START-UP STAGE
Are you ready to launch? Do you know how to build a solid foundation for your start-up?
You’ve done the research, tested your idea and are ready to launch! This is an exciting time, but there are things you need to put in place to ensure your business is well-positioned for success both now and in the future. Our Start-up Sessions will help you work through the essential steps to launching a small business.
10
LESSONS
10 essential sessions covering all the basics
- Entrepreneurship
This session supports you in thinking through things before taking the first steps into entrepreneurship. Starting a small business is not easy, but there are steps you can take to ensure you are set up for success.
2. Business Model Canvas
Defining your business model is an important step in this process. The Business Model Canvas (BMC) tool provides a framework you can use to think through and define your business. It will help you understand your business model in a straightforward, structured way.
3. Market Research
Conducting market research is critical for start-ups, as it will help you understand your customers, competition and the demand for your offering based on facts and analysis. This information will then inform your business decisions and strategy.
4. Marketing
Marketing is essential for all businesses, but even more so for start-ups — your target market needs to become aware of your business and understand what you offer. In this session, we will help you uncover how to successfully market your new business.
5. Branding
Creating a brand is an important part of how you communicate your value to both customers and potential customers. During this session, we will discuss what branding is and why it is important, then cover a variety of ways to brand your business for maximum impact.
6. Pricing
Knowing how to price your product or service is essential to the success of your business. There are many factors to consider including customer needs, competition and costs. This session will help you determine how to figure out the best pricing strategy for your particular offering.
7. Sales
There are so many things to be considered including media types, communication channels and your competition. Developing a well-mapped out sales process is a critical step to building and growing a successful business. The goal of this session is to equip you with the knowledge and tools to develop your own plan.
8. Record Keeping
Tracking your finances is critical for the success of your new business — it is the only way you will know how you are doing. Strong record keeping skills will keep you on top of your business and help you make important decisions. The goal of this session is to support you in managing your business finances.
9. Social Media
Social media is an important channel for marketing your business, as well as cost-effective way to connect with your customers. This session is intended to help new users understand the benefits of social media as well as best practices for promoting your new business.
10. Intellectual Property
Intellectual Property refers to anything you have created, such as a product design, a special sauce for a burger or even your business name. This session will explain what is considered Intellectual Property (IP), and how to protect it and make it part of your long-term business strategy.
