Self-Employment – Business Plan Series

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Developing a business plan is a critical step on the path to self-employment. As a VR counselor, to adequately support any VR customer pursuing self-employment you must be able to review a business plan and provide feedback. You don’t need to have a Master’s in Business Administration, but you do need to know some basic business plan concepts

The modules in this series explain your role as a VRC in reviewing business plans and strategies for reviewing each section of a plan. Module 1 in this series takes a deep dive into the narrative part of the business plan, showing you how to review each narrative section. Module 2 takes a deep dive into the financial part of the business plan, showing you how to review Profit and Loss projections and Cash Flow projections. Module 3 pulls it together by walking you through a case study so you can practice reviewing and giving feedback on a business plan.

Counselors are encouraged to complete all the modules but have the option to complete the one they need the most.

Time: 1 hour per module (average)

CRCs: Up to 3 CRCs (1 per module)

Module 1: Reviewing Business Plan Narratives

Once a VR customer has identified a business concept that is a good fit and has the potential to be profitable, most VR agencies require the VR customer, with support, to put together some type of business plan. In this module, we’ll look at your role as a VR counselor in reviewing the narrative (written description) part of a business plan and provide you with an opportunity to begin building your skills in this area.

Learning Objectives

  1. Explain the VR counselor's role with reviewing the narrative parts of a business plan.
  2. Identify missing information in the narrative parts of a business plan.
  3. Name 4 tips for reviewing the narrative parts of a business plan.

To receive a certificate of completion and / or CRCs:

  1. Take the pre-test
  2. Complete the eLearning module (download Navigating an eLearning Module for tips)
  3. Pass the post-test (score 100%, unlimited attempts)
  4. Complete the module evaluation

Estimated time to complete: 1 hour

Enter Module 1

Module 2: Reviewing Business Plan Financials

Once a VR customer has identified a business concept that is a good fit and has the potential to be profitable, most VR agencies require the VR customer, with support, to put together some type of business plan. The business plan is a roadmap for starting the business and includes several important financial projections, including net profit, cash flow, and start-up costs. In this module, we’ll look at your role as a VR counselor in reviewing the financial section of a business plan and provide you with an opportunity to begin building your skills in this area.

Learning Objectives

  1. Explain the VR counselor’s role in reviewing the financial parts of a business plan.
  2. Determine if the estimated net profit will meet the VR customer’s employment goal.
  3. Determine if the Profit and Loss estimate is based on objective, not subjective information.
  4. Determine the amount of start-up funding needed using the Cash Flow statement.
  5. Determine if the VR customer will have sufficient cash to operate the business

To complete this module:

  1. Take the pre-test
  2. Complete the eLearning module (download Navigating an eLearning module for tips)
  3. Pass the post-test (score 100%, unlimited attempts)
  4. Complete the module evaluation

Estimated time to complete: 1 hour.

Enter Module 2

Module 3: Business Plan Case Study

Business plans are a critical step on the path to self-employment. To support VR customers pursuing self-employment, you have an important role with reviewing the business plan and providing feedback. You don’t need to have a Master’s in Business Administration, but you do need to know some basic business plan concepts. To support you in fulfilling your role, this module walks you through a business plan case study where you can practice reviewing and providing feedback.

Learning Objectives

  1. Explain the common sections of a business plan.
  2. Describe the VRC's role with reviewing a business plan (narrative and financials).
  3. Give feedback on a business plan that falls within the VRC's role.

To complete this module:

  1. Take the pre-test
  2. Complete the eLearning module (download Navigating an eLearning module for tips)
  3. Pass the post-test (score 100%, unlimited attempts)
  4. Complete the module evaluation

Estimated time to complete: 1 hour.

Enter Module 3