SMALL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Career Outlook
Your New Career
You can open your own small business, or start your career managing the operation of a business such as a retail store, restaurant, apartment complex, or insurance agency — to name a few. The opportunities are plentiful; whichever you choose, you'll have the skills for the job.
- Earn your Career Diploma at home in as little as five months by studying just an hour a day for your new career.
- Work with customers, executives, and other interesting people, making the decisions that result in growth and prosperity.
- Start your own business. Work part-time from home, or open a full-time enterprise of your own.
Your New Skills
You'll learn every important part of being a Small Business Manager.
- Preparing for Business Success
- Keys to Success
- Business Connections
- Market Research
- Writing a Business Plan
- Financing Your Business
- ...and much more.
Program Overview
Learn Small Business Management skills - at home, at your own pace, with the Continuing Education Center.
There are certain skills you need to manage a small business. The Continuing Education Center Small Business Management Program helps you learn them quickly and conveniently.
You’ll get hands-on training in:
- Preparing for Business Success and Market Research
- Writing a Business Plan and Financing
Your Business
- Legal Requirements and Resources
- Putting Your Business Online and Preparing
a Budget
And you’ll learn it all at home — no classroom needed!
Start a challenging, moneymaking career.
Why complete a Small Business Management training program? With the right credentials, you can:
- Start your own small business and enjoy the freedom of being your own boss!
- Manage the successful operation – finance, marketing, and inventory – of a small privately held business.
As the manager of your own small business, you can work the hours you choose and guide your business toward success!
Contact the Continuing Education Center Today.
Find out more about the Continuing Education Center Small Business Management training that includes:
- All the books, lessons, equipment, and learning aids you need
- Unlimited, toll-free instructional support
- Access to student services by website, phone, and mail
Get more information today and in as little as five months from enrollment, you can be on your way to a career in Small Business Management!
Program Outline
Instruction Sets
Your program consists of six Instruction Sets designed to take you step-by-step through the techniques and skills you'll use in your new career.
Here's how it works
Your first Instruction Set will be sent immediately after your enrollment has been accepted. Other Instruction Sets will follow as you complete your exams, so that you will always have training materials to work with.
You will need access to a Microsoft® Windows®-based computer (running Windows Vista or later) and the Internet in order to complete your program with the Continuing Education Center.
Here is an overview of what you'll learn and the order in which you'll receive your lessons:
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Instruction Set 1
Learning Strategies
The advantages of learning at home; types of study materials; types of examinations; accessing and using the features of our web site; determining what kind of learner you are; establishing a study schedule; using study tips; preparing for and taking examinations.
Preparing for Business Success
What you need to know before you get started: the pros and cons of starting a small business; evaluating your own strengths and weaknesses; avoiding the ten most common mistakes; exploring online resources.
Instruction Set 2
Choosing Your Business
Types of businesses; the pros and cons of different types of businesses; facts and figures; legal points; special considerations; online resources.
Keys to Success
Identifying your mission; creating a Mission Statement; setting measurable goals; stages of growth.
Business Connections
Where and how to begin networking; building and maintaining your network; successful networking; developing community contacts; finding a mentor; online connections.
Instruction Set 3
Market Research
Where to start your research; the benefits of market testing; using demographics; finding your target market; adjusting to market changes; creating a questionnaire; types of surveys; interpreting data; customer buying behavior and values; online resources.
Basics of a Business Plan
Business information; your industry; your operating plant; your financial plan; supporting documentation; background research; getting started; using the library; researching costs and pricing; business tips; finding business plan software
Writing a Business Plan
Getting ready to write; Introduction and Overview; the Business section; Background, Mission Statement, Products and Services, and Target Customers, positioning your business; product differentiation; the Industry section: Market Position and Competition.
Instruction Set 4
Your Business Structure
Choosing a structural status; plant and equipment needs; describing your inventory; your management structure; Total Quality Management; developing processes; staffing considerations.
Financing Your Business
Finding the right financing; types of financing; banks and other lending institutions and agencies; equity financing; finding financial resources online; avoiding undercapitalization.
Legal Requirements and Resources
Types of legal requirements;legal resources; regulations, licenses and permits; federal, state and local requirements; payroll; zoning laws; business taxes.
Instruction Set 5
Marketing that Works
Your marketing plan; tips for effective marketing; advertising campaigns; public relations campaigns; marketing resources; promotions and publicity; finding the right strategy for your business.
Building a Team
Hiring the right people; keeping the right people; internal customer service; suppliers, distributors and experts; referrals and recommendations.
Putting Your Business Online
What is e-commerce; establishing your Web presence; security, credibility, and consumers; creating your Web page; online resources; Web service providers; making yourself known.
Instruction Set 6
Preparing a Budget
Estimating costs and expenses; software and online resources; forecasting sales volume; pricing strategies; making financial projections; financial analysis; performance measures.
Keeping Business Records
The importance of keeping records; bookkeeping basics; computerized accounting; record keeping for tax purposes; line item descriptions; income statements; your business status; financial statements and statement analysis.
Graded Project — Creating Your Business Plan
Pulling all the elements together; filling in the missing pieces; developing the overview; evaluating the overall plan; tips for presenting a stronger plan.
Learning Aid: Starting Your Own Business CD-ROM
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Online Library and Librarian
Students in the Continuing Education Center have access to an online library for use during their studies. Students can use this library to do the required research in the courses they complete or can use it for general reference and links to valuable resources. The library contains helpful research assistance, articles, databases, books, and Web links. A librarian is available to answer questions on general research-related topics via email and to assist students in research activities during their studies with the Continuing Education Center.
We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.