NxLeveL^® for Business Startups

NxLeveL for Business Startups is a 10-session, 30-hour course that addresses the questions every prospective business owner must answer in order to launch a successful and sustainable new venture. Participants will learn how to identify feasible start-up opportunities, and bring them to fruition by creating an actionable start-up business plan based on shrewd market research and proven start-up management techniques.

Learning Objectives

Session One

• Elements of the NxLeveL Start-Up Business Plan
• Your start-up goals, objectives and mission statement
• The importance of networking

Session Two

• The pros and cons of manufacturing, service and retail businesses
• Attracting and keeping customers
• Developing your start-up business concept

Session Three

• Identifying and assessing start-up costs and opportunities
• Franchising and other start-up options
• Researching your prospective business and industry

Session Four

• Green business opportunities and trends
• Assessing the competitive landscape for green business
• Creating a compelling product / service description

Session Five

• Legal considerations for start-ups
• Anticipating and managing start-up risks
• Identifying your management team
• Building and motivating teams
• Outsourcing options for start-ups

Session Six

• The basics of marketing
• Market analysis for start-ups
• Identifying your direct, indirect and future competition
• Analyzing consumer demographics and psychographics

Session Seven

• The Four Ps of marketing: product, price, promotion and placement
• Online sales and marketing
• Developing and refining your start-up marketing strategy

Session Eight

• How accounting supports daily business operations
• Identifying start-up expenses
• Sales forecasts and budgeting
• Preparing a monthly cash flow projection for Year 1
• Calculating your break-even point in units and dollars

Session Nine

• Identifying fixed and variable assets
• Choosing between debt and equity financing
• Documentation and collateral requirements for start-up financing
• Reality check: Is your start-up business idea financially feasible?

Session 10

• Negotiating and managing deals and contracts
• Creating a supply chain and managing inventory
• Energy efficiency and pollution prevention strategies
• Completing your NxLeveL Start-Up Business Plan