Week 1

Aug 21: Introduction to the Course

On your own . . .

• Complete Getting Started 1: Registering on the Site
• Review carefully the Course Description, paying particular attention to all requirements.
• Read Learning to Navigate the Site. Then explore the class website. Make sure that you login; some class website features are not available to guests. It'll be easier as we move forward if you take the time now to explore. Get familiar with where things are located, which links take you further into the class website and which take you outside to other resources.

Aug 23: Special Guest, John Spartz; information for completing Certificate Program survey.

On your own before next Tuesday, August 29:

• Complete Getting Started 2: Logging in for the First Time and Getting Started 3: Editing Your Account for the First Time
• Review How to Post to Your Individual Weblog and then "How to Post Comments and Replies"
• The instructor will create a post on the course home page inviting everyone to introduce themselves. Post a comment to that post in which you
  • describe where you are from
  • give your course of study and year
  • talk about your professional and entrepreneurial goals
  • tell what you would like to get out of this course
  • share at least one thing personal about yourself (a hobby, your favorite sport, a favorite activity, etc.)
• Purchase the course texts and begin reading The Tipping Point. Note that all readings for the course are due on the day listed on the calendar.

Week 2

Aug 28

Discussion and sign-ups for Ad-Hoc Presentations.

Review Web 2.0 Technologies, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation to begin your search for a disruptive innovation for presentation. Bear in mind also that the innovation needn't be software or Web-related, but it can also be a product of technology (iPod, mp3 player, Walkman, Flash drive, digital (video) cameras, cell phones, pagers, Blackberry, and hundreds more).

From the Course Description: Ad-Hoc Presentations: Each class meeting starting in Week 3, teams of two students will make short oral presentations that introduce innovative ("disruptive") technologies that have (or will) change how people think and act and, thus, how they spend their time and money. You'll be given a list of subjects on the course site and also be encouraged to discover subjects on your own. You will have access to the classroom's presentation technologies so that you can show slides, websites, or other media.

What's a disruptive technology and why do they matter? Read about the "Disruptive Innovation Model" here.  No reading response is required, but be prepared to discuss the model in class so that you know what's expected for the ad-hoc presentations.

Aug 30

Preparing to Read: Introduction to "Anticipation Guides"; please bring your copy of The Tipping Point to class for discussion and exploration.

Anticipation Guide 1: The Tipping Point (completed in class)

Review the Guidelines for Group Presentations.

Week 3

Sept 4

Reading: The Tipping Point (1-88). You should read and post your response before class today. Be sure to review these guidelines:

• Principles of Reading Responses
• Principles for Posting to Your Weblog
• How to Post to Your Individual Weblog

Reading Response: Using Gladwell's descriptions of connectors, mavens, and salesmen, post a blog message in which you identify which category (or categories) seem to apply to you. Be sure to explain what the category means (e.g., what is a connector?) and then explain what qualities or experience you have that seems to fit it. Tag your blog message (in the "categories" field) with the phrase Tipping Point 1

Sept 6

In-Class: Ad-Hoc Presentations on Disruptive Technologies
iPods: Kyle and Mike

Anticipation Guide for Chapter 1, "Introduction to Entrepreneurship"

Discussion of midterm project, reading responses and comments, and reading quizes. The midterm project is defined in our course description as follows:

• Midterm Project: In teams, you'll plan and conduct an interview with an entrepreneur, making it into a 5-7 minute video presentation that can be uploaded to our course website or another location. Individually, you'll submit a short (2-page) project assessment document that evaluates and analyzes your experience throughout this project. All team members also will complete a Collaborative Project Evaluation Form and submit it to me in printed form, privately. The project and all deliverables are due on October 16.

During this project, you'll keep a "Project Log" in your blog, search for an interview subject and learn about proper ethical approaches to interviewing, develop interview questions and plan the interview, conduct and film the interview, and premiere the video to the rest of class.  Here's a sample that's more involved than you need to be, but it will give you a good target to shoot for: "Computer Friendly Stuff" (8:25)

Teams will be formed on Tuesday, Sept. 11, so be here and ready to go.

Please note that the first reading quiz on Chapter 1 from the textbook is due before class on next Tuesday. The quiz will be posted by Saturday, with the link appearing on the calendar. It will disappear at the start of class on Tuesday.

Week 4

Sept 11

Be sure to complete the Chapter 1 quiz before class.

