Final Week of Initial Draft

This week, we will finalize our business plan and conduct a company-wide read-aloud of everything we’ve put together.  By the beginning of Wednesday’s class, all elements of the plan should be emailed to the person responsible for putting the plan together.  During Wednesday’s class, the plan will be put in order, including title page and table of contents, and everyone else will work on business operations (website construction, pricing, wholesale marketplace, newsletter-worthy articles, etc.).  On Thursday, we’ll read the plan aloud and talk about how to improve it.  On Friday, we will establish the writing team that will compose the final draft and create Blogger accounts. Below is a breakdown of the week:

Monday and Tuesday:

To start the week, we’ll finalize our initial draft for the business plan.  Your completed work will be sent to the person responsible for putting the plan in order by the close of business (end of class) Tuesday.  While you’re working, I’ll circulate the room to find out where I can lend assistance.

A breakdown of our plan can be seen below:

Table of Contents and Final Layout of Plan

Kaltenthaler

Cover Page Design and Layout:

IT Department

Executive Summary:

Tariq Silver, CEO

Andrew Oglesby, Admin

Company Description:

Admin Department

Management Functions:

Admin and HR Departments

Current Economic Conditions:

William Palmieri

Industry Analysis (Real and Virtual):

Sales and Finance Departments

Market Segmentation, Marketing Mix (5 P’s), and Company Analysis

Sales Department

Breakeven Analysis and All Financial Data:

Finance Department

SWOT Analysis and Business Risks:

HR Department

Please adhere to the requirements set forth by the rubric and use previous plans (which can be found in the class Google Drive) along with the Gotham Enterprises model to guide you as you go.  Please also make use of all links available on the VEI Website.

Wednesday

While the business plan is put together, all other employees will complete the following tasks:

·        Sales – put all products & catering packages on the wholesale marketplace (I may need to update your settings in the portal, so give me a heads up if you can’t access the wholesale marketplace)

·        Finance – consult with sales to ensure pricing and wholesale costs are accurate.  Also, split up responsibility among different members of sales and finance as to who is responsible for different items (gold, platinum, diamond, catering, etc.).  Lastly, purchase all our office equipment and restaurant equipment.

·        HR & Admin – use the course standards to search for online articles that could help our employees understand important business concepts

·        IT – Continue working on company website, app, and promotional videos

Thursday

On Thursday, we’re going to complete our initial read of the business plan.  We’ll need to begin class by accessing the scoring rubric so we can properly evaluate our work.  Once finished with each section, we’ll determine how closely we’ve written our plan to the requirements set forth by VE International.  Final draft will be completed by our designated writing team.

Friday

With the short period on Friday, we’ll simply establish the writing team that will compose the final draft and create Blogger accounts.

Details, Details, Details, and a Fast-Approaching Deadline

This week, we will continue to work on the business plan, focusing on refining the initial draft we created.  I read through everything you shared with me on my Google Drive and gave you some general feedback this afternoon.  Throughout the week, I will meet with each of you to help guide you in crafting your finished product.  On Monday, I’ll meet with each group to give you slightly more detail about what to work on (resources, previous plans, and some other helpful tips).  From there, I will sit with you individually to give you some specific direction and feedback, focusing on the details I feel will make your plan the strongest it can be.

My overall impression of your submission, as is the usual case when a new group begins a new plan, is that it is very broad/general/vague.  I want each of you to think like an investor or a bank when you read through your writing.  Ask yourself, “If I was an investor who had to read through a dozen plans, would this stand out?  Have I painted the right picture for the reader to make him open up his wallet and invest?”  Once we look into some finer details and make our writing more descriptive, it will jump off the page. 

Monday Through Friday:

To start the week, we’ll go over some housekeeping items regarding Tuesday’s after-school concessions.  We have some inventory to replenish and some great ideas about increasing sales, so we’ll have to iron out all the wrinkles in the first 15 minutes of class.  After this, we need to get the ball rolling on revising our plan.

Once we address after-school concessions, our singular focus is on finalizing the most comprehensive, descriptive plan we can put together.  My input when we sit down individually will provide you with the direction.  Your creativity will make the final draft the best it can be.  

Time to Define Ourselves!

This week, we will use the results of our research to register our business on the VE network, review the written rubric for the business plan as laid out on the VE website, distribute responsibilities for each department and individual department members, and begin writing our business plan.  The initial draft is to be completed by Friday, September 16, 2016. 

1.    Finalize Mission Statement and Company Vision

a.    Shane and his department will again present our options for a mission statement.  We will choose a mission statement and Shane’s team will work on improving the syntax 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 Make-A-Meal

b.    Shane and Drake 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 9/30 deadline, but will set goals for what to complete by 9/16, 9/23, and 9/30

                                               i.     Please make sure to work interdepartmentally so that 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:

Monday

Objectives: Analyze Business Plan Rubric, , Divide Responsibility for completion of Business Plan, Summarize what our business is and how we fill a need in the economy

Clear Target: We can create a business plan

We will begin class by logging into the VE Portal.  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.

