Weekly+Sessions+-+draft

toc =**Topic 1 What is an entrepreneur?**=

In this topic we will be exploring -

 * Business in an Indigenous context
 * Are you reading for business?
 * Cultural implications of business
 * Ethics in Business
 * Communicating in Business

Essential Reading
1. [|Willmett], N (2008) //__Starting a Successful Aboriginal Business__//. Brolga Publishing: Brisbane. (Chapter 1 & Chapter 2)

Recommended and Other Reading
2. Web 2.0 Expo NY: Gary Vaynerchuk (Wine Library), //Building Personal Brand Within the Social Media Landscape//. Download [|here] (19th Septemer, 2008)

3. Gary [|Vaynerchuk] (Wine Library) //__Stop Crying, think, wipe your tear and crush it!__// Download [|here] (21st January, 2009)

4. Peter Switzer Interview with Neil Willmett, Sky News July 16, 2009. Download [|here]

5. Dennis Foley and Boyd Hunter (2008) Submission to the House of Representative Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs (HORSCATSIA) Inquiry "__//Developing Indigenous Enterprises - the Road to Economic Independence//__". Download [|here]

6. Indigenous Business Australia. __//Good News Stories//__. Download [|here]

7. Indigenous Business Australia (2008) __//Indigenous Development and Assistance//__ (Fact Sheet). Download [|here]

8. //__A Successful Indigenous Business__// (2009) Download [|here]

Discussion Questions & Activities
1. In your blog, write down what your already know and think about business, commerce, corporates etc. Try to delve into your assumptions and values, taking into consideration Indigenous people's and artists experience of the commercial sector (can you provide examples of Indigenous entrepreneurship in your life)

//2. Assignment Activity & Preparation// - start thinking about your business project. You're trying to create a "business-like" business - use mud-maps or [|concept] maps to stimulate your thinking. Start thinking about your business model, considering the following - 3. Take this quick online [|quiz] to see if you're really ready for business.
 * profit/non-profit;
 * partnership/sole-trader;
 * what is the market for your product? ie. who are the customers? what price? where will you sell it? how will you sell it?
 * how will you produce your product? how much will it cost? are there packaging costs?
 * what are you capable of? what are your personal circumstances? how much do you need to live on?

Content (Slides, Notes &/or Video)
media type="custom" key="4122929" You can view the slideshare presentation here

=Topic 2 The Business Plan and SWOT Analysis=

In this topic we will be exploring -

 * About the importance of business planning
 * Components of a business plan
 * What is a SWOT analysis? How can it assist you?

NB: It will take quite a few weeks of thinking for you to complete your business plan. You should aim to complete each section as we go through each new concept weekly, and then finally revise all sections at the end. As we will continue to emphasise each week, your PLAN is not just a document that will sit on a shelf somewhere, but is an active processes of ressearch-in-action, albeit, business as research-in-action.

Essential Reading
1. [|Willmett], N (2008) //Starting a Successful Aboriginal Business//. Brolga Publishing: Brisbane.(Chapter 5 - 6 [you don't need to read & remember everything in this chapter - you will refer to it throughout the semester as it provides the template for your major assessment item])

Recommended and Other Reading
2. G__oogle Maps Approach to Planning__ by Leesa Watego Download here

3. Erica Olsen (2009) from __http:www.mystrategicplan.com__. (This video is for a SWOT analysis for an existing business - essentially its the same process, however the source of your information will be different as you're undertaking a SWOT for a new or developing idea). Download here

5. Hanson & Hanson (2009) __//Using a SWOT in your career planning//__ (As the title states, this SWOT explanation is developed for career planning, but I think its useful to see the SWOT in many different contexts). Download here

Discussion Questions & Activities
1. In your blog, start thinking about "value proposition". Can you think of some products that //you// value yet the people around you don't? Perhaps you are in a different market segment? As a consumer, consider what is important to you - product? price? customer service? What kinds of decision-making processes do you go through when choosing to purchase something or not?

//2. Assignment Activity & Preparation// - Chapter 6 is quite a lot to take in. Keep in mind your business concept, and start defining in terms of a value proposition. Start filling in parts of your business template and think about where you will need to start researching your market (Australian Bureau of Statistics perhaps?), what kinds of questions will you need to ask potential customers? Also, start thinking about your own goals, including your business goals - where are you and where do you want to be? Go through the "Google Maps" Planning Questions as a guide - consider also the steps you think you'll need to take.

Content (Slides, Notes &/or Video)
media type="custom" key="4172825" You can view the slideshare presentation here = =

=Topic 3 Legal Structures for Business=

In this topic we will be exploring -

 * About different legal structures for your business
 * Different types of business models and ways of doing business

NB: It will take quite a few weeks of thinking for you to complete your business plan. You should aim to complete each section as we go through each new concept weekly, and then finally revise all sections at the end. As we will continue to emphasise each week, your PLAN is not just a document that will sit on a shelf somewhere, but is an active processes of ressearch-in-action, albeit, business as research-in-action.

Essential Reading
1. [|Willmett], N (2008) __//Starting a Successful Aboriginal Business//__. Brolga Publishing: Brisbane. (pp17-20)

2. Magnation (2009) __//Why do we let people browse?//__ View at here

Recommended and Other Reading
3. __//Choosing the best business structure for your business//__. Queensland Government. Download here

4. __//Business Structure//__s. Victorian Government. Download here

Discussion Questions & Activities
1. In your blog, start thinking about different ways of doing business (perhaps from a consumer's perspective), what works & doesn't work. Does the type of industry necessarily dictate the business model? Where does your business idea fit in?

