Southern States University BU-599 Rev 1-7-2019
COURSE REQUIREMENTS PAP Business Plan
Assignment Description The Business Plan will enable the student to develop, create, and implement products, strategies, and new ideas for a new or pre-existing company. The student will learn financial, marketing, and management strategies that will increase the probability of creating a new and successful business. In this project, you will need to create a business idea, plan out the functions of the business, determine the financial viability of the business, and prepare a plan and presentation. The presentation will be to a panel to gain financial investment for your business. You will have 20 minutes to pitch and defend your business idea. Your pitch will be 5-7 minutes with 10-15 minutes of Q and A with the panel. Grade Breakdown
Component Final Portion of Grade
Business Plan Sections 40%
Written Plan 10%
Oral Presentation 30%
Process (Weekly assignments & Participation) 20%
Business Written Plan Sections
These are the required sections and required information for your business plan. Read each section carefully. The minimum required information is listed, but you are encouraged to include any additional information that makes
cohesive sense for your business. I. Section I: Executive Summary/Introduction: Due Week 7 (1-2 pages)
A. Your business name and location; B. Products and/or services offered; C. Mission Statement D. Vision Statement How you will be scored:
Emerging (1) Developing (2) Proficient (3) Exemplary (4) Executive summary is missing required information or may be entirely inaccurate or misleading. Business idea is not coherent, relevant, or practical, and does not addresses a niche in the market. Business is not of sufficient complexity.
Executive summary contains most required information but may be partly inaccurate or misleading. Business idea may be either coherent, relevant, practical, or addresses a niche in the market. Business may not be of sufficient complexity.
Executive summary contains all required information. Business idea is coherent, relevant, practical, and addresses a niche in the market. Business is of sufficient MBA complexity.
Executive summary contains all required information and is engaging to the audience. Business idea is coherent, relevant, practical, addresses a niche in the market, and is innovative. Business is of sufficient MBA complexity.
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II. Section II: Company Description: Due Week 3 (3-5 pages)
A. A brief history of why you decided to start your business. B. The legal structure of your business (corporation, sole proprietorship, etc.) C. Core competencies D. A summary of your short- and long-term business goals, and how you plan to make a
profit.
How you will be scored: Emerging (1) Developing (2) Proficient (3) Exemplary (4)
Company description is missing required information or may be entirely inaccurate or misleading. Description is not encouraging. Business has holes that were not well thought out.
Company description contains most required information but may be partly inaccurate or misleading. Description is not encouraging. Business may have holes that were not well thought out.
Company description contains all required information. Description is written in a way to encourage investors and/or customers. Business is well thought out.
Company description contains all required information. The business is creative, engaging, and innovative. Description is written in a way to encourage investors and customers. Business is well thought out.
Section III: Products and Services: Week 3 (3-5 pages)
E. A detailed description of your products/services and emphasize customer benefits. F. Add pictures or diagrams. G. Identify the competitive advantage your products/service have over your competition. H. Relevant copyright, patent, or trade secret data (if this applies to your business). I. Research and development activities that may lead to new products and services;
How you will be scored:
Emerging (1) Developing (2) Proficient (3) Exemplary (4) Products and services are missing required information or may be entirely inaccurate or misleading. The section is not clear, detailed, or realistic. The business does not fill a niche. CSR (if present) only supports marketing efforts, not the community and is not researched or planned.
Products and services contain most required information but may be partly inaccurate or misleading. The section may be clear, detailed, and realistic. There may not be a clear niche that is filled by the business. There are holes in this portion of the plan. CSR only supports marketing efforts, not the community, or is not thoroughly researched or planned.
Products and services contain all required information and is clear, detailed, and realistic. There is a clear niche that is filled by the business. There are no holes in this portion of the plan. CSR supports the community, not just marketing efforts, and is thoroughly researched and planned.
Products and services contain all required information and is innovative, clear, detailed, and realistic. There is a clear niche that is filled by the business. There are no holes in this portion of the plan. CSR supports the community, not just marketing efforts, and is thoroughly researched and planned.