In-Class: Ad-Hoc Presentations on Disruptive Technologies and Innovations.
TiVO: Devin and Melissa

• Reading: Chapter 1, "Introduction to Entrepreneurship" (Entreprenuership: Successfully Launching New Ventures)
• Weekly Reading Response Prompt: Why do you think entrepreneurship is such an important aspect of not only business but of American culture generally? Use this tag in the "categories" field: culture
• Complete Reading Quiz 1 (for Chapter 1 from Entreprenuership: Successfully Launching New Ventures).

Formation of Teams for Midterm Project

Sept 13

The answer key for the last reading quiz is now posted as a PDF attachment to the quiz.
In-Class: Ad-Hoc Presentations on Disruptive Technologies and Innovations.
Netflix: Chad and Adam; Blu-Ray Disc: Ben and Patrick

Discussion and assignment of Success/Failure Case Presentations. These are described on the course description as follows:

• Success and Failure Case Presentations: Each week and in teams of three, you'll make a short (5-7 minute) presentation that focuses on the success and failure cases presented in the course texts or available via links on our course website.

For next Tuesday, look through the textbook to see which chapter's success and failure cases interest you. We will form teams by interest on Tuesday.

Please note that the Chapter 2 Reading Quiz is due before class on next Tuesday. The quiz will be posted by Saturday at 5 p.m., with the link appearing on the calendar.

Week 5

Sept 18

Be sure to complete the Chapter 2 quiz before class.
Formation of Teams for Success and Failure Case Presentations
In-Class: Ad-Hoc Presentations on Disruptive Technologies and Innovations.
Blu-Ray Disc: Ben and Patrick; Microsoft Surface: Justin and Scott; iPhone: Flavius and Michelle

• Reading: Chapter 2, "Recognizing Opportunities and Generating Ideas" (Entreprenuership: Successfully Launching New Ventures)
  Suggested Prompt and Tag: It's common to think that great ideas spring to the mind by a mysterious process, which is one reason why so many people through the ages have attributed them to muses and other mystical or spiritual entities. The belief is that ideas are borne, not made. Suppose, though, that it's the other way around: good (or great) ideas are made, not borne. Suppose that creativity is an art and craft and that you can actually generate great ideas systematically. What would it take to do that? What does the textbook say is necessary for inventing great ideas and being alert to opportunity?  Tag: invention
• Complete Reading Quiz 2 (for Chapter 2 from Entreprenuership: Successfully Launching New Ventures).

Sept 20

The answer key for the last reading quiz is now posted as a PDF attachment to the quiz.
In-Class: Ad-Hoc Presentations on Disruptive Technologies and Innovations.
Second Life: Emily and Jeff

Success and Failure Case Presentations

Please note that the Chapter 3 Reading Quiz is due before class on next Tuesday. The quiz will be posted by Saturday at 5 p.m., with the link appearing on the calendar.

Week 6

Sept 25

Be sure to complete the Chapter 3 quiz before class.
In-Class: Ad-Hoc Presentations on Disruptive Technologies and Innovations.
YouTube: Anwar and Willita

• Reading: Chapter 3, "Feasibility Analysis" (Entreprenuership: Successfully Launching New Ventures)
• Complete Reading Quiz 3 (for Chapter 3 from Entreprenuership: Successfully Launching New Ventures).
• Reading: The Tipping Point (89-132). Reading Response Prompt: What does Gladwell say makes ideas stick, and why is that important for entrepreneurs to know? Use this tag in the categories field: Tipping Point 2

Sept 27

The answer key for the last reading quiz is now posted as a PDF attachment to the quiz.
Success and Failure Case Presentations

In-Class: Ad-Hoc Presentations on Disruptive Technologies and Innovations.
Nike Plus: Lauren and Sarah; Nokia N95: Suiwan and Mike

Please note that the Chapter 4 Reading Quiz is due before class on next Tuesday. The quiz will be posted by Saturday at 5 p.m., with the link appearing on the calendar.

Week 7

Oct 2

Be sure to complete the Chapter 4 quiz before class.
In-Class: Ad-Hoc Presentations on Disruptive Technologies and Innovations.
eBay: Cameron and Jeff; GPS, Yield Monitoring: Seth and Drew

• Reading: Chapter 4, "Writing a Business Plan" (Entreprenuership: Successfully Launching New Ventures)
• Reading Response Prompt and Tag: What are some of the pitfalls of writing and presenting business plans? What mistakes do entrepreneurs often make when they write or present them? If you've ever seen a business plan presentation (or entered a competition yourself), what did you learn?  Tag: business plans
• Complete Reading Quiz 4 (for Chapter 4 from Entreprenuership: Successfully Launching New Ventures).

Oct 4

The answer key for the last reading quiz is now posted as a PDF attachment to the quiz.
Success and Failure Case Presentations
"Planet Hollywood": Kyle H, Cameron, and Kyle F.

