So Much to Do and So Little Time

This week is really going to test our ability to work efficiently.  With no school on Monday and a shortened class Friday, we will really have to make the most of every minute.  Here’s a quick look at what we have to do:

·      Complete interviews

·      Create database of actual businesses we can contact for partnerships – we need to find a real-world business with whom we’ll have a year-long partnership (more about this in class)

·      Determine business we will run and business model

·      Secure real-world business to partner with us for the year

In order to do all this, you’ll likely have to complete some of these tasks outside of class.  These tasks can easily get done if we work together and delegate assignments to the right people.  I’m confident this will get done, especially since we won’t have to worry about running concessions on Friday afternoon.  Here’s our daily breakdown of tasks:

Monday – LABOR DAY – NO SCHOOL

Tueaday & Wednesday

Objectives: Analyze and Critique interviews, Provide feedback on interviews
Clear Target: We can analyze and critique a job interview

This is relatively straightforward.  You will need to complete a critique sheet for each interview and explain whether or not you’d hire each applicant.  Superficial explanations such as “he didn’t answer the questions really well,” or “he seemed quite prepared,” are not sufficient. 

Thursday

Objectives: Create company database, Brainstorm economic wants/needs of a target demographic, Discuss ways to satisfy economic wants/needs of a target demographic, Create business model for a virtual organization

Clear Target: We can create a business model

First, we need to create our company directory, which should include columns for name, title, location in the office, email, department, etc.).  If we pass around a sheet of paper and each employee includes as much information as he/she can (I know you won’t have your position yet, so just leave that out for now), one person can enter the information into either a Google Doc, Excel spreadsheet, or Access Table, which can be loaded to Google Drive and shared with the company.  This can be done while our business discussion takes place.

If you’re wondering why we need to have another discussion about which business to operate, I’ll take this opportunity to tell you.  After bouncing our original “Grade Check” idea off our VE Coordinator, I was met with some pushback.  That said, we must go back to the drawing board for a new idea.  I’m confident this group will find a new business model that will ultimately send us to NYC for the National Competition.  I’m not just typing this to pump you guys up.  I’m putting this in writing because I believe this group will do something special in the next couple years.   Remember this blog entry.

Friday

Objectives: Utilize contacts made this summer to create a list of businesses to contact for a year-long partnership, Assign representatives within the company to contact each business, Create script for correspondence with each business

Clear Target: We can apply networking skills to enhance our educational experience

I won’t be in class Friday, but I’ll notify the sub that you will be conducting a staff meeting.  Our CEO will need to oversee the meeting and ensure we remain on task.   We will also need someone to keep minutes (take notes on each idea, who said it, and when it was said). Given that we have little time, I’ll frame the goals of the meeting for you:

1.     Compile list of contacts we made from our CYP visit this summer – I’ll email these to the CEO on Monday and the CEO will assign someone to create a spreadsheet with specific information for each

2.     Determine which contacts would be most helpful and those that would be most willing to help us – this means we’ll have TWO lists

3.     Formulate a script for contacting aforementioned contacts (you might want a different script for different contacts)

4.     Assign representatives to reach out to each contact

5.     PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT ANYONE UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN ON MONDAY, 9/8

It is imperative that you are on your best behavior for the sub and remain on task.  Please allow the CEO to run a smooth meeting by respecting one another, speaking only when you have the floor, not carrying on any side conversations, and taking notes on all our ideas.  It’s one thing to say a lot of good things during a meeting, but it’s a completely different thing to actually log all our ideas and create a plan to implement them. 

That’s it for the short week.  While there are no videos and only 1 link to an external form, there still is a lot of work that needs to get done.  I’m confident we’ll make it happen.

Interview Week

This week, we will learn interview fundamentals and begin interviewing for our positions within our organization.  In order to complete as much as we need to get done, you will need to do some things outside the classroom. 

That said, let's take a look at what needs to be done before Tuesday's class:

First, you'll need to watch the following video about dominating an interview:

While I don't completely agree with everything in this video (the man's attire and decision to sit before shaking hands are a couple things that stood out early in the video), this resource contains a lot of valuable tips and hints for getting it done on the big interview day.  Check out the video and make a note of at least 10 things you can do in your interview next week.  Have this with you to start class Monday.

