The Start of a Three-Week Sprint!

This week, we only have four working days, since we had Monday off for Labor Day.  Although we weren’t in the classroom, I am very pleased to have received some work from a few students to help keep the business moving along.  Thanks to Makayla Lewis and Josh Hanks for working hard during the weekend.  Your efforts did not go unrecognized.

Since we only have four days, we will need to work diligently to make sure we meet our deadline (9/28) to complete our business plan to submit for the Regional Competition.  Our goals are pretty simple, so I’ll list them here:

1.    Finalize Mission Statement and Company Vision

a.    Ryan his department will again present our options for a mission statement.  We will choose a mission statement and Ryan’s team will work on improving the diction of the mission statement so that we have a solid idea of our company goals

2.    Choose Company Vision

a.    This will be added to the business plan after our Mission Statement and will paint a clear picture of the future of Pick-It Sweets & Treats

b.    Ryan and Makayla will work together to make sure this is carried out to meet our high standards of excellence

3.    Business Plan Sign-up/Trade Fair Sign-up/Business Registration

a.    Executives are to complete this by end of business Wednesday

4.    Analyze Business Plan Rubric and lay out a plan of action

a.    Vice Presidents will work out which department is responsible for different elements of the business plan

b.    Each department understands the 9/28 deadline, but will set goals for what to complete by 9/11, 9/18, and 9/25

                                               i.     Please make sure to work interdepartmentally to make sure we are on the same page for each element of the plan

c.     Within each department, delegate who is in charge of each piece of the puzzle

5.    Begin writing the plan

a.    PLEASE UTILIZE LAST YEAR’S PLAN TO SET A BASELINE FOR WHAT WE EXPECT.  WORK TO IMPROVE ON THAT PLAN

b.    PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE ANY ELEMENT OF THE RUBRIC UNADDRESSED.  THIS COULD COST US A TRIP TO THE STATE FINALS

c.     DON’T HESITATE TO ASK FOR ASSISTANCE FROM OTHER DEPARTMENTS ON DIFFERENT ELEMENTS OF THE PLAN

                                               i.     Some departments may not have direct connections to certain elements, but you can use their expertise for help if your department has a lot to cover

d.    MAKE USE OF THE POWERPOINTS AND LINKS FROM OUR GOOGLE DRIVE

                                               i.     I have laid out how to address just about every element of the plan.  Use this information

                                             ii.     Consult with Google and the sample business plan on www.veinternational.org (Gotham) if you need further assistance

Daily tasks are broken down below:

Tuesday

Objectives: Determine Mission Statement & Company Vision, Summarize what our business is and how we fill a need in the economy, Divide Responsibility for completion of Business Plan

Clear Target: We can create a business plan

We will begin class with a structured discussion of which Mission Statement works best for this year.  We have for the most part determined that submission 1 is closest to what we want.  We will offer a few suggestions for Ryan to refine the diction on this and Ryan will get back to the drawing board to finish the statement.

Next, we will help with the Company Vision statement and make sure Admin & HR have a good understanding of our future.

Once this is complete, we will analyze the written scoring rubric so that we can delegate which department will complete each section.  We will be organized in delegating responsibility and not begin working on any section of the plan until we have divided the responsibilities up completely.

Wednesday through Friday:

Objectives: Set deadlines for each week of business plan work, work on business plan

Clear Target: We can create a business plan

The only formal work we need to accomplish for the rest of the week is determining weekly deadlines.  Last year, we did not do a great job of finishing things in a timely manner, and by setting deadlines, we will learn from our mistakes and finish each portion of our work on time.  We will also work on completing work outside of class if needed so that we remain on schedule.

Once deadlines are set, it’s on you.  Please make use of all your resources (Google Drive, PowerPoints, previous plans, VE Portal resources) so that we can make the most impressive business plan.  You all have it in you if you work together, and I will be available for assistance as needed.

I look forward to the three-week sprint ahead of us.  I am confident this year can be our year to go to the State Finals and perhaps even further.  See you tomorrow!