new business module

Session 2: From business idea to
doing business – a case study
This session consists of a case study that describes the difficulties
one can encounter when implementing a business idea
without having done the necessary groundwork. It discusses
why and how many people choose to start a business, the risk
of losing money, and the need for careful preparation and
fact-finding before starting a business.
INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS 21
2.1 Key learning points of the session
This session makes several key learning points.
• Starting entrepreneurs require well-defined business
ideas.
• Starting entrepreneurs must have the skills and
capabilities to run the business they plan.
• Starting entrepreneurs must plan the business they
want to run.
• Starting entrepreneurs must assess the market they
plan to operate in.
• Starting entrepreneurs must gauge whether their
business is profitable/financially viable.
• Starting entrepreneurs must know how to run a simple
bookkeeping system.
• Starting entrepreneurs must decide how they are going
to sell their products to customers.
Do not present the key learning points at this stage of the
session but rather summarize them at the end.
If you want or need to adapt the case study, you should make
sure the key learning points are touched upon in your version.
An ideal example to illustrate the key learning points would
be a real microeconomic project that failed and that the trainer
is familiar with.
An experienced trainer may also illustrate the key learning
points by taking different examples from projects of previous
beneficiaries, discussing them, and pointing out the importance
of the key learning points.