In-Class: Ad-Hoc Presentations on Disruptive Technologies and Innovations.
xBox 360: Andrew and Toni

Discussion of Final Projects. This project is described on the course description as follows:

• Final Group Project: Comprehensive Concept Statement. This group project will involve developing and elaborating an entrepreneurial concept or idea, creating the important documents (feasibility study, start-up procedures, funding plan, etc), pitching it to the class in an oral presentation with multimedia components (PowerPoint, Keynote, website), and then assessing the group's effort at the end in a Collaborative Project Evaluation Form.

Please note that the Chapter 5 Reading Quiz is due before class on next Thursday. The quiz will be posted by Saturday at 5 p.m., with the link appearing on the calendar.

Week 8

Oct 9

October Break.

Oct 11

Be sure to complete the Chapter 5 quiz before class.
Success and Failure Case Presentations
"Satellite Phones": Flavius and Chris C.
"Sony": Anwar, Scott, William C., Atisso

In-Class: Ad-Hoc Presentations on Disruptive Technologies and Innovations.
Bootcamp: Kyle and Nate

• Reading: Chapter 5, "Industry and Competitor Analysis" (Entreprenuership: Successfully Launching New Ventures)
• Reading Response Prompt and Tag: Drawing from the discussion of "barriers to entry" in Chapter 5 (pp. 136-140), think of one example of a new company, venture, product, or service that, once started, made it very difficult for new competitors. What lessons can an entrepreneur learn from nontraditioanl barriers to entry (see p. 138 for the discussion)?
• Complete Reading Quiz 5 (for Chapter 5 from Entreprenuership: Successfully Launching New Ventures).

Please note that the Chapter 6 Reading Quiz is due before class on next Tuesday. The quiz will be posted by Saturday at 5 p.m., with the link appearing on the calendar.

Week 9

Oct 16

Be sure to complete the Chapter 6 quiz before class.
The answer key for the last reading quiz is now posted as a PDF attachment to the quiz.
Midterm Projects (Video Interview of Entrepreneur) due. Videos will be presented in class on this day. Supporting documentation will be due on Thursday (10/18).

• Reading: Chapter 6, "Developing an Effective Business Model" (Entreprenuership: Successfully Launching New Ventures)
• Complete Reading Quiz 6 (for Chapter 6 from Entreprenuership: Successfully Launching New Ventures)
• Reading: The Tipping Point (133-92). Reading Response Prompt: Some people will say that "context is all," meaning that pitches and other persuasive moments in the life of an entrepreneur must be well timed and opportunistic (The Greek term for this is kairotic, or kairos, meaning "in the right time and place"). Knowing that sometimes chance may be a factor, entrepreneurs nevertheless are ready to go at any given moment and can recognize when the context is ripe for ideas they have already developed.What is the power of context and why is it important to understand? Use this tag in the categories field: Tipping Point 3
• Watch the Amy's Ice Cream video.

Project Assessment Questions for Midterm Project

• What challenges did you face in finding an interview subject? How did you overcome them? What would you do differently next time?
• How did you prepare for the interview?
• What technical challenges did you face with regard to the videotaping, and how did you meet them?
• How did the interview go? How did you participate? Were there any awkward moments? Did the interviewee provide any information that surprised you?
• Describe the process of producing and editing the video. What did you do to try to make the interview engaging?
• What did you learn about entrepreneurship from the interview?
• What advice would you give to someone just setting out to tape an interview with an entrepreneur?

Oct 18

Update: Midterm projects are due today. Your group should turn in your work on a CD or DVD. Individual members should turn in a "Project Assessment Document" today as well. (The contents of the Project Assessment Document" were discussed in class on Tuesday, Oct. 16.) All team members should also submit a Peer Collaborative Project Evaluation Form, which you can download and complete in MS Word.

The answer key for the last reading quiz is now posted as a PDF attachment to the quiz.
Success and Failure Case Presentations
"Red Bull": Devin, Melissa, and Willita

In-Class: Ad-Hoc Presentations on Disruptive Technologies and Innovations.
Bluetooth: Austin and Bryan

Please note that the Chapter 7 Reading Quiz is due before class on next Tuesday. The quiz will be posted by Saturday at 5 p.m., with the link appearing on the calendar.

