Autumn – 2015 Interdisciplinary Course

Instructor – Rajesh R. Talati

Eligibility – Open to all Final Year Students

Class – 12.00 noon to 1.00 pm Tuesday and Thursday

Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, students will develop an entrepreneurial mindset, the underlying
beliefs and assumptions that drive the behaviors that allow entrepreneurs to succeed. In today’s
global economy, all members of society — whether self-employed or employed by others — will
benefit from understanding and embracing an entrepreneurial mindset.

Students will be able to:

 Demonstrate critical thinking skills enabling them to identify, and evaluate innovative
ideas.
 Describe an understanding of the process that enables entrepreneurs with limited
resources to transform a simple idea into a sustainable success.
 Explain how to apply fundamental aspects of entrepreneurial thinking across disciplines
and as a means of personal empowerment.
 Establish personal goals, identify resources and determine the steps required to
accomplish their goals.
No of Credit Hours: 2 (Two)

Pedagogy:
 Lectures and Presentations
 Short video clips
 Case Studies
 Meetings with successful entrepreneurs/intrapreneurs

Grading:
 25% for two quiz to be conducted
 25% for participation in case study
 50% for group project and presentation

Enrollment Cap:
Not more than 40 students
 COURSE CONTENT
1. Introduction:
Difference between Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurial Thinking
Importance of Entrepreneurial Thinking
Is Entrepreneurial thinking inborn or can it be developed?
Entrepreneurial Mindset
(2 session)

2. The Power to choose:

Influence of Environment
Passion – Understanding and identifying passion
Forming a vision
React vs Respond
Missionary vs Mercenary
Locus of Control
Becoming lucky
Exercise – Identifying your passion
(3 session)

3. The Power of Persistence

Focus on what you have
Slow and steady wins the race
Are you willing to go the distance?
Imagine something greater
Adversity as an advantage
Nothing in life is easy
A poor kid with poor beliefs
Create your own reality
(3 session)

4. The Ideation Process:

Difference between Creativity and Innovation
Creativity Techniques
- Mind Mapping
Exercise – Creating a mind map
- Convergent Thinking (Vertical Thinking)
- Divergent Thinking (Lateral Thinking)
Exercise An example of Divergent Thinking
- Design Thinking
- TRIZ – Theory of Inventive Problem Solving
- Brainstorming – Six Thinking Hats
 Exercise – Case Study
(6 sessions)

5. Recognizing Opportunities:
Identifying the value proposition
Designing your business model
Types of Business Models
Exercise – Case Study of a Business model construction
(5 sessions)

6. Converting Ideas into Action:

Overcoming initial Barriers
Lack of money?
Exercise: Game
Creating proof of concept
Reinventing “Work”
(2 sessions)

7. Pursuit of Knowledge:
Power of Knowledge
Learning / Unlearning / Relearning explained
The “AHA” moment
Planning for success
Overcoming knowledge as a barrier
(2 sessions)

8. The Wealth Creation Process:

Wealth defined and perceived
Spending vs. Investing
Understanding Time Value of Money
The Credit Trap
Exercise : Calculating NPV
(3 sessions)

9. Building your Brand:

Understanding Personal Branding
Process of building your brand
Using Digital Media to build your brand
Communicating your brand
(3 sessions)
10. Creating Community:
The value of Network
What is our Network?
Exploiting our network for success
(2 sessions)