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Ken Szymusiak, Forrest S. Carter, and David Wheeler

Just like when building a house the foundation for your business provides the framework for success. A business built on weak structure will struggle to succeed. We'll address some of the most pressing issues that you as a business owner must face while constructing the proper framework for your business.

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Just like when building a house the foundation for your business provides the framework for success. A business built on weak structure will struggle to succeed. We'll address some of the most pressing issues that you as a business owner must face while constructing the proper framework for your business.

Specifically at the end of this course you will be able to:

- create and evaluate your company's financial documents;

-complete the documents and regulatory procedures to create a legal business entity;

- protect your intellectual property;

-develop a management team;

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What's inside

Syllabus

Company Structure & The Foundation: Financial Statements and Projections
Great companies are built upon great structures. We believe this structure is comprised of four critically important components: 1.) Development of your financial statements. 2.) Creating your legal entity. 3.) Protecting your intellectual property. 4.) Building your team. In Module 1, the learner will receive an introduction to the basics of the three financial statements: Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Statement of Cash Flows. By the end of this module you should be able to recognize the differences between each financial statement and understand the role they play in assessing the performance of your company. To close out the module you will be challenged to develop your first projected income statement for your business concept.
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The Frame: Forming the Legal Entity
By the end of this module, you will be able to explain the difference between C-Corps and LLC entities. You will also be able to use this understanding in order to establish your own business entity.
The Features: Intellectual Property
Intellectual property is an often misunderstood component of business success. By the end of this module you will have an understanding for the basic forms of intellectual property protection and the role each one may play in the development of your small business.
The Finish: Building the Team
Who you surround yourself with as you launch your venture will have an enormous impact on whether or not you succeed or fail. In this module we cover why team matters and how to recruit the right people to join your cause. By the end of this module you should have a feel for the characteristics of people that would be a good fit for your team and you will put your skills to the test by developing a staffing plan for you venture.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Provides a foundational overview of key aspects for business owners, including financial management, legal structure, intellectual property protection, and team building
Taught by experienced instructors with expertise in business and entrepreneurship: Ken Szymusiak, Forrest S. Carter, and David Wheeler
May be especially suitable for those with limited business knowledge or who are in the early stages of setting up a business
Covers the basics of financial statements, legal entities, intellectual property, and team development
Provides practical guidance and tools for implementing these concepts in real-world business settings

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Reviews summary

Stellar learning experience with impact

Learners say this course on creating a financial plan for business growth is outstanding and beneficial. They highly recommend it for its engaging assignments, knowledgeable instructors, and clear explanations of complex topics and concepts.
Engaging assignments
"Me encanto los temas que sean tocado en este minicurso"
Knowledgeable instructors
"I give 5 star for the course."
"It really good course that had a good lecturer"
Beneficial learning experience
"now I have a better view of my financials"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Structure: Building the Frame for Business Growth with these activities:
Compile a library of financial resources
Gather and organize a collection of financial resources, such as articles, websites, and tools, to support your learning and business development.
Browse courses on Financial Tools
Show steps
  • Identify and research relevant financial resources
  • Organize the resources into folders or categories
  • Bookmark or save the resources for future reference
Practice financial calculations
Strengthen your understanding of financial calculations by practicing various financial ratios and formulas covered in the course.
Browse courses on Financial Calculations
Show steps
  • Identify the formulas and ratios relevant to your business
  • Solve practice problems using these formulas and ratios
  • Check your answers and identify areas for improvement
Identify mentors in the business field
Seek guidance and support from experienced business professionals to enhance your understanding and career development.
Show steps
  • Attend industry events and network with professionals
  • Research and identify potential mentors
  • Reach out to mentors and request guidance
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Join a study group
Connect with peers to discuss course concepts, share insights, and support each other's learning journey.
Show steps
  • Find or create a study group with other students
  • Set up regular meeting times
  • Prepare discussion topics and materials
Review book: Financial Statements, Analysis & Valuation
Review the fundamentals of financial statements and analysis to strengthen your understanding of the financial concepts covered in the course.
Show steps
  • Read the book's introduction and chapter 1
  • Summarize the key points of each section
  • Complete the end-of-chapter exercises
Attend a workshop on financial management
Gain practical insights and skills in financial management by attending a workshop led by industry experts.
Browse courses on Financial Management
Show steps
  • Research and identify relevant financial management workshops
  • Register and attend the workshop
  • Participate actively and take notes
  • Apply the knowledge gained to your business
Create a financial plan for your business
Develop a financial plan that outlines your business's financial goals, strategies, and projections, which will help you apply the financial concepts learned in the course.
Show steps
  • Define your business's financial goals
  • Identify your sources of revenue and expenses
  • Create a projected income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement
  • Analyze and interpret your financial projections
  • Write an executive summary of your financial plan
Start a business simulation
Participate in a business simulation to apply the principles of business management, decision-making, and financial planning covered in the course.
Show steps
  • Choose a business simulation platform
  • Set up your business and develop a strategy
  • Make decisions and manage your business's operations
  • Analyze your performance and make adjustments
  • Write a report on your experience

