BPK 20802 ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Individual Assignment

To learn more about the entrepreneurial, experience, you need to conduct a survey among
successful entrepreneur. A survey includes; completion of a questionnaire and interview a
successful entrepreneur in person. The person you survey should have a minimum of one year
entrepreneurial experience. You will report your finding in 5 pages report writing that might
include: a short video clip of the business and the main points you gained from the interview. You
need to insert the data from questionnaire to an online form at
https://goo.gl/forms/mooj3DHDu52vNAbn1.

Think outside the box and make it fun and informative. This assignment is worth 15 points, so
make it count!!!

Sample of interview questions

The following are some questions you may use for your interview. Your goal in this exercise is to
get firsthand information about the entrepreneurial experience to help you determine whether
entrepreneurship might be a career path for you.

The entrepreneur before starting a venture

1. What previous work experience do you have before starting the venture?
2. Did you have any role models when growing up?
3. Did you do entrepreneurial things as a youth?
4. When did you know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

The Entrepreneur at the time of starting the business

5. What was your primary motivation for starting a business?

6. What were the factors that led you to start the venture?
7. What were your goals at the time you started the venture?
8. What sort of beliefs did you have (eg. About employees, partners, banks, etc)?
9. What sort of resources (not just financial) did you have when you started the venture?
10. What sort of network did you have?
11. Were there any special creative things you did to come up with the needed resources?
12. How concerned were you with control when starting the venture? Explore the
entrepreneurs need for control (of the venture, of people, of decision making)
13. Did you write a business plan?
14. Did you feel prepared to start the venture at the time you started it?
15. How long was a typical work day and work week when you first started your venture?

The entrepreneur as he or she grew the venture

16. How have your goals and values changed since starting the venture?
17. Did your risk orientation change as the venture grew?
18. Did the typical work week change as the venture grew?
19. Did the assumptions you made when you first started the business prove to be wrong?
20. What key mistakes did you make along the way?
21. Were there some critical times when the business nearly failed?

The entrepreneur today and tomorrow

22. What would you do differently if you had to do it all over again?
 23. What key personal characteristics do you see in yourself that were especially important
for your success?
24. What are your plans for the future?
25. Whats the best advice you can give a person who is seeking financing for starting a new
business?
26. Whats the most important entrepreneurial idea or advice that you would want to convey
to college students contemplating going into business for themselves?

Checklist for Conducting Interviews

by Dr. Mary Ellen Guffey

Before the Interview

Prepare for tape recording. Ask for permission to tape record. If granted, practice using
your equipment.
Do your homework. Learn as much as possible about the interviewee, the organization, and
the topic.
Develop schedule of questions. Group similar questions together, and prepare transitions
between groupings.
Consider sending questions in advance. You can often collect better information if the
interviewee knows in advance what will be asked.
Dress professionally and arrive on time. Appropriate attire adds to your credibility.

During the Interview

Begin by showing appreciation. Thank the interviewee for giving you this time.
Explain your purpose. Tell what you hope to accomplish, and explain how you will use the
information.
Seek permission to quote. Request the interviewee's consent to use his or her words.
Ask questions clearly. Follow your schedule but be prepared to probe for more information
when appropriate.
Stay on track. If the interview begins to stray from your target topic, gently bring it back in
line.
Listen; don't talk or debate. Remember that your goal is to learn from the interviewee. Be
prepared to listen more than you talk. And don't debate issues.
Be interested. Show respect by maintaining eye contact. Don't stare out the window, slump,
or doodle.
Record minimal notes. Leave space on your question schedule so that you can jot down
important responses.

Concluding the Interview

Announce conclusion; ask for additional comments. After finishing your questions, ask
whether you have forgotten anything or whether interviewee has additional ideas.
Ask whether you may call to confirm or follow up. Seek permission to verify facts or
follow up on points after you leave.
Offer to send copy of transcript or report. Be prepared to share results.
Express thanks. Show your appreciation.

After the Interview

Transcribe immediately. While the information is fresh in your mind, prepare a transcript of
your notes or recording.
Send a copy of the report. Provide a copy of your transcript or report to the interviewee,
along with a written thank-you letter.
Report Writing Format

Prepare and provide a 5 pages written report, in word format. This written report should include:

Introduction
providing purpose, background (include factual information on your interviewee: name,
position, company, location of the interview, interview date, duration of the interview and
why you selected him/her), and methodology

Findings
Presenting key findings on your topic gathered from your interviewee: what were some of
your key findings? How did these compare with your expectations?

Conclusion
Containing your final analysis and recommendations: how valuable was this interview to
your understanding of the profession? What, if anything, would you do differently next time?

Attachment Items.
These will vary, but you must include notes you took during the interview, photo and video
clip
Assignment Rubric

Criteria 4 3 2 1
Assignment includes all Assignment not Assignment Assignment Assignment
items requested in the only includes all includes all items includes over half includes less
instructions. items requested requested. of the items than half of the
but they are requested. items requested.
completed above
expectations.
Interviewed meets all of Student write-up Adult Adult interviewed Adult
the requirements in the shows an interviewed meets almost all interviewed
instructions as described exceptionally meets all the the requirements meets less than
in the write-up. vibrant requirements in in the instructions half the
description of the the instructions as described in requirements in
adult interviewed, as described in the write-up. the instructions
who meets the the write-up. as described in
requirements. the write-up.
Interview write-up Interview write- Interview write- Interview write- Interview write-
presents the answers to up presents an up presents the up presents the up presents the
all of the questions in the excellent record answers to all of answers to more answers to less
instructions. of the answers to the questions in than half of the than half of the
all of the the instructions. questions in the questions in the
questions in the instructions. instructions.
instructions.
Interview write-up shows Interview write- Interview write- Interview write- Interview write-
that at least three up shows that at up shows that at up shows that at up shows that no
additional questions were least three least three least two additional
asked. especially additional additional questions were
insightful questions were questions were asked.
additional asked. asked
questions were
asked.
Assignment uses proper Assignment has Assignment has Assignment has Assignment has
grammar and spelling. no grammar or one grammar or two grammar or more than two
spelling errors. spelling error. spelling errors. grammar or
spelling errors.
Assignment uses its Assignment uses Assignment uses Assignment uses Assignment uses
assigned or chosen media its assigned or its assigned or its assigned or its assigned or
effectively. chosen media in a chosen media chosen media chosen media
way that greatly effectively. somewhat ineffectively.
enhances it. effectively.
Assignment is neatly Assignment is not Assignment is Assignment is Assignment is
done. only neat but is neatly done. neat for the most not neat.
exceptionally part.
creative.