Below are the discussion board questions for each lecture. You can type your answer to each question in a word processor, such as WordPad, Word, or WordPerfect, and then copy and paste your answer to the discussion board. Be sure you post your answer by the due date as well as your responses to two other students. Late postings will not receive credit. If you need instructions on how to copy and paste see our class homepage.

Week One Discussions due Sept 11

Introduction Message: 5 points

Post an introductory message to our discussion board using the questions I have placed there as a guide. Make sure you post your answer in the appropriate area of the board.

Your Business Idea: 5 points

You will be creating a Business Plan in this class. Think about what type of business you would like to start or would like to create a business plan for. Post you business idea to the discussion board under the appropriate area of the board.

Discussion Chapter One: Situation One: 5 points

Read Situation One on page 21 of your textbook. Post your answer to the three questions on the appropriate link on our discussion board. Make sure to post a response to two of your fellow student's comments in order to receive full credit for the discussion.

Week Two Discussions due Sept 18

Discussion Chapter Four: Situation Three: 5 points

Read Situation Three on page 91 of your textbook. Post your answer to the three questions on the appropriate link on our discussion board. Make sure to post a response to two of your fellow student's comments in order to receive full credit for the discussion.

The Importance of a Business Plan: 5 points

We will spend a portion of this class creating a business plan. Do you feel it is important to have a business plan? Why or why not? Do not be concerned with whether you are answering this question correctly. Just share your thoughts with your classmates. I would love to hear your views on this. In order to make this a discussion please respond to at least two of your fellow student's postings.

Week Three Discussions due Sept 25

Discussion Chapter Five: Situation Three: 5 points

Read Situation Three on page 114 of your textbook. Post your answer to the three questions on the appropriate link on our discussion board. Make sure to post a response to two of your fellow student's comments in order to receive full credit for the discussion.

Homework Analysis of Case Study Three: 5 points

I will post a analysis of case study three to our discussion board after the case's due date. Post a meaningful comment to my analysis. You do not need to respond to two other students on this assignment.

Week Four Discussions due Oct 2

Discussion Chapter Eight: Situation Two: 5 points

Read Situation Two on page 183 of your textbook. Post your answer to the three questions on the appropriate link on our discussion board. Make sure to post a response to two of your fellow student's comments in order to receive full credit for the discussion.

Discussion Chapter Nine: Experiential Exercise Item Two: 5 points

Answer the question concerning a closed store and how much the issue of location contributed. Post your answer to this question under the appropriate link in our class discussion board. Make sure to post a response to two of your fellow students in order to receive full credit for the discussion.

Week Five Discussions due Oct 9

Discussion Chapter Ten: Exploring the Web Item Number One

Go to http://www.bplans.com/contentkit/ and click on Interactive Calculators.

Starting Costs Calculator: 5 points

Determine the starting costs of your company. Make sure you edit the "Initial Costs" and "Reserve in the Bank" sections. To change the numbers for your "Starting Inventory", "Current Assets", and "Long-Term Assets" double-click in the amount box and type in the figure that corresponds to your business. You will not be able to copy and paste your totals. Hence, you will need to type your amounts on the discussion board and then post a paragraph concerning the starting costs calculation. Were you surprised by the starting costs? Why or why not?

I have posted a sample of what I want by using my own business as an example on the discussion board. Make sure you post your answer correctly. Please comment to the postings of two other students in this exercise.

Cash Flow Calculator: 5 points

Experiment with the Cash Flow Calculator. What happens when you change the variables? The calculator states that "many business failures are profitable when they go under". After experimenting with the cash flow calculator, can you explain why a profitable business might go under? Post your answer to this question to our discussion board. Please comment to the postings of two other students in this exercise.

Week Six Discussions due Oct 16

Discussion Chapter Fourteen: Experiential Exercise Number Three: 5 points

Visit a local retail store and observe brand names, package designs, labels, and warranties. Choose good and bad examples of each of these product components and post a one paragraph report on your research to the discussion board. Remember, to post a comment to the postings of two other students.

Week Seven Discussions due Oct 23

Discussion Chapter Sixteen: Experiential Exercise Number Three: 5 points

Locate a small business website and evaluate the promotional effectiveness of the site. Post your evaluation to the discussion board along with the web address of the small business you are evaluating. Make sure to comment on the evaluations of two other students.

Discussion Chapter Seventeen: Exploring the Web Number Two: 5 points

At the BuyUSA.com Web site, maintained by the U.S. Department of Commerce (http://www.buyusa.com), business owners can purchase a subscription that will allow them to connect with "thousands of international buyers, distributions and agents." Explain how your selected business could use this web site and post your explanation to the class discussion board. Respond to the postings of two other students.

Homework Analysis of Case Study Fourteen: 5 points

I will post a analysis of case study fourteen to our discussion board after the case's due date. Post a meaningful comment to my analysis. You do not need to respond to two other students on this assignment.

Week Eight Discussions due Oct 30

Discussion Chapter Eighteen: Experiential Exercise Number Four: 5 points

Post your answer to question four to our class discussion board and comment on the postings of two other students.

Discussion Chapter Nineteen: Exploring the Web Number Four: 5 points

After completing this exercise answer the question: "What EEOC laws apply to the small business you wrote your business plan for?" Post two of these law titles to the board and explain how these laws will apply to and/or affect your business.

Homework Analysis of Case Study 19: 5 points

I will post a analysis of case study nineteen to our discussion board after the case's due date. Post a meaningful comment to my analysis. You do not need to respond to two other students on this assignment.

If you are having your exam proctored post the following paragraph and fill in the blanks.

I am having my exam proctored. I have made arrangements to take the exam on (insert day), July (insert day number), 2005 at (insert time).

If you are attending the final exam meeting post the following paragraph to the board.

I will take the exam at the final exam meeting on November 4th.