Career center

Learners who complete Structure: Building the Frame for Business Growth will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurs need a deep understanding of business fundamentals. This course covers all aspects of business fundamentals: from legal structure to staffing, to intellectual property, and more. All of these elements are critical to the success of any business.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts help companies to improve the efficiency of their operations and processes. This course, and particularly the module on organizational structure, would be helpful for Business Analysts as they seek to build a framework for operational excellence.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts often help companies build and evaluate their financial statements. This course can help someone in this role strengthen the foundation for making informed decisions around these statements. Also of benefit would be the modules about financial projections and projections, which can help an analyst evaluate the company's structure and development.
Management Consultant
Many Management Consultants must understand how businesses make best use of their resources. This course would help someone in this role, particularly in the area of developing and implementing effective strategies.
Business Development Manager
Business Development Managers assist companies with planning and implementing strategies for growth. This course can help managers develop a deep understanding of business fundamentals and legal structures that help companies pursue business development.
Product Manager
Product Managers must have a deep understanding of business needs and objectives. This course can help build such an understanding through its case studies and exercises on developing products and services that meet customer needs.
Private Equity Associate
Private Equity Associates assist in evaluating and investing in companies, This course can help equip an associate with skills to evaluate a company's financial strength, legal structure, intellectual property, and management team.
Investment Banker
Investment Bankers guide their clients on making sound financial decisions. This course can help in valuing businesses and assessing their financial performance.
Venture Capitalist
Venture Capitalists evaluate and invest in early-stage companies with high growth potential. This course can help equip a Venture Capitalist with skills to evaluate all aspects of a business, including financial statements, legal structure, and management team.
Corporate Lawyer
Corporate Lawyers advise companies on legal matters. This course can provide the context around financial statements, organizational structure, and other issues that corporate lawyers need to understand.
Tax Accountant
Tax Accountants specialize in matters surrounding taxes. This course provides insight into understanding financial statements and tax implications, which could be useful for someone in this role.
Auditor
Auditors examine a company's financial statements to ensure accuracy. This course may provide useful context for understanding financial statements and their role in a company's overall financial health.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers develop and execute marketing campaigns. This course may be useful in providing a foundational understanding of business fundamentals and how marketing fits into the overall business strategy.
Operations Manager
Operations Managers oversee the day-to-day operations of a business. This course can help in developing a comprehensive understanding of business fundamentals and how operations contribute to the overall success of a company.
Sales Manager
Sales Managers develop and execute sales strategies. This course may be useful in understanding business fundamentals and how sales contributes to the overall success of a company.

Reading list

We've selected 12 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Structure: Building the Frame for Business Growth.
Would be particularly useful for students who are interested in learning more about the challenges and rewards of starting and running a small business.
Would be particularly useful for students who are interested in learning more about the challenges that established businesses face when they are disrupted by new technologies.
Would be particularly useful for students who are interested in learning more about how to develop and implement effective business strategies.
Would be particularly useful for students who are interested in learning more about the process of starting and managing a business.
Would be particularly useful for students who are interested in learning more about the principles of strategy and competition.

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