Developing An Entrepreneurial Mindset: First Step Towards Success

About this course: This course is the first in a series on starting a business. Though new venture creation is the focus of the specialization, this course is important for everyone.To create a successful business it is not only about what you do (technical execution), it is also about how you think. This course provides learners with insights to re-frame their thinking in order to maximize their chances for success. So what can a learner expect to gain from this course? At the end of this course a learner: 1.) will be able to argue effectively against all of the reasons for not starting their business (or reaching some goal); 2.) will be able to operate effectively within the new framework or model for starting a business (or any new endeavor), thus increasing their chances for success; and 3.) will be able to make the initial business startup decisions of what type of business to start, and what type of business owner to be. Having an entrepreneurial mindset is critical to being successful as an entrepreneur. An entrepreneurial mindset stands alone in terms of its importance. No other attribute, personality, inherent entrepreneurial proclivities, training, or demographic profile is common to all successful entrepreneurs whether Warren Buffet, Steve Jobs, or the neighborhood florist or grocer. The course provides learners with an understanding of the attributes and perspectives of an entrepreneurial mindset, and the process to acquire one. We suggest that learners bring an open mind and be willing to thoroughly explore the nascent business ventures they have been carrying with them.The course introduces concepts that enables a person to start a trans-formative process in the way they think generally, and in the way they think about business specifically. This new way of thinking has the potential to positively impact not only them, but their family, and community.

Who is this class for: This course is designed for those that have been contemplating starting a business and haven't taken action yet, and also for those that have committed to action but need guidance in where to begin. It is an inclusive course that is applicable to all new business ventures regardless of industry or required resources (financial, talent, etc.).

Created by:  Michigan State University

• Taught by:  Forrest S. Carter, Associate Professor, Faculty Director of Institute of Entrepreneurship and Innovation

  Marketing

• Taught by:  Ken Szymusiak, Managing Director, Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation

  Broad College of Business

• Taught by:  David Wheeler, Creative Research Faculty, The Hub for Innovation

  Media and Information

Basic Info Course 1 of 6 in the How to Start Your Own Business Specialization Language English How To Pass Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. User Ratings 4.2 stars Average User Rating 4.2See what learners said Coursework

Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.

Help from your peers

Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.

Certificates

Earn official recognition for your work, and share your success with friends, colleagues, and employers.

Michigan State University Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 150 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

Syllabus


WEEK 1


Specialization: Goals and Objectives
This module provides an overview of the learner goals and objectives of the series of courses in the specialization: “How to Start Your Own Business”. It also provides an explanation of how this course contributes to those goals and objectives.


1 video expand

1. Video: Lesson: Specialization Goals & Objectives

Mindset: What's Yours?
Reviews the concept of a mindset and discusses those that commonly hinder business startup. Identifies the internal and external components of a mindset.


2 videos, 3 readings expand

1. Video: Lesson: Course Overview
2. Reading: Overview of Course Assignments
3. Discussion Prompt: Opening Benchmark
4. Reading: Are Entrepreneurs Born or Built
5. Reading: Are Entrepreneurs Born or Made
6. Video: Lesson:What's Yours?

Graded: Mindset Challenge

Mindset: Why Not?
Dispels myths associated with the internal components of a mindset with respect to starting a business.


2 videos, 2 readings, 2 practice quizzes expand

1. Reading: Anyone Can Start a Business
2. Video: Lesson: Why Not? Part I
3. Practice Quiz: Practice Quiz One: What's Yours & Why Not
4. Discussion Prompt: Validity Check
5. Reading: Top Ten Myths of Entrepreneurship
6. Video: Lesson: Why Not? Part II
7. Practice Quiz: Practice Quiz Two: Why Not?

Graded: 'Clearing the Deck' Challenge

WEEK 2


Mindset: Why You?
Dispels myths associated with the external components of a mindset with respect to starting a business.


2 videos, 2 readings, 1 practice quiz expand

1. Reading: Entrepreneur vs. Small Business Owner, Defined
2. Video: Lesson: Why You? - Part 1
3. Practice Quiz: Practice Quiz Three: Why You? Pt1
4. Reading: The E-Myth Revisited Summary - Part 1
5. Video: Lesson: Why You Part2

Mindset: Why Now?
This module presents the arguement that one should not look for the right time for a defined business, but look for the right business for the time. It then goes on to show how.


1 video, 1 practice quiz expand

1. Video: Lesson: Why Now?
2. Practice Quiz: Practice Quiz Four: Why Now?

Graded: Graded Assessment: What's Yours?, Why Not?, Why You?, Why Now?

Self-Assessment



4 videos, 2 practice quizzes expand

1. Video: Module Overview
2. Video: How to become DRIVEN!
3. Practice Quiz: Drive Recap Quiz
4. Video: Power of Industry Knowledge.
5. Practice Quiz: Skill Quiz
6. Video: Calculated Risk Taking

Graded: Personal Passion Assessment
Graded: Risk Review

WEEK 3


The New Business Paradigm
In this module we show you how to apply your new found entrepreneurial mindset to those tasks and behaviors associated with starting or acquiring a business.


3 videos, 2 readings, 1 practice quiz expand

1. Reading: What is the New Paradigm of Business?
2. Video: Lesson : A New Paradigm of Business
3. Practice Quiz: Practice Quiz 7: The New Paradigm
4. Reading: The Idea Myth
5. Video: The Art of the Process - Part 1
6. Video: The Art of the Process - Part 2

The Knock on Opportunity
One of the most consistent characterizations of an entrepreneur or business owner, after innovativeness, is the ability to recognize, evaluate, and exploit opportunities. This module shows how to find or create both.


1 video, 2 readings expand

1. Reading: Where Do Good Ideas Come From
2. Reading: Entrepreneurial Opportunity: Is It an Illussion
3. Video: Lesson: Leaving the Door Open

The Lean Scene
Perhaps no single area over the last few decades has done more for the position that entrepreneurhsip or business ownership are skills that can be learned than the Lean Startup movement started by Eric Reis. This module presents its principles.


4 videos, 2 readings, 1 practice quiz expand

1. Practice Quiz: Practice Quiz 8: Process & Opportunity Principles
2. Video: Lesson: Resign to Design - Part 1
3. Video: Lesson: Resign to Design - Part 2
4. Reading: What is a Startup? First Principles
5. Reading: E-Myth Revisted Summary-Part Two
6. Video: Lesson:Lean Changes Everything - Part 1
7. Video: Lesson:Lean Changes Everything - Part 2

Graded: Quiz: The New Business Paradigm & Principles