In short, if you received a good (read: perfect or near-perfect score) mark on a section, then dont edit it before ICDC! Also, a word of wisdom: Ive gotten burned by (looking back) ludicrous promises by teammates. This. Im not a big fan of agendas, but many groups find it very helpful to set a meeting agenda whenever they are going to be working on the project. Out of those ten, three will be awarded DECA Glass. Imagine this is the only thing someone would read. From the paper standpoint, the team route (when executed well) decreases the workload and dependence of all members. . Like I said, I love researching, and I really wanted to squeeze the most out of this event as I could. X will start making small changes, and if they believe that they have made too many adjustments, they will simply CNTRL+A and DELETE your work. I have only two tips for this stage: Seriously! She also offers several tips on how students can better prepare in order to give themselves the best chance to win. That said, I chose the International Business Plan because it gave me the opportunity to research the culture and business/entrepreneurship environment of another country. When I presented, I used a traditional PPT and a clicker (if youre going to use a slide deck, make sure to have a clicker). To learn more about a specific event, go to DECAs competition section of their website, and the link for the guidelines of every event will be attached when the event is first mentioned. If you are the type of person who wants absolute control over every aspect of your project, this is the route you need to take. As a serious competitor, you need to channel your inner critic; try to read your paper through the lens of that advisor and make changes just as a harsh third-party would. The Start-up Business Plan is an intermediary, having a maximum page limit of eleven. Also, I recommend giving your paper a read through and fixing any grammatical errors that hinder comprehension and flow and double-checking penalty points. ?# W}IVj^(b""'S1O0}!L,B5}Yi!\[rwG(JAQpgo!,A~l4U.1.WS_''G! zh?|'_S'N"2; This is an awesome question. In your paper (and presentation, but well get to that) be certain to include the exact vocabulary from the rubric and guidelines in your writing. AndRELAX! Tred with caution. Teachers will learn how to use a project-based learning approach while implementing DECA written events. If you take this step early, there is absolutely no reason to rush to rash and impulsive decisions. However, you should not take up that whole time presenting. Additionally, I served North Carolina DECA as a VP and a voting member on the Board of Directors. E Engaging. DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. A word of advice: dont get too attached to your first (or second or third) draft; it wont be great. The written entry must follow the specifications provided in the Written Entry Guidelines section of the DECA Guide for the competitive event. An intricate presentation board pulls attention away from your pitch. I dont care if youve taken Entrepreneurship XXX and know the components of a solid business plan by heart. The Integrated Marketing Campaigns will replace the Marketing Representative Events, effective during the 20182019 DECA year. I knew I had to go for an entrepreneurship event so that automatically narrowed the field. But, thats so crucial in the drafting stage of anything, DECA paper or college essay. I also made business cards with my name and company logo, and I handed the judge a card before I wrapped up. PDF Table of Contents Lemme be 100: if you dont know how to plan well and conduct sound research, you better start learning. If you received a perfect score on your Executive Summary section, and you believe the score was not by fluke, then why edit your paper?! No matter if you win or not, be proud of yourself! Learn DECA - What Is A Written Event? - YouTube While the Franchise Business Plan, Independent Business Plan, Business Growth Plan, and International Business Plan have a maximum page limit of twenty. Take a look at my new video for tips to get the DECA glass. 1. Every DECA written event allows you to compete solo, as a partnership, or as a group of three. endstream From the paper standpoint, the team route (when executed well) decreases the workload and dependence of all members. The paper in a 20 pager will count for 60% of your score, making the paper that much more important. Im not a big planner. Start with a bang.2. Surprisingly, this is a great problem to have! Unleash your potential by stepping into a leadership. Therefore, it is paramount to have a killer ES. Use the oral presentation evaluation form as a blueprint for your presentation, because the judge will be awarding your points by using it. Dont be blinded by outlandish promises; they are almost always too good to be true. To some, this may seem intimidating. Start with a bang. Judges are sticklers for judging a paper off the guidelines. Hi there! If you have a strong core of one or two chapter members that possess wildly different (applicable) skill sets and mesh well, forming a team with those members is a great way to go. If you like event planning and management and want to have a tangible impact on your school or community, try a chapter event! Following my term as state club, EGO was elected such the 2018-2019 DECA Incidents. Focus on what makes you stand out. 4. Generally, a fancy board will take away from your speaking. Will. While youre not obligated to leave time for questions, its always recommended. that couldve brought