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Create a step-by-step business plan while learning essential strategies in market research, marketing, operations, and financial planning to launch your own venture.
Small businesses and startups form the backbone of the global economy, but many fail within the first few years due to a lack of proper planning and strategy. In this Build Project, you'll step into the shoes of an aspiring entrepreneur and develop a comprehensive business plan, addressing the key challenges businesses face, such as understanding their market, crafting effective strategies, and managing finances. Under the guidance of an experienced industry professional, you'll conduct market research, create a value proposition, plan operations, design marketing strategies, and estimate financial projections. This project will expose you to fundamental business methodologies and tools, simulating the responsibilities of real-world business managers and entrepreneurs.
By the end of the project, you will be able to:
Learn about the project, explore what a business plan entails, and choose the type of business you’ll develop. Discuss project goals and begin brainstorming your ideas.
Dive into market research. Identify your target audience and analyze competitors to understand the industry landscape and customer needs.
Create a unique value proposition for your business. Explore what makes your business stand out from competitors and how it meets customer needs.
Design a basic marketing strategy. Choose the best channels and tactics to reach your target audience effectively.
Outline how your business will run day-to-day. Identify key processes, resources, and suppliers to ensure smooth operations.
Estimate your business’s costs and revenues. Create a simple financial forecast to understand profitability and budget needs.
Organize your business plan into a slide deck and practice delivering professional pitch. Refine your storytelling and presentation skills.
Present your completed business plan to the group, simulating a pitch to potential investors. Receive feedback and celebrate your achievement!
For you to be successful in this project, you will need:
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Get started by submitting your application.
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Raisa Marcucci Pedro is a Business Management Build Fellow at the Open Avenues Foundation, where she collaborates with students on impactful projects in IT Business Management.
Raisa currently serves as a Senior Account Executive at K2 Partnering, specializing in the management and execution of strategic plans to expand market share, oversee contract negotiations, drive customer acquisition and retention, and ensure alignment with organizational objectives. Her role encompasses the full sales cycle, including client needs assessments, preparation of commercial proposals, contract analysis, negotiations, service oversight, and sales performance monitoring.
With over 13 years of experience in the IT Business Management field, Raisa has honed a strong foundation of academic and professional expertise, enabling her to analyze complex scenarios and devise actionable, results-driven strategies.
She holds a Master’s degree in Business Management. Outside of work, Raisa is a gym rat and an early bird, embracing a lifestyle of energy and discipline.