Southern States University BU-599 Rev 1-7-2019
III. Section IV: Market Analysis: Due Week 5 (8-10 pages)
A. Show your market trends knowledge, and present conclusions based on thorough market research.
B. A sketch of targeted customer segments, including size and demographics of each group;
C. Market analysis, including statistics; D. Historical, current and projected marketing data for your product/services; E. Competitive Analysis: Identify 2 competitors and give a detailed evaluation
highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. F. Description of barriers to entry, and explanation of how you will overcome.
How you will be scored: Emerging (1) Developing (2) Proficient (3) Exemplary (4)
Market analysis is missing required information or may be entirely inaccurate or misleading. The section is not thorough or accurate. Sources are not reputable or defensible. Information is not presented clearly.
Market analysis contains most required information but may be partly inaccurate or misleading. The section may not be thorough or accurate. Sources may not be reputable or defensible. Information may not be presented clearly.
Market analysis contains all required information. Analysis is thorough and accurate. Sources are reputable and defensible. Information is presented clearly.
Market analysis contains all required information, in addition to information specifically relevant to the business idea. Analysis is thorough and accurate. Sources are reputable and defensible. Information is presented in a clear and engaging way.
IV. V. Section V: Strategy and Implementation: Due Week 5 (3-5 pages)
A. Summarize your sales and marketing strategy, and how you’ll implement them with an operating plan.
B. An explanation of how you’ll promote your business to customers and enter the market;
C. Details about costs, pricing, promotions, and distribution/logistics. How you will be scored:
Emerging (1) Developing (2) Proficient (3) Exemplary (4) Strategy and implementation are missing required information or may be entirely inaccurate or misleading. The section is not clear, thorough, realistic, or effective.
Strategy and implementation contain most required information but may be partly inaccurate or misleading. The section may not be clear, thorough, realistic, or effective.
Strategy and implementation contain all required information. Strategy is clear, thorough, realistic, and effective.
Strategy and implementation contain all required information, in addition to information specifically relevant to the business idea. Strategy is clear, thorough, and realistic. Student
Southern States University BU-599 Rev 1-7-2019
chose the most effective strategies and plans.
VI. Section VI: Organization and Leadership: Week 3 (3-5 pages)
A. Describe your work experience, your leadership and management style. B. Include your updated resume’. (This is not in the body of the paper but in the
Appendix C. Outline your company's organizational structure. If applicable, create a proper
organizational chart for your business. D. Identify your five-year plan for your business and what is needed to achieve the plan
from a leadership and management perspective. E. Include a Conclusion for your overall Business Plan
How you will be scored: Emerging (1) Developing (2) Proficient (3) Exemplary (4)
Organization and management team section is missing required information or may be entirely inaccurate or misleading. The section is not clear or accurate and does not make sense for the type of business.
Organization and management team section contains most required information but may be partly inaccurate or misleading. The section may not be clear or accurate and may not make sense for the type of business.
Organization and management team section contains all required information and is clear, accurate, and makes sense for type of business.
Organization and management team section contains all required information and is clear, thorough, accurate, and is the best choice for type of business.
VII.
VIII. IX. Financial Statements: Due Week 7 (4-7 pages)
A. Start-up costs (with estimate of capital requirements) B. Realistic prospective financial information, including forecasts, income statements,
balance sheets, cash flow statements. C. A brief analysis of your financial data, featuring a trend analysis for all financial
statements; How you will be scored:
Emerging (1) Developing (2) Proficient (3) Exemplary (4)
Southern States University BU-599 Rev 1-7-2019
Financial plan and projection section is missing required information or may be entirely inaccurate or misleading. The section is not clear, accurate, realistic, or thorough. It is not well thought out or complete.
Financial plan and projections section contain most required information but may be partly inaccurate or misleading. The section may not be clear, accurate, realistic, or thorough. It is not well thought out or complete.
Financial plan and projection section contain all required information. The section is clear, accurate, realistic, and thorough. It is well thought out and complete.
Financial plan and projection section contain all required information. The section is clear, accurate, realistic, and thorough. It is well thought out and complete, in addition, student has presented the information in a persuasive (not misleading) way.
