September 2012

Entrepreneurship 12 is not being taught until second semester this year. Unfortunately I won't be teaching it this coming year, as I will be away on maternity leave until November 2013. I thank those of you who have shown an interest in the course this year and wish you the very best with your student-run ventures.
-Ms.Sundin

June 18th - 19th

Hi Everyone,

So sorry that last Friday turned out to be so chaotic. Obviously your due date for your final report will be extended. I'll need it finished by Tuesday June 19th at the absolute latest. JA Workbooks are due as well. 
Below is a list of things each company needs to complete by Tuesday June 19th:

*Flex Co.- Organize orders by classroom/wing and deliver shirts Monday! 

Everyone Must:

1. Check final balance
2. ISSUE CHECK REIMBURSEMENTS FOR EACH SHAREHOLDER FOR DIVIDEND
3. Empty and return cash boxes to office
4. Put together a complete Appendix for your reports
5. Bring 2 plastic covers for your final report- you must print 2 copies: 1 for me & 1 for JA
6. Complete and hand in JA Workbooks
7. Complete final peer evaluation
8. Complete JA Survey
9. Clean up/ recycle all materials no longer needed

Final Marks & Dividend Cheques
Unfortunately, as I've explained, there is slim chance of getting your cheques by Tuesday as I had originally intended. However, I will keep them in my room once I receive them so please stop by my room to pick up your cheques!!! I will be at school everyday until the end of June (EXCEPT June 26th!) Please come and see me and also check your final mark. I'll post marks on the door window so you can see them even if I'm not in my room. If I am not in my room and you need your cheque, just go to the office and ask them to page me!

I've enjoyed teaching you guys this semester and hope you had a good time running your companies, and learned something in the process!

I hope you all have a wonderful summer vacation and for those of you graduating, I wish you all the very best of luck with your future endeavors and look forward to seeing you at your Grad Dinner/Dance!

-Ms.Sundin

Week of June 11 - 15th

Hi Class,

This is our FINAL WEEK. There is A LOT TO DO in a very short period of time, so you all need to be here and be on task to get your group projects completed on time! Please have a look at the the week ahead:

Monday (Double Block)

JA SALES PRESENTATION  after lunch!!!

Note: Everyone in each group MUST be present after lunch in order to get the group mark.  Ensure that you are ON TIME before the bell. If you are late for your presentation, you will not be allowed into the classroom and thus, will not be present for your presentation. Translation? A mark of ZERO!

Tuesday-Thursday (Both Groups)

• Work on Final Report
• Get updated balance from office
• Complete all financial documents & include in finance section of report
• Create Appendix with all supporting documents/materials from business venture
• Determine final dividend and issue reimbursements to office for each shareholder

• Flex Co.- Product Delivery to customers during latter part of week

Friday

• FINAL REPORTS DUE  
• Complete JA Workbooks
  

Here is a Look at Next Week:

Monday June 18th

• JA Workbooks DUE
• Complete Final Peer Evaluation
• Empty & return cash boxes
• Clean up and dispose of all remaining materials
• Watch a video in remaining time

Tuesday June 19th/Last Day of Classes

• Final Marks Update
• Complete JA Survey
• Receive JA Certificates
• Receive Dividend Cheques
• Finish watching video

See you in class!
-Ms.Sundin

Week of June 4 - 8th

Hi Everyone,

This week is your LAST WEEK to get ready for your sales presentation on Monday June 11th!

This week is also highly disrupted due to the Commencements rehearsal on Tuesday and ceremony on Thursday! I know it is a busy and exciting time for you, but you still have to make these deadlines. You need to get your Power Point presentations and all tangible samples (Ex: brochure, posters, pictures, etc.) prepared!
This Monday June 4th is your last double-block so please use your time wisely!!! Work hard and get your presentation done! Also, your final reports are due next Friday June 15th so you'll need to divide up the tasks among your group members and be working on both assignments simultaneously this week!

Work hard and be in class on time everyday!

-Ms.Sundin

May 28 - June 1st

Hi Class,

Here is a break-down of the week ahead:

Monday: No classes- Non-instructional day

Tuesday- Friday: Classes as usual

Flex Co.

• WEAR YOUR SHIRTS THIS WEEK TO ADVERTISE
• Try to increase sales
• Create announcements for the PA system
• Work on Sales Presentation
• Organize 'Operation Kirkbride'

Moffat Park Enterprises

• BE IN CLASS ON TIME TUESDAY- LAST DAY to organize everything!
• * Get out of class early to set up tournament before lunch

*****TOURNAMENT RUNS TUESDAY MAY 29th AT LUNCH*****

Everyone must be present at tournament!