Week 10

Oct 23

Be sure to complete the Chapter 7 quiz before class.
In-Class: Ad-Hoc Presentations on Disruptive Technologies and Innovations.
Cell Phones: Chris, Atisso, and Patrick

Success and Failure Case Presentations
"Bath and Body Works": Megan R., Toni G, and Nick B

• Reading: Chapter 7, "Preparing the Proper Ethical and Legal Foundation" (Entreprenuership: Successfully Launching New Ventures)
• Reading Response Prompt: Why do you think it is so important that entrepreneurs model good ethical behavior? What can happen when they don't? In what sorts of situations (management, communication, marketing, etc.) is ethical behavior particularly important? Suggested tag: ethics
• Complete Reading Quiz 7 (for Chapter 7 from Entreprenuership: Successfully Launching New Ventures)

Oct 25

The answer key for the last reading quiz is now posted as a PDF attachment to the quiz.
In-Class: Ad-Hoc Presentations on Disruptive Technologies and Innovations.
Playstation 1: Nick and Alex

Success and Failure Case Presentations
"In-N-Out Burger": Jeff, Emily, and Stephanie

Please note that the Chapter 8 Reading Quiz is due before class on next Tuesday. The quiz will be posted by Saturday at 5 p.m., with the link appearing on the calendar.

Week 11

Oct 30
Be sure to complete the Chapter 8 quiz before class.
In-Class: Ad-Hoc Presentations on Disruptive Technologies and Innovations.
Wii: Kyle and Erika

Success and Failure Case Presentations
"Build-a-Bear" Lauren, Sarah, and Justin D.

• Reading: Chapter 8, "Assessing a New Venture's Financial Strength and Viability" (Entreprenuership: Successfully Launching New Ventures). Weekly Reading Response Prompt: What are some of the dangers of not keeping careful track of budgets, income statements, and the like? Why is it especially important for entrepreneurs to manage budgets and income well? Suggest tag: finances
• Complete Reading Quiz 8 (for Chapter 8 from Entreprenuership: Successfully Launching New Ventures)

Nov 1
The answer key for the last reading quiz is now posted as a PDF attachment to the quiz.
Success and Failure Case Presentations and In-Class: Ad-Hoc Presentations on Disruptive Technologies (2 teams present).
Please note that the Chapter 9 Reading Quiz is due before class on next Tuesday. The quiz will be posted by Saturday at 5 p.m., with the link appearing on the calendar.

Week 12

Nov 6

"Old Masters" visit ENTR 200! Glenn Campbell and Mike Jackson will visit our class to talk to us about innovation. Don't miss it!

Glenn Campbell - Chief Operating Officer for Lids and Co-Founder for Hat World, Inc.>/p>

Glenn Campbell is one of the co-founders of Hat World and is responsible for the company's operations, including store operations, buying, merchandising and marketing. Prior to being named COO in October of 2005, Glenn was responsible for Hat World's strategic product positioning and for managing the Hat World buying, merchandising and marketing team as Vice President and General Merchandise Manager. Glenn was recognized as one of Ernst & Young's "Indiana's Heartland's Entrepreneurs of the Year" in 1999 and 2002. He was also inducted into Indiana's 40 under 40 in 2002. Hat World was named to Inc. Magazine's "Inc. 500" and ranked 50th in 2002. Prior to co-founding Hat World in 1995, Campbell spent eight years as a Manager at Foot Locker, one of the nation's leading sports retailers. During that successful career, Campbell was Manager of the Year for the Midwest Region in 1994. He is a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University with a bachelor's degree in Marketing. He is married and has four children.

Mike Jackson - President & CEO of ABG, Inc. & Adayana, Inc.

Mike Jackson currently serves as CEO and President of ABG, Inc. and its parent company, Adayana, Inc. In this role, he is responsible for all of the company's business which includes consulting practices in defense, government, and automotive. Additionally, he led ABG, Inc. to becoming the leading vertical market management consulting company focusing on the food, agribusiness and life sciences industries. Outside of his Adayana company duties, Mr. Jackson is an internationally known management and marketing consultant, speaker, and author. He received the Alpha Zeta Centennial Honor Roll in 1997, the Indiana FFA/Ag Education Distinguished Service Award in 2003, the National Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity "Brother of the Century" designation in 2004, and the Honorary American FFA Degree from the National FFA Organization in 2005. Mike Jackson received a B.S. degree in Agriculture Economics with highest distinction from Purdue in 1979. At Purdue, he was very involved in Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, traveled the U.S. and abroad as National FFA Secretary, and served in the Student Senate. He was also selected as a Host for the Old Masters Program and later served on its Central Committee. Mr. Jackson was the Purdue Student Body President in 1977. His scholastic and leadership honoraries include Phi Eta Sigma, Omicron Delta Kappa, Gimlet, Phi Kappa Phi, Mortar Board, and Iron Key. Upon graduation, he received the Outstanding Senior Award from the Ag Econ Department and the Grand Prix Foundation and also received the G.A. Ross Award as the Outstanding Senior Man in the Purdue class of 1979.

