Syllabus

BUSG 1301 INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS Semester : Summer 2007 Venue : Auditorium 02, Building 6, QTSC Time : Tuesday, 09:40am – 12:10pm Thursday, 09:40am – 12:10pm Instructor : Trần Nam Giang Phone Contact : 0908 458808 Email Address : giangtn@saigontech.edu.vn Yahoo : southriver_2000 Skype : tran.nam.giang Office : Faculty Office – building 6, QTSC Course Description Fundamental business principles including structure, functions, resources, and operational processes. Prerequisites ESL level 4 Course Goals The primary objective is to give the student an understanding of basic business principles. Global business, entrepreneurship, management, marketing, technology, and financial management will be discussed. Another purpose of this course is to provide an opportunity for the student to learn first hand about investing through participation in a stock market game. Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to: - describe the scope of business enterprise in the nation and the world today; - identify major business functions of accounting, management, marketing, and economics; - describe the relationships of social responsibility, ethics, and law in business; and define and apply business terminology. Textbook Information Boone, Louis E. and David L. Kurtz, Contemporary Business 2006, Thompson South-Western, 2006. 1

Course Requirements and Grading Policy It is the policy of the Dean of Workforce that an Incomplete may be given only for extenuating circumstances (i.e. family illness, accident, and an unforeseen event occurring at exam time). The grading policy is summarized below: Course Grading Grading Scale 1) Business plan (group assignment) 40% A 90 – 100 2) Presentation (group assignment) 20% B 80 – 89 3) In-class tests 20% C 70 – 79 4) Stock market game 10% D 60 – 69 5) Participation 10% F 0 – 59 Total 100% 1) Business plan (group) Students should form their own group consisting of 4-5 people on the first day of the semester to do this assignment. The purpose of this assignment is to enable students to apply basic business principles to a real situation. Students are required to write a business plan to set up a new business in Vietnam, or for an existing company to provide a new product or service to the market. Please find the suggested structure of a business plan at page 7 of this syllabus. Required length: 5000 words or less (Excluding Cover Page, Table of Contents, Reference, and Appendix). The business plan will be submitted twice: - 1st submission: on or before 26th July 2007. 1st submission is your chance to get feedback from the instructor to improve your business plan. This submission accounts for 10% of the semester grade. - 2nd (final) submission: on or before 9th August 2007. This submission accounts for 30% of the semester grade. 2) Presentation (group) Each group presents what they have done/written for their business plan to seek feedback from other people in order to improve their business plan. The instructor will ask 5 students to form a Board of Directors or a group of investors to judge the presentation and make investment decision. The instructor will instruct these 5 students to play their roles. The presentation accounts for 20% of the semester grade. Below is the list of presentation marking criteria: 2

Criteria Standards % Speaking speed Not too fast, not too slow 5 Attire Appropriate 5 Time management 20-30 minutes for presentation 5 (not including questions & answers) Power point slides Good design, layout 5 Pronunciation Accurate, clear, loud enough 15 Professional Proper gesture, face expression, eye 20 Manner contact, audience control Content Quality of the content presented, quality of 25 the answers Judgment from the Have good comments and score from the 20 Board/Investors Board/investors Total 100 3) In-class tests (individual) There are 2 in-class tests through out the whole semester. Each test (accounts for 10% of total semester grade) includes 20 multiple-choice questions, 20 false-true questions, and 2 long-answer questions. The test lasts for 90 minutes. Students have a ten-minute reading time. The instructor will announce the topics for each test later. 4) Stock market game Students have to submit a report containing the information on your stock portfolio. The report accounts for 10% of the semester grade. Read the rules of the game and the requirements of the report at the end of this syllabus. 5) Participation (individual) Participation mark depends on your diligence and activeness. To get full mark (10%), you have to attend all 20 class-sessions and be very active in the class. Assignment submission policy Students should submit the assignments in hardcopy by handing them directly to the instructor or putting them on the instructor’s desk in the Faculty Office (Building 6, QTSC). Assignment Extension Policy The assignments must be submitted on or before the due dates. Submissions made on time will be graded and promptly returned 3

