Benjamin Franklin famously said "If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail". A comprehensive business plan and effective execution of the plan are two factors which can greatly increase your chances of succeeding in your new business venture. This is an interactive presentation. Students will be provided with a workbook in which to develop a business plan and prepare to put it into action. Statement of Attendance provided for this course.
Developing and Launching a New Business
Course Description
This comprehensive course will guide participants through the essential steps of starting a small business, from initial idea to successful execution. Each session will focus on practical strategies, providing actionable tips and hands-on support to help transform business ideas into sustainable ventures. Students will be provided with a workbook designed to help them develop their business plans, understand key startup principles, and outline a clear path forward. The course will foster a dynamic learning environment, with opportunities for questions and discussions throughout each session.
This course is ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs, early-stage small business owners, or anyone looking to turn their passion into a profitable business. Students will be provided with comprehensive course notes and a workbook, and are welcome to bring laptops or other devices to assist with research, etc.
A Statement of Attendance will be issued to students who complete the course.
Course Structure
During the course we will work through the following topics as we develop our business plans:
Week 1: Business strategy and structure
- Vision and mission
- Objectives and milestones
- Legal considerations
- Business structure, ABN, Business Name and GST registrations
- Insurance and risk management
- Industry specific legislation and codes of conduct
Week 2: Marketing and selling
- The 7 Ps framework
- STEEPLE, SWOT, target market and competitor analysis
- Developing an integrated marketing strategy
- Turning your marketing strategy into an actionable marketing plan
Week 3: Operational considerations
- Staffing, recruitment and training
- Procurement, manufacturing and inventory management
- Documentation of policies and procedures
- Ethical principles and sustainability
- Succession planning
Week 4: Financial considerations
- Start-up costs, operating costs and funding sources
- Banking arrangements
- Balance sheet, profit and loss and cashflow forecasting
- Break-even analysis
There will also be opportunities to workshop your ideas and questions with the group as you work through the business planning process.
Course Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Assess the viability of their business idea by identifying their ideal target market and understanding customer needs.
- Draft a straightforward business plan that includes essential elements such as objectives, strategies, and financial planning.
- Gain a solid understanding of basic financial concepts, including startup expenses and break-even analysis.
- Develop a fundamental marketing approach to effectively attract and engage customers.
- Outline a clear action plan to take the next steps toward launching their business.
- Utilise the course workbook to map out their business plan and determine actionable steps for moving forward.
Student Feedback
“Great tutor, inclusive and a good speaker. Nice people in the class and content was at the right level.”
“Kelly provides a wealth of information and is a very encouraging tutor.”
“Loved how much I learned – presented well with supporting materials.”
Your Tutor is Kelly Hody
Kelly Hody MBA(Mkt), BBus(BusMgt), DipDigMkt, CertIVTrngAssmnt has been teaching at WEA since 2017.
With more than 15 years of hands-on marketing experience, Kelly is passionate about simplifying the complexities of marketing for small business owners and volunteer-led organisations. In a world where marketing can seem like an overly complicated puzzle, Kelly stands as a beacon of simplicity and success, proving that with the right guidance anyone can implement effective marketing tactics to achieve their business objectives.
Kelly has an MBA specialising in Marketing, a Bachelor of Business (Business Management), a Diploma in Digital Marketing and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, and runs her own business as a freelance marketing consultant.
This course is available as a WEA Flexi course.
When you enrol in a WEA Flexi course, you have the option of attending each session in person or online via Zoom. You do not need to nominate a preference when you enrol, you can simply attend each session in person or online as it suits you.
Zoom is a popular video conferencing software solution which can be used as a virtual classroom. For an optimal online learning experience, when attending classes via Zoom we recommend you install Zoom Workplace on a desktop or laptop computer with built-in webcam and use a headset with microphone. Alternatively, there is a Zoom Workplace app available so you can participate using a tablet or smartphone, however you may not be able to experience all aspects of the online learning environment when participating this way.
When you enrol in a WEA Flexi course, you will receive an email with a Zoom meeting link at least two days before the course starts. If you don’t see the email in your inbox, please check your spam folder or junk mail. If you have not received the email with the Zoom meeting details, please contact us and we will provide the details you need to join the session online.
To join the course session via Zoom, simply click on the Join the Meeting link in the email or click on Join Meeting in the Zoom app and insert the Meeting ID, your name and Passcode in the boxes provided.
Please note: WEA can only provide limited technical support (such as re-sending the meeting details), as students should know how to use Zoom on their computer or device if choosing to attend this way.
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