Learning Goals:

A very important part of creating a new technology venture is convincing others that what you are creating has value. This module has two main parts. The first part focuses on how to be more effective in oral and written arguments. We will rely on Toulmin’s Model of Argument to help improve each part of your writing and oral presentations. In the second part, we will focus on the structure and writing of a business plan, which is the primary communication medium for seeking resources for a technology venture.

Class 1: Making an argument (2/16)

Preparation:

Most of your time should be spent on developing your business concept and industry creation assignment. However, please view the following short videos about “Attention-getting openings”. These videos form the first module of the MOOT CORP Guide To Creating Fundable Business Plans. MOOT CORP is the biggest and most well-known business plan competition, hosted by the University of Texas.

http://www.mootcorp.org/utopia-mootcorp/utopia-moot/module1.html

Class Slides: Communication – Arguments

Supplementary materials: (coming soon)

Class 2: Business Plan organization (3/11)

Preparation:

Please read the following example business plan. It is not necessarily exemplary, but it will give you an idea of the structure of a business plan, which is accepted widely. Please also view the videos in the 2nd module of the MOOT CORP Guide To Creating Fundable Business Plans.

Examplebplan

http://www.mootcorp.org/utopia-mootcorp/utopia-moot/module2.html

Class Slides: Communication – B-plan instructions

Supplementary Materials: (coming soon)

Class 3: Presenting and giving feedback – 4/13, 4/15, 4/22, 4/27

Today you will have the opportunity to hone your elevator pitches for your business plans. View the following video, plan your pitch, and practice several times.

Required Materials:

Supplementary Materials:

Business Plan presentations – 5/6 and 5/11

1. Your executive summaries are due by 7:00 pm Tuesday evening, 5/4, so that I can send them to the judges.
2. I want to re-iterate that the business plan is a long claim that your business venture has worth. All of the parts of the document are reasons and evidence to support this claim. So you need to quantify what you think that the worth of your business is. This is your NPV. You do not need to pretend that you are looking for an equity stake right now, but the reader should have an idea of the value of the venture. Thus, you should have the phrase, “Based on the growth assumptions that we have explained previously, we have valued Firm X at $XK. We consider it to be an attractive investment opportunity for a business that seeks to enter or grow in X market.” This will be something that the judges will likely look for in reading your document. Make sure to include this in your financial plan as well as in the executive summary. If you would like, you can target your writing of this statement to a potential buyer of the whole company.

3. You have submitted all of your documents electronically. However, judges typically expect a printed copy to review while you present. Therefore, you should print four copies of your final business plan.
With the money that you saved by not having a textbook or expensive cases in class, you can make the formatting attractive. A few tips include: print the document entirely and proofread it, making sure
that your tables and appendices appear correctly; then print in color; bind (not stapled or paper clipped) with a clear plastic cover on front, and thicker cardstock or plastic on the back. Some of you have
included Table of Contents. This is not really necessary, since the business plan has such a common format.
4. You have the opportunity to make a good impression. To that end, you should: practice your presentation as a group; practice again; a third time would not hurt; arrive a bit early on Thursday;
dress appropriately.