approximately one week after the due date. An automatic extension of up to seven (7) days after the due date is permitted without penalty. But there is a compromise which you will accept by making use of the 7-day extension period: - Submissions during the 7-day extension period will be marked at the convenience of the lecturer. This means that students using the 7-day extension might not receive their result and feedback until the next assessable task. - The feedback on submissions during the 7-day extension period might be less extensive than submissions on or before the due date. This feedback might consist of a mark and a short statement about the submission. Submissions without an approved extension received more than 7 days after the due date and time will be given a mark of zero (0). No feedback on such submissions will be given. This approach to extensions is being used so that the lecturer does not need to approve extensions, and so that students are not required to ask for extensions. Please note that this 7-day extension policy is applicable only to this class. Make-up policy Makeup test is not allowed. If any class session is canceled, the instructor will discuss with students to arrange a makeup class. Attendance and Withdrawal Policies Class attendance is important. Generally, the course material is covered in the text; however, lectures and small group exercises augment and clarify the textbook material. You are encouraged to get to know your fellow students in order to have a source for lecture notes and handouts if you cannot attend a class session. Students are expected to assume the responsibility for learning. Your instructor will assist you, but the actual responsibility rests with you. Students are also expected to devote their energy to attaining the skills and knowledge required for their particular career goals. Disruptive activity that hinders other students' learning or deters an instructor from effective teaching will not be tolerated under any circumstances. In accordance with SaigonTech rules, the instructor has the authority to drop a student from any class after the student has been absent for periods equivalent to 6 hours. However, the student has the ultimate responsibility to withdraw from the course. Attending class lectures is vital to understanding, integrating, and applying the concepts discussed in class. Attendance will be kept according to SaigonTech rules. If there 4

are extreme circumstances that require absence from class, it is the student's responsibility to notify the instructor before the class period. Students absent from class are still responsible for all material assigned and/or covered during the missed session. Students arriving late or leaving early should notify the instructor ahead of time, and sit in a seating location that is least likely to disrupt the class. Academic Honesty Students are responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity in fulfilling course requirements. Penalties and/or disciplinary proceedings may be initiated by SaigonTech officials against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty. Please visit this site for more details about Academic Dishonesty Policy: http://www.saigontech.edu.vn/saigontech/english/student_discipline.jsp? disID=3&subid=42 Other Student Information Go to URL: http://boone.swcollege.com for student resources. GRADE APPEAL, REFUNDS, DISCIPLINE ISSUES Refer to the Student Handbook, Catalog and Schedule. 5

COURSE CALENDAR WEE DATE ITEM/DESCRIPTION K 1 Tuesday - Introduction 12/06/07 - Syllabus Clarification Thursday - Lecture: Chapter 01 14/06/07 - Tutorial: Exercise 2 Tuesday - Lecture: Chapter 18 19/06/07 - Tutorial: Stock market game Thursday - Lecture: Chapter 02 21/06/07 - Tutorial: Exercise 3 Tuesday - Lecture: Chapter 05 26/06/07 - Tutorial: Stock market game Thursday - Lecture: Chapter 06 28/06/07 - Tutorial: Presentation 4 Tuesday - Lecture: Chapter 07 03/07/07 - Tutorial: Stock market game Thursday - Lecture: Chapter 08 05/07/07 - Tutorial: Presentation 5 Tuesday - In-class test 1 (replacing Mid-term Exam) 10/07/07 - Tutorial: Stock market game Thursday - Lecture: Chapter 09 12/07/07 - Tutorial: Presentation 6 Tuesday - Lecture: Chapter 10 17/07/07 - Tutorial: Stock market game Thursday - Lecture: Chapter 12 19/07/07 - Tutorial: Presentation 7 Tuesday - Lecture: Chapter 13 24/07/07 - Tutorial: Stock market game (last day) Thursday - Business plan: 1st submission due 26/07/07 - Tutorial: Presentation 8 Tuesday - Lecture: Chapter 14 31/07/07 - Tutorial: Presentation Thursday - Lecture: Chapter 15 02/08/07 - Tutorial: Presentation 9 Tuesday - Lecture: Chapter 16 07/08/07 - Tutorial: Presentation Thursday - Lecture: Chapter 17 09/08/07 - Business plan: 2nd submission due 10 Tuesday - Lecture: Guest Speaker 14/08/07 - Tutorial: Exercise Thursday - In-class test 2 (replacing Final Exam) 16/08/07 - Course ending activities 6

