Entrepreneurship

Our graduates and certificate holders will: 1. Gain knowledge of four key pillars for a successful business (launch, growth and management) 2. Explore and Develop Professional Skills for Business Success 3. Explore and Evaluate Personal Attributes for Business Success

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1. Gain knowledge of four key pillars for a successful business (launch, growth and management) a. Marketing b. Finance c. Law and Ethics d. Operations and Management 2. Explore and Develop Professional Skills for Business Success: a. Leadership b. Innovation c. Creativity d. Negotiation e. Problem Solving f. Communication g. Conceptualization h. Branding (Personal and Business) 3. Explore and Evaluate Personal Attributes for Business Success: a. Enthusiasm b. Drive c. Trustworthiness and Ethics d. Productivity e. Efficiency f. Life Balance g. Collaborative h. Professional The following themes will be integrated throughout all courses within this Certificate Program 1. Fundamentals: Marketing, Finance, Operations and Management 2. Law, Ethics and Social Responsibility 3. Leadership, Innovation and Creativity 4. Professional Support, Technology and Related Tools and Business Skills

Completion of a. Starting A Business Series (6 units) b. Entrepreneurship Center Series (3 units) c. Essential Toolkit Series (3 units)

COA interviewed and/or evaluated business technical assistance providers throughout the Bay Area. They offer a wide array of workshops, seminars, classes, individual technical assistance and access to financing. We determined that COA should extend its entrepreneurship and management offerings in general and to explore the application of these offerings within growth industries connected to CTE programs at COA or within the district. Where we fit in the business technical assistance landscape is an entry point for individuals to get a detailed introduction to business concepts ranging from marketing and operations to human resources, business ethics and the law. Many Business TA providers offer smaller class environments where a semi-customized application of these concepts can be offered. In addition, Business TA providers can offer one-on-one technical support to further the development of their client’s specific businesses. At COA, we want to present well-known management, business and entrepreneurial concepts, theories and strategies and connect our students to semi- and fully-customized education and support with outside business TA providers. Upon completion of a program, students will be better able to process information they hear, see, and read in the world through an MBE lens. They will be better prepared to work with one-on-one technical assistance providers to organize the support they need in a meaningful way to advance their management, business and entrepreneurship goals and objectives. The knowledge, awareness and abilities gained from our courses and programs will strengthen our student’s persistence and success as they pursue (1) careers in business; (2) starting up businesses; (3) managing businesses; and/or (4) obtaining advanced degrees in business. In 2018, we plan to connect Business TA Advisors to our programs by co-locating them – physically and virtually – at our Entrepreneurship Center.

We contacted our sister colleges in the Peralta District and have met with or scheduled meetings with the department chairs of the business department. Our meeting with Jayne Matthews at Berkeley went well. She gave us some suggestions and feedback. The overall interaction was positive and supportive of our plan. By the committee meeting, I will be able to report on the outcome of the meetings with the other campuses.