See you in class!

Week of May 22 - 26th

Hi Class,

Here is what has to happen this week:

Flex Co.

• Continue Selling at Lunch
• Finance- making deposits and updating financial records
• Advertise heavily this week by social media and word-of-mouth
• Start Sales Presentation

Moffat Park Enterprises

• Class talks- Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
• Collecting your money
• Opening your in-school bank account
• Brochure needs to be finished
• Advertising heavily at lunch and encouraging teams to sign up
• Start Sales Presentation

Everyone needs to be in class and on time, ready to go to classrooms to talk to students!

See you in class!

Week of May 14 - 18th

Hi Class,

It is now mid-May and crunch time!!!

Flex Co.

• Good job on getting your commercial ready for MOTM last Friday. Be sure to ask Ms.Compton to play it the next two Fridays as well!
• Don't forget to wear your t-shirts on Monday as a group, and those who are selling at lunch, should wear theirs as well, even if it is just for the lunch break!
• You need to continue making posters and putting them up
• You will start your sales presentation preparation (instructions to come on Monday or Tuesday)

Moffat Park Enterprises

• Your Business Plan is almost done but not quite. IT MUST BE DONE on Monday!!!
• Everyone must bring $10 to deposit into your school account.
• You need to finish your commercial and get it ready for MOTM. The deadline is WEDNESDAY for this Friday's show!
• You need to buy colored paper for your posters. I will photocopy them for you but you need something other than white paper to make them stand out.
• You need to finalize your sign up sheets, fliers, registration forms, etc.and print one of each off for me. I can photocopy them for you.
• You need to create a sales schedule to advertise your tournament at lunch time this week and next and try to get teams signed up.

This will be a busy week. You need to all be here everyday and on time!

See you in class! :)

Week of May 7-12th

Hi Class,

This week is crucial to the success of your businesses, as both groups should be working on creating their ad campaign now. This includes: posters, a brochure, daily announcements, submissions to the hallway TVs, possibly creating a social media webpage, and definitely creating a commercial for Matheson on the Move!!

Flex Co.

• Good job getting your business plan completed and in to me last week. I'll mark it this week.
• This week your focus is on getting your commercial filmed, edited, and submitted to Ms.Compton for Matheson on the Move.....hopefully for this Friday's episode. Check with her what the deadline for submissions is.
• You must also create your large posters and get your regular posters printed to start putting up next week at the latest
• Your aim is to start selling/taking orders by Monday May 14th, which is only a week away!

Moffat Park Enterprises

• Your business plan is slowly but surely coming together, which is great, however, it cannot be at the expense of your ad campaign! You need to get on creating posters and a commercial before it is too late. Your event will be a success if you work together and create 'hype' for your event. The only way to do that though is with a strong ad campaign! 
• You need to create awareness and encourage teams to register for your tournament, so you have to be ready for them. This means you need to create the following THIS WEEK:
• Information flyers to pass out at lunch
• Registration Info Sheet + Game Rules
• Registration Sheet (for teams to complete with student names, team name, and record of payment)
• General Tournament Sign Up Sheet
• Tournament Standings Board (poster board)

Remember what I said....you'll only get out of this project what you are willing to put in in effort!

Good luck and see you in class!

Week of April 30 - May 3rd

Hi Class,

Well, it is now May, so it is THE month that you will be selling your product or holding your event. Your business plans MUST be finished and handed in to mark, and you have to get organized and get your ad campaigns started! There is no time to waste.

Attendance has been terrible in the preceding weeks. It is necessary that EVERYONE be in class EVERYDAY in order for your companies to be successful.

Hope to see you in class :S

Week of April 23rd - 27th

Hi Class,

This week your main focus should be writing/completing your business plans. This is a very crucial step in the success of a new company, not to mention it counts for a lot of marks!! ;)

Flex Co.

• Finish Business Plan- editing, typing, compiling, formatting, etc.
• Begin the planning stages of your advertising campaign

Moffat Park Enterprises

• Start writing your Business Plan
• Finish your JA Workbooks
• Start selling shares/collecting money

I will show you a couple of videos this week that discuss starting up a business, the importance of business plans, and finding your customers (advertising/marketing).

I hope this will be a productive week.

See you in class...

Week of April 16-20th

Hi Class,

This week your focus is on selling shares (collecting money) and writing your business plans. You should also be working through the JA Workbooks with your group. The Business Plan must be done before you can proceed with any of the fun stuff, such as posters and commercials. The longer your business plan is delayed, the longer your venture itself is delayed.

