Business Program Certifications
In the business certification
program, all levels of reading and critical thinking skills will be emphasized. Analysis and synthesis will be primary
components of those abilities necessary for real-life problem solving. Partnering, mentoring, and relationship
development with the business leaders and community involved with the school
will be high priority for students to feel they are being "invested in"
and accepted by those leaders that they will someday replace. Ongoing, continuous business networking
and community input is imperative, even critical, to the success of their
endeavors and more importantly to the successful development of the students'
self-esteem.
Level 1 - Business Basics
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The fundamentals of starting a business
from brainstorming to evaluating the feasibility of your idea. Topics to be examined include: Where do great ideas come from? Where does great inspiration come from? Who is my competition? Is there a need for my product/service?
Level 2 - Business Planning This will include developing
the business plan, targeting a market for the product or service and
researching the demographics of that market. During this phase, students will begin developing partnerships
within the local business community, whether through mentoring programs
available through the SBADC (Small Business Development Centers) or
through SCORE (the SBA's Service Corps of Retired Executives). Other possible mentoring resources for
exploration include the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and, of
course, the Internet (see http://www.sba.gov/teens/businessplan.html)
Level 3 - Financing Students will learn about
saving and investing in a business, establishing financial relationships,
the purpose of credit, and establishing a credit history as well as
raising capital to grow a business. Accounting principles and procedures will also be introduced
to further enhance mathematical applications. Other topics for introduction
will include the national financial markets and basic economic principles.
At this level, further mentoring for the students will be provided
through the local financial community and banking leaders of the area.
Level 4 - Marketing At this level, the students
will begin implementing the portion of their business plan that focuses
on the target market and innovative avenues for reaching that select
market. As well as implementation
of those plans, they will be integrating the application of multiple
mathematical concepts as they determine the value of the results of
their marketing efforts, the concept of cost-benefit analysis, and effective,
advertising and promotion. Communication
skills are of the utmost importance and development of all communicative
forms using current technologies will be given high placement in the
curriculum. Level 5 - Growth At the growth level of
a business, students will again focus on financing principles and efficient
use of capital and resources.
Continued exploration of creative use of marketing/advertising
strategies along with learning to maintain business flexibility to reflect
changing economic conditions will keep pace with the students ever expanding
understanding of the business process.
Level 6 - Taxes Understanding the basics
of tax laws that most affect their business(es) will be covered at this
level. Various forms of
organization that a business can take and the advantages of each will
enable students to apply again the critical thinking skills necessary
for decision- making and problem solving.
Level 7 - Legal Aspects Student outcomes for this level will be demonstrable in their business plans by their determination for/of their comprehension of copyright and patent laws, awareness of child labor laws, basic OSHA (Occupation Safety and Health Administration) regulations pertaining to their ventures. Expansion at this level allows for the topics of liability and risk management to be introduced.
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