laptop location clock calendar

Starting a Business - My Own Business Institute

On Demand
Until Jun 30
Topic: Business Basics

Starting a Business The popular original course is designed for the entrepreneur who wants to start a business. Our 15 sessions cover the most important topics that are clearly explained with emphasis on learning how to write a business plan. A Certificate of Completion will be available to those that compete all quizzes with a 80% or better.

Speaker(s): My Own Business Institute

Co-Sponsor(s): WPCC SBC

This seminar is located within a Moodle Online Learning Module After registration with the SBC you will be directed to create a Moodle Account. You will be able to reenter the training with your user name and password.


Starting a Business course instructions:

  • Please make sure that you clickEnroll me in this coursebefore taking any quizzes.
  • Once you have enrolled, please start with the Session of your choice.
  • When you have completed the course, you must take thefinal examto receive your certificate.
  • Warning if you click the un-enroll me button at any time, you will lose all of your progress.

Fee: Free


Session 1: Deciding on a Business

OBJECTIVE:  The most common serious mistake made in business is not picking the right business to begin with. This session will provide you with important evaluation techniques to decide which business is right for you.

Session 2: The Business Plan

OBJECTIVE:  The business plan is the key ingredient for a successful business and is often ignored. This session shows you how to create an individualized business plan, and provides the tools to make it easy.

Session 3: Home Based Business

OBJECTIVE:  In the past, jobs provided most everyone with a dependable pay envelope and long range security - but not anymore. An alternative is to go into business, yet most people don't have the confidence to start a full-time business. This session will review the dos and don'ts of operating a home-based business, how to pick the right business, and the common pitfalls. You will realize that these businesses still require business skills just like any other business.

Session 4: Financing the Business

OBJECTIVE:  Money makes your business go, and usually banks make loans only to businesses with operating histories. In this session we will give you some alternatives, strategies, and things to think about in your search for financial help. You will learn how to locate, negotiate for, and maintain sources of money to help you start and expand your business.

Session 5: Business Organization

OBJECTIVE:  When you have decided which business is right for you, you will have three important decisions to make. In this session you will discover: whether to go into business alone or with a partner; the type of business organization to use; and what professional advisors to select.

Session 6: Licenses and Permits

OBJECTIVE:  Choose a suitable and available name for business and then research which licenses and permits will be required. This session reinforces the need for finding a lawyer whose practice is focused on business and then discovering what licenses and permits are required for your specific business.

Session 7: Business Insurance

OBJECTIVE:  Insurance is not only important to you in your business, but in your other business relationships as well. In this session you will discover the many types of insurance coverage available for small business, and which types will fulfill the requirements for your business in your location.

 

Session 8: Communication Tools

OBJECTIVE:  Communication is necessary to any business success. In this session we will review the basic forms of communication and equipment available for your business.

Session 9: Buying a Business or Franchise

OBJECTIVE:  It is very important that you understand the business you wish to start. Appraise your experience, likes and skills to determine if that business is a good fit. In this session you will learn how to make objective decisions when considering the purchase of a business or franchise, the pros and cons of buying a business or franchise, and how to evaluate how much you should pay.
Session 10: Location and Leasing

OBJECTIVE:  A poor location or a poorly negotiated lease can cripple a wonderful business. Every business has its own location criteria. In this session you will define your criteria, learn how to select the right location, create a site model, and recognize the important aspects of a lease agreement.

Session 11: Accounting and Cash Flow

OBJECTIVE:  Before you start your business, you will need to learn how to keep score (basic accounting), and how to maintain cash in your bank account (cash flow control). This session explains both in simple terms, and the advantages of hiring and accountant before you start.

Session 12: E-Commerce

OBJECTIVE:  E-commerce is the sale of products and services over the internet, and the fastest growing segment of our economy. It allows even the smallest business to reach a global audience with its product or message with minimal cost. In this session you will learn if an e-commerce website is right for your business, how to set up a website, tips for developing a successful site, how to manage search engine placement, and how to get started on eBay.

Session 13: Opening and Marketing

OBJECTIVE:  Before you open for business, make sure that all the elements of your business are in place. In order to do this we have provided a "Before you start" checklist for you to review and supplement with appropriate items. You will learn how to hire and train good employees, how to buy, and how to market, promote, and advertise your business.

Session 14: Managing Employees

OBJECTIVE:  It is not possible to include all the complexities and legal rules pertaining to employees. MOBI does not give legal advice, but we recommend you maintain ongoing access to a labor lawyer. In this session you will learn how to prepare for employees from job descriptions through legal considerations. Your success in finding, hiring, training and motivating good employees will play a key role in building a successful business.

Session 15: Expanding and Handling Problems

OBJECTIVE:  A growing business needs to have appropriate expansion policies in place, plans to motivate key employees, and the know-how in handling common business problems. In this session you will learn how to face the challenge of making your business grow. You will receive advice from been-there-done-that experts.

Starting My Own Business Final Exam

You may take this exam at any time. You must score at least 80% to be eligible for your certificate.

 

.

Fee: No Cost

Site Content © 2024, North Carolina Community College SBC