Preview: Thursday class

For Thursday, everyone will need to bring one copy of their major section(s) of the Business Plan.  The more complete your copy is, the more effective the workshop will be.  Meaning, have it done...just ready for editing/comments.  Have the research integrated into it...have the graphics in there...have it ready for input.

In class, we will "workshop" the sections in hopes of polishing them off.

In addition, you will complete an exercise designed to create the bulk of the Executive Summary.

Touching Base

Good job yesterday, everyone!  I hope the workshop was helpful, as was the BP time.  I talked with some groups after the entire process, and it seems like everyone is moving in the right direction.  Please remember that you can email me at any point to touch base with any questions, as well.

For Tuesday, please remember your cover letter/resume.  In class, we will discuss tips for using graphics and formatting of the BP, as well as going over presentation tips.

See you then!

Today's In-Class Exercise

Today in class, we workshopped our resumes and assigned the small tasks of the BP.  In addition, I have given you a substantial amount of time to continue work on your specific section of the plan.

My goal is for everyone to have all the information they need, and some of the writing done, but tonight...and then by next Tuesday, for everyone to have their content in a rough section/sub-section format.

So, here is your task for today.  Use the remaining time from class to continue work on your section.  Then, by 10 pm this evening, post to this blog (in the comments here), telling me how far along you are, and what major work you have left for your section.  This will keep us all up to date with each other...and maybe even motivate each other, as well!

Resume/Cover Letter Project

As discussed in class (Tuesday):

Your last individual (major) assignment will be to create a cover letter and resume.  Here are the details:

1.  Locate a real job or internship (one that you could realistically apply for now or at graduation)--you will use that job posting for your cover letter and to focus the resume.

2.  On Thursday, please bring a rough draft of your cover letter and resume to class.

3.  Next Tuesday, a final draft of the cover letter and resume are due at the beginning of class.

Of course, please feel free to contact me with any questions at all during the creation of these documents...

In addition:

For the resume projects, I'd like to provide some samples for reference. The best ones I've found are http://www.quintcareers.com/resume_samples.html -- look at all of the "New Graduate" samples. However, feel free to check out http://www.susanireland.com/resumeindex.htm and http://www.resume-resource.com/exstu3.html as well. Remember that there are different ways to create an effective resume--just make sure you follow the suggestions we discussed in class. Also, here's a great link for information on action verbs:http://www.quintcareers.com/action_skills.html And, here is a good example of a cover letter: http://jobsearch.about.com/od/coverlettersamples/a/recentgrad.htm

For Tuesday

I hope you're all having a nice weekend!  A few notes in advance of Tuesday's class...

1.  Please remember to bring a hard copy of your "Bad News Letter" to class.

2.  Please be sure to print out, and bring, the new PDF I sent over the weekend.  If you did not receive that, please email me right away.  We will begin our resume discussion in class on Tuesday.

3.  Please remember the bring your memos about the other BP ideas to class.

4.  Finally, it came to my attention that some of the email assignment grades did not go through correctly.  To my knowledge, they have all been received now...but if you did not get a note from me with your grade, please email me right away.  Thanks!

See you Tuesday!

Memo and Letter Format

Sample Memo: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/590/04/

Sample Formal Letter: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/653/02/ (all are fine)

Business Research (Tuesday Class)

As you know, we are not meeting on Tuesday.  Instead, I would like you to use the day to begin researching your business idea.  This way, you will make headway into your actual work--but also double-check that the idea (and market) are solid.

Here is your task--as a team, locate 10 credible sources about the INDUSTRY and then 10 credible sources about the MARKET.  When you are sure all of the sources support your idea, make two bibliographies (one for the industry, and one for the market).  If you find, through this research, that your idea (or location) won't fly, now is the time to change (and complete this exercise for your new idea).

Using this page will help you greatly: http://guides.library.ucsb.edu/content.php?pid=54111&hs=a

On Thursday, you will turn in the two bibliographies.  Be sure they are all good sources that back up your idea.  Please follow proper bibliographic citation information--use APA format.  (Google that if you are unfamiliar).

You will have the entire class on Tuesday to complete this, so please do your best.  When we return on Thursday, 8/18, we will pick up with this new information.

Thanks!

This week

I hope this finds you all well!

As you know, this is an unusual week, so I'd like to take a moment to remind everyone of what is happening...and what is due.

*  Today (Tuesday), there is no class...please don't show up!  Instead, email me your team email (as discussed in class) by 5:30. 

*  For Thursday, please bring your research exercise (as discussed in class).  In addition, please bring those powerpoint handouts, as we will discuss Tact in our class session.

See you Thursday!

Homework for Thursday

On Thursday, we will begin discussing the Business Plan in a concrete manner.  To do so, please look over the sample plans found here: http://www.sendspace.com/file/7hrgw1

Now, I'm not saying that all of those plans received A's, but they all were decent examples of what to include in a plan.  Please look them over, and then answer the following questions (please write your answers and bring them to class for discussion purposes).

1.  What were your first impressions of the plans?
2.  Based on what you've seen, what are the major sections of a Business Plan?
3.  What kind of information goes into each of the major sections?
4.  Did seeing the sample plans affect your own thoughts on what you might do for your own?

Please remember that these are just examples.  Also--and this is important--these are for our purposes only.  The former students gave permission for me to use these for class purposes, but they cannot be distributed at all.  Please respect the privacy and work of past students.  Thanks!

For Tuesday's Class

I just sent an email to everyone with some handouts to bring to tomorrow's (Tuesday) class...if you didn't receive the note, please email me right away!

Also, please remember to bring those powerpoint handouts again, as well.

Thanks!

Welcome to the Blog!

This blog will be a general announcement board, as well as a place to post class materials.  Please bookmark it right away, and check it frequently.  Thanks!