potential benefit to my paper. The events that were under this umbrella and phased out include the Advertising Campaign, Fashion Merchandising Promotional Plan, and Sports and Entertainment Promotional Plan. As with many associations, your paper is (probably) due a few weeks before your state conference. The tough decision, though, was what event to pick. Competitive Events Sample Texas DECA People you know will often give you sugar-coated advice, and this will do more harm to your project than good.. Are your visual aids easy to use? In the finals round, every project presents to the same judge. I know, you probably feel like you covered that section that the judge is confused about very well, but a rude or impatient tone will not support your cause.. I never plan for anything. They are that important. My favorite written event category, Entrepreneurship Events give you the opportunity to explore entrepreneurial concepts from idea generation, business planning, to growing an existing business. Unlike Business Operations Research and Chapter Team events, however, the events that fall under the Entrepreneurship umbrella have different rules from one another. Ah, my favorite part of DECA competition: presenting. From a presenting standpoint, each member can cover certain parts of the pitch, which should allow for better (and impressive) flow and transition (plus you can wear matching outfits, and thats pretty cool). I still have a folder on my computer full of PDFs from research for my IBP, paper revisions, audio from meetings and calls, charts and graphs, etc. Ill be honest Im the most unorganized person youll ever meet. Side note: A hybrid of the two methods I will discuss exists and is likely what many will use. Do you get nervous before taking an exam? They are classified by industry and career cluster. An age-old debate between researchers and perfectionists: should my paper be content heavy or aesthetically pleasing? Do not think that just because you were told that a certain section isnt important that you dont need to include it in your paper. Also, it is possible that your competition time will be very, very close to the conclusion of the achievement awards session. In each event, there are around 160 competitors; again, depending on your event, 1620 projects will advance to the finals round. A couple years ago, I developed a killer handshake technique that uses a DECA acronym: Its finally here! The DECA Virtual Business Challenge (VBC) is an official competitive event free to high school members and hosted by Knowledge Matters. I even found an amazing e-book with a few chapters especially pertinent to my paper, emailed the publishing company, and received a hard copy (free of charge) in the mail a couple of weeks later. 3) You have a unique idea you know you can sell to the judges. Dont sit in your hotel room religiously rehearsing your script. I think this helped a ton when it came to getting stuff done in an efficient manner, and I would recommend you/your team to find a quiet paper place, somewhere you all meet when its time to finally get down to business. Written Event Samples . Explore these frequently asked questions and answers. If you make too many changes to an essay, then the paper reads inauthentic and losses its power; likewise, the quality of an excessively edited DECA paper holds an inverse relationship with the number of frivolous edits. In fact, the entire entry shows your research, strategy and plan to achieve your purpose. The event is based on the Virtual Business series of simulations and offers over $20,000 in scholarship money. They should add substance to your paper. Include the most important details, and be thorough on those details, for every section and elaborate on the vital portions (consult the rubric for point values to determine these), but dont slack on the visuals make your paper pretty! 1 0 obj Give a great pitch. That said, I still had a rough sketch and timetable for my event. Unfortunately, there is no binary solution. endobj A fancy presentation board is a great way to get the attention of your judge and for them to remember you. You want the judge to think that you have the best entry. With over fifty competitive events, choosing just one to participate in can be one of the most difficult choices to face in DECA. If you arent completely sure of the answer, just say something in the ball park, but sound confident; the judge will believe you! Jokes aside, however, judges can sense if youre apprehensive. Many chapters already put on amazing school/community activities, and the Chapter Team events allow you to showcase your chapters awesome outreach/impact! You have a tricycle mounted on a board (true story)? The Ultimate Written Event Guide | DECA Direct Online For example, I included my companys logo as the center header on every page, and the footer with the required page number was in the color scheme of my company. Having a budding affinity for the world of entrepreneurship, I instantly gravitated towards these events. WRITTEN PROJECTS. Written events are a process, and they require months of preparation, all-nighters, and a lot a lot of research. pdT B`M389Jo&Gu(5Hk#+%'66V,Pp ug5I}@_|;;VAA]xgOcz7 g>^G~1:d^"% ,Rn94-l;LZ_"o`2^*5Hf"RxL:/"n9*!s_^n"@D}l! If you like business research and strategy, BOR is a great fit for you! At least act like you want to be there. Include data and finances.6. This conference brings over 19,000 people from all fifty states and multiple countries to one city. Some of the most common reasons for penalty points include: Action