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Please read the syllabus attached. This project needs to be 15 pages about a business plan. A business plan includes a clear statement of the nature of a business venture, the business opportunity, the steps to be taken to capitalize on the opportunity, and the financial requirements. The key ingredient of a successful plan is substantiating its viability. The students’ research will quantify and analyze the opportunity based on their marketing, financial and operational analysis. Business plans are used for entrepreneurial guidance of the business and to acquire capital. Your instructor will provide an outline of the required elements that must be included in your business plan.Please read page 15-18 regarding the The Business Plan Project, this is what the paper needs to be written about. Aside from the main business plan , Also Make sure to write a few paragraphs to justify the importance of this project to you, its relevancy, and the personal reasons why you chose it. Thanks graduate_business_capstone_handbook_712014.pdf Unformatted Attachment Preview GRADUATE BUSINESS CAPSTONE HANDBOOK (MGT695C) School of Business and Management National University 11255 North Torrey Pines Road La Jolla, CA 92037-1011 July 1, 2014 ___________________________________________ The Project Handbook is periodically updated and corrected. Your feedback and comments will help improve this process. Please note any corrections, additions, deletions, or other changes that you would like to see made in the next edition of this handbook. Please send or email your suggestions to one of the addresses below. Dr. Kamlesh Mehta, Director, MBA Program - kmehta@nu.edu or Mark Dannenberg, Lead Faculty, Management Program - mdannenberg@nu.edu National University 11255 North Torrey Pines Road La Jolla, CA 92037-1101 Contents Part I General Information Learning Outcomes Project Suggested Timeline Form 1 4 5 10 11 Part II Business Plan General Guideline Required Content Evaluation Rubric Form 3 12 14 18 20 Part III Business Client Project General Guideline Required Content Evaluation Rubric Form 3 23 24 25 29 Part IV Business Research General Guideline Required Content Evaluation Rubric Form 3 31 32 32 37 Power Point PPT Presentation Rubric 39 ii Part I General Information 3 General Information MGT695C Graduate Business Project Course Textbook Depending on the project choice, there is a textbook to purchase. A textbook has been chosen to aid in the creation of business plans. A second textbook has been chosen to aid in the completion of a Business Research Project. There is no textbook for the Business Client Project. Additionally, it is recommended that students access the NULS link for the American Psychological Association (APA) standards regarding grammar, style, format, and citations for research. Portions of this format are the required structure for all papers and projects in the School of Business and Management. Approval for research involving human subjects: Any research conducted by NU faculty, staff, or students that involves human subjects in any way must receive Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval before the research can be undertaken. Also, any research that utilizes NU faculty, staff, or students as subjects must be approved by the NU-IRB before the research can be undertaken. If the research involves human subjects in any way, such as being recorded in a data pool or being asked to participate in a focus group, then approval of the NU-IRB is required. For more information and application form see Http://www.nu.edu/Academics/schools/SOBM.html. Approval by the IRB for simple research may take up to two weeks. More complex research will take longer. If you anticipate you will be using or might be using human subjects in your research, contact you instructor prior to the beginning of the course. If you are unable to reach your instructor, contact the MBA Director or the Lead Faculty for Graduate Management for guidance. Course Prerequisites The fundamental prerequisites of this course are the core courses of the student’s program. Students should be aware that the school considers the project course to be a capstone course and therefore the student must complete a minimum of 31.5 quarter units before enrolling in this course. The project handbook is available at: Course Description This is a capstone course in which students work as individuals or as a group under the guidance of an assigned faculty advisor. In this course students have the opportunity to conduct research and gather relevant data, to integrate and apply knowledge and skills learned in preceding courses, and to make oral presentations of their project. 