SYLLABUS

 

Course:                       UMGT 365-01 Developing a Small Business

                                    Fall 2003/ Uptown - Norman Mayer 102

Thursday evenings 5:30 – 8:20 p.m.     

 

Instructor:                  G. Geoffrey Lutz

                                    glutz@tulane.edu

                        Pager:   551-0539        

                         

Office Hours:             I will be available most evenings before or after class and by prior arrangement.  You may also reach me by email or phone to discuss any questions you may have or to set up an appointment.                                           

 

Course Objective:      This course provides a realistic treatment of the inception, planning, and development of a small business, with particular attention to the fit between business and entrepreneur. This objective can only be achieved through a joint effort.  I will work to keep the class interesting and challenging, and expect class participation and self-study on your part.

 

Text:                           Small Business Management: An Entrepreneurial Emphasis, 11th or 12th edition, Longenecker, Moore & Petty, 2003, ISBN 0-324-06554x

 

Grading:                     Quizzes/Homework/In-Class Exercises             25%

                                    Mid-Term Exam                                                           25%

                                    Final Exam                                                                   25%

                                    Business Plan / Presentation (if time permits)                  25%

                                   

Since quizzes, homework, and in-class exercises comprise 25% of the final grade in this class, consistent attendance is essential. I expect you to attend class on a regular basis. Class lecture and discussions will supplement text materials, and will be included as an important aspect of the exams.  Keep in mind that you are responsible for everything discussed or handed out in class.  Further, no make-up assignments will be allowed and no late assignments will be accepted. If a student is absent on an assignment day or does not turn an assignment in prior to being absent, he or she will receive a 0.  You will be allowed to drop one quiz/homework/in-class exercise assignment.

 

94 and above = A                    74 – 76 = C

90 – 93 = A-                            70 – 73 = C-

87 – 89 = B+                           67 – 69 = D+

84 – 86 = B                             64 – 66 = D

80 – 83 = B-                            60 – 63 = D-

77 – 79 = C+                          59 and below = F

                                   

                                    All assignments are to be typed; in other words, handwritten work is unacceptable.

 

Exams:                       Exams will be some combination of essay and application questions.  Grades on all written answers will be based on both the content and the structure of the answer.  Exams will cover both assigned readings and additional materials covered in class.  Therefore, if you miss class, be sure to obtain any class materials missed.

 

No make-up exams will be given except under highly extenuating circumstances and with prior approval of the instructor.  Two conditions must be met to warrant approval:  (1) there is an emergency, which the student discussed with me before missing the exam, and (2) documentation of the emergency situation is provided.  Otherwise, the student will receive 0 points for that exam.   

 

 

Schedule:                Class        Date                 Reading

1          8/28                 Introduction; Expectations; Overall Look

2          9/04                 Chapter 1: The Winning Hand of Entrepreneurship 

3          9/11                 Chapter 2: Strategies that Capture Opportunities

4          9/18                 Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

5          9/25                 Chapter 5: Startups and Buyouts

6          10/02               Finding and Defining Your Target Market

7          10/09               Chapter 7: The Family Business

8          10/16               Mid-term exam on the material presented

thus far; Business plan ideas due.

9          10/23               Chapter 8: The Role of the Business Plan

10        10/30               Chapters 10 & 11: Management Team,

Organizational Forms, & Strategic

Alliances/Selecting a Location & Planning the Facilities

11        11/06               Chapters 9 & 17: Developing the Marketing Plan/

Promotional Strategies

12        11/13               Chapters15 & 19: Customer Service, Product &

Distribution/Managing Human Resources

13        11/20               Chapters 13 & 22: Finding Sources of

Financing/Evaluating Financial Performance

 -          11/27               No Class: Thanksgiving

14        12/04               Business plans due; Presentations

15        12/11               Final Exam 5:45 pm till 7:45 pm