A Start-up Handbook / Alustava ettevõtja käsiraamat

2016

Students

Business & Communication

Autonomous learning
Classroom Context

Estonian

Any language

B2
C1
C2

Guiding resources (online course/book)

Vocabulary
Grammar

Speaking
Critical Thinking
Reading
Mediation

The present resource is a handbook for a start-up. As stated in the Introduction, the resource has been compiled on the basis of the basic training materials of the start-up entrepreneur of Enterprise Estonia and its aim is to disseminate basic knowledge of entrepreneurship among as many entrepreneurs as possible. The handbook provides a step-by-step guidance through the process of starting a business - from inspiration to an action plan. It will be useful for anyone either thinking of entrepreneurship as a career choice, or willing to start their own business, or have already taken the first steps and seek advice for the future. At the end of the Handbook, there are two Appendices containing references to further resources.

The Handbook is divided into chapters, each of which contains both readings on the relevant topic and tasks. The information is given in a convenient and concise format: the texts are of varying length, but are generally fairly brief. After the text there is usually a summary given in a convenient bullet form, which makes it easy to follow the logic of argumentation and steps to be taken in the entrepreneurial activity. Each such instructional text is then followed by practical tasks, whose aim is to enhance the acquisition of the material presented as well as to make projections into the real-life examples and one's own individual plans.

Since this resource has been specifically designed as a comprehensive resource for would-be entrepreneurs, it should be very easy to incorporate it into the classroom setting, either in its entirety, or selecting chapters of interest. The students can be assigned the resource for individual work, or may be divided in teams, each team allotted a chapter for study and then presentation to colleagues. The end-of-chapter questions and tasks should provide both substantial food for thought as well as invite critical thinking, both if covered in the classroom, or individually. The tasks often offer an engaging simulation environment where the learner is asked to develop a vision, a plan, a strategy, and so on. All materials are in Estonian, and the resource itself is intended for Estonian audience; hence, it is most suitable for learners with a substantial command of the language.