Videodisc on Business Aids the Entrepreneur

Two out of every three small businesses fail within the first two years of
operation. Too often the reasons are poor planning, under capitalization,
incomplete record keeping and lack of experience.

The Business Disc: How to Start and Run a Small Business will help the
enterpreneur solve these problems and greatly increase the odds for
success.

Maryland Interactive Technologies (MITEC) has combined the visual immediacy
of television with the computational power of the computer and the vast
storage and retrieval capabilities of laser videodisc to produce this
unique guide through the step by step process of setting up or improving a
small business operation.

Part I of The Business Disc simulates the first six months of crucial
decision making involving finances and business formation. The interactive
nature of the disc turns the often arduous task of teaching and learning
into an exciting individualized experience. The kind of business (retail,
service or manufacturing), its location, the organizational structure,
insurance coverage, advertising, income requirements, employee issues,
start-up capital requirements and community relations are some of the
issues encountered. Live action, animation, illustrations, graphs and
slides are used to make the learning process clear and enjoyable.

But learning is only part of the process. Using the program's computational
capabilities a variety of spreadsheet functions assist in setting up and
calculating Payroll Records, Personal Income Statements, Sales
Projections, Depreciation Tables, Balance Sheets and the all important
Cash Flow Statement, to mention only a few.

Every step of the way The Business Disc provides sound information and
advice to help in making the right decisions. But even the best informed
person can make the wrong choice and, as in real life, a wrong decision
can have consequences. With its elegant design, the program remembers and
holds users responsible for their decisions. Every decision made is stored
by the computer and then figures into later events which occur in Part II.
During the second part, users may experience blizzards, friendly newspaper
reporters, retiring competitors, helpful advertising seminars, burglaries,
law suits and a myraid of other possible experiences. Operation of the
business is evaluated on a month by month basis and entrepreneurs are
given the option to make changes in their business operation, just as they
would in real life. One of the most important features of the program is
that it allows the entrepreneur to retain a confidential copy of all of
the information and calculations entered.

The Business Disc's Instructional Designer, Dr. Joanne Strohmer worked
closely with members of the Service Corp of Retired Executives (SCORE),
part of the Small Business Administration (SBA). SCORE has been
responsible for providing essential research and content for the
development of the program.

"The Business Disc," says Producer Ademola Ekulona, "allows the
entrepreneur to come into contact with some pretty stiff realities before
putting down the first dollar. We believe it will greatly improve the odds
for their success."

Many colleges and universities in both the U.S. and Canada will be adding
it to their curriculum. A number of organizations, including lending
institutions and small business advisory firms also see The Business Disc
as a valuable asset and customer service.

Equipment Configurations:

IBM InfoWindow or compatible systems.

Monitors: A dual monitor system -- Standard computer color CRT and a color
television monitor.

Videodisc Players:

Pioneer LD-V6000, LD-V6010, LD-V6000A and LD-V6010A, LD-V4200, LD-V8000,
LD-V2400, CLD-V2400, CLD-V2600, CLD-V4400 and LD-V2200 and all compatible
with these models.

Sony LDP-1200, 1500, 1550, 2000, LDP-1450, MDP-1100, MDP-1150 and all
players compatible with these models.

All options require an IBM-PC, XT, AT, PS/2 or compatible, with 512K of
memomry, dual disk drives or a hard disk and single floppy drive, a
standard color graphics card and DOS 2.1 or greater.

The Business Disc includes: Two, 2-sided videodiscs, program and data
diskettes, manual, workbook and owner's guide.

List Price $2,995, Educational Discount Price $2,695
Selected sites can receive The Business Disc at no charge.

MITEC
PO Box 1054
Reistertown, MD 21136
410-526-0502,  fax 410-526-6089

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