How your paper and presentation will be scored:
Written Communication Portion This rubric directly correlates to MBA PLO 5
Component Emerging (1) Developing (2) Proficient (3) Exemplary (4)
Context & Purpose
Demonstrates minimal attention to context, audience, purpose, and to the assigned tasks(s) (e.g., expectation of instructor or self as audience).
Demonstrates awareness of context, audience, purpose, and to the assigned tasks(s) (e.g., begins to show awareness of audience's perceptions and assumptions).
Demonstrates adequate consideration of context, audience, and purpose and a clear focus on the assigned task(s) (e.g., the task aligns with audience, purpose, and context).
Demonstrates a thorough understanding of context, audience, and purpose that is responsive to the assigned task(s) and focuses all elements of the work.
Organization
Writing lacks logical sequence causing format to interfere with readability. Does not use proper paragraphing. Topic sentences do not lead to rest of paragraph or are missing altogether.
Writing somewhat follows logical sequence with beginning, development, and conclusion. Some proper use of paragraph structure and/or topic sentences. Organization may not help the reader to follow or find information.
Writing follows logical sequence with identifiable beginning, development, and conclusion. Generally proper use of paragraph structure and topic sentences. Organization and/or headings help the reader to follow and find information.
Writing flows well with appropriate beginning, development, and conclusion. Paragraph structure contributes to flow and transitions. Organization and/or headings help the reader to understand and remember information.
Language & Mechanics
Uses language that sometimes impedes meaning because of errors in usage.
Uses language that generally conveys meaning to readers with clarity, although writing includes some errors.
Uses straightforward language that generally conveys meaning to readers. The language in the portfolio has
Uses graceful language that skillfully communicates meaning to readers with clarity and fluency and is virtually error-free.
Southern States University BU-599 Rev 1-7-2019
few errors.
Sources
Some use of sources that are not used correctly.
Sources are used to develop ideas, clarify points, and/or support reasoning.
Uses mostly integrated, thorough, and relevant sources to develop ideas, clarify points, and support reasoning.
Uses smoothly integrated, thorough and relevant sources effectively to develop ideas, clarify points, and support reasoning.
APA format
APA format is inconsistent or missing altogether.
Uses generally correct APA format (citations, format, references), although writing includes some errors. Has cover page, table of contents, and bibliography.
Writing has generally correct APA format (citations, format, references) with few errors. Has cover page, table of contents, and bibliography.
Writing has consistent and error-free APA format (citations, format, references). Has cover page, table of contents, and bibliography.
This rubric was created using the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) Written Communication VALUE Rubric. Retrieved from https://www.aacu.org/value-rubrics
This rubric was created using National Federation of Independent Businesses Essential Parts of Business Plans page. Retrieved from https://www.nfib.com/content/resources/start-a-business/7-essential-sections-of-a-business-plan-49946/
This rubric was created using the San Diego State University College of Business Administration Written Communication Rubric. Retrieved from https://business.sdsu.edu/assessment/rubrics
Submission and Presentation Requirements: The written report will be submitted via Turnitin on Moodle on Sunday of Week 9. No late assignments will be accepted. The similarity will be reviewed, anything above 20% will be an automatic failure and the course will need to be repeated.
Font should be legible, Times New Roman 12-point font for the entire plan (including financial spreadsheets)
NOTE: If the paper does not conform to the APA requirements, the student is in jeopardy of not passing the course.
The business plan must be 25-40 written pages and use at least 10 references. The final PAP presentation should be innovative and creative. You can use any visual aid that best represents your business idea. Bring in samples, pictures, video, or any other visual aid. Creativity is a big part of the presentation component.
Any student that does not present the final project will automatically receive an F in the course.
The final oral presentation may be stopped at any point during the presentation if, in the sole and absolute opinion of the instructor or any evaluator, the project is not complete, the content is not satisfactory, or the student appears unprepared to present the completed project. In the event the oral presentation is canceled or stopped, the student will receive a -0- grade for the presentation and will not be permitted to reschedule the presentation during this term. This shall result in the student’s not passing the course.
