Friday, May 30, 2008 Freshman Seminar

Friday, May 30, 2008

Ms. Kirshner -- Periods 3 and 4

AIM: How will we finish presenting our business plans to the class for a grade?

DO NOW: What is a monthly sales projection and why do you think you need to plan the monthly sales in "Units" estimated to be sold, each month? What is a "unit of sale" in your business ?

(To Recap: On Wednesday, we reviewed the Philanthropy/ Social Responsibility portion of the business plan and we brainstormed about who the big name philanthropists are in the USA today. Oprah Winfrey and Bill and Melinda Gates (of Microsoft) were at the top of our list.
We discussed what each of you would do if you became wealthy as an entrepreneur. We put your dreams up on the board, about how you would give back to the community.

Then a student presented his business plan and we were trying to be quiet and respectful. )


Today we will spend a portion of the time completing the monthly sale projections portion of your business plans, on page 2.

Next, we will continue with the presentations for those who did not present in front of the class and in front of me for a grade. You are required to present for a presentation grade. Students must follow class rules and not talk during the presentation, and must be respectful of the other student presenting.

Students will again answer and submit their responses, once again for each presenter they observe the following two questions:

1. What one or two things did you like best about the presentation of the business plan, or of the business idea itself?

2. What would you like to see added or changed in the business plan presentation or in the business idea/plan itself?
(In other words, how would you like to see the business plan presentation improved or changed to make it better in your opinion?)

This is the last day for presentations in class. Your plans should have been submitted and a copy held by you. If you didn't submit the plan, please do so with your name on it today, along with your DO NOW and your observation questions.

Next week we start the review of all the things we learned in class which will be preparation for a two day final exam. I plan to prepare a review sheet to help guide you.

Wedmesday, May 28, 2008 - Thursday, May 29 UPDATE

AIM: How will we present our remaining business plans?

DO NOW: What do you know about "Philanthropy"? What does it mean? Do you know anyone in the news who is a "Philanthropist"? Explain.

We will review your responses and go over the definition and examples.

(for further discussion: When you are a successful entrepreneur, what will you do to "give back" to your community?)

Definition: PHILANTHROPY: Concern for human and social welfare expressed by giving money to charities and foundations.

In class students should be directed to look at their business plans and to go the box for page 2: Philanthropy box, which is the same as the business plan handout regarding the same. These can also be distributed in class for completion and submitted with name on it and date.



Presentations of business plans will continue all this week, until everyone has been observed, given feedback and graded. Please note business plans are past due. You must keep a copy of your plan and submit one copy to Ms. Kirshner. It is best done in PowerPoint. When students observe and listen, they must be quiet and respectful of the presenter and of each other. Points will be deducted from their participation grades otherwise, and calls home may occur. Please note, students must answer two basic questions for each business plan presented; for students to submit at the door or before:

1. What did you like most and what worked best in the presentation of the business plan?
2. If you could change anything, to improve it, what would it be and how would you suggest improving it?


HOMEWORK: What three major US Corporations will you research and become an expert about for the next term? This was the homework required last Friday, as Mr. Melkonian came to our class and placed it on the board and discussed it with you. It is due.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Welcome back from the Memorial Day Weekend!

Today we will return to and finish up our presentations as best we can. Remember, you must type up your business plan in PowerPoint, and submit it on time in each stage, when required and you must finish it and present it in class, or you can't pass the class. That's a fact.

AIM: How will we present our business plans if some students are frightened to go in front of the class?

DO NOW: Think of your own experience(s), speaking to groups of people. What did you do to manage any fear you may have experienced? What worked/works for you when you speak in front of groups? What "trick do you know of, that you think will help other students? Describe and explain.

We will discuss some of your responses and place them on the board.

Students who have not yet presented will be called up to present. If you do not have your plan with you, you must present regardless. You were required to make a copy of the business plan for yourselves and give one copy to me to give to Mr. Melkonian, which I did. It is your responsibility to be brave and make your presentation. I cannot do it for you.

