Value Creation in Small Business

This course combines case studies, conceptual readings and guest speakers to emphasize how value creation works in the real world of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Students learn about tools and practices relevant to make operations more efficient and effective in order to stay ahead of the competition. Students learn why organic growth is important, how to implement it through efficient marketing, and how it can be supplemented by growth through acquisition. The ultimate goal is to learn how to differentiate a SME from its competitors so that it not only survives, it succeeds. The course will appeal to students that: 1) work in a SME and look to understand how to accelerate its growth; 2) might like to join and possibly acquire a SME; and 3) who want to understand the SME ecosystem in order to better serve this market segment, be it as a consultant, banker or potential service or product supplier.