RTU FEEM PUBLISHES FIRST TEXTBOOK FOR START-UPS IN LATVIA
Deniss Ščeulovs, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Engineering Economics and Management (RTU) of Riga Technical University, together with Niek Ploegman, Research Lecturer at the Rotterdam Business School, has published the book «A Starting Point for Successful Business». It is the first textbook written in Latvian for creating a successful start-up. The book is available free of charge to all interested parties on the RTU e-book platform.
The textbook / handbook is intended for those studying entrepreneurship and related subjects, as well as for future and existing entrepreneurs. It describes the stages and challenges when developing a business model for a start-up, using the «step-by-step» methodology developed by D. Ščeulovs and N. Ploegman, as well as their experience of working with business students and start-up developers. The methodology can also be used to improve the business model of an existing company.
«A clear methodology with definite and comprehensible steps must be applied to setting up a start-up. The «starting point» methodology defines specific stages and steps, and it allows you to look back and improve the previous steps. The book will help to constantly analyse the business model and make timely adjustments to it, and it is necessary for any business, small or large», explains D. Ščeulovs, Director of the Institute of Business Engineering and Management, RTU Faculty of Engineering Economics and Management.
The book offers methods and tips for creating a modern and viable business model. As D. Ščeulovs points out, the business model must always be focused on the realization of consumer interests and wishes. The book contains examples from around the world and Latvia, allowing you to look behind the scenes of start-ups. It describes the philosophy of creating a business model and value proposition and includes tasks for applying the theory in practice. The appendices are very valuable in helping to start a business by giving practical advice on developing, prototyping and testing a business model, preparing and testing a consumer profile, various concepts of value supply and attraction channels, product life, and more.
The book is written in Latvian and the appendices in the electronic version are in high quality, which allows them to be used in practical classes – displaying them on a large screen or printing out in various formats up to A2 size. The electronic version of the book is freely available to everyone on the RTU e-book platform, it is published by RTU Publishing House.
