Course Outline

Success Planning:

1. Discuss the types of decisions the individual needs to make while thinking about a business.
2. Focus on what it takes to be an entrepreneur.
3. Focus on defining the business idea.
4. Work with the principle that if you set goals you will achieve them.
5. Be open-minded about new ideas and new ways.
6. Encourage the business owner to see and think through a lender’s eyes.
7. Capitalize on strengths and compensate for weaknesses.
8. Understand the reasons for wanting to be in business.
9. Help understand and fill out a financial statement
10. Help understand financing and what amount of capital can be leveraged for a business.
11. See, understand, and know the use of a credit report.
12. Understand the relationship between business life and personal life.
13. Explain why a written business plan is so important.

Market Planning:

1. Learn that marketing means more than advertising.
2. Learn about the marketplace and market share.
3. Learn the elements of a market plan.
4. Understand the importance of focusing on the customers’ needs.
5. Recognize the features and benefits of products and services.
6. Understand the pros and cons of different distribution processes.
7. Identify the variety of sources available to obtain data specific to a business or industry.
8. Understand who is your customer and what they have in common.
9. Understand who is your competition and do a competitive analysis.
10. Evaluate competition, determine a niche and position your business.
11. Understand what ‘sells’.
12. Understand the elements of a promotional plan and how to develop one.
13. Understand pricing and how to determine pricing.
14. How to create a sales presentation.

Cash Flow Planning:

1. Take the fear out of constructing cash flow projections.
2. Make realistic and reasonable assumptions on cash flow projections.
3. Explain what cash flow is and how to project these figures on a cash flow form.
4. How the marketing plan drives the decisions about how the business spends and receives cash.
5. How to plan startup cash.
6. Understanding ‘Cost of Goods Sold’ (variable costs).
7. Understanding ‘Cost for Operations’ (fixed costs).
8. Understanding the difference in, and implications of cash vs. profit.
9. The importance of a contingency plan
10. Understanding how assets and liabilities figure into cash flow planning.
11. Projecting sources and uses of funds.
12. Figuring ‘Owner Draw’ into cash flow planning.

Operations Planning:

1. Choosing from different forms of business.
2. Naming a business.
3. Home based business issues.
4. Business ID numbers.
5. Determining business tax issues.
6. Understanding licenses and permits.
7. Complying with zoning and pollution control regulations.
8. Understanding employment law issues.
9. Managing risk - forms of insurance.
10. Shopping for and securing professional services.
11. A business’s involvement with banking resources.
12. Bookkeeping and record keeping requirements.
13. Operational policy and procedure needs.
14. Establishing customer service standards.
15. Appropriate uses of technology.
16. The need for a business ‘dress rehearsal’.

CORE FOUR^® finishes with a "What’s Next" form, which gives participants the opportunity to request further business planning assistance.