See you in class...

Week of April 10-13th

Hi Everyone,

This week you have a lot to get done in order to get your businesses underway. Please look at the tasks for your respective company:

Flex Co.

• Administer surveys Tuesday and Wednesday
• Tabulate survey data/results Thursday
• Friday sell shares/collect money
• Work on business plan if time permits

 Moffat Park Enterprises

Do follow up with supplier to see if Plan B is feasible. IF PLAN B is feasible, then:

• Create survey by end of class on Tuesday for Ms.Sundin to photocopy
• Administer surveys Wednesday and Thursday if possible
• Tabulate survey data/results by Friday
• Calculate start up costs 
• Form company roles/positions
• Sell shares/collect money

There is a lot to do and little time to do it, as Spring Break has delayed us somewhat. Bottomline- product orders (unless doing pre-orders) need to be submitted by NEXT WEEK at the latest, or you will not be able to order and sell a real product this year.

Hope to see you ALL in class EVERYDAY, and ON TIME please!

Week of April 2- 5th

Hello Everyone,

This week you will be focusing on market research. That means you will be creating a survey to administer to the student population. Since Monday is our double-block you should have your survey created by the end of the first block so that I can photocopy them for you. I'll go over the expectations of the survey and will email the school in preparation for it. You can start surveying as soon as Tuesday or Wednesday of this week if you are ready. Remember it usually takes at least 2 days to survey and then 2 more days at minimum to tally and tabulate the resulting data!!

Both groups will also continue to do product/supplier research to determine prices and feasibility.

This week is crucial to your business' success, as you should have your money collected by the end of next week so that you can order your product no later than Monday April 16th! Any later than this and there is a very high chance of not being able to run your business, as with production and shipment time, any delay will not leave you enough time to sell your product!

Please be in class everyday, on time and use your class time efficiently. We have a lot to do and not a lot of time to do it!

See you in class...

Week of Mar.26 - 30th

Welcome Back Everyone,

Before the break you were doing an online research activity on the Internet. On Monday, those who are not yet done their assignment will have the first block before lunch to finish. You have had ample opportunity in class to work on this, so if you are not done, then you will have to take only part marks for what you finished. After lunch we will go over the activity together as a class.Those who are done will be able to move ahead onto the next assignment.

After lunch you will watch a video called "Keys to Business Success". You'll be given a question booklet that you will complete as you watch the video. Later this week we will look at POSSIBLY forming student companies. If the attendance in your class continues to be poor like it has been, it will not be possible to run successful student companies, and we will have to forgo this activity. It is up to you as a class.

See you in class.

Week of Mar.5 - Mar.9th

When we return to classes, likely Thursday March 8th, you will be back on the computers working on your online research activity "Starting a Business in Canada". If we have time before the break, I would also like to show you a video called "Keys to Success", which features a small partnership and all of the different aspects of business that are necessary for a small business to be successful.

Please be in attendance on Thursday and be ready to work and make up for lost time.

Thank you.

Week of Feb.27-Mar.2

Hi Gr.11 and 12's,

Last week we learned about accounting and its important in a business. If you did not write the quiz on Friday, be prepared to make it up ASAP.

This week we will begin studying Marketing, which is one of the most essential, and also the most interesting, departments in any business. Without marketing nothing would get sold!

We will study the 4P's, market vs market segments, target markets, demographics vs psychographics, SWOT analysis, marketing strategies, advertising mediums and how they differ depending on the product life cycle!

Below is the video we will watch in class for a case study called "The Revolutionary Shoe"

You may view this video again if you need to. For further information on this company view the company's website http://www.tanyaheath.com/

See you in class!

Week of Feb.20-24th

Hi Class,

On Monday you will have your Ch.1 Test so be sure to study by reading the textbook and reviewing your assignments 1.1, 1.2, & 1.3.

Following the quiz, the people who did poorly on the HR Quiz will need to redo the quiz for a passing grade. We will finish watching the video we started on Friday in the meantime.

This week we will be focusing on Accounting, what it is, why it is necessary, what financial documents are produced and what they show, and then you'll be doing a group Accounting Activity that simulates the types of transactions and financial documents you'll need to produce during your business venture!

On Friday we will have a quiz on Accounting. Please be in class every day this week and ON TIME.

 See you in class!

