7 weeks, August 30 – October 11,
Tuesdays 6 pm – 8 pm
Tuition:  $210
To register:  call 424-9797, or register online:
www.ecoversity.org

This course will guide you, step by step, through the process of developing a business plan.  You will learn how planning can be used to keep your enterprise aligned with your values, and to maintain control over finances and growth.  As you gradually develop your own business plan, you will receive weekly feedback on your work.  You are welcome to participate if you are already in business, if you have a business idea you are ready to implement, or as practice for a business you may someday start. 

The class will emphasize Multiple Bottom Line Planning, in which financial and values based goals are established within a framework that will allow for ongoing evaluation of your progress.  In the process, the course will help to develop your business skills, including basic bookkeeping, budgeting, legal and tax compliance, choice of business entity, strategic planning, and targeted marketing and advertising.

This is not a theory course, so discussion of theoretical issues like sustainability, climate change, population growth, peak oil, etc., will be kept to a minimum.  The focus will be on traditional business planning, and the application of your current values and ethics to enhance business planning.

           

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In choosing to participate in this course, you agree to attend class, share completed assignments and participate in discussions each week, and to present your business plan to all students during the final class.  By agreeing to these requirements, you will enhance the learning environment for all students.

The use of word processing and spreadsheet software is recommended.  Class participants who are planning for the same organization will be expected to work together to prepare and present the assignments.

Week 1 – August 30, 2005 – Topic:  Financial Business Planning

• Choice of business entity.  Listing and discussion of different legal forms of doing business.
• Chart of Accounts.  Choosing a starting Chart of Accounts.  Understanding the Balance Sheet and Income Statement.
• One Year Plan.  Review of sample Budget spreadsheets. 
• Five Year Plan.  Review of sample Five-Year spreadsheets.
• Guidance for formulating a written Mission Statement.

Week 2 – September 6 – Topic:  Values in Reporting

• Multiple Bottom Lines
• Natural Step Framework for Sustainability
• Permaculture Design principles in business planning
• Measuring Ecological Footprint
• Issues of Scale and Scope in Reports

To Be Turned In:  Draft Mission Statement, Initial Chart of Accounts

Week 3 – September 13 – Topic:  Operations Strategy

• Basic Production Budget.  Describing and modeling Operations within a business plan.
• Reviewing business plan for Values based reporting.

To Be Turned In:  Description of Values and plan for Tracking Key Indicators

Week 4 – September 20 – Topic:  Overhead Strategy

• Choosing level of service provided.
• Listing of practical issues generally included in Overhead.
• Strategies for lowering Overhead.
• Lowering ecological impact of Overhead

To Be Turned In:  Written Operations Strategy and Spreadsheet

Week 5 – September 27 – Topic:  Marketing Strategy

• Sustainable Competitive Advantage
• Stages of Development along the Business Cycle
• Defining a Target Market
• Advertising and Promotion
• Networking and Alliances

To Be Turned In:  Written Overhead Strategy and Spreadsheet

Week 6 – October 4 – Topic:  Financial Strategy/Long Term Planning

• Ideas for financing the growth of Assets
• Minimizing Debt
• Raising Equity
• Fundraising
• Tax Strategies

To Be Turned In:  Written Marketing Strategy and Spreadsheet

Week 7 – October 11 – Topic:  Student Presentation of Business Plans

To Be Turned In:  Written Financial Strategy, 5-year plan spreadsheet, and Executive Summary

The Instructor, Donal S. Kinney, CPA, MBA, MAcc., is a practicing tax accountant.  For over ten years, his practice was focused on business planning, having helped to organize and expand numerous values-driven enterprises.  His client list includes a diverse cross-section of Santa Fe ’s earth-conscious businesses.  In addition to his business education, he is also trained in The Natural Step for Business Sustainability Framework, Permaculture Design, Ecology, Natural Resource Economics, and Ecological Farming.  He serves as Treasurer for the Board of Directors of the Permaculture Credit Union .