startSMART international Program Modules

startSMART international is the signature entrepreneurship training program provided by our Praxis School of Entrepreneurship for foreign nationals.  This program trains individuals to start and operate a business beginning with the idea through launch and the first 6 months of operation and is suitable for clients fluent in English (minimum CLB7).

I.Introduction to Canadian Business

  • Canadian Culture
  • Life Skills
  • History of Business in Canada
  • Canadian Business Etiquette
  • Introduction to Canadian Banking and Financial Institutions

II.Entrepreneurship and Canadian Business Life Skills

  • What is Entrepreneurship
  • Learning Styles
  • The Creative Process
  • Idea Generation
  • Communication

III.Starting a New Venture

  • Opportunity Identification
  • Ways of Entering a Business
  • Experiences and Successes of International Entrepreneurs
  • Tours of small businesses
  • Legal Forms of Business
  • Business Plan Introduction

IV.Research Techniques

  • Introduction to Research
  • Secondary Research
  • Primary Research

V.Market Research

  • External Factors
  • Industry Profile
  • Competitive Analysis
  • Top Down Analysis

VI.Market Strategy

  • Target Market Identification
  • Market Strategy Development
  • Product/Service Description
  • Pricing Policy
  • Promotional Strategy
  • Site Location
  • Selecting a Name

VII.Operational Strategy

  • Mission Statement
  • Corporate Philosophy
  • Commercial Insurance
  • Production Process
  • Risk Management
  • Customer Service
  • Sales Training
  • Micro Planning

VIII.Human Resources

  • Comprehensive Personality Profile
  • Job Descriptions / Selection / Hiring
  • Retaining and Attracting Staff
  • Human Rights Legislation
  • Employment Standards/Act
  • Situational Leadership
  • Cultural Diversity in the Workplace

IX.Administrative

  • Bookkeeping
  • Year End Considerations/GST/Tax
  • Legal Considerations

X.Financial Strategy

  • Business Start Up Costs
  • Sales Forecast
  • Cost of Materials
  • Cost of Labour
  • Cash Flow Forecast
  • Balance Sheet
  • Income Statement
  • Break Even & Ratio Analysis
  • Depreciation
  • Funding Sources
  • Personal Cash Flow
  • Personal Net Worth

XI.Business Communication

  • Negotiation Techniques
  • Presentation Techniques
  • Effective Listening
  • Assertiveness Techniques
  • Code of Ethics
  • Networking
  • Mentorship

XII.Personal Development

  • Critical Issues/Managing Personal Change/Stress
  • Business Resume
  • Organization & Time Management
  • Stress Management
  • Decision-Making/Problem Solving

XIII.Computers in the Workplace

  • Introduction to Citrix/Outlook/Calendar
  • Word (Writing / Editing / Tracking / Templates)
  • Excel (Spreadsheets)
  • Business Plan Template
  • Internet Research
  • Bookkeeping/Simply Accounting

XIV. Co-op Term (Optional)

  • Working in a small business
  • Reporting/Process
  • Integration into Entrepreneurship

startSMART international Program Structure/Cost

Phase 1 – Classroom – 24 weeks

  • In class entrepreneurial management and business planning workshops
  • Not a typical classroom
  • From an entrepreneur’s perspective
  • Strong introduction to Canadian culture, business, and resources
  • Canadian and international entrepreneur speakers
  • Visits to a few operating small businesses
  • Professional resource people connections
  • Business Plan completed and presented to a business panel
  • Feedback incorporated into plan and finalized
  • Weekly individual business coaching starting in week 3
  • Access to photocopier/fax/computers and internet for those with laptops

Phase 2 – Start-Up – 16 weeks

  • Set up business structure, incorporate, licensing
  • Look for funding, purchase equipment and supplies, start up operation
  • Companies that are small can start as soon as possible
  • Select workshops geared to startup and sales
  • Weekly coaching sessions
  • A progress report presentation to a business panel

Phase 3 – Operations – 12 weeks

  • Select workshops geared towards running a business
  • Coaching every 2 weeks depending upon progress
  • Presentation at the end

Optional Phase – Co-op Term – 16 weeks ($6,000 CAD)

  • Taken between Phase 1 and 2
  • Bi-weekly ½ day peer session
  • Bi-weekly coaching
  • Presentation at the end

Resource People

  • Accountant
  • Lawyer
  • Marketing/Social Media
  • Bookkeeper

Program Tuition

$25,000 CAD – Standard Program
$6,000 CAD – Optional Co-op Term

To apply for this program start here.

International Study

For more information about attending the startSMART International program as an International Student, please contact our head office for the International Student Manual.

99 – 120 Sonnenschein Way
Saskatoon, SK Canada S7M 0W2