Ryerson University
School of Business Management

ENT 500
"ENTREPRENEURSHIP-NEW VENTURE STARTUP"


PLEASE DO NOT PURCHASE ANY TEXTBOOKS WHATSOEVER, UNTIL YOU CONFIRM THESE WITH THE PROFESSOR DURING THE FIRST CLASS.

Thomas M^cKaig
RYERSON PHONE             : NA
BRAMPTON OFFICE         : 905-458-6400
BRAMPTON FAX               : 905-458-7850

E-MAIL                                 : pres@tm-int.com
WEBSITE                              : www.tm-int.com 

ENT 500 PREREQUISITES: None

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES
 

This introductory course is designed for non-business program students
who wish to start a business of their own or want to assess their own
potential for such an option. It will help the student to understand the
complexities facing startups. The process of business planning will be
featured. Opportunity identification and evaluation will be stressed.
The course will assist in the creation of new Canadian ventures or at
a minimum this course will cultivate the entrepreneurial spirit within the
individual. Students will be required to attempt to develop a business
plan for a new venture of their choice.
 

METHOD OF INSTRUCTION
 

In compliance with the objectives, various teaching techniques will be used.
These include lectures, guest speakers, classroom discussions, case studies,
student presentations and participation, documentary videos, and handouts.
Students are expected to attend classes fully prepared in advance to discuss
the weekly assigned readings. Due to the course structure, it is essential
that students make an attempt to attend all classes. If absent, students are
still accountable for all material, changes and announcements covered in
class. Every effort will be made to manage the course as stated. However,
adjustments may be necessary at the discretion of the instructor. If so, such
alterations will be announced prior to their implementation.
 

METHOD OF EVALUATION: (Summary)
 

Participation                       15% ongoing
Business Plan Assignment   35% 
Midterm Test                      25% 
Final Test                            25%
Total                                100%
 

METHOD OF EVALUATION: (Details)
 

CLASS PARTICIPATION: (15%)
 

Attendance is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for a good grade
for participation. Students should be ready to express and support their
prepared (i.e. written) comments when called upon. Students are expected
to volunteer responses and to interact with their peers, guest speakers or
the professor in a "constructive manner". A constructive manner refers to
both the quality of the interaction and the general tone of voice. Overall,
the most important factor is the individual student's contribution to the
earning atmosphere in the class. Participation will have two components.
Credit will be given for written work that is prepared for each class.
Credit will also be given for oral contributions. This combination of active
participation (in-class discussion) and passive participation (home-based
work) is worth 15%. 
 

Non-attendance will result in negative participation points. Marks will
be deducted progressively for missed classes (1% for the first class, 2%
for the second, 4% for the third, etc.) For example, a student will have 
7% deducted for missing 3 classes and 15% deduction for missing 4 classes.

BUSINESS PLAN ASSIGNMENT : (35%)
 

1.       Students will form groups of 3 to 5 members by the fifth week of class
          to begin work on the business plan assignment. The content will be
          based upon both text material and discussions with the Professors as well as readings
          from the Internet. Students must confirm their group and type
          of business in writing by the first class of week six. Details will be 
          discussed in class. 
 

 REQUIRED TEXTBOOK: (check with your Professor before purchasing)
 

         Balderson, Wesley D. Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management,
         Fourth Edition, McGraw Hill Ryerson Limited, 2000 ISBN: 0-07-560770-0. 
 

Optional:
 

1.              A Collection of Business Plan Formats and Readings
          On Entrepreneurship (Available only at RU Bookstore) 
 

2.       McQueen, R., The Last Best Hope, McClelland & Stewart Inc., 1998. 
 

3.       Good, W., Building a DREAM--A Comprehensive Guide to Starting a
          Business of Your Own , Third Edition, McGraw-Hill Ryerson, 1997. 
 

4.       Foot, D. & Stoffman, D., Boom Bust and Echo 2000, MacFarlane
         Walter & Ross, 1998. 
 

Other Sources:
 

1.      MAGAZINES: " Profit - The Magazine for Canadian Entrepreneurs",
         "Canadian Business", "INC.- The Magazine for Growing Companies",
         "Success", and "Entrepreneur". 
 

2.     NEWSPAPERS: "Globe & Mail", "Toronto Star", "National Post". 

        The student is responsible for the content of any handouts distributed
        in class with respect to the midterm test and the final examination.
        Students absent from class are not guaranteed receiving missed handouts
        without a medical certificate. 
 

ADDITIONAL NOTES:
 

1.       The Business Plan requires an equal contribution by all members of the
          group. Failure to contribute to the efforts of your group will result in a
          lower or zero grade. Non-contributing students may be asked to leave
          the group and work on their own. Any student who works individually
          on a group assignment will receive an automatic 20% grade reduction. 
         All group members will receive the same grade  unless group conflicts 
         are indicated to your professor, well in advance. In  the event of a
         conflict, the entire group will have to meet with the professor to
         determine the distribution of grades. 
 

2.      Up to 20% can be deducted from any assignment for poor grammar
         and spelling and lack of clarity. 
 

3.      See "Guide to Evaluation of Student Qualitative Work" on this web site 
 

COURSE CONTENT:

Students are expected to read ahead. Guest speakers are being confirmed for selected
combined classes. Students will be notified as guests are confirmed. 

THE PROFESSOR WILL INFORM STUDENTS OF AMENDMENTS TO CLASS PARTICIPATION, AND/OR OTHER DETAILS.

  C/ENT 500 Fall Semester 2004 (September to December 2004)
Not being taught by T. W. McKaig

(check with your Professor before purchasing textbook and
before studying from this outline)