4 Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to: Overarching learning outcomes • Synthesize and apply content from their graduate courses and other learning opportunities to better understand real world situations • Understanding, appreciate, and value the relationships across business disciplines • Distinguish real world problems and demonstrate the application of solutions from a global business perspective to real world problems Business Plan learning outcomes • Assess/evaluate the requirements of a comprehensive business plan, which includes appropriate background information • Organize, the appropriate information required in a business plan • Construct a business plan that will satisfy the needs of entrepreneurs, lender, and potential investors Business Project learning outcomes • Assess and define a significant business problem • Evaluate information to better understand such a problem • Specify and design appropriate information to identify and present a high-quality solution General Guidelines The project course is one months in duration. During this time, students are expected to write a proposal, complete a draft of their written paper, orally present it to the class, and submit a corrected final written version of their project. While in the past there has been an automatic one month extension for final editing, an I (incomplete) or K (in progress) will only be available based on the same guidelines as in other courses. 5 At the completion of the course, students are expected to submit one error free copy and two CDs to their faculty advisor. One of the two CDs will be sent by the faculty project advisor to the MBA Director or to the Department Chair of Finance, Accounting, and Economics before they may graduate. Course Requirements Students are expected to attend all designated class sessions and complete all assignments on time. Failure to do so may result in the loss of points. Grades and Grading System Definition of Grades: H = Honors S = Satisfactory U = Unsatisfactory Honors is awarded for Outstanding achievement – note that this is similar to the definition of “A” achievement in a class awarding A, B, C, & F. Satisfactory is awarded for Commendable achievement – note that this is similar to the definition of “B” achievement. Marginal or poorer achievement is considered unacceptable – note that what is considered “C” achievement is unacceptable in this course. This grade is not included in the student’s GPA. K In Progress A designation representing a sequential course in progress. At the end of the sequence, a grade will be received and will replace the “K” grade. No credit is awarded until the sequence is completed and a permanent grade is entered replacing the “K” grade. No grade points are assigned for the “K” grade. I Incomplete: A grade given when a student is unable to complete the course requirements due to uncontrollable and unforeseen circumstances. The student must convey (preferably in writing) these circumstances to the instructor prior to the final day of the course. If the instructor decides that an “Incomplete” is warranted, the instructor must convey the conditions for removal of the “Incomplete” to the student in writing. An “Incomplete” must be removed no later than the second complete quarter following the original course completion date, but may be for a shorter period at the discretion of the instructor. 6 An “I” not removed within the stipulated time becomes “U”. No grade points are assigned. W Withdrawal: Signifies that a student has withdrawn from a course after beginning the third class session. A “Withdrawal” will not be allowed after the beginning of the sixth class session. This is a permanent mark with no grade points assigned. S Satisfactory: Credit is granted but no grade points are assigned. H Honors. No grade points are assigned. Diversity Learning to work with and value diversity is essential in every business program. Students are required to act respectfully toward other students and instructors throughout the courses. Students are also expected to exhibit an appreciation for multinational and gender diversity in the classroom and develop management skills and judgment appropriate to such diversity in the workplace. Ethics: Ethical behavior in the classroom is required of every student. Students are also expected to identify ethical policies and practices relevant to course topics. Communication Skills: Both written and oral communications are required in the classroom of every student. Technology: Students are expected to be competent in using word-processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software in this course. The use of the Internet and email may also be required. Writing Across the Curriculum: http://www.nu.edu/Academics/StudentServices/WritingCenter/WritingAcrosstheCurr.html 7 Plagiarism: http://www.nu.edu/Academics/StudentServices/AcademicPoliciesandP/AcademicDishonestyan.html Attendance Procedures: http://www.nu.edu/Academics/StudentServices/AcademicPoliciesandP/AttendanceProcedures.html Library Resources: http://www.nu.edu/LIBRARY/JournalArticles/ByDatabase.html APA Reference Guide: http://www.apastyle.org/pubmanual.html Additional Internet resources related to APA style: http://www.psywww.com/resource/apacrib.htm 8 Formatting the Written Report Please access the NULS link for details (www.nu.edu/library). See example of APA format at end of