This is where I try to answer the most frequently-asked questions about the course. If your question is not answered here, please contact me directly.

General Questions About the Class

Where and when are the classes?
The next class is offered in the late spring of 2008 at Segal Graduate School of Business in downtown Vancouver, Canada. Classes are held on the following Fridays and Saturdays:
9, 10 May, 6,7 June, 4,5 July and are a full day.

Do I need any business experience to do well in this course?
No. Anyone who applies themselves can get an A+ in this course

We need to do our business plan as a team. How do I form a team?
Yes, the business plan for BUS 663 is a team effort. I would like to see everyone in a team of 5 by the end of the second day of classes. I strongly recommend students remain with the teams they are already in.

English is not my first language. Is perfect English required?
If you want top grades in this course, your written assignments will have to be both grammatically correct and free of spelling mistakes. This standard applies to native and non-native speakers of English.

I've heard there are prizes as well as grades. Tell me more?
SFU plans to recognize one (1) business plan from BUS663 in the EMBA Best Business Plan competition. In addition to bragging rights, this award has a cash value of $2500 which will be divided equally among the team members. This team award is typically announced at the September retreat. The instructor of BUS 663 typically suggests two top teams’ business plans to the Academic Director, who chooses the winner.

Specific Questions About the Class

The Introductory Survey

What is the URL of the survey? http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=UY0uGBgFZRmVvbfn9GDpAQ_3d_3d

Why do a class survey?
It helps me to better understand the backgrounds and motivations of the students in the class and therefore how to make changes that will benefit the class as a whole.

Individual Assignment #1 - 10%

What restrictions do you put on the business you want me to present?
None. It can be a business you've always wanted to start. It can be an idea for a new business unit for your employer. It does have to be a business that you need investment to start up. It should also be a business you are prepared to develop for your team project if it is selected by your team.

I can't think of an idea for a business. Where might I find some ideas?
Our text offers some excellent suggestions on how to come up with ideals. (See Sources of Ideas for a New Business in Stage 3.) You might also try www.springwise.com or www.trendhunter.com.

What format do you want to see the Executive Summary use?
There is no winning format. I have listed some good examples under References. Please aim to keep it to under 5-pages. Of course, it should include information about the business opportunity, the market, the product or service, competition, revenue model and key risks. Don't forget to include your name, your company name, how much money you are looking for and your exit strategy.

What if I need more or less than 5 minutes for my presentation?
You do not need to fill the 5 minutes. If you go over 5 minutes, however, you will lose 25% of your grade for each extra minute.

Who can be on my team?
You may form a team with the same people you are used to working with or shake it up. Teams must be between 4 and 6 students. If you can not select a team, I will assign you to one.

How does our team select the business idea we will develop for our group project?
That is up to your team. I recommend you select the idea that has the best chance of making money for your investors. You have 15 minutes to decide. Each team will select a representative to summarize how and why the winning idea was selected. If a team can not achieve consensus, I will draw straws.

Can we change the idea later?
Yes, however a penalty of 10% of your final project grade (4/100) will be applied for each change.

Individual Assignment #2 - 20%

What is a scorecard?
Like the grading rubrics for this class, a deal scorecard is an objective way to evaluate an investment opportunity.

What format do you want to see the Investor Scorecard to use?
There is no winning format, although there should be a minimum of 2 sections: the scorecard itself an the research that validates the scoring. I expect to see a scorecard that adds up to 100. Weighting, in whole numbers or fractional numbers, must be representative of how a typical investor would evaluate an opportunity. I expect to see the research behind your scorecard and your assessment of its strenghts and weaknesses.

How can I earn bonus grades?
I will award up to 5% bonus to teams that test their scorecards on real investors. (1 point per investor up to a maximum of 5). To earn bonus credit, you will have to provide details of how you conducted your case study, your sample, your findings and other relevant details. This should be included as an appendix and does not count in the assignment page count.

Can I reference investor scorecards I find in the library or on the Internet?
Absolutely... as long as you cite your sources. I encourage you to share examples of any scorecards and investor websites you find on the Internet with the class in our discussion forum as this will contribute to the class discussions and to your class participation grade.

Class Participation Grades
10% of the grade of this course is for class participation. Participation includes attending class, leading or participating in class discussions, answering surveys, contributing useful links and references and other activities that contribute to the class.

Grade to Letter Grade Conversion

 

A+	90 - 100
A	85 - 89
A-	80 - 84
B+	75 - 79
B	70 - 74
B-	65 - 69
C+	60 - 64
C	55 - 59

 

Guest Speakers

We strongly encourage the "real world" perspectives and war stories guest speakers bring to BUS 663. If you are a confirmed or prospective guest speaker, welcome! Please find detailed instructions here.