SUGGESTED STRUCTURE OF A BUSINESS PLAN 1.0. Executive Summary 1.1. Objectives 1.2. Mission 1.3. Keys to Success 2.0. Company Summary 2.1. Company Ownership 2.2. Start-up Summary 2.3. Company Locations and Facilities 3.0. Services/Products 3.1. Competitive Comparison 3.2. Sales Literature 3.3. Fulfillment 3.4. Technology 4.0. Market Analysis Summary 4.1. Market Segmentation 4.2. Target Market Segment Strategy 4.2.1. Market Needs 4.2.2. Market Trends 4.2.3. Market Growth 5.0. Strategy and Implementation Summary 5.1. Competitive Edge 5.2. Marketing Strategy 5.2.1. Positioning Statement 5.2.2. Pricing Strategy 5.2.3. Promotion Strategy 5.2.4. Distribution Strategy 5.2.5. Marketing Programs 5.3. Sales Strategy 5.3.1. Sales Forecast 5.3.2. Sales Programs 5.4. Strategic Alliances 5.5. Milestones 6.0. Management Summary 6.1. Organizational Structure 6.2. Management Team 6.3. Management Team Gaps 6.4. Personnel Plan 7.0. Financial Plan 7.1. Important Assumptions 7.2. Key Financial Indicators 7.3. Break-even Point 7.4. Projected Profit and Loss 8

7.5. Projected Cash Flow 7.6. Projected Balance Sheet 7.7. Business Ratios 8. Other Issues 8.1. Legal Issues 8.2. Social Benefits 8.3. Ethics 9

STOCK MARKET GAME Have you ever invested in the stock market? Maybe you've heard of someone who made a lot of money buying and selling stocks – or lost money the same way! During this class, you'll have some firsthand experience with a stock market game where everyone in class starts with the same amount of money. But where everyone finishes – well, that's a story that hasn't been written yet. What You'll Learn - Risks and rewards of investing in the stock market - How to obtain information and analysis about companies and industries - How to read and interpret corporate financial and non-financial information - Different approaches for making the best stock selections – and when to buy or sell them - How to buy and sell stocks - How to track the progress of your stocks - How to stay informed about any news or actions that may affect the value of your stocks How to Play Objective To increase the value of your stock portfolio more than any other student in your class by the end of this class. Stock market game officially starts on 19 June and ends on 24 July 2007. Rules 1. On the first day of the game, you will invest a total of $30,000 in any stocks listed on markets in the United States. No transaction fees will be charged for your initial purchases, but fees will apply to any sales or purchases made during the game (see rule #3). 2. You must initially invest equal amounts of $10,000 in three different stocks. 3. You may sell any one of your stocks on any day and buy another stock in its place (please note that in reality you can buy or sell stocks at any time). You can sell or buy one stock not more than once a day at the closing price. However, you must pay a transaction fee of $10 per buy or sell order. Here's an example: After a month, you decide to sell one of your stocks that has declined in value from the original $10,000 to $8,000. After deducting $10 for the transaction 10

fee to sell, $7,990 remains. You then purchase shares of another company valued at $7,980 ($7,990 minus $10 purchase transaction fee). 4. Maintain a file containing the following information on your stock portfolio: - Brief company profile for each stock you own during the game. Include a summary of the company's products, where it operates, strengths and weaknesses – especially in comparison to competitors, and copies of the most recent annual Income Statement and Balance Sheet (obtained from the company's annual report or other source). - Reasons for buying a stock, both initially and during the game. - Reasons for selling a stock during the game. - Number of shares of each stock you own at the close of the market each week. - Current stock price of each stock you own at the close of the market each week. - Detailed record of any buy or sell transactions: Date of transaction, name of company for shares sold, number of shares sold, price per share sold, value of shares sold after deducting transaction fee, name of company for-shares purchased, number of shares purchased, price per share purchased, value of shares purchased after deducting transaction fee. - Summary statement at the end of the game stating the total value of your stock portfolio, including the number of shares in each stock and the price per share on the last day of the game. Recommendation: Yahoo! offers a free service for tracking your stocks. You can set up an initial stock portfolio, add or remove stocks you buy or sell, and obtain printouts that display performance charts, total increases and decreases in stock value and other useful information. It's easier than doing all the calculations yourself. To get started, just follow these steps: 1. Go to Yahoo! Finance (http://finance.yahoo.com/) and select "Register." Once you've registered, you'll see a new option on the Yahoo! Finance home page: "Portfolios." Select "create" from the Portfolios section. How to Select Stocks If you ask 100 experts what stocks to buy, you would probably get 100 different answers. In a humorous experiment, someone threw darts at a newspaper page of stock listings. The companies hit by the darts outperformed the choices of many experts. So, there is no single method to recommend for making your selections. The best advice we can offer is to read expert opinions with caution and learn as much as you can about a company that interests you, including its financial data, products, competitors, customers and the industry in which it operates. 11

