AGST/PLSC130 Did Yeast Create Civilization?

Exercise #2: Business Plans

On completion of this assignment: You will have a better understanding of the role of fermented foods in commerce.

Assignment: You will develop a business plan for a fermentation-based business, processing facility, workshop, or therapy program.

Description: At this point, you will have recognized that the history of fermented foods is deeply interconnected with day-to-day finances and commerce. To explore modern craft and large-scale production and distribution of fermented foods, you will work with a group to develop a business plan for an enterprise that produces, markets, or distributes fermented foods or that conducts an activity associated with fermented food consumption. It is equally acceptable to develop a plan for overcoming yoghurt addiction or opening a bakery.

What would you include in your plan?

Requirements: Students will prepare and submit the following items:

A one-page executive summary/abstract of the business plan and business plan elements as described below. The plan must include appropriate references using the resources of the UMD Libraries (UMD Libraries, see the resources in Modules, and Resources: Write your own business plan, SBA (in Modules, too!), and an outline description of the presentation as you envision it. These will be submitted via ELMS with attribution provided for the contributions of each student specified. Resources that are NOT accepted are Wikipedia, Encyclopedia Britannica, etc.

Business Plan sections: 

You will be submitting a business plan with the following elements (at least half a page for each element, double-spaced):

• Executive Summary
• Company / entity description
• Market analysis
• Organization and development
• Service or product line
• Marketing and sales
• Funding request/Financial projections
• What items would you need to budget for?
• How would you ensure that your business does not lose money?
• What type of business would it be?
• What are the positive values of the plan as well as the expected challenges?
• Summary of what each student did 

Resources: Write your own business plan, SBA.

PowerPoint presentation:

You will then give a 5-7 minute PowerPoint presentation of the business plan. Your PowerPoint presentation should include between 1-2 slides for each of the following elements:

• Introduction to your team members
• Executive Summary
• Company/entity description
• Market analysis
• Organization and development
• Service or product line
• Marketing and sales
• Funding request
• Financial Projections
• What are the positive values of the plan as well as the expected challenges?
• Summary of what each person contributed