Entrepreneurship and Small Business
Entrepreneurship and Small Business is a certificate program that provides the practical business knowledge and skill development needed to start and manage a small business. Upon successfully completing the program, you will have a comprehensive business plan based on your own business idea. You will receive training in entrepreneurship, bookkeeping, communications, marketing, management, computer applications, operations, financial management, human resources and preparing a business plan.
Selected courses for this program are available through distance and/or continuing education course offerings. The program is available full-time at SIAST Woodland Campus in Prince Albert. For complete program information, check the program page.
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) and transfer credit may be options for receiving credit. For further information see the PLAR candidate guide (pdf) or the transfer credit page.
Automated Accounting (SYST 147)
The course describes the procedures for using the following Simply Accounting modules: the company, receivable, payable, payroll, inventory and banking. You will have the opportunity for hands-on practice in a computer lab setting.
This course is equivalent to Automated Accounting - ACCT 135 or ACCT 101.
Prerequisites: Bookkeeping for Small Business
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Automated Simulation (BKPG 141)
The course describes the procedures for setting up a record keeping system for a company using Simply Accounting. You will have the opportunity to use Simply Accounting to complete a bookkeeping simulation.
Prerequisites: Automated Accounting
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Bookkeeping for Small Business (BKPG 140)
The course provides an introduction to bookkeeping. You will learn how to set up a bookkeeping system, record transactions, post to ledgers, prepare adjusting and closing entries and prepare financial statements. Course content includes payroll, government remittances and bank reconciliations. You will gain hands-on experience by actually working through a set of books.
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Business Plan Preparation (BUS 155)
The course will help you prepare a business plan that combines your finalized marketing, operational, human resource and financial strategies with a mission statement and executive summary. You will develop a verbal presentation of your business plan and deliver in a simulated business environment.
Prerequisites: Financial Strategy
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Customer Service (PR 145)
You will examine the value of customer service and retention of customers through the provision of excellent service. Course content includes the principles of good customer service, telephone skills, handling complaints and dealing with difficult people.
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Discovering Entrepreneurship 1 (CEXP 142)
You will explore the characteristics of successful entrepreneurs, the
advantages and challenges of owning a business and the reasons for
business failure. You will also complete a self-assessment questionnaire to
determine your personal strengths and weaknesses. The course content
includes personal goal setting and personal budgeting.
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Financial Strategy (FIN 151)
The course describes financial projections focusing on the projected cash flow statement and projected income and expense statements and uses this information to determine the breakeven point and return on investment. The course will combine these financial projections with financing information determined in FIN 146 to develop a financial strategy for your business.
Prerequisites: Operational Strategy
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Four Ps of Marketing (MKTG 154)
The course will examine the four Ps of marketing. You will be able to describe the product, price, distribution and promotional plan for your business.
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Human Resource Strategy (HR 145)
You will identify human resource requirements for a small business, including creating job descriptions, hiring staff and managing performance. You will also examine the issues of compensation, discipline, training plan development and labour standards. You will select a professional support team and prepare a resume for inclusion in your business plan. You will prepare a complete human resources strategy for your proposed business.
Prerequisites: Operational Strategy, (concurrent)
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Marketing Research (153) (MKTG 153)
You will learn how to conduct marketing research. You will learn how to describe the target market, industry, competition and external factors for your business.
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Marketing Strategy (MKTG 155)
Your studies will focus on methods to assist you to determine market potential and market share. The course will combine market potential and market share information with marketing research from MKTG 153 and the marketing mix described in MKTG 154 to create a marketing strategy for your business.
Prerequisites: Marketing Research (153), Marketing Strategy
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Operational Strategy (BUS 154)
The course describes the operations of a small business. Your studies will include the following topics: selecting a location, planning an efficient layout, describing the licensing and regulatory requirements, choosing a business name, determining hours of operation, determining fixed asset requirements, managing inventory, locating suppliers, investigating insurance and estimating start-up costs. Course content and learning activities will help you develop an operational strategy for your business.
Prerequisites: Human Resource Strategy, Marketing Strategy, (concurrent)
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Selling Skills (MKTG 148)
You will learn about the importance of selling skills in small business. You will examine the attributes of successful salespeople, identify the skills involved in the sales process and develop a sales plan. You will practice selling and dealing with objections.
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Small Business Expenses (BKPG 142)
The course introduces you to the use of the Statement of Business or
Professional Activities form for an unincorporated business. Your studies
will include the following topics: business income and common business
expenses focusing on motor vehicle, business-use-of-home and capital cost
allowance expenses.
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