Southern States University BU-599 Rev 1-7-2019
Presentation Requirements
Time Limit: Sales Pitch – 5-7 minutes Q & A with Panel – 10-15 minutes Total Presentation Time – 20 minutes
Introduce yourself and your business idea: This is the most important part of the presentation as you are introducing yourself and your business idea. This needs to be exciting and full of energy.
• Why the market needs this? • What is the problem you are trying to solve? • How did you come up with the idea for the solution? • What makes your product different from what already exists? • When did you start the business or when are you planning to start the business?
Product Details:
• How much does the product or service cost? • How much does it cost you to produce the product or service? • What are your start-up costs? • How do you plan on funding the initial start-up? • How big do you think your market is? • Who is your target customer?
Marketing Plan:
• How do you plan to market this business? Be specific and make sure the marketing matches the demographic of your customer.
Remember that this is the opportunity to get the panel excited about the business idea. Bring samples of products, use video, pictures, be energetic, and most importantly be prepared.
PAP Oral Presentation Business Plan Rubric This rubric directly correlates to MBA PLO 5
Component Emerging Developing Proficient Exemplary
Innovation
Product/Service is not new or different from a solution already available; the product/service does not respond directly to the client or customer need or is out of sync with the customer profile; the product/service seems farfetched and
Product/Service is an interesting idea, but not fundamentally distinctive from existing approaches; if the idea is distinctive, there may be some significant gaps related to realistic implementation of the idea, such as an untenable risk for expected return on
Product/Service is clearly defined and responsive to archetypal customer’s defined need; solution is an improvement upon existing approaches and demonstrates potential to have real impact on the problem. There may still be some details to work out in terms of
Product/Service is clearly defined and responsive to archetypal customer’s defined need; solution is fundamentally distinctive from existing approaches and demonstrates proven ability to impact the problem in a new way (ie it could be viably implemented and sustained in the real world); idea generates enthusiasm
Southern States University BU-599 Rev 1-7-2019
unlikely to realistically be implemented.
investment, or significant questions about the viability and sustainability of the product or project design and operations. Customers or potential investors are not yet ready to engage with the idea enthusiastically.
developing a prototype or market test for the solution, but overall potential customers/ clients respond favorably to the idea.
from potential clients, investors, and other stakeholders.
Subject Knowledge
Student does not have grasp of information or understanding of business concepts.
Student demonstrates a slight grasp of information and understanding of basic business concepts.
Student demonstrates considerable knowledge and understanding of the business concepts.
Student demonstrates full knowledge (more than required) of the business concepts.
Ability to answer questions
Student cannot answer questions about the basic business concepts.
Student can answer rudimentary questions about the basic business concepts.
Student is at ease in answering questions related to basic business concepts but fails to elaborate..
Can address all questions with relevant, correct information, and is eager to answer questions or has engaging responses.
Quality of Visual Aids
Visual aids do not particularly support the communication of the student’s ideas and purpose; they are insufficient to be of much use as they do little to elevate understanding.
Visual aids support the communication of the student’s ideas and purposes but are only partially useful or informative.
Visual aids generally support the communication of the student’s ideas and purposes; the aids effectively amplify or resonate the presentation of ideas and foster a good understanding of the message’s content.
Visual aids effectively support the communication of purposes and ideas; aids are integrated into the presentation seamlessly, thus fostering a full understanding of the message’s content.
Delivery and Professionalism
Delivery techniques sometimes detract from audience comprehension; speaker appears uncomfortable; speaker seems unenthusiastic, monotonic, or hesitancies suggest unpreparedness. Verbal cues include unnecessary gestures and purposeless body language.
Delivery techniques make the presentation understandable; speaker appears tentative; speaker tends to be a bit casual, as evidenced in word choices; non-verbal cues do not particularly elevate audience’s level of understanding or interpretation.
Delivery techniques make the presentation interesting, and speaker appears comfortable; speaker tends toward conversational tone, and dependency upon notes is minimally noticeable. Nonverbal cues are appropriate and useful.
Delivery techniques make the presentation compelling; speaker appears polished and confident; speaker energy and emphases foster interpretation of ideas expressed. Dependency upon notes, if applicable, is not evident or intrusive. Non-verbal cues aid significantly.
Southern States University BU-599 Rev 1-7-2019
