Module 1: The Idea Generator (April 5, 6)
Module 2: From Idea to Launch (April 8-11)
Module 3: Practical Financials (April 12)
Did you know that...
- 96 % of small businesses survive for 1 year, 85 % survive for 3 years and
70 % survive for 5 years - Validating a business idea and careful planning are crucial foundations for a successful launch
Description
This mini-program will provide participants with practical tools for planning and launching a successful business. It takes participants through all the stages from idea to launch: validating your business idea, market studies, consumer analyses, financials, and business plan. Participants will acquire a complete toolkit for conceiving and launching a business.
Who Should Attend
- Potential business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs
- Students interested in entrepreneurship and the practicalities of starting a business
Module 1 – The Idea Generator
Duration: 2 days
Dates: 5-6 April 2013 (Fri/Sat)
New business opportunities are all around us. By the end of this dynamic 2-day workshop you won’t have to look very far to find fascinating ways to make a living. No more desperately trying to figure out how or if business opportunities exist. You’ll start to see opportunity everywhere.
Objectives
The course aims to help participants:
- discover great ways to get business ideas
- identify needs in a market
- develop their own idea generation method
- learn how to turn a passion into profits
- screen business ideas
Topics covered:
- why start your own business
- types of businesses you could start
- discovering the types of businesses you would be suited to
- the best ways to get new ideas flowing
- top sources of business ideas
- identifying market trends
- using keyword searches to find business ideas
- identifying needs in a market
- turning your passion into profits
- tuning in to ideas and opportunities
- creating vision boards
- develop your own idea generation method
- screening business ideas
Module 2 – From Idea to Launch
Duration: 4 days
Dates: April 8 – 11, 2013 (Mon-Fri)
This course provides participants with practical tools for planning and launching a successful business. It takes participants through all the stages from idea to launch: validating your business idea, market studies, consumer analyses, financials, and business plan.
Objectives
The course will provide participants with the ability to:
- Evaluate and validate business ideas
- Understand the financial aspects of starting and running a business
- Understand the principles of bootstrapping a start-up
- Plan a business set-up
- Write a business plan
- Address legal, regulatory and fiscal aspects
- Hire assistance
- Put together and implement a robust marketing plan
Topics covered:
- Evaluating business ideas
- Understanding your business environment
- Identifying and understanding target clients
- Income statements, balance sheets & cash flows
- Start-up costs – pricing - income projections
- Working capital, equity and debt
- Financing a startup
- "Bootstrapping"
- Business planning
- Getting set-up
- Practicalities of running a business
- Marketing for visibility & credibility
Module 3 - Practical Financials
Duration: 1 day
Date: 12 April 2013 (Fri)
This workshop enables participants to put into practice everything they have learnt about the financial aspects of planning and running a business. It gives hands-on experience in producing financial forecasts, cash flow statements and budgets.
Module 3 is recommended for participants taking in the “Idea to Launch” course as it builds on the topics covered in Module 2.
Objectives
This workshop gives participants hands-on experience in producing financial forecasts, cash flow statements and budgets. Participants can work on their own business or use one of the model businesses provided by the tutor.
Topics covered:
- determining start-up costs
- pricing products / services
- income projections
- calculating expenses
- preparing cash flows
- finding your break-even point
- preparing and monitoring a budget
Fees
Module 1: $ 495 (2 days)
Module 2: $ 695 (4 days)
Modules 2 & 3: $ 795 (5 days)
Modules 1 & 2: $ 895 (6 days)
Complete program (Modules 1, 2 & 3): $ 995 (7 days)
Lecturer
Gillian Pritchett, MA, CPFA
Business consultant, coach and trainer, Gillian Pritchett is a UK chartered accountant and holds two masters degrees. During her lengthy, international corporate career Gillian accumulated a wealth of experience and knowledge in finance, mergers & acquisitions, business strategies and marketing. During the past decade she has worked closely with entrepreneurs launching a new business and with businesses expanding into new markets at home and overseas. She helps with idea generation, strategy, financial aspects, marketing and mind-set issues.
She is an adjunct professor teaching Sector Analysis on the MBA program at HEC Montréal; International Business Strategy on the CEMS MBA program at the University of Economics in Prague and various marketing courses at universities in Prague and in Holland.
Cancellation Policy
All cancellation & substitution requests must be made in writing. The following Cancellation Policy applies:
Up to 14 days prior to the start date: Full refund
7 days prior to the start date: Refund minus $100 Cancellation fee
Within 7 days of the start date: No Refund, however suitable participation substitution will be permitted
If no notice is given prior to the start of the event(s) and you fail to attend, you will be liable for the full course fee.
McGill SCS reserves the right to cancel an event up to 5 days prior to its start.
Contact Information
Telephone: 514-398-5454
E-mail: pd [dot] conted [at] mcgill [dot] ca
