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BUSINESS CAPSTONE INSTRUCTIONS
Introduction:
This capstone project requires you to create a business plan for a start-up company. You will create a
start-up business using the scenarios provided. The business plan requires that you demonstrate the
integration and synthesis of competencies in all domains required for your degree program.
Select the business plan scenario assigned to your degree program from the list below:
Information Technology Majors:
Develop a business plan for a start-up company that sells computer services, equipment, or software.
Select the type of products that the company will offer. The products can be real or potential.
Marketing Majors:
Develop a business plan for a start-up company that provides some type of marketing product or service
(e.g., advertising campaigns, sales, online promotions, etc.). Select the type of products or services that
the company will offer. They can be real or potential.
Accounting Majors:
Develop a business plan for a start-up company that offers some type of accounting service. The type of
services offered could include bookkeeping, auditing, tax preparation, accounting software, or some
other type of current or potential service.
Finance Majors:
Develop a business plan for a start-up company that offers some type of financial service. The products
or services provided by the company might include banking, financial planning, investments,
stockbroking, mortgage lending, etc.
Management Majors:
Develop a business plan for a start-up company that plans to sell a product or service in a local market,
in a national market, or on the Internet. Select one of your favorite products as the basis for the
company, or invent a product.
Human Resource Management Majors:
Develop a business plan for a company that offers human resources products or services. Examples
might include a temporary or staffing agency, a benefits consultant, a training company, etc.
Task:
Create a business plan for your hypothetical company in which you do the following:
A. Write an executive summary (suggested length of 1–2 pages) in which you:
1. Identify the business name and location.
2. Describe the mission, goals, and objectives of the business.
3. Discuss three keys to the company’s success.
B. Write a company summary (suggested length of 4–6 pages) in which you:
1. Describe the history of the industry in which the company will operate.
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2. Identify the legal form that the company will take.
3. Describe the location and type of facilities needed for the company.
4. Describe the management structure, including key personnel and positions.
5. Describe the products and services offered by the company.
C. Develop a market analysis (suggested length of 3–5 pages) in which you:
1. Describe the target market for the company’s products and services.
2. Complete an industry analysis for the company.
3. Complete a competitive analysis.
D. Develop a market strategy (suggested length of 3–6 pages) in which you:
1. Discuss the four Ps of marketing as they relate to company products and services.
2. Develop a price list for the company’s products and services.
3. Develop a selling strategy with specific goals, milestones, and deliverables.
4. Develop a sales forecast based on expected market conditions.
E. Develop an implementation strategy (suggested length of 3–6 pages) in which
you:
1. Summarize your overall strategy for successfully launching your business.
2. Outline target dates, goals, and objectives for implementation.
3. Develop a control plan to be used to evaluate the success of the company in meeting
milestones.
F. Calculate and develop the financial statements and projections (suggested length
of 3–5 pages) for the first year of business by doing the following:
1. Develop a month-by-month estimate of revenues and operating co
sts based
on the sales forecast.
2. Develop a forecasted profit and loss statement.
3. Develop a forecasted balance sheet.
Note: You may choose to use a business plan financials template to prepare this section
or create your own template.
G. Write a financial report (suggested length of 1–2 pages) in which you:
1. Summarize the financial projections and the assumptions used in estimating the
projections. Provide the following in your report:
a. Estimated break-even point
b. Company’s financial position at the end of year 1
c. Estimated capital/investment needs
H. If you choose to use outside sources, include all in-text citations and references
in APA format.
Note: Please save word-processing documents as *.rtf (Rich Text Format) files.
Note: For definitions of terms commonly used in the rubric, see the attached Rubric Terms.
Note: When using outside sources to support ideas and elements in a paper or project, the submission
MUST include APA formatted in-text citations with a corresponding reference list for any direct quotes or
paraphrasing. It is not necessary to list sources that were consulted if they have not been quoted or
paraphrased in the text of the paper or project.
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Note: No more than a combined total of 30% of a submission can be directly quoted or closely
paraphrased from outside sources, even if cited correctly. Here are some helpful APA resources:
http://www.apastyle.org
http://www.citationmachine.net
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01
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