MGT 351: Managing a Growing Business

Course Description

This course will focus on exploring the variety of ways in which a business can grow. Topics include: how to grow a business using new product and new customer strategies, human resource management issues, how to fund growth, and how to expand the business through licensing, franchise, and expansion. Emphasis will be placed on management practices, innovative marketing, and financial planning. Students will learn how to create a growth plan for a business.

Prerequisites

  • ENG 101: English Composition 1
  • ENG 102: English Composition 2
  • MGT 101: Principles of Management (Recommended)
  • MKT 220: Principles of Marketing (Recommended)

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will:

  1. Create a growth plan for a small business applying relevant business strategies that are competitive in the global marketplace.
  2. Evaluate the role of growth to long term business success.
  3. Determine viable methods of financing growth.
  4. Identify proper processes to control and manage growth.
  5. Analyze current market conditions and implement innovative marketing techniques.
  6. Design effective approaches to business growth using customer, product, human resources and management strategies.

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsWeight

Discussions (Weeks 1-8)

20%

Assignments (Weeks 1-6)

60%

Research Project (Week 7)

10%

Growth Plan Presentation (Week 8)

10%

Total

100%

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle

  • Feldman, David. Entrepreneur's Growth Startup Handbook. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2013. ISBN-10: 1-118-44565-1 or ISBN-13: 978-1-118-44565-5*

    *Note: This is a print on demand book. Order as soon as possible to ensure the book arrives by the start of the course.

  • Payton, Susan. Internet Marketing for Entrepreneurs. Business Expert Press, 2009. ISBN-10: 1-60649-033-8 or ISBN-13: 978-1-60649-033-4
  • Sniukas, Marc, Parker Lee and Matt Morasky. Art of Opportunity: How to Build Growth and Venture. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2016. ISBN-13: 978-1-119-15158-6

Course Schedule

Week

SLOs

Readings and Exercises

Assignments

1

2,4

Topic: Why a Business Needs Growth

  • Readings:
    • Art of Opportunity:
      • pages 3-12
    • Growth Startup Handbook:
      • Chapter 3
      • Chapter 9
      • Chapter 10
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Assignment - Original Brooklyn Water Bagels

2

2,4,6

Topic: Managing Growth within Your Business

  • Readings:
    • Art of Opportunity:
      • pages 20-54
    • Growth Startup Handbook:
      • Chapter 4
      • Chapter 5
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Assignment - Employees as a Growth Strategy

3

3,4

Topic: Financing Growth for Your Business

  • Readings:
    • Growth Startup Handbook:
      • Chapter 6
      • Chapter 7
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Assignment - Financing Your Business

4

4,6

Topic: Growth Through New Products and New Customers

  • Readings:
    • Art of Opportunity:
      • pages 90-118
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Assignment - The Cold Zone

5

2,4,6

Topic: Strategies for Growth

  • Readings:
    • Art of Opportunity:
      • pages 185-201 & 228-244
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Assignment - Jimmy Beans
  •  

6

2,4,5

Topic: Using Innovative Marketing for Growth

  • Readings:
    • Internet Marketing:
      • pages 3-67
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Assignment - Creative Marketing for Your Small Business

7

2,4,6

Topics: Expansion as a Tool for Growth

  • Readings:
    • Art of Opportunity:
      • pages 60-78
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Research Project

8

1,3,6

Topics: Planning for Growth

  • Readings:
    • Art of Opportunity:
      • pages 202-216
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Growth Plan Presentation
  • Complete Course Evaluation

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.