NxLeveL Training Programs

NxLeveL™ for Business Start-Ups Course

The Business Start-ups course a 36-hour in-classroom course in which participants walk through the process of developing a feasibility study for their business, looking at the legal structures, potential markets for their products or services and start-up costs of their businesses. Sessions are usually taught one night per week, or if needed, combined for longer Saturday sessions. Session format included instructor led discussions and lecture, guest speakers, networking opportunities and instructor consultations. Most sessions last 3 to 3 1/2 hours.

Course Materials 

NxLeveL™ Guide for Business Start-ups—This text provides a comprehensive overview of entrepreneurship for the person interested in starting a business. It provides information on business concept development and entry strategies as well as the art of developing a successful business. 
NxLeveL™ Business Start-ups Workbook—This workbook provides a step-by-step format to develop an abbreviated business plan to test the feasibility of a business concept. Through a series of questions and worksheets, the participants build a plan from concept through basic market and financial feasibility.
NxLeveL™ Business Resource Guide—This text contains useful resources for either start-ups or established entrepreneurs. The text also includes useful legal forms and samples of practical business letters, library resource information and additional reading references.

Course Outline
Session 1 - Are You Entrepreneurial Material?—During this session, learn the importance of business planning and how it can help your business succeed. Explore your "entrepreneurial fit" -- do you have the resources, skills and knowledge necessary to start your business? 

Session 2 - Developing Your Business Concept—During Session 2, discuss the different types of businesses and better understand the key differences between retail, service and manufacturing. Learn how the "customer" fits into your business. What is your business concept? Actually developing your concept and putting it down on paper is the first step in writing your plan---what do you want to do?

Session 3 - Business Start-up Options (1)—How do you begin your business? Do you start-up a new business, buy an existing business, buy a franchise or possibly join a family business? Learn what the pro's and con's are of each start-up option. During session 3 you begin to research your industry and your business concept.

Session 4 - Business Start-up Options (2)—Take a close look at your industry and explore the different start-up options available within your industry and further refine your business concept. Also begin to define your products or services that you will offer customers. How do these products fit in with the industry?

Session 5 - Business Fundamentals—What should be the legal structure of your business? Explore the characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of business legal structures. What are the key regulatory and taxation issues pertinent to your business. Who are your "management team" members, do you look inside the business or outside for your expertise. Who should you hire as your business grows? One key to a successful business is hiring the right people!

Session 6 - Testing the Idea: Market Research and Analysis—You've heard about it, you've experienced it, now learn about it -- what is marketing! Learn about the key concepts, terms and how-to's in marketing. How does marketing work for a business? Who are your competitors? Begin to analyze your competition -- direct, indirect and future competition.

Session 7 - Getting to the Market: Marketing Strategies—How do you develop a marketing strategy? What is the difference between marketing and advertising? Become more familiar with the image of product, the distribution of your product, its pricing structure and how you get the customer to buy your product -- The Four P's of Marketing.

Session 8 - Understanding Budgets & Financials—Financial statements are a means of standardizing business information. During this session, learn how accounting and financial matters relate to your overall daily business operations. Your financial information helps you evaluate the performance of your business (both internally and with other similar businesses) and identify planning opportunities and needs.

Session 9 - Raising the Money—What will it take to start your business? Do you have the financial means available to cover all the start-up costs? Explore financing options, distinguish between debt and equity financing and the discuss the types of information needed to secure financing. When you are through you will know if your business is feasible.

Session 10 - Getting Started & Managing the Future—Is the business feasible? If so, what do you do now? This last chapter helps you address some of these issues, steering you down the right path of success.