1. PROPOSE ONLY PRODUCTS OR SERVICES PRESENTLY NOT AVAILABLE ON THE TUNISIAN
MARKET.
2. BECAUSE OF THE LIMITED DOMESTIC MARKET, ALL PROPOSALS SHOULD HAVE THE
OBJECTIVE OF EXPORTING PRODUCTS OR SERVICES.
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MSB Pier A. Abetti
ENTREPRENEURSHIP Summer 2006
Note: The mission should describe in one or two sentences the reason for existence and long-
range objectives of the company.
2. Product/Service Description
NOTES:
a) Assume the future of your Company depends upon the quality of your business plan.
b) Emphasize the customer benefits section (What does the product do for me?)
c) Product is defined as the total package of benefits the customer receives when he/she buys
(functional utility and reliability, features, warranties, services, etc.)
d) Industrial marketing customers and venture capitalists are sophisticated. Be specific in
your claims of benefits and avoid general claims or “image.”
3 Competition
Look at both direct and indirect competition. Example: robots in Finland versus manual
assembly in developing countries.
If possible, compare your product or service with those of your main competitors (features,
quality, performance, price, support, etc.)
4. Market Analysis
NOTES:
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ENTREPRENEURSHIP Summer 2006
a) We are concerned here with total served market size, not with your market share. This
will be discussed in the next section, since it depends on strategy and resources.
b) Projections should be made until 2010 as a minimum (you want to be in business for a
long time!)
6. Resources
9.1 The assignment will include all the charts of the presentation, plans an Executive Summary
(2 pages double spaced).
9.2 The Executive Summary will summarize very briefly the key ideas and data of the plan
and present key conclusions at the end. Assume that some busy executives will read only
this summary, not the entire plan.
9.3 All pages should be numbered consecutively, including tables and illustrations.
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Session # Topics Text and Readings Cases and Oral Written Assignments
(Chapter # = Presentations
Timmons)
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5 5.1 Case: Kevin Mooney (B&C) Chapter 6 Kevin Mooney (B&C) What should Kevin do?
July 8 (Sat) AM 5.2 Venture Capital in USA
5.3 Video: The Entrepreneurial Process
5.4 Guest Speaker: Tunisian Venture Capitalist
Syllabus
Session # Topics Text and Readings Cases and Oral Presentations Written Assignments
(Chapter # = Timmons)
6. 6.1 Case: Map Info and Role Chapter 10, 14 Map Info Business Plan Would you invest or not into
July 8 (Sat) PM Playing Abetti: Accelerated Growth Map Info? Why or why not?
6.2 Obtaining Venture Capital
6.3 Going Public (IPO)
6.4 Accelerated Growth
6.5 Map Info Today
7. 7.1 Entrepreneurial Growth Chapters 12, 13 Abetti: The Creative Evolution Questions for discussion
July 9 (Sun) AM 7.2 Case: Steria of Steria (handout).
7.3 Intrapreneurship What should Steria do next?
7.4 Case: Toshiba Laptop
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MSB Pier A. Abetti
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8. 8.1 Business Plans None Presentation of Business Plan Business Plan charts and
July 9 (Sun) PM Presentations Summaries Executive Summary (2-3 pages
8.2 Evaluation of Course and double – spaced)
Instructor by students
8.3 Feedback of Jury and
Award of Prizes