Course Contents
Unit I: Introduction 6 hours
Concept of small business; Characteristics of small business; Advantages and disadvantages of small business; Small businesses versus high growth ventures; Small business owners versus entrepreneurs; Motivation for choosing; Opportunities and rewards for starting small business; Starting a small business: entry competencies; Factors affecting success and failure of small business; Role of small business in the Nepalese economy; Small business ethics.
Unit II: Small Business Ideas 4 hours
Sources of business ideas; Screening ideas; Ideas, opportunities and creativity: innovative frame of mind; Avoiding pitfalls; Types of innovations small businesses develop; Feasibility of an idea: pilot testing; Methods of being creative
Unit III: Starting Up Small Business 7 hours
Starting a part-time business: significance, types and success factors; Starting a full-time business: new, purchasing and franchising; Starting a new business: advantages and disadvantages, increasing chance of success; Purchasing an existing business: advantages and disadvantages, determining value of business and structuring the deal; Franchising: advantages and disadvantages, franchising opportunities and legal considerations
Unit IV: Small Business Strategies and Business Plan 6 hours
Strategy in small business; Small business strategy process: pre-strategy, benefits, strategy selection and competitive strategy; Life cycle and business strategy; Concept of business plan; Key element of business plan: vision and mission statements, elevator pitch, executive summary and business plans; Strategizing for business plan; Contents of business plan; Presenting business plan
Unit V: Business Advice and Assistance 5 hours
Concept of business advisor; Types of professional advisor; Advisory styles; Sourcing advisors; Choosing a professional advisor; Forms of support for new and small business in Nepal; Government assistance; Private sector assistance; Assistance from INGOs and NGOs; Business incubation and incubators
Unit VI: Small Business Marketing: 7 hours
Product and pricing strategies; Promotion strategies: determining value proposition, market segmentation, developing message, conveying message; Process of personal selling; Customer relationship management: strategies and steps; Distribution: direct marketing, Internet, distribution issues for direct marketing and non-direct marketing
Unit VII: Small Business Management 5 hours
Forms of small business organizations and their relative advantages and disadvantages; Organization structure; Acquisition of staff; Management process; Concept of operations management; Operations management process; Physical site factors: premises, location and layout; Inventory and supply management
Unit VIII: Small Business Accounting and Finance 5 hours
Need of accounting for small business; Setting up accounting system; Financial reports; Uses of financial accounting; Managing cash flow; Preventing cash flow problems; Sources of small business financing; Choosing right source of financing; Managing receivables and inventory; Budget for small business
