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!