Overview of STEP Curriculum Module-Summer 2006

I. Title of Module: 

• Business Challenge

II. Author:  

• Vincent DiGaetano

III. Grade Level:  

• High School 9-11

IV. Nature of The Students:  

• Urban Minority

V. Purposes and Overview: (Course Description):

The purpose of the eight-day Business Challenge course is to expose students to the business industry and have the group propose an actual business plan to a group of potential investors to decide if they will finance the concept.

The course will begin by putting students in groups at random and assigning them at random product (i.e. bottled water).  The students then need to establish a distinctive competency about the product. The students will research economic indicators of the industry to establish that there is a market for the product. Students will set up operating costs to determine the cost of goods sold, create an income statement, balance sheet and break-even analysis. 

At the completion of the program, students will present their business plan to the class that will act as a group of potential investors. Using a rubric the group is graded on the feasibility and sustainability of the plan.

Business Challenge Lesson 1/Day 1

• Importance of Business Planning
• Showing Feasibility and Sustainability of New Business
• Supply and Demand  

Business Challenge Lesson 2/Day 2  

• Developing a product concept
• Establishing a list of competitors
• Determine the Costs of Goods Sold for the Product
• Research and determine fixed monthly costs for business operation
• Create a staff organization chart for potential employees 

Business Challenge Lesson 3/Day 3  

• Creation of a Marketing Plan
• Creating a Competitive Advantage
• Determining the 4 P’s (Price, Product, Promotion and Placement)
• Developing an Internal and External Audit of the Company 

Business Challenge Lesson 4/Day 4  

• Find Economic Indicators of Industry Sales
• Determine the amount of units that will be sold annually and monthly
• Create a projected Income Statement for the following year  

Business Challenge Lesson 5/Day 5  

• Create a three year Net Profit Projection
• List the Equipment that will be needed for the company
• Create an asset log and a Balance Sheet
• Create a monthly Break Even Analysis  

Business Challenge Lesson 6/Day 6-7  

• Development of a Mission Statement and Objectives for the companies success
• Weigh the potential advantages and disadvantages of Outsourcing
• Research Federal Funds Rate to establish parameters for potential financing of the business
• Design a business style Power point presentation to a group of potential investors  

Business Challenge Lesson 7/Day 8  

• Present the Final Product Business Plan
• Grade the Final Presentation
• Establish if the Business Plan is proven feasible for financing

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Last Updated August 6, 2007 by Roz Krakowsky
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