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In partnership with World Services for The Blind, The Forsythe Entrepreneurial Center at The Chicago Lighthouse and Miami University of Ohio, are proud to offer the first-ever Business Start-up Microcredential Certification for individuals who are interested in starting a business. Students who successfully complete the “Starting a Business” and “Accounting Basics and Financial Reports” workshops and the Miami University CMR 105 “Introduction to Marketing” course will earn a Business Startup Microcredential Certificate from The Chicago Lighthouse and Miami University.
The Chicago Lighthouse Miami University Microcredential equips prospective entrepreneurs to gain the knowledge and skills needed for starting and running a small business. Students must first successfully complete two Chicago Lighthouse “Business Workshop Series” and may subsequently complete the Miami University “Introduction to Marketing” course to earn a microcredential certification.
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Starting a Business Series
Students will investigate and develop skills and information necessary for documenting a business model. They will construct a value proposition, identify key resources, activities, and partners for their enterprise, consider target market segments, investigate costs and revenue streams, and focus on key assumptions of their conceptual business.
Students will complete a workbook which will result in developing a “Business Model Canvas,” a strategic management template for developing and documenting new and existing business concepts. They will develop a visual chart with elements describing their value proposition, infrastructure, customers, costs, and finances. The instructor will review, provide feedback and grade each element of the workbook.
Accounting Basics and Financial Reports Series
Students will learn the basics of accounting–including the Accounting Equation as the basis for the debit and credit system of bookkeeping, the understanding and creation of the three basic financial statements, financial ratios, and their use in financial statement analysis.
Students will complete a workbook which will result in drafting a balance sheet, an income statement, and a cash flow statement. Students will also demonstrate their ability to analyze financial statements.
CMR 105: Introduction to Marketing–Miami University Online Course
Students will demonstrate a working knowledge of and application of marketing terminology, concepts, activities, and strategies. They will understand marketing functions within the organization and external environments, and marketing contributions toward org attainment of goals and objectives. Students will apply marketing concepts, theories, and tools to set marketing objectives and solve problems.
Students will create a marketing plan including executive summary, company description, strategic plan, situation analysis, market product focus, marketing strategy, and financial data.
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The Excel series are in conjunction with microcredential.
the Using Excel with a Screen Reader workshop series helps people who are blind learn the basics of Excel and how to navigate the program with a screen reader through the use of keystrokes instead of a mouse. This series progresses from beginning through advanced skills. The final workshop focuses on enhanced features when using JAWS with Excel.
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Must pass the online skills assessment
• High school diploma or GED
• Keyboarding speed of 35 wpm (45 wpm preferred)
• 12th-grade spelling level
• Print reading speed of 100 wpm with 75% comprehension
• Excellent ZoomText or JAWS skills
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