We read through the feedback from the 5 minute memos, and have concluded that there is considerable interest in having more activities in which students apply what they have learned directly. So we have decided to change the schedule for the remaining classes. This takes a bit of the type of flexibility needed in new ventures, where things change rapidly. We hope the change will accomplish three goals. First, we want to make sure that you have learned and are able to apply the basic concepts that we have discussed in class to a new venture experience. Second, we want to provide significant amounts of FOCUSED feedback for each group, so that each group can improve their business plan as much as possible by the end of the semester. Finally, we want to provide a chance to learn to give and take constructive feedback as individuals and groups. Therefore, please note the following changes.

1.       The stakeholder and relationships module (which covers corporate social responsibility and ethics, social entrepreneurship, and negotiation) will be summarized in just ONE class (this Thursday, 4/8), instead of taking three classes. There is only one short reading required reading: http://www.caseatduke.org/news/1207/Dees_Bloom_Ecosystem.html#cultivateecosystem
This module, along with extensive supplementary materials, is posted on the course website under Readings/Module 5.  Sources of funding will be discussed briefly prior to Marti Nyman’s guest speaking visit on April 20^th. The syllabus has been updated an posted on the website: http://www.techventuresource.org/te-syllabus-20100406.pdf

2.       We have posted a document entitled “Business Plan Outline” on the course website (here). It shows the basic structure of the business plan, suggested page limits for each section, and criteria that we will use in evaluating your business plan. You should address each of these criteria (where applicable) in making and supporting your claim of the worth of the business. The business plan grading rubric (posted here) references this document, so your grade will be linked to how well you address these topics in the limited space (18 pages (including the title page) of text, 8 pages of appendices) that you have for the business plan.

3.       Each group will give TWO more presentations prior to turning in the draft of their business plan. Each of these presentations corresponds to two of the five sections of the business plan shown in “A business plan outline”. The first is the Product and Market Presentation. The second is the Operations, Management, and Finances Presentation. We will have extensive time to think about and discuss each group’s plan, and each of you will be required to fill out an “Individual Feedback form” (for each group). This form relates details of the business plan to concepts that we have learned in class. After having time to fill out your “Individual Feedback Form,” you will then have time to discuss an additional question with your group, and you will fill out a “Group Feedback Form”  which will be given to the focal group at the end of class (this will be posted soon). After time for group discussion, each group will provide ONE specific and feasible suggestion to the focal group, and we will discuss this as a class. The total process will take about 30 minutes for each group as shown below:

4.       The remaining schedule is shown on the updated syllabus, which is included on the course website. It follows here:

a.       4/13 – Product and Market Presentations – Phase-1 Check, Juxtapose, DW-Eye

b.      4/15 – Product and Market Presentations – Tissue Database, Med School, Oncomir

c.       Guest Speaker: 4/20 Marti Nyman

d.      4/22 – Operations, Management, Finances Presentations – Phase-1 Check, Juxtapose, DW-Eye

e.      4/27 – Operations, Management, Finances Presentations – Tissue Database, Med School, Oncomir

f.        4/29 – Group Work Day (finish up plan and send it by midnight)

g.       5/4 – Feedback Day –

5.       Your individual feedback forms will take the place of the second quiz, since you will need to apply concepts from class to provide this feedback. If you have read the readings, attended class, and REVIEWED the  individual evaluation form shown on the course website (here) you should have enough time to fill out the feedback forms in class. These will all be submitted to the instructors. You can take the forms home to complete them, but if you do this, you must e-mail them to both of the instructors within 24 hours of class. We will compile the individual and group feedback forms, scan them, and send them to the presenting group. This will provide valuable feedback to them.

6.       The individual feedback forms will be graded by the group that receives the feedback. Each feedback form will be graded out of 20 possible points, with the average being 17. Your grade for the individual feedback forms will be the average of the grades that you received from the other five groups. If you do not turn in an individual feedback form by the deadline, you will receive a 0 for that form. The presenting group has FIVE days to return the grades, along with a two sentence explanation for each to the instructors, who will return the grades to the students.

We will also review all of the individual feedback forms and allot one bonus point to what we deem to be the TOP FIVE individual feedback forms for EACH presenting group. Thus, if you get a bonus point for all FIVE groups that you rate, you can get five bonus points. We will also award one bonus point to the two groups that give the best group feedback form for each presenting group. So again, if your group gives the best feedback for all five groups, you can earn a total of FIVE extra bonus points. It is theoretically possible (but not likely) to get 30/20 points with individual and group bonuses.

7.       The first three groups have a bit less than a week until they present next Tuesday, so you should all begin soon on preparing for this short presentation.