Once responsibilities are distributed, we'll need to identify the need in the market our business fills.  This is essential to differentiating yourselves from other food service organizations and will help our sales team close deals when we begin operating.  Highlighting how we are different, why we are superior, and why customers need our services will make all the difference when our plan is compared to our competitors' submissions.

Finally, we'll have to find a real-world business partner who is willing to place a large order with us.  According to the VE decision-makers, we can have a real-world business complete an order that accounts for up to 75% of our company payroll for the year.  With those funds, we will have some of our business expenses satisfied.  Finance, sales, and our executive team will need to solicit the potential customer, offer the products/services (can be a long-term purchase), create an invoice, and close the deal.

We'll close class with a summary report of our work for the day.

Tuesday 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!

Organizational Structure

Below is a breakdown of our organizational structure:

CEO
Tariq Silver

CFO
Dakota Bourne

Sales
Brock Burnett - VP
Darran Brooks
Tationna Johnson
Anaya Melton

IT
Orion Martin - VP
Charles Kaltenthaler
Robert Blair

Finance
Michelle Park - VP
Jessica Elery
William Palmieri
Andrea Ayala

Admin
Shane Carney - VP
Andrew Oglesby
Taylor Keen

Human Resources
Wyatt Harris - VP
Skyler Dixon
Ka'Dondre Crawford

Time to Start Up the Start-Up

This week, we are going to work on two things at once: creating the business plan and registering our business with the VE Network.  We will begin to break up our work by department so that we can maximize efficiency in completing our weekly tasks.  Moving forward (at least until next semester), tasks will often be assigned by department, not by day.  This means you won’t see a daily list of objectives and clear target.  Rather, you will see a breakdown of objectives for each department with either a common or department-specific clear target.  Further, there will be much fewer PowerPoint presentations or lecture from me.  Beginning Monday, my role as facilitator will be to act as your guide on the side.

Our clear target for the week is simple:

We can apply business concepts to launch a virtual startup business.

The tasks for the week can be found below.  Don’t be intimidated by this list.  You can all get it done:

All

·      Log onto the portal - I'll demo for everyone on my computer

·      Reach out to business partners

o   I will touch upon how to approach these business partners in class on Tuesday.

Executives: CEO and CFO

·      Complete business registration form online

o   Basic things can be completed quickly

o   Particulars will take a couple or three days

§  Which type of corporation? Why?

§  Budget

·      Payroll

·      Rent

·      Utilities  - based on schedule I’ll find for you

·      Advertising/promotion

·      Inventory

·      Equipment

·      Supplies

§  How accurate will our budget be? 

***Please consult with Accounting/Finance Department to complete the financial information.  You will all need to research accurate figures to operate your business properly.  Your research results will either help or hurt us in receiving seed money.

Accounting/Finance

·      Assist executives in completing business registration form

·      Determine salaries for all employees at each level

o   Check O-net or Jobs4tn

o   Use the low end for salaries since we only have 19 employees

Sales/Marketing

·      Create product line – list EVERY product you intend to sell 

o   If you intend to do parties, include 2-3 packages at minimum

o   Base this on your audience – how much will they buy and what are they willing to pay?

·      Work on the 5 P’s

o   Product

o   Price

o   Place

o   Promotion

o   Positioning

Use the Scoring Rubric to complete the marketing mix 5 P’s.  We will utilize this rubric when writing anything for the business plan.

Admin and Human Resources

·      Establish company goals and refine mission statement and company vision – to be complete and approved by the firm at end of class Wednesday

·      Create company directory spreadsheet

·      Establish office equipment needed to start up - collaborate with Accounting/Finance department so our start-up costs are accurate.

Use the Scoring Rubric to complete mission statement.  We will utilize this rubric when writing anything for the business plan.

IT/Web Design

·      Company vision: how does each of the following look?

o   The business

o   The employees

o   The products

o   The customers

·      Begin making website

Begin by working on the company website design.  Once marketing has completed its product line (may not be until Wednesday) you can begin to add products to the site.  Remember, our products require a buy-now button when customers buy from us, and Mal’s is by far the easiest free one to use, however there will be an option to use a buy now from the VE home site (recommended).

I know it looks like a lot of work.  It is.  Starting up a business is a daunting task.  It requires you to work in class and out of class in order to succeed.  But don’t worry, guys.  You’re the best students in your class and are very capable of doing all this work really well. 

Interview Week + Announcement of Our Executive Board

This week is one of my favorite weeks of the VE year.  Between Monday and Friday it’s all about the interviews!  Each day we will have at least two student interviews for different openings in each department.  As observers, you will analyze and critique each interview and provide constructive criticism after each one is finished to help improve that student’s abilities moving forward.  Below is a breakdown of how class will be structured.

Monday through Friday: Departmental Interviews

Clear Target: We can analyze and critique a business interview

Upon entering the room, you will first log into the computer and access this blog.  Then, click on our Interview Critique Sheets so you can fill one out for each interview.  I will call the interviewee to the front of the room, display his/her resume on the screen for everyone to review, and then conduct a professional interview.  Here are some really helpful questions toprepare for as your interview approaches.  After each interview, the class will discuss what went well and what could have been done differently.  When finished, we’ll submit our critique sheets and begin a new one.

