Lesson Topics

The Strengthening Competitive Advantage course is designed to be used by Extension educators who work with small business operators. It contains online tutorials, PowerPoint slides and assessment tools to be used with five lessons. The online lessons are intended to be self-administered, providing an opportunity for the viewer to visit illustrative Web sites and to critique business offerings. The PowerPoint lessons are intended to be presented in a group setting where highlights of the lessons can be offered.

This accompanying educator’s training guide describes the use of the course and offers plans for facilitating the course in a one-hour and a three-hour training session. Length of session might be determined by size of audience and accessibility to an electronic classroom with Internet access. If such a classroom is available, the educator can use a combination of illustrated lecture and hands-on approach to learning.

The PowerPoint materials and assessment tools were written for understanding at a basic or beginning business level. Extension educators are encouraged to adapt and modify the information to better meet the needs of their business clientele. Illustrative local business Web sites can supplement Web site examples offered in the lessons.

The five-lesson package is written in a concise, simplified presentation for use with local business entrepreneurs. Each lesson begins with a Quick Links frame to allow easy navigation to the major segments of the lesson. The lessons provide rich examples from business Web sites, some with active links directly to the Internet. Business examples portray four business categories of Accommodation/B&B, Restaurant, Retail and Rural Tourism.

The lesson topics are:

Lesson 1.         An Introduction to Experience Economy Strategies

Lesson 2.         Adding Value to Rural Businesses with Experience Economy Strategies

Lesson 3.         Aligning Experience Economy Strategies of the Business and e-Commerce
                       Web site

Lesson 4.         Assessing Experience Economy Strategies of the Business

Lesson 5.         Assessing Experience Economy Strategies for the e-Commerce Web site