The curriculum is designed to teach Christians how to apply biblical principles to business management and entrepreneurship utilizing an accelerated study method of teaching. In addition to the biblically-based teachings and readings, we will utilize a program developed by PACE-CETE/OSU and adapted specifically for The Joseph Business School®. Each student must complete all three terms in order to graduate and achieve the maximum benefit of the program.
Term I |
Term II |
Term III |
Christ and the Corporation Spiritual Gifts Business & Leadership Conference Be All You Can Dream Your Potential as an Entrepreneur Nature of Business Business Opportunities Leadership Skills The Business Plan |
Business by the Book Location Marketing Analysis Pricing Strategy Recordkeeping Customer Credit Financial Analysis Types of Ownership Financing the Business Global Markets Presentation Skills Workshop |
Life as a Christian Entrepreneur Promotions Selling Legal Human Resources Eliminating Chance Business Management Operations |
Term I
Students will explore entrepreneurship as a personal goal and analyze their potential as an entrepreneur. In addition, students will begin to understand the larger context of the importance of entrepreneurship in the world economy. Learn how to prepare and organize a business plan. Participation in a business simulation exercise will provide students with the experience of how to operate a business.
Christ and the Corporation
This course will provide you with the wisdom and understanding of being an entrepreneur who is anointed, appointed, and called by God. Learn how to hear the voice of God. Analyze the differences between a Christian entrepreneur versus any other entrepreneur.
Be All You Can Dream
This all-day workshop guides participants through decision-making, writing, and hands-on activities to experience the operation of a business. Participants, working in teams, will run an actual business in a mall setting. The teams will sell their business ideas to a panel of judges. Awards will be granted across several categories.
Your Potential as An Entrepreneur
Analyze your personal characteristics, skills, and motives. Complete self-assessment tests that will evaluate your profile as an entrepreneur. Evaluation of your potential for planning, marketing, management, and operations. Identification of your business options based on your personal analysis. Set short-term and long-term goals for your business.
Nature of Business
Review the concept of a free enterprise economy. Discuss the philosophy of a customer-driven economy. Review the business environment in your community. Identify the use of government classification in business. Weigh the advantages and risks of owning your own business. Explore the possibilities for entering international trade.
Business Opportunities
Appraise the effect of trends and changes. Identify the environmental and geographical opportunities. Research the economic climate. Consider the options available in operating your business. Apply creative thinking to expand options for your business ideas.
The Business Plan
Explain the importance of strategic planning for your business. Explain how the business plan helps the entrepreneur. Assess the need for conducting a feasibility study. Apply the basic communication skills to the development and presentation of your business plan. Describe how a business plan should be organized.
“…Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the
vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end if shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry,
wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” Habakkuk 2:2-3
Term II & III
The last two terms are designed to help you complete your own business plan and to begin the necessary preparation for starting your own business. The topics will cover all the business functions and activities necessary to operate a successful enterprise. The students will practice public speaking and business etiquette in preparation for them to engage potential investors to fund their business concept.
Business by the Book
Learn the biblical principles of how to operate as a Christian business owner. Study the standards and operating procedures of how to manage employees, financial issues, and customer and supplier relationships according to the Bible.
Location
Select the most appropriate site for your business. Analyze your business to determine site requirements. Discuss the importance of site selection factors. Explain how to conduct a location feasibility study.
Marketing Analysis
Discuss the effects of a customer-driven business plan. Evaluate your potential market using decision-making tools. Describe product/service decision. Define your target market. Develop your marketing strategy.
Pricing Strategy
Determine the costs that will affect pricing. Identify other factors that will affect your pricing strategy. Illustrate how markup strategies affect your pricing. Design pricing incentives for your business. Determine appropriate pricing strategies for a business.
Recordkeeping
Explain the value of maintaining accurate records. Determine all records needed for your business. Develop a plan for managing your records.
Customer Credit
Discuss the importance of offering customer credit. Examine the criteria for granting credit. Analyze the credit options for your small business. Describe the use of credit records. Analyze the procedures used for credit collections.
Financial Analysis
Discuss the responsibilities of the entrepreneur in managing the finances. Select appropriate advisors to assist in your financial analysis. Explain the importance of cash flow management. Identify financial control procedures. Describe how to find cash flow patterns. Analyze trouble spots in financial management. Describe how to prepare an owner’s equity financial statement. Analyze your financial statements. Analyze financial management ratios applicable to a small business. Compute and analyze break-even point. Review computer applications for financial management.
Types of Ownership
Analyze the appropriate choice of ownership for your business. Identify the steps necessary to file ownership for your business. Define policies and procedures for a successful multi-owner operation. Discuss reasons for obtaining outside assistance in ownership choices.
Financing the Business
Determine options for financing your business. Discuss the financial information included in a business plan. Justify your financial projections. Explain the use of a loan application package.
Global Markets
Discuss the impact of international trade on small business. Research international trade options. Identify technical assistance for international trade. Describe methods of researching specific international markets. Identify obstacles to international trade. Evaluate your potential for entering international trade.
Presentation Skills Workshop
Build your confidence in presenting to small and large groups. This course will teach you to use proven presentation techniques and software to help you communicate your business idea effectively to any audience.
Life as a Christian Entrepreneur
Study examples of entrepreneurs who operate under the anointing and direction of God. Students work in teams to analyze case studies of Christian business owners.
Help for the Entrepreneur
Determine technical assistance needed for your business. Select and work effectively with professional consultants. Identify appropriate market contact and technical assistance for international trade. Identify networks to use in your business. Discuss free and purchased services.
Promotion
Discuss the options for promoting your business. Analyze costs of media options. Discuss promotional options that best match your target market and image. Describe techniques to prepare materials that represent your image. Develop a promotional budget and calendar. Identify strategies to evaluate promotional activities.
Selling
Define the role of selling in your small business. Analyze your product/service to determine benefits. Analyze potential customers. Design policies and procedures that emphasize quality and service. Determine your competitive advantage. Demonstrate the steps of the selling process. Develop a plan for training and motivating salespeople. Develop a sales plan for your business.
Legal Issues
Acquire the information necessary to comply with the various rules and regulations affecting your business. Develop policies for your business to comply with government regulations. Identify contracts used in business. Select the contracts used in business. Determine the use of legal assistance for your business.
Human Resources
Write a job description for a position in your business. Develop a training program for employees. Develop a list of personnel policies for employees in your business. Develop an employee evaluation system. Plan a corrective interview.
Eliminating Chance
Investigate how to minimize losses due to risks. Prepare policies that will help minimize losses. Determine the insurance needed for your business. Analyze the costs of risk management options.
Business Management
Develop your leadership philosophy. Identify management responsibilities of the entrepreneur. Implement the decision-making process for your business goals and objectives. Design management tasks for your business. Establish communication practices for your business. Develop a code of ethics for your business.
Operations
Design a plan for the operations of your business. Select purchasing procedures. Develop inventory control systems for your business. Analyze the use of computerized information management systems. Generate a production plan.