Part 3 Implementing the VEI Model
Southern Region Professional Development
Presented by: Christine Haff
Southern Region Program Director
VEI emphasizes learning in 4 key areas:
Ownership
Experiential
Cooperative
Reflective
An Overview of the VEI Program
veinternational.org
What does a VEI firm do?
Research
Report
Plan
Evaluate
Present
Implement
An Overview of the VEI Program
veinternational.org
Research
• Explore the VEI Website and Firm Directory
– (veinternational.org/Home/About/Resources)
• Research product/service ideas
• What product/service and why?
• Handout—How to Select a Product or Service
An Overview of the VEI Program
veinternational.org
500 firms across 27 product and service categories
An Overview of the VEI Program
veinternational.org
Defining Your Business Model
1. What product or service are you selling?
2. Who’s your target customer?
3. What customer challenge do you solve? What needs or
wants do you serve?
4. What value (customer benefits) do you deliver?
5. How will you reach, acquire and keep customers?
6. How will you define and differentiate your offerings?
What makes you special, different or better?
7. How and when will you generate revenue?
8. What is your cost structure? Your pricing strategy?
9. What is your profit margin?
An Overview of the VEI Program
veinternational.org
Defining Your Brand Objectives
10. What are you branding?
11. What will your brand stand for or represent?
12. What unique benefits will your brand communicate?
13. What emotional connection will you be trying to
establish?
14. What lasting impression would you like to make?
15. What image would you like to project?
An Overview of the VEI Program
veinternational.org
Activity
Name the Firm
•
•
•
•
Generic firm name—3 to 5 years
Unique
Branding
Handout – Select and Verify the Firm Name
An Overview of the VEI Program
veinternational.org
Research
Plan
Present
The Business Plan
Research
The Business Plan
Report
Plan
Evaluate
Present
Implement
• Every firm is required to write a comprehensive and
professional business plan
– Outlining the goals and objectives of the firm
• Regions conduct local Business Plan Competitions
– Winning teams qualify for Nationals
• Culminates in a National Business Plan Competition
– Held in NYC during the Youth Business Summit
An Overview of the VEI Program
veinternational.org
PLAN: Writing the Business Plan
• National Business Plan Guidelines
• National Business Plan Competition
– Written Rubric—Activity
Resources: Curriculum
An Overview of the VEI Program
veinternational.org
PLAN: Present
2014 1st Place, OAISIS
South Pasadena, California
• https://veinternational.org/blog/2014national-business-plan-competition-results/
South Carolina/Southern Region BPC: February 7, 2015,
Myrtle Beach Hilton Resort
An Overview of the VEI Program
veinternational.org
What does a VEI firm do?
Research
Report
Plan
Evaluate
Present
Implement
An Overview of the VEI Program
veinternational.org
To Whom Do We Sell and How
• Firm to Firm (500/7800)
• Firm to VE Employee (10,000)
• Non-VEI Sales
Guests at Grand Opening
Visitors (VEI checks)
Guests at Trade Shows
An Overview of the VEI Program
veinternational.org
Implement
E-Commerce Website
Research
Report
Plan
Evaluate
Present
IMPLEMENT: E-commerce Website
• All firms have an e-commerce website
Implement
– Provides information about the firm & program
– Product/Service descriptions & pictures
– Online shopping cart utility or ordering procedure
• Introducing the “Better Business Rating”
– Firm websites will be rated by “mystery shoppers”
– Similar to star ratings on Amazon.com
– Based on ease of use, customer relations, turnaround time, etc.
An Overview of the VEI Program
veinternational.org
Activity
E-Commerce Review
• https://veinternational.org/resources/referen
ce-files/
• Creating a Website to Support E-Commerce
• Website Competition Rubric (Basic)
– http://edensconfections.com/
– http://www.theupperdeck.net/
– http://ziplineco.us/
• US Directory—Review
An Overview of the VEI Program
veinternational.org
VEI Disclaimer
• If you are using a platform to build the site
(Wix, WordPress, Weebly, Squarespace):
• Type “This is an official Virtual Enterprises
International firm website. This online store
is for educational purposes only.” Highlight
“Virtual Enterprises International”, and link
to //veinternational.org
An Overview of the VEI Program
veinternational.org
Grand Opening
• Official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony—Local
Chamber of Commerce
• Invite
– School District Personnel
– Local Business Partners
– Parents and Friends
– News Media
Opening: Mid November/December
An Overview of the VEI Program
veinternational.org
Implement
Trade Shows Southern Region-February 8-9, 2015
Myrtle Beach Hilton Resort
Research
Report
Plan
Evaluate
Present
Implement
Firms participate in numerous regional and international trade
shows (Ex: New York City, South Carolina, California, Belgium)
https://veinternational.org/blog/2014-trade-show-recap/
An Overview of the VEI Program
veinternational.org
Prepare for a Trade Show
• Preparation for the Trade Show PowerPoint
An Overview of the VEI Program
veinternational.org
What does a VEI firm do?
Research
Report
Plan
Evaluate
Present
Implement
An Overview of the VEI Program
veinternational.org
Evaluate
Report
EVALUATE: The Annual Report
Research
The Annual Report
Report
Plan
Evaluate
Present
• Report on the firm’s operations over the Fiscal Year
Implement
1.
2.
3.
•
What did you say you were going to do in your Business Plan?
What actually happened?
Explain the differences.
•
Why were you successful?
•
Why weren’t you successful?
•
What did you learn from the experience?
Preparation of Firm Financial Statements
– Income Statement
– Balance Sheet
– Cash Flow Statement
https://veinternational.org/resources/reference-files/
An Overview of the VEI Program
veinternational.org
What does a VEI firm do?
Research
Report
Plan
Evaluate
Present
Implement
An Overview of the VEI Program
veinternational.org
Assessments
Online Assessment & Evaluation
Pre/Post Surveys
Attendance Data
VEI Technical Assessment
Pre/Post Assessment
(NOCTI - Test code: 7975)
Student Portfolios
Other Types of Assessments
Career Portfolio
Personal Daily Log
Personal Finance
Work Samples
An Overview of the VEI Program
veinternational.org
Part 4 The Curriculum