Be sure to complete the Chapter 9 quiz before class.

• Reading: Chapter 9, "Building a New-Venture Team" (Entreprenuership: Successfully Launching New Ventures)
• Reading Response Prompt: What are some of the qualities that you would look for in your new venture team? Why? Would it be a homogeneous or heterogeneous team? Why? Suggested Tag: new venture team
• Complete Reading Quiz 9 (for Chapter 9 from Entreprenuership: Successfully Launching New Ventures)

Nov 8

In-Class: Ad-Hoc Presentations on Disruptive Technologies and Innovations.
Facebook: Steph and Megan

Success and Failure Case Presentations
"Garden.Com": Patrick and Ben

The answer key for the last reading quiz is now posted as a PDF attachment to the quiz.
Please note that the Chapter 10 Reading Quiz is due before class on next Tuesday. The quiz will be posted by Saturday at 5 p.m., with the link appearing on the calendar.

Week 13

Nov 13

Be sure to complete the Chapter 10 quiz before class.

• Reading: Chapter 10, "Getting Financing or Funding" (Entreprenuership: Successfully Launching New Ventures)
• Reading Response Prompt: There are obviously many reasons why adequate funding and financing are important for new ventures. What are some possible disadvantages or dangers of outside funding and financing for a start-up? How would you avoid them? Suggested tag: funding
• Complete Reading Quiz 10 (for Chapter 10 from Entreprenuership: Successfully Launching New Ventures)

Nov 15

The answer key for the last reading quiz is now posted as a PDF attachment to the quiz.
In-Class: Ad-Hoc Presentations on Disruptive Technologies and Innovations.
WiFi: Kyle and William

Success and Failure Case Presentations
"Oakley": Adam S., Mike C, Jeff O.

Please note that the Chapter 11 Reading Quiz is due before class on next Tuesday. The quiz will be posted by Saturday at 5 p.m., with the link appearing on the calendar.

Week 14

Nov 20

Be sure to complete the Chapter 11 quiz before class.
Success and Failure Case Presentations
"Napster": Chad R., Austin C., Andrew S.

• Reading: Chapter 11, "Unique Marketing Issues" (Entreprenuership: Successfully Launching New Ventures)
• Complete Reading Quiz 11 (for Chapter 11 from Entreprenuership: Successfully Launching New Ventures)

Please note that the Chapter 12 Reading Quiz is due before class on next Tuesday. The quiz will be posted by Saturday at 5 p.m., with the link appearing on the calendar.

Nov 22

Thanksgiving Holiday

Week 15

Nov 27

Be sure to complete the Chapter 12 quiz before class.
The answer key for the last reading quiz is now posted as a PDF attachment to the quiz.
Success and Failure Case Presentations
"LA Gear": Kyle N., Nate M., and Mike M.

• Reading: Chapter 12, "The Importance of Intellectual Property" (Entreprenuership: Successfully Launching New Ventures)
• Complete Reading Quiz 12 (for Chapter 12 from Entreprenuership: Successfully Launching New Ventures)

Nov 29

Success and Failure Case Presentations
"Hollywood Video": Alex P, Suiwan, and Kyle L.

The answer key for the last reading quiz is now posted as a PDF attachment to the quiz.
Success and Failure Case Presentations and In-Class: Ad-Hoc Presentations on Disruptive Technologies (2 teams present).

Please note that the Chapter 13 Reading Quiz is due before class on next Tuesday. The quiz will be posted by Saturday at 5 p.m., with the link appearing on the calendar.

Week 16

Dec 4

Be sure to complete the Chapter 13 quiz before class.
Reading: Chapter 13, "Preparing for and Evaluating the Challenges of Growth" (Entreprenuership: Successfully Launching New Ventures)

Success and Failure Case Presentations
"1-800-Flowers": Michelle, Erika, Bryan

Complete Reading Quiz 13 (for Chapter 13 from Entreprenuership: Successfully Launching New Ventures)

Suggestion!: Read Chapters 14 and 15 in our textbook now, while you have your book in front of you. We don't have time to cover it in class, but the information may come in very handy for you later in your career as an entrpreneur.

Dec 6

The answer key for the last reading quiz is now posted as a PDF attachment to the quiz.
Success and Failure Case Presentations and In-Class: Ad-Hoc Presentations on Disruptive Technologies (2 teams present).

Final Projects due.