Finishing Touches Before the Trade Fair

This week, we will take care of all the finishing touches for our Trade Fair, in addition to tending to everyday operations of the organization.  We have a lot of work to do and only so much time left.  Every day counts, so please make sure we stay on task and pick up slack if someone else needs it.  Here’s a basic list of what needs to get done for the Trade Fair:

• Briefing on Business Plan Presentation
• Create package promotional signs (we will discuss pricing strategies in class)
• Compile list of items needed for booth (search closet to find things we already have)
• Procure items we don’t currently have for booth
• Create as many decorations as possible for booth setup
• Create accounting system (spreadsheet and/or Google Form) for tracking sales and sending receipts

CEO must designate assignments for each of the aforementioned tasks and maintain a running log of our progress on each task.  All employees must share out their progress at the end of class daily and write a reflective blog post about their expectations for this year’s trade fair.

Departmental tasks (in addition to Trade Fair Tasks) are as follows:

Newsletter:

To be completed by HR, Admin, and 1 Sales Associate

This week's installment should include articles about the following topics:

1. Productivity during Thanksgiving Week – use this article http://www.inc.com/murray-newlands/5-hot-productivity-tips-for-thanksgiving-you-need-to-know.html
2. Shared responsibility in the workplace – use this article http://www.evancarmichael.com/library/martin-haworth/Sharing-Responsibilities-in-Building-Workplace-Relationships.html
3. Sports at a glance – basketball and wrestling events for the week of 11/21 – 11/26
4. Employee Spotlight - Select an employee and spotlight him/her
5. Sales update - Write an article about our updated product list (compile list of German/Italian/Greek foods in our European section of the buffet)
6. Newsletter team will be graded on quality of each article, as well as the design and overall appeal of the newsletter according to this rubric

Display Board for Trade Fair:

This needs to be brainstormed, designed, and created this week. Work with the Booth Design Team to create flyers for the promotional packages we’ll sell at the Trade Fair.  Since every student has $15,000 to spend, we’ll discuss pricing of different package options (see below).  In addition to the package flyers, you can create other eye-catching designs (use either Publisher, PowerPoint, or Word) that can be included on the tri-fold.

Booth Design:

This works hand in hand with our Trade Fair Prep tasks, so please make sure this gets done.

Trade Fair Preparation Team:

Work with booth design team to determine materials needed for Trade Fair.  Compile a list of items, as well as an expense breakdown. Also create sales packages for customers at Trade Fair.  Team will be graded on how comprehensive the list is, as well as accuracy of cost breakdown.

Website:

Need cart (or a button that allows the customer to fill out the order and receive an invoice) updated.  Request assistance from other firms if necessary.  Also, ensure correct products are available online.  Team will be graded on completion of these tasks.

Accounting and Finance Operations:

The first thing we need to do is set up a system for tracking purchases at the Trade Fair.  Last year, we used a spreadsheet only, but other firms created a Google Form that generated a receipt for each purchase.  I would like to use both this year, so on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, we’ll work on taking care of that.  

Starting Thursday, please journalize all transactions, pay all employees, and ensure our inventory is accurate and recorded properly.  Team will be graded on how accurately each entry is journalized and completion of other accounting departmental tasks.

Sales Tasks:

Please make sure this week's flyer is completed.  Determine Item of the week and have an appealing finished product.  Also, please work on emailing other firms (specific employees when possible) our flyer and please create a customer satisfaction form to be added to our website.  Have at least two and no more than four questions with multiple select options.  Team will be graded on aesthetics of flyer, number of sales of item of the week, and completion of form.

That's it for this week.  I know it's a lot to do, but you're all capable of getting it done if you work from the time class begins until class ends.  I'll see you all tomorrow!