Creative Business and Entrepreneurship (OCAD University)

week	Students Learning Outcome: Understand the fundamentals of business structure and development. Plan and learn to combine creativity with entrepreneurship in creative businesses. Gain awareness of the social practice, responsibilities and ethics in organizing a business. Gain the understanding that social innovation is a higher goal of business. Create a mockup business prototype that can be used for future creative business.
1	Introduction to creative business. What is business, and what is money? From a traditional perspective, the course starts with a discussion about business and money: Introduces the concept of business and financial system which is based on material and labour exchange; Introduces creative businesses as a part of a market system that involves both product and services; artists/designers are producers as well as consumers in the capital system.
2	Business structure and management. What are the basic requirements of a business? Business legal entity and types; basic business operational structure; Business registration, taxes, accounting and booking keeping.
3	Product or service. What type of product or service will your creative business provide? How? Market research, customer demographics and characteristics, creative niche and demand; Cost of production and revenue of sales; funding and budgeting projects.
	Project 1: Start-up Business Plan.
4	Business identity, mission and branding. Company mission, stationery designs, logo, website, social media, and other platforms. Building product or service branding (image, reputation, story)
5	Effective and Ethical marketing. Marketing and advertising methods; creating interesting stories, copywriting, copyright, honesty, and loyalty to customers; advertiser responsibilities; Advertising for small businesses Guest Talk: Marija Bacic (social media marketing)
	Reading week
6	Business is relational. Employee management and public relation, conflict resolution. Employment laws, employee and contractor’s responsibility and rights, equitable and inclusive working environment. Public image and relations, conflict mediation and problem resolution. Guest Talk: Manal Dimachk (Architectural Design Firm)
	Project 1 due
	Project 2: Design business identity: Logo, business stationery, mission statement and business policy.
7	Engaging in business transactions. Contracts, sales, expenses, revenue, customer support. Taxes, reports and business analytics.
8	Building networks and communities Social and professional networks; working with institutions and/or individuals; Communication and social responsibilities; Social asset v. profit; Pro bono and volunteer work.
9	Collaborative and Participatory business practice. Joint ventures, cultural production, community and public work. Innovation for marginalization, disability and poverty. Sustainable and environmentally friendly designs, DIY facilitation and sharing platforms.
	Project 2 due.
	Project 3 Creating a mock business (identify your business structure, create the service or product prototype, employee requirement and policy, marketing process, social benefit ) Group or individual work by choice
10	Technology and innovation in business Is technology a threat or an opportunity? Business case study: Elon Musk v Jeff Bezos’ business models. Discussion: how do your businesses adapt to the digital future? Workshop: Put the business together. By group or individual consultation for the proposed business. Providing feedback and sharing suggestions, discussion.
11	Presentation of your business. (week 1) Presentation of each business in a conference format, including prototype service or product, digital or printed branding and marketing material. Business plan and projection, community building methods and strategy.
12	Presentation of your business. (week 2) Presentation of each business in a conference format, including prototype service or product, digital or printed branding and marketing material. Business plan and projection, community building methods and strategy.