最新糖心Vlog

Course Coordinator: Dr Gary Hancock
Email: gary.hancock@adelaide.edu.au
Phone: +61 8 8313 0125

Teaching Staff: Dr Scott Gordon

Short Bio:
Scott is the PhD program director and lecturer in entrepreneurship at the Entrepreneurship Commercialisation & Innovation Centre (ECIC). Originally trained in Electrical Engineering he spent more than a decade as a practicing professional engineer with the Commonwealth Scientificand Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).

Since 2005 Scott has been actively engaged as an entrepreneurship scholar and academic. He holds a MBA with First Class Honours, and a PhD in Management, for which he received an Outstanding Doctoral Thesis citation. He joined ECIC in January 2015 from the 最新糖心Vlogn Centre for Entrepreneurship Research (ACE) at Queensland 最新糖心Vlog of Technology (QUT).

Scott's teaching interests lie at the intersection of entrepreneurship, innovation and strategy. His research explores dimensions of entrepreneurial action and organisational emergence, and has appeared in leading outlets including Entrepreneurship: Theory & Practice; Small Business Economics; and Advances in Entrepreneurship, Firm Emergence & Growth.

Email: scott.gordon@adelaide.edu.au

Phone: +61 8 8313 7493

Opening intensive:
Monday 1st, Tuesday 2nd and Wednesday 3rd August 2016
9am to 5pm
Napier 210 Teaching Room

 
Closing intensive:
Monday 29th, Tuesday 30th and Wednesday 31st August 2016
9am to 5pm
Napier 210 Teaching Room
 
Examination:
TBA

1	To appreciate entrepreneurship theory and principles, especially in the context of assessment of new ventures as distinct to traditional business
2	To conduct detailed market research (primary and secondary) and become familiar with external and internal environmental scanning techniques
3	To articulate a new venture investment proposition and communicate ideas and concepts effectively
4	To build an assessment process for a new opportunity or venture to determine its viability and sustainability
5	To develop and use appropriate assessment frameworks for different new ventures and present these to fellow students and industry
6	To identify the areas of risk and ethical dilemmas in research commercialisation and/or in introducing new technologies or other innovations into a market
7	To produce a feasibility report (including recommendations and conclusion) for your own or another new venture opportunity based upon comprehensive assessment

Text book:

Fredrick, Howard, O'Connor, Allan and Kuratko, Donald F. (2013).
Entrepreneurship: Theory, Process and Practice,
3rd Edition. Cengage Learning.
ISBN-10: 0170214982
ISBN-13: 9780170214988

A comprehensive list of readings will be available on MyUni

Candidates may also benefit by consulting the following text:

Timmons, Jeffry A., Gillin, L. M., Burshtein, S., and Spinelli, Stephen Jr. (2010).New Venture Creation: Entrepreneurship for the 21st Century – A Pacific Rim Perspective, 1st Edition. McGraw-Hill Irwin.


Library Resources
The 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide’s Barr Smith Library provides a range of learning resources including texts, journals, periodicals, magazines, and access to online databases and information services. It also offers a virtual library which is accessible via the 最新糖心Vlog’s website. The 最新糖心Vlog Library web page is:  
From this link, you are able to access the Library's electronic resources.

MyUni is the 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide's online learning environment. It is used to support traditional face-to-face lectures, tutorials and workshops at the 最新糖心Vlog. MyUni provides access to various features including announcements, course materials, discussion boards and assessments for each online course of study (see:

This course is offered in blended learning mode with the face-to-face component offered as intensives.

As a guide, a 3 unit course comprises a total of 156 hours work (this includes face-to-face contact, any online components, and self directed study).

Undertaking a comprehensive assessment of an opportunity is a time consuming process and in this course you are expected to ultimately demonstrate your capacity to satisfactorily reach a conclusion on whether a business idea or concept is truly an opportunity and make recommendations with respect to how to proceed to develop the idea. Each student can expect to devote in the vicinity of 10-15 hours per week throughout the semester to acquire and master the tools and concepts of this course.

This is a draft schedule and session dates are a guide only. The timetable may be changed during the course delivery if necessary.

