Option 1: Studying an Existing Entrepreneurial Firm
Students who are generally interested in entrepreneurial firms may either a) conduct in-depth field research in an entrepreneurial firm with which you have an existing relationship or b) complete careful library research on one or more entrepreneurial firms in an industry or sector of interest. Regardless of your research methodology, you will complete a strategic analysis of the policies and practices of an organization and make recommendations for changes that will add value given the firm's strategy and competitive positioning. You will assess the firm's "social capital" and provide recommendations that would help your firm improve their position in a social network. Finally, you will evaluate the current organizational system against their projected needs and provide recommendations that will help them align their strategy, organizational design, policies and practices as they grow. The final report for this type of project should resemble a case that could be used in this class.
Option 2: Personal Development
Students who are conducting non-traditional job searches or who want to develop their leadership skills can use the course project as a vehicle to accomplish these goals. This option requires an individual rather than a group project and is best suited to students who are interested in an opportunity for self-reflection and personal growth. The detailed plans, expectations, and deliverables for this project will need to be negotiated and contracted early in the term and must include two explicit developmental exercises which you will experience, analyze, and write-up. In addition, one section of the final report must be a written analysis of your own social capital and your plans for further developing your professional network.
Option 3: Writing an Expanded Business Plan
Students who are planning to launch an entrepreneurial venture can use this course project as an opportunity to think carefully about labor market and organizational design issues. These topics are not typically included in a standard business plan; however, they warrant as much attention as product market strategy and financing issues. Students pursuing this option for the project should have the broad contours of a business idea in hand and should plan to use the course project to further develop the network resources and organizational infrastructure necessary to pursue the opportunity. You will describe the opportunity and analyze the competitive environment in terms of the strategy, product market, and competitive environment for customers as well as for employees. You will explicitly articulate a hiring plan and an employee value proposition and outline organizational policies and practices that will build competitive advantage.
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