Week of Feb.13-16th

Hi Everyone,
Last Friday you were assigned a case study called "The Whistleblower", with questions to answer. On Monday we will correct these as a class. Ensure you have these done or you will get an 'Incomplete'. We will then look at section 1.3 in the textbook, which deals with Ideas, Opportunities and Goals, which follows what we were talking about last week as well, when you were identifying and thinking up new Ideas and Opportunities. Following that we will be moving on to the study of HR or Human Resources, which is essential to any business. We will be looking at topics such as managerial styles, types of skills, compensation, employee and employer rights and responsibilities, as well as communication, conflict resolution and teamwork! Ensure you are in class each and everyday and on time please.

See you in class!

Week of Feb.6-10th

Hi Gr. 12's,

Hopefully things will settle down now that course changes are finished. It was a very odd first week and I've never had so much fluctuation in class numbers before....nor have I ever had such poor attendance!! I have to say I'm not impressed.
YOU MUST BE IN CLASS EVERYDAY, ON TIME. IF NOT, THEN WE WILL NOT RUN STUDENT-COMPANIES THIS SEMESTER.  We can just as easily learn about starting and running a business from a textbook. The choice is yours, shown by your attendance and participation in class!

Last week you began researching famous Canadian entrepreneurs. Your research assignment is Due Monday, February 6th.
*Be prepared to give a short presentation to the class about your entrepreneur

Also this week we will continue on with Chapter 1 in our textbooks. First we will do a Brainstorm Activity on the characteristics entrepreneurs need in order to be successful. We will also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of having your own business. You will then do two assessments of your entrepreneurial skills and traits. One will be paper-based, and the other will be an Online Assessment, both of which you will complete and hand in for marks. Be prepared for lesson activities and a short quiz at the end of this chapter.


We will also discuss and do activities related to teamwork and conflict resolution.

See you in class!

Week of Jan.30th- Feb.3rd

Welcome to Entrepreneurship!

Entrepreneurship is a really interesting and 'hands on' course. It is based mainly on Teamwork. As the old adage goes 'There is no 'I' in team.' You may think working with your classmates will be fun, but I warn you, it can be very challenging to get everyone working well together and at times you may get VERY frustrated. This course is a good chance for you to learn about your individual strengths in group settings, and more importantly, learn to work with others. In the real world, you don't get to choose who you work with, so you  have to learn to get along with everyone and still be productive! This is probably one of the most valuable skills you will take away from this course, so it will be a great learning experience.

In Entrepreneurship 12 we will be using the textbook "Ideas in Action". We will work out of this text almost daily, but I will supplement it with case studies, and other projects when appropriate. We will also do some fun group activities, such as a Dragon's Den simulation! In addition to our daily learning of entrepreneurial and business concepts, we will also be forming 'companies' and creating and selling a REAL product for REAL money! However, this activity is highly dependent on your in-class behavior. It is a lot of responsibility and work to run a business, so you must behave and act maturely, or we won't be able to do this. That being said however, I am confident that that won't be an issue for your class ;)

In March it is my hope that we will start our own class companies. We will be working with Junior Achievement, a non-profit organization that works with youth to teach and promote business skills. I'll explain more about Junior Achievement in class, but if you would like more information you may visit the website at the following link:
Junior Achievement-BC Chapter .

Please check back to this site for information on topics we'll be covering, assignment and project information, as well as test dates and due dates. I'll do my best to update this weekly! If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to email me.

See you in class! :)

Week of Jan. 23-27th

Well, the course if over!! In case you're checking this, let me just say again what a great job you guys did selling your products and in getting your final reports done and handed in! You made me proud and I know Ms.Jones of Junior Achievement was impressed with you.

Please be sure to stop by my room later this week to check your final marks. I'll post them on my door. You can also stop by and pick up your workbooks and other marked assignments if you wish. Millennium Inc. please Listen for announcements regarding picking up your cheques. I'll let you know when they've been issued and you can stop by and pick them up anytime next semester.

I wish you all the best of luck in your final semester and look forward to seeing you at Grad 2012!

Take care,

-Ms.Sundin

Week of Jan.16-20th

Hi Gr.12's,

This is your LAST WEEK of classes which is awesome, but it also means only 5 more days to get everything done!!
This is what is on the agenda for the week:

JA 1- Infinity Inc. 
Final Final Report due Wednesday Jan.18th

• Finance must finish all financial documents, make pictures of each to be inserted into the report, and create a picture of the share price history as well. 
• Don't forget to buy/bring 2 report covers!
• I'm praying that your product arrives this week. We will contact the supplier to check on the status and will submit an announcement to the student body if necessary
• Hopefully you'll deliver your products during class

JA 2- Millennium Inc.
Final Final Report due Wednesday Jan.18th

• Finance needs to make any adjustments after Friday's refund and submit the shareholder dividend reimbursement forms to the office on MONDAY morning to ensure the cheques are ready for you by Friday!!!
• Don't forget someone needs to buy/bring 2 report covers! 

