Introduction
If you have creative skills and ideas that could create value for customers, or you dream of the freedom and independence that comes from running your own small business, then this course will help you develop a realistic plan based on the value that your unique talents can create.
The course will lead you through the intersection of the lean start-up and design thinking, focused on creative industries, and by the end of the course you will have tested and validated business concept, and have practiced pitching your concept to others.
Objectives
By the end of the course, you will have discussed and evaluated all the core elements of your business plan and will have a received extensive feedback on your business ideas. You will have a more clearly defined value proposition, which is based on a better understanding of your customers’ needs, and your strengths as a founder, and you will be ready to take your idea forward, and pitch to customers and potential funders.
Course Outline
Day 1
You as a Founder
Discuss the key roles of the founder and use tools to discover and discuss your abilities and competencies, and the founder role that will suit you best.
Day 2
Your Offer and Value
Develop your core value proposition, evaluate it for clarity, and discuss how to validate demand for your idea.
Day 3
Your Market
Learn how to realistically define your market, and how to plan a phased approach to market entry.
Day 4
Your Target Customer
Develop personas for your customers, to uncover their needs and design a more tailored proposition.
Day 5
Your Resources and Money
Learn how to properly cost your plans, estimate the resources required to reach key business milestones, set prices, prepare cashflow forecasts, and look at sources of funding to support your business.
How to Pitch
This session covers the essential elements of a business pitch, and how to tailor your presentation to different audiences.