After finishing your video, review the following file that breaks down the most important information to know for your interview, including common questions and answers.  It's a good starting point for our lesson.

https://career.berkeley.edu/Guide/Interviewing.pdf

A breakdown of this week's activities can be found below.

Monday
Objectives: Understand the goal of an interview, Identify proper strategies for a successful interview, Determine best practices for answering interview questions.
Clear Target: We can differentiate ourselves from competition in a job interview.
Bell-Ringer: Will not be divulged prior to class.  I want you to take 2 minutes at the beginning of class for this
After sharing out a few answers, I will explain how I would have answered the question.  From here, I'll review objectives and clear target (which will be the same throughout this week and into next).
Following our clear target, I'll cover the following interview topics:

• Proper Attire
• How to enter the room and shake hands
• Body Language
• What to bring with you
• Common questions, including my favorite questions to ask
• How to align your answers with each question AND what you have in your resume
• Questions to ask the interviewer
• Interview follow-up

Exit Slip: Describe 3 ways you will separate yourself in an interview.

Tuesday
Objectives: Analyze common and unique interview questions, Collaboratively formulate answers for interview questions, Present findings 
Clear Target: We can differentiate ourselves from competition in a job interview
Bell-Ringer: 2 minutes - Organize yourselves in separate rows for different job positions
In your groups, use this file to list and answer 3 Qualification Questions and at least 1 Behavioral Question for each of the following sections:

• Interpersonal Skills
• Communication Skills
• Initiative
• Leadership
• Planning & Organizing 
• Flexibility
• Creativity/Innovation
• Decision Making

You'll have 30 minutes to complete this task (not a lot of time), and we'll share out answers at the end of class.  On Wednesday, we will begin our interviews with students who are aspiring for executive positions (CEO and CFO).  The remaining interviews will be drawn randomly during class.  I estimate the entire interview process to take approximately 5 class periods (Wednesday-Friday this week and Tuesday-Wednesday next week).

Wednesday thru Friday
Objectives: Analyze and Critique interviews, Provide feedback on interviews
Clear Target: We can analyze and critique a job interview
Please dress as professionally as possible for interviews.  I understand you won't know when you will be interviewing, but it won't hurt for you to dress as professionally as you can for a week.  Who knows?  You might enjoy it.

We'll use my interview critique sheets to frame our analysis.  I've shared the file with you from my Google Drive.  While observing your classmates' interviews, please have at least 2 things you liked, 2 things you'd do differently, and an explanation (not just a yes or no) as to whether you'd hire the individual. 

That's it for the week's tasks.  I hope you have a good time with this real-world lesson.  It's one of many you'll enjoy this year!




 

CHOP!

Welcome back!  I hope everyone has had an enjoyable summer and first week of school.  Now that we've taken time to establish and understand rules and procedures, brainstorm a little about what we want our program to be and how we want to be remembered, learn up on different aspects of business, and improve upon an established business model that will fund our program, it's now time to get the ball rolling for the year for this business.  I'm ecstatic to have a class full of hand-picked, hard-working students this year, and I'm confident we will succeed if we work together and CHOP!

What's CHOP?  Think about how to most efficiently take down a giant tree with nothing more than an axe.  Take a look at this short video about something I learned from the football program at my Alma Mater, Rutgers University.

Understand that if this group focuses all its effort toward a common goal and relentlessly pursues each task needed to accomplish it, this program will succeed.  That said, let's look at our weekly tasks.

Monday: VEI Pre-Test & Review Answers
Objectives: Complete VE Pre-Test, Grade VE Pre-Test
Clear Target: We can create a baseline on which the foundation of growth is measured.

Monday's class will begin with a pre-test that all Virtual Enterprise students are required to take.  The pre-test consists of 50 multiple choice questions, and should take approximately 25-30 minutes to complete.  Once everyone is finished, we will review answers and grade our own papers. I will submit the class average to the Tn Coordinator.

Please do not worry about your score on this test.  This is merely a baseline by which your growth will be measured this year, which means your grade on this test at the end of April is the one that will matter most.  Once you complete your tasks throughout the year, you will have a full understanding of the principles covered in the test.  It's ok if some of the material is not familiar at this time.