Intensive/Day/Session	Content	Preparation / Activities
Int 1 / Day 1 / Session 1	Introduction	Frederick, O’Connor and Kuratko 2013, Ch 5
Int 1 / Day 1 / Session 2	Thinking entrepreneurially	Frederick, O’Connor and Kuratko 2013, Ch 5
Int 1 / Day 1 / Session 3	Exploring opportunity concepts
Int 1 / Day 2 / Session 4	Right time, right place?	Rice et al 2010, Ch3 Schaper & Volery 2004, Ch3
Int 1 / Day 2 / Session 5	Compelling need?	Solomon 2004, Ch4
Int 1 / Day 2 / Session 6	Identifying the customer	Frederick, O’Connor and Kuratko 2013, Ch 10
Int 1 / Day 3 / Session 7	Industry and market dynamics	Frederick, O’Connor and Kuratko 2013, Ch 9
Int 1 / Day 3 / Session 8	Competitor analysis	Frederick, O’Connor and Kuratko 2013, Ch 9
Int 1 / Day 3 / Session 9	Concept presentations	Assignment 1 Oral
Int 2 / Day 1 / Session 10	Review & introduction	Case study / framework
Int 2 / Day 1 / Session 11	Sustaining new ventures	Frederick, O’Connor and Kuratko 2013, Ch 11
Int 2 / Day 1 / Session 12	Internal analysis	Frederick, O’Connor and Kuratko 2013, Ch 11
Int 2 / Day 2 / Session 13	Framework presentations & discussion	Assignment 2 Presentations
Int 2 / Day 2 / Session 14	The entrepreneur and the team	Frederick, O’Connor and Kuratko 2013, Ch 2
Int 2 / Day 2 / Session 15	Assessing strategy	Frederick, O’Connor and Kuratko 2013, Ch 11
Int 2 / Day 3 / Session 16	Resilience & managing risk	Frederick, O’Connor and Kuratko 2013, Ch 11 English 2006, Ch 5
Int 2 / Day 3 / Session 17	Financial analysis for opportunity assessment	Frederick, O’Connor and Kuratko 2013, Ch 15
Int 2 / Day 3 / Session 18	Wrap up and review

An overview of the course assessment appears in the following Table. Details appear in the following section:

#	Assessment	Length	Weighting	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
1	Opportunity Concept Proposal (Individual)   (Concept proposal and Executive Summary)	2 minute oral proposal   1000 word Executive Summary	15% (5% Oral presentation & 10% Executive summary)	See MyUni	1, 2
2	Opportunity Assessment Framework (Group)	Report max 2500 words	25%	See MyUni	1, 3, 4
3	Exam	2 hour	30%	see MyUni	3, 4, 5
4	Opportunity Assessment (Individual)	Max 3000 words	30%	See MyUni	4, 5, 6
	Total		100%

It is expected that assignments will be typed, using word processing software such as Microsoft Word.

All Assignments must be submitted through Turnitin.
 
Don’t cram too many words onto a page: use a line spacing of 1.5 lines, and a right-hand margin of 4cm (to enable feedback and comments). If software other than Microsoft Word is used, the file format must be one that can be read using Word, such as .doc or .rtf (rich text format). PDF (Acrobat) format is not acceptable unless accompanied by an editable Microsoft Word document or similar. All assignments may be scrutinised using Turn-It-In as per 最新糖心Vlog policy (see below).

Students should attend all classes in order to pass the course. There is considerable experiential learning in workshops during the intensive classes that build your knowledge and thus enable you to be successful in this course.

Course results are subject to moderation by the ECIC Board of Examiners

Assessment 1: An Opportunity Concept (Individual)
Weighting:       15%      (5% Oral Proposal and 10% Executive Summary)
Submission Details:     Executive Summary online through MyUni, PLUS bring hard copy to class; Oral Proposal in class

Task:
This assignment comprises a two minute oral presentation of a proposal to seek permission to explore an opportunity concept and prepare a short Executive Summary of the opportunity. You are required to pitch a perceived opportunity to an interested audience with the primary aim to win support and resources to pursue the concept to full opportunity assessment. This is your chance to attract team members for assignment two and showcase your skills and abilities. The opportunity is to be positioned as a real business case and you will need to convince your audience of the perceived potential of the opportunity and your competence as a team leader or member. The opportunity could be from your workplace, be known to you through family or friends, or be a new venture perceived from environmental sources or influences. As a minimum your oral presentation and Executive Summary should include your perception of the following:

·        A description of the product or service
·        Identification of the potential customers and/or end users
·        A description of the opportunity in terms of innovation
·        A description of the market in terms of life cycle
·        An estimate of the size of the market
·        Any supporting evidence that the opportunity is real and exists

The pitch will allow up to an additional 5 minutes for question time.