You may be wondering where to get started. There are actually many places to go for ideas. One approach is to read some of the daily business news (http://www.swlearning.com/business/boone/busnewsn.htm#DailyBusinessNe ws) or general business news http://www.swlearning.com/business/boone/busnewsn.htm#GenBusPublicatio ns) . Perhaps you'll read a story about a growing industry or consumer trend and you then find companies that are poised to take advantage of the opportunities. Another approach is to browse through the recommendations of stock market analysts and writers. Here are some of their sites: Briefing.Com (http://www.briefing.com/) Learn about SmartMoney individual companies, industries and trends/analysis of (http://www.smartmoney.com/) Select the the stock market. "Stocks" section for recent articles and commentaries. Doh.com (http://www.doh.com/) Quirky site that bills SiliconInvestor itself this way: "the website that takes the Homer (http://www.siliconinvestor.com/stocktalk/) Simpson out of stock picking and investing." Includes Browse forums on stocks which are stock picks and stock advice. organized by industry, such as "Computers," "Specialty Retail" and "Banking and Finance." The Online Investor (http://www.investhelp.com/company_spotlight.phtml) Daily company spotlight and recent company spotlights. One final word on stock market analysts: At the end of their analysis of a company, they may issue a recommendation: "Strong Buy," "Buy," "Accumulate," "Hold," "Sell" etc. However, most analysts work for stock brokerage firms, which often make money financing the same businesses their analysts are evaluating. So, they may be reluctant to actually give advice to "sell" a company's stock, even though their analysis reveals significant problems with that company. Focus more on the body of their analysis, not their final recommendation. Before you make any final decisions, gather plenty of information about the companies you've targeted by using the resources in the next section. --Company Information Hoover's (http://www.hoovers.com/) Lists information on "more than 11,000 of the largest public and private companies in the US and around the world. Each capsule includes a description of the company, address, officers, sales and employment figures and hyperlinks to more information, like financial reports, stock quotes, SEC filings and news searches." Even though the company descriptions for each capsule are brief, they include links to: news stories about the company, the company's Web site and major competitors. 12

Business Wire (http://www.businesswire.com/) Select "Industry Specific News" or "Company Specific News" from the menu of topics to search for any previous stories by Business Wire about a specific industry or company. Inter@ctive Investor (http://www.zdii.com/) Information about technology stocks. Corporate Financials Online (http://www.cfonews.com/) Central location for linking to financial news from companies. Only a small fraction of all publicly- traded companies are listed, but maybe one that currently interests you is listed there. Fortune 500 (http://www.fortune.com/fortune/fortune500) Fortune magazine's annual profile of the 500 largest U.S. corporations. For summary information on a company, select "Company List" and then click on the company of your choice. CBS.MarketWatch.com (http://cbs.marketwatch.com/news/newsroom.htx) Look up news about companies by entering the ticker symbol or company name. Tips for Reading An Annual Report (http://www.zpub.com/sf/arl/arl-read.html) by the Annual Reports Library. ----Stock Basics and Business/Investment Glossaries Business Glossary (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp- srv/business/longterm/glossary/glossary.htm) Look up a definition of a term you've encountered during the stock market game. Whether it's "Earnings Per Share," "Dividend Yield," "10-K Report" or some other term, you're likely to find it in this glossary. NOTE: registration for the site is required and free. Glossary of Investment Terms (http://www.cigna.com/retire/general/glossary.html) by CIGNA. ---- ------Live Stock Market Updates U.S. Markets Yahoo! (http://quote.yahoo.com/?u) Bloomberg http://www.bloomberg.com/markets/index.html CNNFN (http://www.cnnfn.com/markets/us_markets.html) 13

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