Instructors Information

Community Plan

Information for Instructors

Being a Successful Business Manager-Entrepreneur - It Ain't Easy!

A Guide for Preliminary Decision Making for People Considering Starting a New Business or Making a Major Change in an Existing Business

Purpose/Objectives

This phase of the C.A.R.E. model can be used in numerous ways. It can be used directly by people considering starting a new business or for those contemplating making a major change in an existing business. It can be used by an instructor to work with such people on an individual basis, or it can be used in a workshop setting with small groups.

Instructors should be especially careful to help people understand that:

  1. Ex ante (before the fact) analysis of a business idea is an inexact process that can almost always be improved by doing more research and repeating the analysis (over and over again).
  2. This phase of the C.A.R.E. model is for preliminary analysis of business ideas. If an idea still appears to be feasible after this analysis is done, then the idea should be examined in much more depth and detail by developing a complete business plan. This is a lot of work and takes lots of time, but acting on a business idea is a big deal.

Time Required

Varies due to the amount of time and research put into each worksheet.

 

Equipment/Materials Needed

A comfortable workshop setting is desired. Arrange the tables/chairs as best you can to enhance discussion and face-to-face interaction.

Equipment needed includes:

  • PowerPoint projector and computer
  • Screen
  • Easel and flipchart
  • Markers for flip chart
  • Plenty of worksheet copies

Directions/Training Tips

When presenting this phase of the C.A.R.E. model, it may be useful to review each worksheet, discussing them with the potential users before sending them off to do the work. If you will be working with an individual, you may wish to send them home to fill out Worksheet 1 and Worksheet 2. Please remind your participant(s) that each member of their family should fill out Worksheet 2. You can then discuss the completed worksheets with both the individual and his or her family.

Then, Worksheets 3, 4, 5 and 6 can be filled out by the individual and discussed with the instructor/advisor. For some individuals, it may be useful to fill out these worksheets a few times until your participant is comfortable with results.

Completion of Worksheet 7 will almost certainly require several drafts, detailed discussion research, and potential input from experts.

When working with small groups on this phase of the C.A.R.E. model, much of the same procedure can be used as when working with individuals, except the instructor can be a facilitator for general discussion among group members. It is important to maintain confidentiality in the small group setting so that group members feel that their business ideas are protected. It will, however, be important for small group instructors to do individual counseling and advising of group members as the need arises.

Visuals

This PowerPoint presentation is for this phase of the C.A.R.E. module.

The set of PowerPoint slides included with this phase are useful for presenting this part of the C.A.R.E. model to small groups before sending them off to do the work.

Handouts

Worksheets are provided to accompany this module.