Your Executive Summary should address at least all the points included in your presentation and further include an outline of the tasks to be undertaken to complete the opportunity assessment. Depth and detail is not the objective of this assignment rather it is concerned with your ability to structure and present a persuasive and compelling case.
 
Scope:
This assignment will assess your understanding of the course objectives 1 and 2

Length and Presentation:
The Executive Summary no more than three pages long and not exceed 1000 words. Oral presentation – two minutes with up to 5 minutes for questions

Criteria by which your assessment will be marked:
The oral presentation will be assessed against the following criteria:

·        Engagement with the reader/audience
·        Extent of preparation
·        The structure of the pitch and executive summary
·        The professionalism of the presentation, and
·        The persuasiveness of your argument

The Executive Summary, in addition, will include an assessment of the extent to which the key content areas are covered succinctly and accurately.

Learning objectives with this assessment (refer to section 2.1):1, 2



Assessment 2: Opportunity Assessment Framework (Group)
Weighting:       25%
Submission Details:     Online through MyUni

Task:
Based on desk research and possible interviews with knowledgeable people analyse and critique with your team (of no more than four members) an Opportunity Assessment Framework that can be used to validate a venture concept. Your lecturer will assign this Framework in class. Review the selected framework, as nominated by your lecturer, and contrast the approach with alternate methodologies. From this analysis draw together, justify and demonstrate the value and use of the framework for one of various opportunity assessment contexts namely: social ventures, corporate ventures, a lean-startup venture, pitch for angel investors and seeking venture capital investors.

During the second intensive your team will be given an opportunity to present a summary of your analysis, critique and conclusion on the opportunity assessment framework for class discussion. Base this presentation on clearly articulated conclusions drawn from your research and analysis. Each team will have up to twenty minutes to present and discuss their chosen framework in class addressing the merits and pitfalls of opportunity assessment when approaching each of their different contexts.

Scope:
This assignment will assess your understanding of the course objectives 1, 3 and 4.

Length and Presentation:

Reports are to be posted to the MyUni grade centre.

The body of the report should not exceed 3,000 words; however, appendices may be used for supporting documents or demonstration of analysis to the extent that is appropriate. The report should be submitted as an electronic version in WORD. No report will be accepted in Adobe Portable Document Files (pdf) (they cannot be electronically marked).

Your team's in class presentation on the framework will be a separate component of the assessment and submission may be made using Powerpoint format (or pdf of your slides) and posted on the MyUni discussion board by the due date.

Criteria by which your assignment will be marked:
The standards by which the assignment will be assessed include:

·        Ability to find, access and interpret available literature
·        Ability to recognise important aspects of concept validation
·        Ability to present principles in a succinct and useable format
·        Originality and ability to present the concepts in a single-page poster that reflects the essential principles
·        Completeness and coverage of the Opportunity Assessment Framework report

Learning objectives with this assessment (refer to section 2.1): 1, 3, 4

 

Assessment 3: Exam (Individual)
Weighting:       30%
Submission Details:     In class exam

Task:
You will be expected to complete a combination of short answer and essay type questions for this exam. Questions will be designed to test your knowledge of topics relevant to this course. You can expect the exam to cover between four and eight of the following topic areas:

·        Defining opportunity
·        Entrepreneurial thinking
·        Innovation and the opportunity landscape
·        Environmental analysis
·        Market analysis
·        Identification of customer, value proposition and compelling need to buy
·        Internal analysis
·        Competitive analysis
·        Issues of sustainable competitive advantage
·        Financial analysis, cash projections and break even analysis
·        Management team, networks and advisors
·        Risk identification
·        Exit strategy

Scope:
This exam will assess course objectives 3, 4 and 5.

Length and Presentation:
Completed on paper in the timeframe of the exam (two hours). Worksheets will be provided as relevant.

