Small Business Management Two-Year Curriculum

The Rogue Community College Small Business Management (SBM) course delivers two full years of crucial topics to help small business owners become more effective business managers, set and achieve clear financial goals, and improve profitability.

Curriculum A (2011-12)

Effective Business Practices
This class reviews the essentials of business planning, mission statements, goal setting, time management, as well as the book E-Myth by Michael Gerber.

Understanding Your Financial Statements and Management
Business owners must oversee the financial health of their organizations, and the design and delivery of regular financial statements in order to make the most objective, profitable decisions. Managing financials may be easier than you think.

Principles of Marketing
Gain an understanding of the 4 P’s of marketing, the importance of defining your target audience, and basics of creating a marketing plan (and budget).

Marketing Communications (MarCom)
Develop unique value proposition, positioning statement, elevator pitch, and advertising/promotional messages. This class also will explore when and how to use various media — direct sales, Internet (websites, e-mail, and social media), print, radio, TV, trade shows — most suitable for your business.

Maximize Financial Health & Minimize Risk
Learn to effectively manage cash flow and associated business processes, such as inventory, accounts receivables and payables, seasonal sales levels, and additional business investment. Also explore strategies for preventing fraud and look at insurance options important for business owners.

Principles of Sales
Sales happens whenever you have an interaction (in person, online, or via sales literature) with customers. Learn the importance of having an effective, repeatable (trainable) sales process, sales order systems, and customer service model that fits your company and products.

Effective Employment Systems
Learn the fundamentals of developing and managing an effective HR system, which includes an employee manual, employee files, and job descriptions. Learn best practices for avoiding HR claims and litigation when hiring, supervising, and terminating employees. Employee safety and worker’s compensation will also be covered.

Open Topic
Students will decide as a class a topic of interest.

Systems Management
This class explores the E-Myth concept of Turn-Key Systems, LEAN Management, TQM, and continuous improvement.

Curriculum B (2010-11)

Effective Management Strategies
This class reviews Michael Gerber’s E-Myth Revisited, about why most small businesses don’t work, and what to do about it. Strategies for successful small business ownership will be explored: business planning, mission statements, goal setting, and time management.

Creating a Successful Culture
Learn how to effectively develop a company culture that maximizes employee motivation and retention. See how a successful culture can positively impact your community, and build stronger relationships with your customers and employees.

Internet Marketing
Explore how to create, maintain, and market an effective website, and utilize other Internet-based marketing strategies such as e-mail campaigns, search engine optimization, online advertising, and social media marketing.

Basics of Financial Analysis
Gain insight into your business’s financial health and how bankers and other investors view your business through common financial ratios and comparisons derived from your two primary financial statements — the income statement and balance sheet.

Customer Relationship Management
Explore strategies and systems for creating an effective contact management system for managing relationships with prospective and existing customers.

Long-Term Financial Planning
Explore options and strategies for realizing long-term financial goals including choice of a legal business structure, tax strategies, business valuation methods, considerations for selling or transferring a business, and saving for retirement.

Branding Your Company
Explore the concept of branding or creating a strong, positive, and consistent perception with your employees, customers, and the public.

Open Topic
Students will decide as a class a topic of interest.

Leadership and Managing Change
Introduce concepts of situational leadership, the Abilene Paradox, group process model, business ethics, and best practices for managing change.