SMO 656, Lec X01 – Fall Term 2019 High Technology Business Development
Instructor: Darryl Lesiuk, Alberta MBA Technology Commercialization
Class Time: Monday, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm from September 9th, 2019 to December 2nd, 2019, October 14th, 2019 - Thanksgiving and November 11th, 2019 – Remembrance Day & Fall Reading Week.
Classroom: BUS 1-6 Office: TBC
Office Hours: By appointment Telephone: 780.441.1573
Email: [email protected]
Course Description
This course introduces students to the skills and components involved in the development of a high technology based business. Emphasis will be on business development at the interface of science and technology product development, including challenges facing new start-ups. Key business development topics include product development, market creation, building a management team, intellectual property, financing, ownership and exit strategy. Students will experience business development through case studies, presentations and class discussions.
Course Objectives
The course aims to incorporate your Alberta MBA toolkit with practical interface with science and technology product development. The key objectives are:
• To introduce you to the importance, fundamental concepts and community of high technology business development.
• To gain practical experience and knowledge with the language, tools, approaches, strategies and challenges for the development of a high technology based business.
• To build your capacity and skills to participant at the interface of science and technology product and business development.
• To provide the opportunity to advance your critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills through case and presentation discussions.
Required Materials
Articles and Cases as listed on eClass.
Recommended/Optional Text
Kawasaki, Guy. The Art of the Start. Penguin Group, 2004.
Wise, Sean. Wise Words – Lessons in Entrepreneurship & Venture Capital.
Lantern Productions, 2007.
Course Evaluation
Class Participation 20%
Article Discussions 10%
Group Case Presentations 40%
Course Project 30%
100%
Evaluation Criteria Class Participation
Given the intensive course material is it critical to your successful completion of the course that you attend and participate in the each class. Your active participation is very important to the learning process of this course. The evaluation of your participation will include your level of preparation and the quality of your contributions, questions, and insights.
Article Discussions
For each class you are required to read the assigned article and be fully prepared to discuss the article’s business development component. Your level of preparation and discussion participation will be evaluated on the quality of your contributions, questions, and insights.
Group Case Presentations
Critical to the success of any high technology business is the ability of its management team to work together to confront each of the business development components. Working in a team you will apply your Alberta MBA toolkit and critical thinking to the assigned business development case studies. For each session you are required to read the assigned discussion case(s), be fully prepared to discuss with your group the case, and contribute to the development and delivery of your group’s presentation to the class. Groups will be determined on the first day of class.
Course Project
There is a course project that requires you to submit a written assessment of one of
business development components is to include your critical thinking, Alberta MBA toolkit of skills, and insight into business development. The format of the course project is 5 pages maximum in length, double-spaced and 12 pt font. The project plan is due 12:00 noon on Friday December 6th, 2019 by email to instructor.
Academic Integrity
“The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at www.ualberta.ca/secretariat/appeals.htm) and avoid any behavior which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.” (GFC 29 SEP 2003)
University Policy on Course Outlines
“Policy about course outlines can be found in Section 23.4(2) of the University Calendar.”
(GFC 29 SEP 2003) Recorded Material
“Audio or video recording of lectures, labs, seminars or any other teaching environment by students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the instructor or as a part of an approved accommodation plan. Recorded material is to be used solely for personal study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose without prior written consent from the instructor.” (GFC 61 JUL 2008)
Course Outline
Note: There have been speakers invited to present their insight and expertise to the class.
Due to the possibility of scheduling changes associated with the guests the following outline is subject to change.
Week 1: September 9th, 2019
§ Course Overview
§ Introduction to Business Development
§ Overview of Business Development Industry
§ Article: Understanding the Disappearance of Early-Stage and Start-up R&D Performing Firms(http://impactg.com/pdf/disappearanceofstartupsandearlystagefirms.pdf)
Week 2: September 16th, 2019
§ The importance of Business Development to Technology Commercialization
§ Article: A Big Vision for Small Business
§ Group Case Presentation: Angels in British Columbia
§ Guest Speaker: Alistair Hazewinkel, Senior Business Partner,
Investments, Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures.
Week 3: September 23rd, 2019
§ Management Team Development: The “right people” in the “right seat” at the
“right time”
§ Case: Reinventing Management.
§ Case: Paradoxical Leadership to Enable Strategic Agility Week 4: September 30th, 2019
§ Market Development: Product to profitable market share.
§ Article: Building a Business - The seven deadly sins of business development.
Week 5: October 7th, 2019
§ Market Development: Product to profitable market share – continued.
§ Case: Entrepreneurs at Twitter: Building a Brand, a Social Tool or a Tech Powerhouse?
Week 6: October 14th, 2019 – No Class Thanksgiving Day Week 7: October 21st, 2019
§ IP Development: How IP helps or restricts getting to market.
§ Infrastructure Development: Building the foundation to capture a sustainable ROI.
§ Group Case Presentation: Taking FLYHT: Crossing the Chasm
§ Guest Speaker: John Pinsent, B. Ed., B.Comm, Senior Associate, St.
Arnaud Pinsent Steman Chartered Accountants.
Week 8: October 28th, 2019
§ Financial Development: Sell the business model to and beyond government support.
§ Article: Stages in Raising Venture Capital
§ Case: Clickdishes: Serving New Cities
Week 9: November 4th, 2019
§ Product Development: Technology to a real “ROI” Product
§ Group Case Presentation: The Heat is On
§ Guest Speaker: Ryan Heit, MBA, Enterpreneur, Co-Founder and General Partner, Valhalla Private Capital.
Week 10: November 11th, 2019 - No Class Remembrance Day & Fall Reading Break Week 11: November 18th, 2019
§ Ownership Development: The cure or pain of founderitis.
§ Case: Rumie: Bringing Digital Education to the Underserved
§ Case: Zero, Brammo and the Electric Motorcycle Industry Week 12: November 25th, 2019
§ Exit Strategy: The real ROI.
§ Article: Milestones of Venture Development
§ Group Case Presentation: iQmetrix: The Customer Is Always Right?
§ Guest Speaker: Cristian Scurtescu, Founder, CEO, SmileSonica Inc.
Week 13: December 2nd, 2019
§ Group Case Presentation: ALFIE: Working out a virtual fitness concierge platform.
§ Course Summary Week 14: December 6th, 2019
§ Course Project due by 12:00 noon. Email to instructor at [email protected].