 
Criteria by which your assessment will be marked:
·        Depth of your knowledge of the selected topic areas
·        The extent to which you are able to relate analytical tools to the opportunity assessment task
·        Your understanding of risk relative to commercial opportunities in terms of markets and/or technology
·        Your ability to frame opportunity within the context of feasibility and sustainability
·        Clarity of written expression
·        Succinct presentation of ideas and concepts

Learning objectives with this assessment (refer to section 2.1): 3, 4, 5

 

Assessment 4: Opportunity Assessment (Individual)
Weighting:       30%
Submission Details:     Online through MyUni

Task:
Prepare a full Opportunity Assessment report that outlines the possibilities of a technology or business concept of your own choice. Make your recommendations clear and base these on clearly articulated conclusions drawn from your opportunity assessment investigations and analysis.

This can be a go, no-go, or go-if decision as long as it is clearly motivated. There are three possible recommendations for the business concept being presented.

1.       Yes, this appears to be a feasible and sustainable opportunity. The report should fully outline the reasons and rationale for this assessment to the reader of the report. Your report should further show what actions are next required to capitalise on the opportunity.

2.       No, this is neither a feasible nor sustainable opportunity. The report should fully outline the reasons and rationale for this assessment to the reader of the report. In this case the report should also suggest a course of action in response to the rejected
opportunity. This should include a recommendation on what could be done to re-position the opportunity, an outline of other areas of potential opportunity discovered through the assessment process
or actions that might be required in response to others who may detect or seek to exploit the opportunity.

3.       Yes, this may be a potentially feasible and sustainable opportunity if certain conditions occurred or actions were achieved. The report should fully outline the reasons and rationale for this assessment to the reader of the report. In this instance the report should outline the conditions and/or actions that must change or occur in order for the opportunity to be both feasible and  sustainable. Where appropriate, the report should also recommend who should undertake further action and by when.

Consider using the frameworks and tools presented in the course.

Scope:
This assignment will assess your understanding of the course objectives 4, 5 and 6.

Length and Presentation:
The body of the report should not exceed 3,000 words;
however, appendices may be used for supporting documents or analysis to the extent that is appropriate. The report should be submitted as an electronic version in WORD. No report will be accepted in Adobe Portable Document Files (pdf) (they cannot be electronically marked).

Criteria by which your assessment will be marked:

·        Ability to find, access and interpret available literature relating to the assessment
·        Ability to apply the assessment principles presented in the course
·        Originality and ability to present your findings in a clear succinct manner
·        Ability to draw sound conclusions from your investigation
·        Ability to make clear recommendations based on the analysis and conclusions
·        The inclusion of external data
·        The inclusion of additional research
·        The extent to which assumptions have been validated.
·        Succinctness and businesslike presentation

Learning objectives with this assessment (refer to section 2.1): 4, 5, 6

All text based assignments must be submitted via MyUni.
Please refer to step by step instructions:

There are a few points to note about the submission of assignments:

• Assignment Submission:  Assignments should not be emailed to the instructor; they must be lodged via the MyUni Course site (unless specified to do both). Note that assignments may be processed via TURNITIN, which is an online plagiarism prevention tool.
• Cover Sheet:  Please submit, separate to your assignment, the completed 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide Assessment Cover Sheet providing details of yourself and your team members (if applicable), your assignment, the course, date submitted, etc. as well as the declaration signed by you that this is your (your team’s) work.  Note that the declaration on any electronically submitted assignment will be deemed to have the same authority as a signed declaration.
• Backup Copy of Assignments:  You are advised to keep a copy of your assignments in case the submitted copy goes missing.  Please ensure that all assignment pages are numbered. If your assignment contains confidential information, you should discuss any concerns with the Course Lecturer prior to submission.
• Extensions of Time:  Any request for an extension of time for the submission of an assignment should be made well before the due date of the assignment to the Course Lecturer.  Normally, extensions will only be granted for a maximum of two weeks from the original assignment submission date.  Extensions will only be granted in cases of genuine extenuating circumstances and proof, such as a doctor’s certificate, may be required.
• Failure to submit: Failure to submit an assignment on time or by the agreed extension deadline may result in penalties and may incur a fail grade.  Note that a late penalty of 5% of the total available marks for that assessment item will be incurred each day an assignment is handed in late (Unless otherwise stated in 'Assessment Related Requirements' or 'Assessment Detail' above).  Assignments handed in after 14 days from the due submission date will fail even if a 100% mark is granted for the work.

Resubmission & Remarking
Resubmission of an assignment for remarking after reworking it to obtain a better mark will not normally be accepted.  Approval for resubmission will only be granted on medical or compassionate grounds.