There is no choice in the matter. Some of you refused to go last Friday, which was the last day in which the business plans were due and presentations were to be made. This won't be acceptable today or tomorrow, as time is up. Be brave. It is far worse to fail the class and to take it again and again, because you didn't do the plan and you didn't present it as required. You've had plenty of time. That is it for the lecture.

Ms. Newell is available in the computer lab as she informed you last week. I am in Rm 410 A during periods 6, 7 and 8, if you don't have a class then, you can come up and I will set you up on an available computer. I may be there part of 9th period as well. Please don't hesitate to take advantage of this offer.

Ms. Kirshner

Friday, May 23. 2008 Freshman Seminar

All this week we have been finalizing our business plans, and presenting in class. We will continue to do so today. I selected two students with the best presentations thus far, but there is room for more of you to be considered. Be courageous!

It is important that you use the computers available to us, whenever we can gain access. This project, your business plan, must be done using MS PowerPoint. Your business plans must be completed and submitted to me so that I can copy them and give them to Mr. Melkonian today. There is no time to lose. If you are afraid to present, let me know and I will work with you to help you gain courage. Courage is important in life and there are mind tricks experts recommend to help people make public presentations, without fear. You can do it! I believe in each and every one of you!

As a business professional who entered the education word more recently, I am amazed by the great ideas and by the swiftness of your learning how to prepare a business plan. This is advanced "stuff" and you are mastering it early in your lives. You are on your way to great success with your business plans in hand!

Let's Go Ms. K's Classes!


P.S. Did I say it? Have a happy, healthy, and safe Memorial Day Weekend! Don't come to school this Monday; See you Tuesday!

Ms. Kirshner

Tuesday, May 20, 2008 Sports Marketing P 8

May 20, 2008

AIM: How can we create a new sport and sport team name?

DO NOW: What unusual/uncommon sport did you choose for your project? Who did you partner with? What are you up to with the project?

Send your responses to Ms. Kirshner at Professorklk@aol.com

May 2008 Attention Students

Please check the blog for updates. All grades are in! All of you should be computer savvy by now, and should submit assignments electronically more often than not.

Please keep up to date with the blogspot via google.

I will see you soon. Keep up the good work!

Ms. Kirshner

Freshman Seminar Students - May 7-9

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Update.May 7-9, 2008-fr:MsK -Periods 3 & 4

For extra credit:

There was an article online today about a woman who wrote a book about her perfect memory, and what a blessing and a curse it is to never forget anything. If you had such a memory, how would you promote it, or sell your skill/talent as a service, for example would you promote it as an entertainment service for parties and conventions? For what sort of businesses? For neurologists to study and reproduce the gene or chemicals in the brain making her remember? Who would benefit most from such a product/service. Use your creativity and imagination, as most great new product and service ideas come from thinking "outside the envelope" or "outside the box" ...which means, "outside the ordinary".
_____________________________________________________________

LESSON FOR TODAY:

We need to work on respecting each other. Each one of us is special in his/her own uniqueness. Life is valuable and to be treasured. When I was thought to possibly have the infection spreading into my bone and blood, and the doctors and nurses were running around to give me tests in the emergency room, and I was scared I was going to lose a leg or die because I can't take the antibiotics necessary, I cried and I thought about how valuable, how much of a treasure life is. We are each only on this planet for one time in our current situations, and we must make the most of the time we have. Try to live your life with honesty, courage, kindness, and with ambition and decency towards your fellow travelers in this one time adventure. You have only one time to do it. Start now. That is my lesson for the day, or my words of advice. You are YOUNG. Youth is a great advantage. You can do anything with your lives. Believe in yourself. Start now.

Please send your work to Ms. Kirshner via email at Professorklk@aol.com. Make sure to identify who you are and what period you are in in your subject line.


Ms. Kirshner, MBA, MS

Update.May 7-9, 2008-fr:MsK -Periods 3 & 4