Dr. Robert Zerwekh
Professor of Engineering Management
(913) 897-8566 (office)
(913) 897-8682 (fax)
bzerwekh@ku.edu
Portrait of an Entrepreneur: From Startup to Success
06/12/01
Within the world of small business, the entrepreneur is the ultimate combination of courage, determination, and dream-weaver. In examining the trials and tribulations of The Bluhm Company, a growing engineering consulting firm in the Kansas City Metropolitan area, this paper will share the insights of its founder and president, Michael Bluhm. The Bluhm Company lends itself to an examination of the risks, benefits, failures, and successes of starting and running your own business. From the wealth and depth of experience that has gone into its formation, to the practical reality of sequestering financial backing, Mr. Bluhm's company is an entrepreneurial story from start to finish.
Successful Entrepreneurs in Africa
06/12/01
Entrepreneurs are the engines that get the economic trains moving. There is no shortage of entrepreneurs in Africa; in fact, there have always been entrepreneurs in Africa for centuries, as there are today. Given the opportunity, African entrepreneurs will drive Africa's economic trains forward.
This paper begins with an overall discussion of the various ways that the economic environment for entrepreneurs in Africa may be improved. It then continues with the tradition of entrepreneurship in Africa, problems and constraints faced by entrepreneurs as well as the progress they have managed to achieve. Finally, I will discuss Africa's future prospects for the continual improvement of the economic environment and the success of entrepreneurs in Africa.
Sources of Financing for Small Business Start-Ups
06/12/01
This paper presents a discussion and examination of various sources of financing that may be available to the entrepreneur starting a small technically oriented business. From the use of personal finances, to borrowing money from relatives, friends, and banks. A discussion of Venture Capital firms, how they work, and what they look for in a start-up company will be presented. There are also several programs available from the Small Business Administration that can be of assistance to the beginning Entrepreneur.
Patent 101
06/13/01
This paper will provide an overview on patenting a new product. It will discuss the general procedures of applying a patent, some of the challenges, and the resources that are available to help an entrepreneur to obtain a patent.
In order to success in this competitive business world, any entrepreneurs should have some basic knowledge of how to protect their intellectual property. A patent provides certain degrees of protection to an entrepreneur's invention which is so often one of the most vital elements for their start-up business. This paper will give any entrepreneurs a head start on their way to success for their new start-up company.
Starting a Technology Based Small Business
06/14/01
Small businesses are very important to a nation's economy. These small enterprises are creating many new jobs and are contributing much of the new-product and technology innovation which gives excellent entrepreneurial climates in a country.
To fuel continued economic prosperity, it is paramount that small business owners have appropriate knowledge and the steps in starting a successful business. This paper describes the steps needed for starting a small business with an emphasis on technology based business.
Youth Entrepreneurship
06/14/01
This paper will discuss Entrepreneurship among young people. It will discuss teaching kids, teenagers, and young people how to become entrepreneurs. It will offer ways, techniques, and tips on how to develop youth skills and ideas and how to put these ideas to work.
It will also describe the role of the youth in the world workforce. In addition, it will touch on the characteristics of the successful entrepreneur and will discuss the advantages and disadvantages to being an entrepreneur.
Entrepreneurship within a Large Corporation
06/15/01
This paper demonstrates the entrepreneurship that exists within a large corporation. Specifically, a real world business case is presented to acquire funding for the ‘redevelopment’ of an existing high tech product. The advantages and disadvantages for the entrepreneur within the large corporation are compared to those faced by the private entrepreneur attempting a similar endeavor.
Although this analysis deals with an actual product and corporation, for legal reasons, the product and company identities will not be revealed.
Business Plan for Central PDM Group within KCPL
06/14/02
The paper will discuss a business plan for a proposal to form a central preventive maintenance(PDM) group within KCPL. This group will be responsible for testing and maintaining all the KCPL Generators, Electric Motors, Transformers and Protective Relays & Controls. KCPL has been contracting out services for maintaining it electrical equipments to original equipment manufactures and other consulting firms. The paper will discuss the benefits of performing the above services and also be able to perform these services for other utilities.
Planning an Electronic Commerce Strategy, Becoming an E-Business
07/02/02
Every company that consider to survive the coming years should consider to convert itself into an e-business company. E-business doesn't refer to a company that simply has a Web site or some modest e-business applications. It means a company that has significantly reorganized its business processes and software systems to support e-commerce applications, a company that has re engineered itself to conduct its business via the Internet and the Web. Before an existing company can transition from where it is today, it must develop several steps. First, it must develop an e-business strategy, a conscious plan about how the company is going to compete, what its goals will be, and what policies it will follow to achieve those goals.
Success Factors behind Entrepreneurship
06/08/03
Why do many new entrepreneurship's fail while others like Dell, Microsoft and Southwest Airlines go on to be highly successful companies. This paper looks at the key success factors exhibited behind successful entrepreneurship as well as the potential risks that eliminate others. Case studies are examined as well as the author's own experience while working as an employee of an entrepreneurial engineering firm that was eventually purchased by Emerson.
The Female Entrepreneur
06/08/03
This paper will examine the current statistics surrounding women in entrepreneurial efforts, special financial aid available for women, and the unique way women approach entrepreneurship. Case studies will be used to highlight distinctly female entrepreneurial traits and successful female entrepreneurs.
International Entrepreneurship
06/11/03
This paper looks at the cultural, ethical, legal and human resource issues in the international entrepreneurial sector. The paper would examine the key factors like market entry, forming alliances, managing growth, cross-border financing and support from local governments. In addition it would touch on the characteristics of a successful international entrepreneur.
Nonprofit Entrepreneurship
06/25/03
Becoming a nonprofit entrepreneur is very similar to becoming a for-profit entrepreneur. The structures and aims are very similar, however differences in tax and legal issues exist. Most, if not all, of the common business practices still apply with the difference being that any profits are always reinvested to expand existing services rather than distributed to share holders. Instead of seeking funding from banks and venture capitalists, the nonprofit entrepreneur must seek funding from individuals, foundations, government grants, or religious organizations. In the end the goal is still to grow and expand the organization, with the focus being toward social rather than economic ends.
Factors Affecting the Cultivation of Entrepreneurial Activities
06/17/04
This paper sheds light on the factors that can impede upon entrepreneurial activities and growth in the developing world. In particular, the paper focuses on Sub-Saharan Africa and addresses challenges entrepreneurs face. There are several challenges and barriers that impede upon entrepreneurial activities which in-turn can have an adverse effect on economic growth, unemployment, innovation, and poverty eradication among others. Entrepreneurial activity is essential for the creation of wealth and economic progress. This is very evident as portrayed in economies of the developed world where innovation, economic growth, and employment are generated and driven by entrepreneurial activities in the form of small and medium size enterprises. This paper examines the rates of entrepreneurial activity in these Sub-Saharan economies, and attempts to highlight the impediments that appear to be the most highly correlated with a country’s success (or failure) in promoting entrepreneurial activity, success and prosperity.