The order for next week’s interviews can be found below:

1. Palmieri, William
2. Oglesby, Andrew
3. Melton, Anaya
4. Martin, Orion
5. Keen, Taylor
6. Kaltenthaler, Charles
7. Johnson, Tationna
8. Elery, Jessica
9. Dixon, Skyler
10. Crawford, Ka'Dondre
11. Burnett, Brock
12. Brooks, Darran
13. Blair, Robert
14. Ayala, Andrea 

If you’ve made it this far into the blog and are still wondering who our organizational leaders will be, your wait is over.  Congratulations to our CEO Tariq Silver and our CFO Dakota Bourne.  Both races were extremely close and each candidate did an excellent job putting his/her best foot forward.

Well, that’s it for this week. Understand that we will go through about three interviews per class period so you should plan your professional dress accordingly.  I look forward to all your interviews and getting this business up and running.

First Set of Company Tasks

Welcome to another school year of VE blogs!  As you already know, I will blog your weekly tasks as my lesson plans and you are responsible for reading through these prior to the beginning of class every Monday.  By doing this, we can begin class every week without wasting time figuring out what we need to accomplish.  Over the past two plus years, this has worked very well and I know it will continue to be a great resource for all of us.  

Above this text, you see two very distinct, well-recognized logos that mean a lot to the American culture.  This week, you will work on designing a logo of your own to allow our customers to easily recognize Make-A-Meal!  In addition, you will be responsible for creating a company vision, mission statement, rules and procedures, finish your resumes, and our executives will interview for their desired positions.  This all seems like a lot of work, but if you dedicate yourselves to completing the assignments, divide the work appropriately, and focus, there is no reason why it can’t be done.  Please see below for a breakdown of our tasks by day:

Monday and Tuesday:

In my absence, you will split up the following duties and complete them by the end of class Tuesday:

1. Create company logo: I suggest making two or three designs and voting on which one works best.  Don’t hesitate to take different aspects of different logos and combine them into one if you wish.  Feel free to use chart paper near the filing cabinets and the Mr. Sketch markers, which can be found in the bottom drawer of my desk.  Please ask the sub to get them if you want to use them.
2. Company Vision: Research what a company vision or vision statement is all about.  It’s basically a declaration of what you want your business to be.  This is different from a mission statement and aims at longer-term goals.  The article linked above, along with other resources you find online, will be of great assistance
3. Mission Statement: Construct a clear mission statement for the organization.  Use the article above to help craft your statement.  You can also check out some other mission statements from Starbucks, McDonald’s, and Nike.
4. Company Rules & Procedures: Please establish at least 4 standards by which we will operate.  Mike Krzyzewski, Head Basketball Coach at Duke University has no rules for his team.  Rather, he establishes standards for his players to follow.  Feel free to create a list of rules or standards, and make them effective in guiding how we operate.
5. Finish your resume: If you distribute the workload appropriately, we can have tasks 1 through 4 finished by the end of class Monday or some time during the beginning of class Tuesday.  Either way, please use your remaining class time to finish your resume.  When I return to class Wednesday, we will no longer work on the resume in class, and all resumes will be due to me via email or shared with my Google Drive by 8/25.

Wednesday

Clear Target: We can apply effective interview techniques

When class begins on Wednesday, I would like to have a briefing on our logo, company vision, and mission statement.  Then, I will discuss how I plan to conduct our interviews for this coming year.  The main focus of this lecture/discussion will be establishing the fact that everything you do in an interview will be scrutinized, and if you focus on WIIFM, or “what’s in it for me?”  If every answer you provide demonstrates the value you can contribute to the organization, and if these answers are 100% genuine, you can walk out of any interview knowing you have put your best foot forward.  We’ll take notes and address any specific pressing questions to prepare for our interviews.  It’s impossible to learn everything you need to know about interviews in one class period, but if you can take home a few helpful tips and give your best effort, you’ll do very well when your name is called.  Also, we’ll dedicate far more time to interview preparation next semester as we approach Mock Interview Competition.

Thursday and Friday:

Clear Target: We can analyze and critique a business interview

On Thursday and Friday, we’ll simply observe, analyze, critique, and discuss all of our prospective executives’ interviews.  When class begins, we’ll all log into the computers and access our electronic Interview Critique Sheets so we can keep records of things that went well and what could have been better, as well as whether or not we would consider the candidate for the position.  You will complete a critique form for every interview you witness.

After all our prospective CEOs have interviewed, we will vote on who will be our next Chief Executiive Officer.  After all our prospective CFOs have interviewed, we will again have a final vote.  Beginning Monday 8/29, we will have a list of interviews for all other employees.  

That’s it for this week.  I know you will do an excellent job completing all your tasks, but if you require any assistance, don’t hesitate to shoot me an email.  I will gladly help you get it done!