What different software packages are available to help entrepreneurs with their different record-keeping and control activities? How effective do you believe software can be for each of these tasks?
Assume you have started a new bricks-and-mortar retail business but want to create a website to advertise and provide information about your business. What are the attributes of a good website for this purpose? How much will it cost?
How costly is it to put an advertisement in the local paper, in the business telephone directory, on the radio, on television, and in a magazine? What types of products would benefit from each advertising outlet mentioned above? Why?
Which are the three fastest-growing companies in the country? What opportunities have they pursued to achieve this level of growth? What growth mechanism have they used (internal, joint venture, acquisitions, franchising, etc.)?
Use research to come up with three examples of founding entrepreneurs that stepped aside once the firm had grown to a certain size and brought in a "professional manager." What relationship did the entrepreneur continue to have with the firm after the transition? Provide an example of a founding entrepreneur being forced out of the position of CEO to be replaced by a professional manager.