document. Headings Major sections (sometimes called “chapters”) should be started on a new page (like the chapter of a book) and the title should be centered, bold, and typed with capital letters. Headings for sub-sections (second level headings) are left justified, bold, and the initial letter is capitalized. Headings for the next level of sub-section (third level headings) are left justified, capitalization of initial letter, and underlined. No letters are typed in bold. Page Numbering All pages except the Title Page and Abstract or Executive Summary are numbered using Arabic numerals. These numbers are centered at the bottom of each page. The Table of Contents, Dedication, Acknowledgements, and Abstract or Executive Summary are numbered with small Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, etc.). Spacing and Font Size The written project is double-spaced in 12 point, Times New Roman. Margins are one inch on all four sides. Grammar “Don’ts” • Do not use contractions, such as “don’t” instead of “do not” or “it’s” for it is. • Do not use personal pronouns such as I, me, they, we, and you • Avoid clichés such as “hopefully”, “obviously”, “as you know”, and “in other words.” Referencing Sources As a general rule, every statement of fact in the project ends with a citation that includes the author(s)’ last name and publication year. This citation must then appear in the Reference Section. For example, the extensive development in computer technology over the past decade is slowly being integrated into the classroom (Swan, 1997). Do not use footnotes. Use of APA Standards Look at formatting sections of this handbook for guidance in applying APA formatting standards to your choice of project. 9 Specific Style Issues Proper grammar, spelling, word usage, and sentence construction are required. Final Projects are expected to be submitted without errors. Projects with errors may be returned for correction. APA Style Sheet for References is available at http://datel200.nu.edu/web/documents/APA.pdf or at the end of this document Project Suggested Timeline ACTIVITY Class Week Submit Completed Forms Form 1 – Project Selection Project Process Review and Discuss Requirements Topic Selection Project Writing Project Proposal Draft Proposal Oral Presentation** Submit Completed Project 1 2 3 4 X X X X X X X X X X *Note: The Project Course, MGT695C, is designed to be completed within a one-month period. If extenuating circumstances exist, an extension in the form of an “I” or “K” may be negotiated with the instructor. ** The Oral Presentation is expected to be given at the end of the month, regardless of whether or not the final written document is complete. 10 To be completed by all students regardless of project type FORM 1 Selection of Project Type and Topic Prior to the development of the project proposal, students select a topic for their project. The topic is submitted to the Faculty Advisor for approval. Date: Degree Program: _________________________________ ID Number: _________________________ Student(s) Name: Name of Faculty Project Advisor: ________________ Telephone: ______________________________ Email: ______________________________ Format: ( ) Business Plan ( ) Business Client Project ( ) Business Research Brief Description of Topic (or assignment, if selecting an internship):________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ If team project, name of other student(s): ___________________________________________________________ Student Signature: Date: Action by Faculty Advisor: ( ) Approved ( ) Not Approved Comments:__________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Signature: _____________________________________ Date: ___________________ 11 Part II Business Plan 12 MGT 695C Project Business Plan Contents General Guidelines Sample Outline for a Business Plan Form 3: Business Plan Evaluation Form 13 MGT 695C: Graduate Business Project Business Plan General Guidelines Business plans are business communications rather than an academic paper. The purpose of such communications is to provide the basis for business decisions. The reward here is for being concise and precise. This is not the place to show all that you have learned in your MBA program. Use what you have learned to choose the most critical information to include. The more clearly the business plan can be written, the more effective it will be. Business plans are used to acquire capital and to guide the operation. For these reasons, keys to a successful plan are in substantiating the viability of the venture. A business plan includes a clear statement of the nature of a business venture, the business opportunity, the steps to be taken to capitalize on the opportunity, and the financial requirements. Research in this option is primarily in quantifying the opportunity and the competitive situation. The Business Plan format provides an opportunity for students to develop an actual, workable business plan for a new business or existing company. Guidelines for the Project A business plan is not a thesis and therefore does not involve