//2. Assignment Activity & Preparation// - keep working on different aspects of your business plan. If you need to do research for your business idea, then you should be starting (perhaps there are prices to get, supplier names, statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics).

Content (Slides, Notes &/or Video)
N/A

=Topic 4 Marketing Principles, including social media=

In this topic we will be exploring -

 * The principles of Marketing
 * Marketing in the Web2.0 world

Essential Reading:
1. [|Willmett], N (2008) __Starting a Successful Aboriginal Business__. Brolga Publishing: Brisbane. (pp35-36)

2. Daryl King (2009) __//Marketing isn't advertising - spend your $5K wisely//__. Read at here

3. Kagan, M (2009) __//What the fk is social media?//__ Download here

4. Kagan, M (2009) __What the fk is social media one year later__. Download here

Recommended and Other Reading
= = 5. YouTube Biz Blog (2009) //I now pronounce you monetised//. Download here

6. __//Marketing Managment//__ by Greetings.com (2009). Download here

Discussion Questions & Activities
1. In your blog, think about what's important to you when you're deciding on the purchase of a product or service, do those personal criteria differ when you're making an "art" purchase, or an "Indigenous purchase". What fundamental, Murri & business principles could/would form the basis of your business activities? Look at other business - which operate contrary to your ideas and which are similar? What do they do?

//2. Assignment Activity & Preparation// - keep working on different aspects of your business plan and be thinking about the marketing fundamentals that you will employ.

Content (Slides, Notes &/or Video)
N/A = =

=Topic 5 Accounting basics for small business Part I= This topic is still under construction. = = =Topic 6 Accounting basics for small business Part II= This topic is still under construction. = = = =

=Topic 7 Employing and Working With Others, including basic contracts=

In this topic we will be exploring -

 * Contract-for-service VS Contractor-of-Service
 * Principles of a contract
 * Managing a Project

Essential Reading:
1. [|Willmett], N (2008) __Starting a Successful Aboriginal Busines__s. Brolga Publishing: Brisbane. (pp113-149)

Recommended and Other Reading
(These references are available for you to consult regularly over time to develop a more deeper understanding of issues involved)

2. Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (2009) //__Legal Issues Guide for Small Business__//. Download here

3. Clarke, J (2009) __//Contract and Consumer Law Blog//__. Download from here

4. ABC Radio National. __//The Law Report//__ (radio program). Download from here

Discussion Questions & Activities
1. In your blog, think about the skills you need to best manage your 'service'. Beginning gathering resources that will assist you.

//2. Assignment Activity & Preparation// - keep working on different aspects of your business plan and be thinking about the marketing fundamentals that you will employ.

Content (Slides, Notes &/or Video)
Go to notes for this topic here.

=Topic 8 Copyright & IP (Copyright, registered designs, trademark, patents, passing) & Creative Commons= = = Since colonisation, the theft of Intellectual Property of Indigenous Australians has been on-going. In the past two decades, there has been an increased awareness of the rights of Indigenous communities and many strategies have been implemented to attempt to counteract two hundred years of injustice.

In a business context, whether arts or not, copyright and intellectual property is a key issue.This week, use the resources (and others you might find through your own research) to locate what copyright and intellectual property issues your business proposal needs to consider.

Discussion Questions & Activities
1. In your blog, think about the importance of copyright historically for Indigenous People, as well as for today for modern business practices

//2. Assignment Activity & Preparation// - keep working on different aspects of your business plan. = = = =

=Topic 9 Operation & Strategic Planning=

This topic is still under construction. = = = =

=Topic 10 Finding Finance & Funding= This week students will work collaboratively to create a funding directory for small business & arts projects. Students will also access & examine funding applications & guidelines.

Discussion Questions & Activities
1. In your blog, think about how you might source funding for your project/business. Will you apply for funding from an arts organisation? Will you bootstrap your business? What are pros & cons of each approach?

//2. Assignment Activity & Preparation// - keep working on different aspects of your business plan and be thinking about the marketing fundamentals that you will employ. = =

=Topic 11 Designing For Your Message= This week we will have a guest lecture with Indigenous graphic designer Michael Gilsenan who will work with each student providing feedback & suggestions on their draft logos for their business concepts. Students are required to bring their ideas & be prepared to discuss them & receive feedback.

Discussion Questions & Activities
1. In your blog, think about what you thought you knew about design and what you've just learned. Look at designs in the real word - which appeal to you & which get their intention/message across. Reflect on those that also don't work (don't forget to include hyperlinks so we can check out the designs you're talking about, or upload photos)

//2. Assignment Activity & Preparation//

=Topic 11 Business skills= This week students are encouraged to reflect on a range of other topics that in essence really can't be taught, but are important to discuss. Review Chapter 9 //Networking// and Chapter 10 //Managing Life & Business// of the text book

Discussion Questions & Activities
1. In your blog, think about what's important to you in managing your life. Are you a "work-a-holic" or more "laid-back"? What's important to you?

//2. Assignment Activity & Preparation// - keep working on different aspects of your business plan and ...

=Topic 12 Creativity and Business=

Sir Ken Robinson's lecture Do schools kill creativity? //__TED Talks__//. January 6, 2007.View [|here] Thinking Heads he[|re]

Creativity Report [|here]