Core Self-Employment Concepts

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This six-module series empowers Vocational Rehabilitation counselors with the knowledge and tools to effectively support VR customers in each step of the self-employment process. The series begins with a module on strategies for exploring the possibility of self-employment. The remaining five modules cover the five steps of self-employment: Business Concept Development, Business Feasibility, Business Planning, Business Launch, and Maintain the Business. Designed specifically for VR professionals, this series will build your confidence in working with individuals pursuing self-employment and provide practical information, tools, and examples.

Counselors are encouraged to complete all six modules in the series but have the option to complete the ones they need the most.

Time: 1 hour per module (average)

CRCs: Up to 6 CRCs (1 per module)


Module 1: Exploring Self-Employment for VR

This first module, Exploring Self-Employment, provides you with strategies to help VR customers explore the option of self-employment. The module covers why it's important to explore self-employment, when you should explore self-employment, and how to explore self-employment. By the end of this module, you will know how to help VR customers determine whether self-employment could be a good fit for them and, if so, how to help them identify some business ideas.

Learning Objectives

  1. Name two reasons to consider the option of self-employment.
  2. Explain when to explore the option of self-employment.
  3. Describe four topics that should be included in counseling and guidance when exploring self-employment.

To receive a certificate of completion 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: Business Concept Development

During Business Concept Development, the VR customer gathers information about the business ideas or themes that came up when exploring employment. That information is used to refine the ideas and turn them into defined business concepts. With your support, the VR customer determines if a business concept fits his or her strengths, interests, and conditions of employment and has potential. To build your confidence, knowledge and skills, during this module we'll explore what business concept development is, why it's important, who needs it, when they need it, and how to do it. We'll also cover the VR counselor's role with supporting Business Concept Development.

Learning Objectives

  1. Explain the purpose of business concept development.
  2. Describe three core steps in business concept development.
  3. Explain the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor's role in concept development.
  4. Describe an outcome of business concept development.

To receive a certificate of completion 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 2

Module 3: Business Feasibility

During the previous module in this series, Business Concept Development, you learned how to support a VR customer with turning business ideas into defined business concepts and determining whether one is a good fit. If so, the next step is to do Business Feasibility so you can determine if the business has a good chance of succeeding. During this module we'll cover what business feasibility is, why it's important, who needs it, when they need it, and how to do it. We'll also cover the VR counselor's role with supporting Business Feasibility.

Learning Objectives

  1. Explain the purpose of Business Feasibility.
  2. Describe the three primary steps of Business Feasibility.
  3. Explain the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor's role with Business Feasibility.

To receive a certificate of completion 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 3

Module 4: Business Planning

The previous modules in this series provided information on how to help VR customers to explore self-employment as a possible career path, develop and define clear business concepts that fit their unique skills and conditions, and conduct business feasibility on these concepts to assess their chances of success. Once customers have completed the feasibility process and verified the strength of the business concept, it's time to create the business plan. During this module we'll cover what business planning is, why it's important, who needs it, when they need it, and how to do it. We'll also cover the VR counselor's role with Business Planning.

Learning Objectives

  1. Explain the purpose of Business Planning.
  2. Describe the four primary steps of Business Planning.
  3. Explain the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor's role with Business Planning.

To receive a certificate of completion 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 4

Module 5: Business Launch

The previous modules in this series show you how to help VR customers explore the idea of self-employment, turn business ideas into defined business concepts, conduct business feasibility to assess the potential for success, and develop a business plan. By this point, the VR customer will have an approved business plan and be ready to move forward with launching the business. During this module, we'll cover the core steps that occur during business launch and explore your role as the VR counselor.

Learning Objectives

  1. Describe the four core steps to Business Launch.
  2. List team members that can support Business Launch.
  3. List start-up management tasks a VR customer will need to do during Business Launch.
  4. List strategies that support the beginning of day-to-day operations.

To receive a certificate of completion 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: 45 minutes.

Enter Module 5

Module 6: Maintain the Business

By this point in the self-employment process, the VR customer will have launched the business and will be on their way to being a successful business owner! During this module, we'll cover your role as a VR counselor with supporting business maintenance. We'll also cover activities that are essential for maintaining the business, such as maintaining a team, ongoing production and delivery, and management tasks. Lastly, we'll cover the importance of the VR customer maintaining their personal health and well-being and strategies for managing bumps in the road.

Learning Objectives

  1. Describe the fifth self-employment step, Maintain the Business.
  2. Describe your role supporting VR customer's with maintaining the business.
  3. List six areas VR customers should review regularly to proactively maintain the business.

To receive a certificate of completion 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: 45 minutes.

Enter Module 6