a thesis-type literature review. However, a business plan does require research. At a minimum, marketing research is needed in order to quantify the opportunity which will include determining the total demand, the unmet demand, how competitors are or could satisfy this demand, how your offering is to be distinctive in this market, and your reasonable sales projections at your proposed selling prices. Marketing research for an existing product in a new market involves an analysis of demographics and customer profiles in markets where the product is currently being sold successfully, and the comparison of such demographics and customer profiles to those of the proposed new market. The proposal should cite the specific sources from which such data are obtainable. 14 One of the most common problems with students’ business plans is the lack of connection between the market demand and the financial statements. There often is little or no foundation for the projected revenue figures cited, including initial sales and sales growth. Make sure this connection is crystal clear. Content and Organization of the Business Plan Project Title Page The title page is not numbered. Dedications, Acknowledgements, Lists of Tables, and Lists of Illustrations These are optional but rarely used in Business Plans. If used, begin numbering the page with lower case Roman numerals. Table of Contents This table is also numbered with lower case Roman numerals. Executive Summary The purpose of an Executive Summary is to write a brief description of your plan that allows the reader to gain the essence of the entire plan in less than two pages. It is intended to give a busy executive the key information and lead the reader to the sections that will answer the executive’s primary questions. It is not an introduction to the plan, as you may have written in typical papers. This Executive Summary, although positioned first in the project, should actually be written last. In this way you know what you are summarizing. Writing it earlier will cause it to tend towards a traditional introduction. This section begins the Arabic numbering of pages, beginning with “1.” The Business Plan Project The Business Plan must include the following topics. Various Business Plans organize this information in different orders but the content must be included. Students should chose an outline that most effectively builds the argument that this project is viable and has an acceptable risk.  Introduction  Purpose of the plan (attract investors, diversification, etc.)  Introduction to market opportunity 15    The Company How company will respond to opportunity  Marketing and Sales Activities  Product or Service Research and Development Organization and Personnel  Market  Industry Overview  The history of the industry  Size of the Industry  Industry Evolution  The trend-Where the industry is expected to be in 5 or 10 years  The key players in the industry  Barriers to entering the market  Competition strengths and weaknesses  Target market  Major characteristics of the target market (what does the customer look like?)  Expected target market growth for the next 5-10 years  Product and Industry Life Cycles  How does the position in the Product Life Cycle affect this business plan?  How does the position in the Industry Life Cycle affect this business plan?  Product or Service Research and Development  Company Description (proposed new organization)  Type of Business and Legal Structure, e.g., LLC, sole proprietorship  Mission and Objectives  Distinctive Core Competencies  Management and Ownership  Board of directors and Rationale for Members  Management staff structure  Key managers  Future Additions to the Current Management Team 16  Marketing Activities  Overall Marketing Strategy  Sales Strategy  Analysis-Strengths, Weaknesses as they relate to Opportunities, Threats (SWOT/TOWS)  Risk Management  Loss Control  Retention of Personnel  Insurance  Products and Services  Detailed Product/Service Description  Product Life Cycle  Copyrights, Patents, and Intellectual Property Rights  Research and Development Activities  Operations  Production and Service Delivery Procedures  Supply Chain  Financial Analysis  Funds required and their uses  Current funding requirements  Funding requirements over the next three years  Use of funds  Financial statements for first 3 years (monthly first year and annually for years 2 &3) (use template)  Income statements  Balance sheets  Cash flow statements  Determine capital requirements 17 Conclusions and Recommendations  Conclude whether or not it is a viable business venture ( or a viable business/strategic path for the client company  Explain why the student should or should not pursue the business venture at this time (or why or why not the client business should pursue the path under investigation) References This section continues with the Arabic numbering of pages. Only sources of information that have actually been cited in the project are included here. Appendices The appendices continu ... Purchase answer to see full attachment