Showcase USA: Ca$hing in on Business Opportunities Curriculum Targets Entrepreneurs
Carol Thayer
Increasing numbers of people are searching for opportunities to become their own bosses or to work more independently. According to repeated surveys, nearly one-third of American workers would prefer to earn their livelihoods at home.[1] For those considering it now, they are definitely in the right place at the right time.
How can someone turn an idea into a successful business enterprise? Businesses succeed because they
- have a clear sense of purpose,
- create and stick to strong core values,
- target the right group of customers,
- organize business for maximum flexibility and learning,
- are responsive to their customers,
- know how to build strong and enduring business relationships, and
- plan and prepare for business operations.[2]
Ca$hing in on Business Opportunities is a comprehensive curriculum designed to be used with individuals preparing to start a home-based or micro business. It was developed in response to needs expressed by Extension faculty for a teaching curriculum to address issues at a basic or beginning business level.
The curriculum was written by nationally recognized Cooperative Extension Service experts in the area of small business development, representing fifteen different land-grant universities. The Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service (CSREES) National Home-Based and Micro Business Design Team provided the leadership for the project. This team is a part of the Communities in Economic Transition national initiative. The Southern Rural Development Center edited and coordinated publication of the curriculum.
The two-volume curriculum is divided into the following sections and chapters.
Part I: Sharpen Your Entrepreneurial Skills
Assessing Self-Employment for Success
Spotting Opportunities Among Scams
Balancing Work and Family
Developing Time-Management Tactics
Minding Your Business Manners
Part II: Get Down to Business
Writing a Business Plan
Setting the Right Price
Choosing the Best Business Structure
Adhering to Regulatory Requirements
Purchasing Inventory
Deciding on a Distribution Channel
Selling Secrets
Gaining the Customer Satisfaction Edge
Part III: Plan As You Expand
Targeting New Markets
Keeping Tabs on Cash
Recruiting, Training, and Motivating Employees
Employing the PC to Perform Work
Communicating Electronically
Insuring Against Catastrophes
Part IV: Boost the Bottom Line
Calculating Financial Ratios
Getting Your Just Deductions
Searching for Capital
Each of the 22 chapters follows a basic format consisting of a teaching guide, narrative, hand-outs, and transparency masters. Also included is a disk containing a computer-generated graphic slide presentation of the transparencies.
Ca$hing in on Business Opportunities can be used in a variety of ways including the following:
- a reference tool for educators and entrepreneurs,
- a single topic shortcourse or presentation,
- a multi-topic, multi-session workshop,
- a comprehensive course, and
- other creative ways to meet specific educational needs.
The curriculum was first introduced in the spring of 1998 at a training in Petersburg, Virginia, hosted by the Virginia State University Extension Service. Mississippi State University Extension Service featured the curriculum as part of a rural business development project with the Mississippi Agribusiness Institute in May 1998. A tri-state training involving educators from Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio was held in Boone County, Kentucky in October 1998.
An Extension Educator in Virginia uses the Ca$hing In On Business Opportunitiescurriculum as she works with a local micro-business development program. Participants in the program attend a 16-hour training course as a prerequisite to approval for revolving loan funds. The Extension educator is one of seven professionals teaching the course.
As a result of the training in Mississippi, coalitions of small-business development advisory groups have met in five locations to plan training opportunities in general business, marketing, and management skills for local small businesses/entrepreneurs. A “Small Business Development Month,” including bi-weekly educational opportunities for entrepreneurs, was held in October 1998 in one Mississippi county. In addition, a one-day Bed and Breakfast Conference was organized in response to local interest. The conference was broadcast via satellite to multiple sites across the state.
The Ca$hing in on Business Opportunities curriculum, publication #210, is available for purchase for $150 from the Southern Rural Development Center. Orders must be prepaid, but purchase orders are accepted. The curriculum is currently being updated, and an updated version will be available in the fall of 1999. Pre-orders for the updated version are encouraged. Call the Southern Rural Development Center at (662) 325-3207[3] or e-mail sandyp@srdc.msstate.edu for additional information.
Notes:
- Edwards, Paul & Sarah. 1990. Working From Home. New York: St. Martin’s Press. Return to text.
- Wold, David, Dennis Sargent, and Martha Sargent. 1997. NxLevel Guide For Business Start-Ups. Western Entrepreneurial Network, University of Colorado at Denver. Return to text.
- The area code has been changed to 662. However, some areas of the country may have trouble dialing in the new area code at this time. Therefore, if area code 662 does not work, try the previous area code of 601. Return to text.
Author
Carol Thayer, a Small-Scale Entrepreneurship Specialist with the University of Nebraska and Chair of the National Home-Based and Micro Business Design Team.
Cite this article:
Thayer, Carol. “Ca$hing in on business opportunities: curriculum targets entrepreneurs.” The Forum for Family and Consumer Issues 4.2 (1999): 14 pars. 10 August 1999.
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