Welcome
Welcome and thank you for your interest in my research and upcoming book. This site is best viewed in Firefox. You should be able to see tabs for "What's New," "About Me," and "Contact" at the top of each page. There are also links at the top of the page for those of you who cannot see tabs.
A special "thank you" to all of you who took the time to complete my research questionnaires. From October 9 through December 11, 2009 and during the month of February 2010, I surveyed virtual entrepreneurs in various career fields from around the world in preparation for a book that I am writing for virtual entrepreneurial students at Sacramento City College (SCC). Questionnaire participants' responses may be directly quoted, summarized, and/or grouped together with similar responses throughout the various chapters of the book. All questionnaire respondents will be listed in the business directory section of the book. If you missed the initial questionnaire deadline, but would still like to participate in my research, please email me. My contact information is shown on the Contact page.
Everyone who responded to either questionnaire has been added to my mailing list. Emails will be sent sparingly to let you know of any new questionnaires or important updates. If you would like to sign up to receive these notifications click here to subscribe to the mailing list. You may opt-out at any time and your name will be permanently removed from the mailing list.
While I will be working on the book between my teaching and family responsibilities. The book is on track to be finished by August 2010. It is scheduled to be published in September through Nor-Cal Publishing Services. Writing the book will be prioritized before regular updates on my website; however, I will try to post interesting and significant developments in the What's New section from time-to-time.
Business Technology 350 (BUSTEC 350) has been offered every fall at SCC. The course is also tentatively scheduled to be offered in Spring 2011 due to popular demand. This is the first-ever spring offering of this course at SCC. For your information, the following is the course description as well as learning outcomes and objectives for BUSTEC 350 - Virtual Office Careers & Technologies.
Course Description
This course explores entrepreneurial business opportunities
in the virtual office environment. Techniques and technologies needed
by virtual office workers will be examined. Each student will create
a simulated home-based virtual office business, develop and write a
formal business plan that includes operating expenses for at least the
first year, and devise a marketing strategy for a chosen virtual enterprise.
Students will prepare and present oral presentations in which they showcase
their home-based virtual office ventures.
Learning Outcomes and Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
- describe the different types of virtual environments.
- evaluate a self-assessment to determine readiness and suitability for becoming a virtual entrepreneur.
- formulate a sole proprietorship for the virtual environment.
- prepare a business plan for a sole proprietorship, which includes a company overview, mission statement, goals, objectives, financial requirements, and market analysis.
- research the licensing, insurance, and taxation requirements necessary for creating and operating a home-based virtual business.
- research and develop a plan for the recovery of a business in the event of a disaster.
- develop an advertising and promotional strategy.
- calculate projected operating expenses for three years, including start-up costs and cash flow.
- develop a networking strategy to attract potential clients.
- compose an advertising letter and press release.
- evaluate competitive rates for a chosen virtual business.
- use industry standard software and the Internet to conduct business virtually.
- plan and participate in virtual meetings.