Graded pre-tests will be turned in to exit bin at the end of class.  If we have additional time, we will discuss what a resume should look like

Tuesday: Job Postings and Resume Intro
Objectives: Understand positions within the organization, Match personal strengths to a position within the organization, Analyze previously created resumes 
Clear Target: We can analyze and critique a job resume

Today we'll look at a brief PowerPoint about the open positions within our organization.  We touched upon this a bit on Friday, so I plan to get through this quickly so that we can take a look at some resumes that had been created in years past.  Your goal in class will be to determine an aesthetically pleasing template for your resume (can be found online or in MS Word), align your strengths to the KSAs of the position you desire, and think about what you want to convey with your resume. 

As an exit slip, you'll submit a plan of action for your resume and desired position within the company.

Wednesday: Guest Speaker - Professional Resume Writer Debra Ann Matthews
Objectives: Absorb as much knowledge from an industry professional as possible
Clear Target: We can apply writing concepts to create an effective resume

You'll need your paperwork you finished up on 8/14 (Generic Job Application and Questionnaire) to contribute to today's class.  Professional resume writer Debra Ann Matthews will be in class to share some wisdom with you.  Be on your best behavior and contribute to the discussion.  This will be an excellent day.

Thursday: Resume Prep
Objectives: Collaborate with other bright individuals about what to include on resume, Choose template for resume, Write resume
Clear Target: We can create a resume that effectively matches our strengths with a specific job opening

We'll begin class with a brief review/reflection on Debra's presentation and proceed to a structured discussion of what to include in a resume.  From here, you have independent class time to work on your resume, save it to the school server (and a cloud), and have little to no homework for VE.  Should you fail to complete your resume, you must complete it and submit it to me in class on Friday.

Friday: Resume Submission and Concession Stand Business Model Analysis
Objectives: Submit resume, Analyze concession stand business model, prepare for opening day of concession stand (set revenue, marketing, and logistics goals)
Clear Target: We can analyze and critique an established business model

You will have the first 4 minutes of class to electronically submit your resume to my Drop Box_Faculty folder on the server.  After this, we will have our concession stand preparation.  Your participation and productive contribution to this discussion will determine your grade for this task.  I'm leaving this in your hands and trust that it will go smoothly.

I hope you made it through this entire blog entry.  This is how I do my lesson plans for this class, so it is of the utmost importance that you read and adhere to the schedule.  CHOP!

Weekly Assignments - 4/28-5/2

This week, we will focus on work-related articles from the Harvard Business Review.  I have found three solid articles which cover topics that I feel will help you in your future as contributing members of society.  These articles will help you give and receive constructive criticism more effectively, figure out how to get up and go when you might not feel like it, and compile a list of traits that successful people have in common.  Best of all, since there aren’t departmental tasks to be completed, nobody has to worry about who was selected to run the organization anymore!

Here is a breakdown of our articles and classwork for the week:

Monday:

Read the first paragraph of my most recent blog entry.  Then, go to http://blogs.hbr.org/2011/11/theres-no-such-thing-as-constr/ and wait for my instructions. 

Clear Target: We can analyze and critique methods for providing constructive criticism

Tuesday:

Use what we talked about in class about each of the three key behaviors for providing constructive criticism and post a blog entry about how you could use each behavior if you were a manager providing feedback to a subordinate.  Share your post with me through Google+

Clear Target: We can analyze and critique methods for providing constructive criticism

Wednesday:

Think about something, either from VE class, another school activity, or outside of the classroom, that you just never get around to.  Write that down and provide at least three reasons why you seem to never get around to doing it.  Then, go to http://blogs.hbr.org/2014/02/how-to-make-yourself-work-when-you-just-dont-want-to/ and read the article.  We will discuss the article at length during the last 20 minutes of class.  I will moderate our discussion.

Clear Target: We can analyze factors that affect motivation and productivity

Thursday:

Use what we talked about in class about how to make yourself work when you just don’t want to and post a blog entry about how what you learned from the article and discussion can help you do whatever it is you wrote down at the beginning of class Wednesday.  Remember to share your post with me through Google+

Clear Target: We can analyze factors that affect motivation and productivity

Friday:

Today we will read about 9 things successful people do differently than others.  Every time we critique a performance in our class, I ask you to note things that were done well and what could have been done differently.  Reading this article and discussing the power of doing things differently will hopefully help you understand what separates the average from the great.  Your article can be found here. I look forward to our class discussion.

