JA Be Entrepreneurial (Rapid Business Planning)^®

JA Be Entrepreneurial is a reimagined, modular program that teaches students about the mindset and the skills needed for success by aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators who add value to any organization. Students completing all three modules use Design Thinking, a problem-solving approach, to create business ideas. Students also learn to transform their ideas into concise, effective, and actionable one-page business plans.

In the JA Rapid Business Planning module, students learn about the Lean Model Canvas, the strategic management template for developing business models. The business model canvas is an easy to understand, one-page business plan that is the foundation for fleshing out a business idea.

JA Be Entrepreneurial is part of the JA Entrepreneurship Pathway. Participating students will have the opportunity to compete in a new national virtual competition, JA Social Innovation Challenge, which provides a platform for them to share their innovative ideas for improving their communities and to compete for national honors.

Program Highlights
• The program is a blended model that includes teacher-led content, volunteer-led opportunities, and self-guided content to support flexible implementation options.
• There are a series of three core modules, with each module comprising multiple 45-minute sessions.
• Modules can be offered together or as stand-alone experiences to meet the diverse needs of educators and students.
• Each module offers a culminating, self-guided project for students to create an artifact that allows them to apply what they have learned.
• Within a module, some sessions and activities are required for standard implementation. Other sessions are optional to meet additional requirements, such as eligibility for the competition.

Pillars of Student Success	Entrepreneurship: High	Financial Literacy: Minimal	Work Readiness: Minimal

Program Implementation	Program Grade-Level
Classroom Based	Grades 9-12

Program Sessions

Planning with the Customer in Mind

Students are introduced to lean business planning and focus on the customer-focused segments of the Lean Canvas. They identify customer segments, the problem to be solved, and the intended solution.

Summarizing the Customer Elements

Students learn about customer communication channels and the most effective practices for reaching their customers. Then, they practice completing the customer elements of the lean business plan using an original or supplied idea.

Formulating the Finances

Students focus on financial elements of the Lean Canvas, including cost structure, pricing, and revenue streams. Then, they identify what metrics are key to gauge the performance and health of the venture.

Conveying the Business’s Value

Students identify the business’s unique value and competitive advantage to convey its “edge.” Then, they practice writing compelling unique value proposition (UVP) statements and identifying the business’s competitive advantage.

Completing and Testing the Lean Business Plan

Students practice completing the marketing and financial elements of the lean business plan using an original or supplied idea. Then, they review the importance of testing the business plan for ongoing refinement.