Everyone must finish and submit the following by or before Friday:

• Starting a Business in Canada
• JA Workbook completed
• Activity Logs (must be typed)- please insert them inside your JA Workbook
• Ch.14 worksheets 14.1 and 14.2 - we will correct them in class on Wednesday or Thursday
• Exit Interviews completed by HR for all company members by/before Friday

 On Friday in class- our last day- all of the above mentioned assignments MUST be handed in!
You will then complete a Junior Achievement feedback form and you will receive both your JA Certificate of Participation and your Dividend cheque!!! In any remaining time we can watch Dragon's Den.

So you see....this last week will be intense, but it will be the LAST week!! You will be able to check your final mark sometime the following week, so stop by my room anytime after Wednesday.

Good work this semester everyone. You did a great job with your companies. I wish you all the best of luck with your final exams and final semester. Hope to see you all at Grad!!!

-Ms.Sundin

Week of Jan.9-13

Hi Gr.12's,

Once again I just want to commend you all on a job well done on your Sales Presentations for Junior Achievement. Both companies did a great job and really impressed Ms.Jones. I was very proud of you!

So this week and next week are going to be extremely busy, as the semester, and your companies, come to an end. You will be 'Liquidating your assets' and closing your business. Since there is so much to do, I've organized each item of mention by its own heading. Please take a moment to read through what needs to get done this week:

Final Report

First and foremost this week we are continuing to focus on the Final Report to Shareholders and Junior Achievement. This is DUE NO LATER THAN JANUARY 18^th. The sooner the better! Please make arrangements to buy two report covers for the final report. There must be two copies- one for Junior Achievement, and one for me.

Product Deliveries

Millennium Inc., your hoodies have arrived! The supplier shipped them to the school on Friday so on Monday the Production department will go through the hoodies, check them against the invoice for correct sizing and quantity, as well as check for any defects. Deliveries by classroom must be arranged and made over the next day or so. Other department members may help with this.

Infinity Inc., you may wish to think about making an announcement about the estimated arrival and delivery of your water bottles, just to ensure communication with your customers.

Starting a Business in Canada- Internet Research Activity

In December I gave everyone of you an individual Internet-based research assignment on “Starting a Business in Canada”.  You’ve had plenty of time to start working on it before the break. Now it is time to finish it and hand it in! Ideally it should be done on Monday January 9^th, but Tuesday January 10th will be fine. It must be handed by Tuesday though  so that I have time to mark it!

Ch.14- Legal and Ethical Issues

The next and final chapter of the text we will be looking at is Chapter 14 which deals with legal requirements, ethical issues and social responsibility.  Sorry guys, but this is one last chapter that is extremely important so we are obligated to look at it! You will have class time to work on this in between your other responsibilities. 

Peer Evaluation

You will also be doing the final peer evaluation at some point this week.

 Don’t forget your Daily Activity Logs and JA Workbooks must be completed as well. 

So you see, this is a busy week. You must prioritize and get all of this work done. I know it seems like a lot, but you have more than enough class time to get it all done IF you use your time wisely and efficiently.

See you in class!

Week of Jan.3 -6

Welcome Back Everyone,

I assume that you contacted your supplier on Friday, December 16^th and submitted your final product orders. The first week back your Production Department members must find out the status of your orders and prepare to pick up the products.

More importantly though this week is your Sales Presentation. As you had plenty of time to prepare your Power Points before the break, the majority of the work should be done. The Sales Presentation is Thursday January 5^th in the afternoon block, giving you Tuesday, Wednesday and the morning block on Thursday to finalize your presentation and add the updated information on revenue and profit, etc. Remember EVERYONE must be present to get their group’s mark. Ms.Jones of Junior Achievement will be joining us so be sure to be present to rehearse and make a good impression!

Once the presentation is done, each company must begin putting together their Final Report. At the same time, members of each company will be delivering the products to their customers. The Finance Department has a large number of tasks to complete here as well, including:

•  Calculate total sales and final/up-to-date balance
• Issue payment for the Incorporation Fee (if not done already)
• Prepare final financial documents
• Determine final share price and create chart
• Issue Dividend Payment to each shareholder

 As the semester quickly draws to an end, you will be doing a final peer and self-evaluation, your daily activity logs and JA Workbooks, must be completed. Be sure to be in class and stay on top of your work. Due dates for all final assignments will be decided soon.

See you in class.

PS. Remind me to give you back your Ch.9 Tests AFTER I've recorded the marks (I marked them over the break).