Clear Target: We can differentiate between productive and unproductive habits in the workplace.

My First Sick Day - VE Amended Task for 4/23/14

In the two and a half years I've been at Northwest, I've never taken a sick day.  Sure, I've been out for professional development or personal days, but I've been lucky enough not to miss a day due to being under the weather.  However, after burning the candle at both ends these past few days, I've come down with a pretty rough sore throat.  Currently, I am unable to speak and I am far from 100%.  Consequently, on Wednesday, April 23, 2014, I will take my first sick day as a teacher.  Worry not, I plan on being back to school on Thursday.

In my absence, we will skip ahead to one of your assignments meant to be completed after your employee evaluations.  Today, you will each complete a facilitator evaluation.  That's right, you get to evaluate me on how well I've done in helping you grow as a student and as an individual.

In order for you to complete your assignment, you will need two things.  First, you will need your performance evaluation you completed to use as a reference.  If you don't have it, I've shared it with you in PDF format on Google+.  Second, you'll need to open Microsoft Word to type your answers and save them to your student folder. 

Once you have both items, you will assess me on all 8 factors using one of the four performance rating factors (O - Outsanding, E - Exceeds Expectations, M - Meets Expectations, I - Needs Improvement).  For each factor, you must substantiate your rating by providing a specific example and a comment that supports your decision.  I expect your substantiation to be at least 30 words (about two sentences) so that you can back up your opinion.

After completing this assignment, you will either share your document with me in Google Drive (preferred) or attach your document and email it to mattspinella@gmail.com.  Please be honest, realistic and thorough with your answers.  We will have a good time reading these in class on Thursday. 

Have a great Wednesday.  I will see you tomorrow!

Performance Evaluations!

As previously discussed, this week and next will be dedicated to completing performance evaluations for all employees, and devising a plan to improve our performance and the performance of future firms.  Having completed your reflections last week, each of you has had the time to think about tasks you’ve completed, lessons learned, areas where you can continue to develop.  Reflection is essential to learning about yourself and your growth as an employee. 

Here’s a breakdown of your tasks for the week:

Monday: You will receive a 2-page evaluation form.  Complete the form based on your interpretation of your performance.  Be fair, honest, and thorough in your appraisal of your performance.  During the last 15 minutes of class, we will discuss your findings.

Tuesday through Friday: We will complete evaluations in the following order: Vice Presidents, associates, CFO, CEO.  After each evaluation, we will discuss what we agree and disagree with, as well as discuss ways to improve performance in the future. 

That’s all I have for you this week.  Though this post is short and sweet, there is a lot of “meat on the bones” regarding what we will be doing.  I look forward to hearing your self-appraisals and seeing how you deal with constructive criticism from your peers.  Have a great week!

2013-14 Performance Reflections

If we look back on what we've done this year, there have been a lot of highlights mixed with some not-so-memorable moments.  We've written an Office Guru business plan, prepared for Regional and State competitions, attended a Trade Fair, completed case studies, blogged, and run a semi-successful virtual business.  This week will be dedicated to looking back and reflecting upon four of your most memorable projects or tasks that you completed during the school year.  I'm not going to put concrete borders on what or how I want you to post other than requiring each entry to be at least 250 words.  The goal of this exercise is to let you look back and see just how much you've learned this year and prepare for your end-of-year performance evaluation.

Each day this week, you will focus on one of the following projects and type a reflective blog entry about your personal opinion of your performance, what you learned, and how that project will help you in the future.  By the end of the week, you will have completed four blog entries:

• Office Guru Business Plan
• Promotional Sales Materials
• Resume Creation
• Interview Exercises
• Trade Fair Preparation
• The Trade Fair Experience
• Reflecting upon motivational videos/literature
• Individual Business Plan Creation
• Day-to-day business operations (your departmental tasks)
• Sales calls
• Weekly Newsletter
• Employee Spotlight
• Company Manual
• Payroll distribution
• Anything else that stands out from your classwork this year

We'll share out some of our entries next week and begin our personal performance evaluations before our executives and I conduct formal performance evaluations.

I look forward to reading your posts.  This week and next will be a lot of fun.