Item: Give your entry to a trusted advisor or peer to review against the Penalty Point Checklist from the DECA Guide. If you're looking for more information on DECA's International Career Development Conference competitive events process and transcripts, look no further! If you lack innate self-initiative and are a weak presenter, I urge you to not even consider this option. Hello, I'm Andrew Weatherman, the current DECA, Inc. Executive President. Written Event Product Texas DECA. Flying solo feels greatyou never have to deal with conflicting schedules, you can work on your own time, and you make every decision. Why? 20182019 DECA, Inc. Executive President of the High School Division | Duke 2023, DECAs competition section of their website, Current 5- and 11-page projects changed to. There are three different events within IMC. Dont just repeat passages from your written entry. The Innovation Plan and Start-up Business Plan have a page limit of ten. Unlike all other written events, though, the Business Growth Plan has strict rules on who can compete; since this event involves crafting a detailed growth plan and strategy for a business owned by a DECA member, all competitors must be documented owners/operators of the business a parents business does not qualify. All events, though, allow for a single competitor, a partnership, or a team of three. Sell dont just tell.5. 3. Opportunity. At the 2017 ICDC in Anaheim, California, I placed 2nd in the International Business Plan category. Just, I been asked by a few DECA members for writing event competition tips. If this is the case, work like heck on your paper until the due date dont even think about your presentation. Then go with a expertly designed presentation board. It wasnt much, and it doesnt have to be much. Therefore, it is paramount to have a killer ES. Great! Unlike all other written events, though, the Business Growth Plan has strict rules on who can compete; since this event involves crafting a detailed growth plan and strategy for a business owned by a DECA member, all competitors must be documented owners/operators of the businessa parents business does not qualify. All events, though, allow for a single competitor, a partnership, or a team of three. Ah, after weeks/months of planning and researching, its finally time to start seriously drafting your paper. A respectable content-to-visual ratio for every page (that isnt financials) is 75:25. One way I prepared for questions was by pitching to others and fielding questions from them. endobj XMA8%}J*C rcGR6&/P9;DS|PM].uX3XUApIEN, jbs3n"VPRumgn4J,d$T@)8a3-F67/L9 iA@)Olsb! )GR^T1jVez-RUle)qJNNPJ P_XwXY G3ud9G~` /&; {ou Make sure, though, that you dont add visuals just to add them. I recommend setting aside a few weeks at the start of school to survey new DECA members and observe returners (summer changes some people). Honestly, this is a personal decision. Include the most important details, and be thorough on those details for every section. Dont gorge your board with information, but dont starve it, either. If you are using technology, dont count on WiFi or outlets! I ran tight on time during my final IBP pitch at ICDC, and I honestly think that was the deciding factor between first and second oh well. Options range from a trifold to a life-size toilet paper roll on a rolling clothes rack. Do you have a plan B in the event your visual aid becomes inoperable? stream I dont care. catchy intro, enthusiastic tone, quirky The Ultimate DECA Written Event Guide | by Andrew Weatherman | Medium You have a limited amount of time to give your presentation, so make sure you highlight the most important aspects of your entry, while also using it as a persuasive tool. For a Glass-worthy paper, you will spend twice the amount of time researching than you will actually writing the paper. This session is all about setting up the logistics for incorporating written events into the classroom. Itll make [your paper] easier to read for the judge. Allie Barry; Missouri DECA President. So some competitors like to play videos during their pitch. I guarantee that if you walk around the Georgia Convention Center for fifteen minutes and try to meet new people, you will walk away exposed to unprecedented amounts of varying culture and personalities. After weeks (read: months) of planning and researching, its finally time to start seriously drafting your paper. If you are going to provide handouts, which could allow the judge to more easily follow your pitch, make sure to print and bring backups. A quick pro tip, no matter if youre working alone or as a group, enlist the help of your advisors, friends, trusted family, and outside sources to give you feedback on your paper. People you know will often give you sugar-coated advice, and this will do more harm to your project than good. When I wrote like books, I were serving as the State President of North Sc DECA. Ill be honest: I wasnt really sure how competition at ICDC works. Using DECA Written Events for Project Based Learning The Ultimate DECA Written Event Guide - Medium Give them the oral presentation evaluation form and ask them to rate your performance. DECA Guide 2021-2022 by DECA Inc. - Issuu DECA breaks the written events into four categories: Business and Operations Research Events, Project Management Events, Entrepreneurship Events, and Integrated Marketing Campaign Events. D Direct. Once you decide on a logo and font, maintain a consistent color scheme and font usage. Think of the exterior things that could go wrong on the day of your presentation. You have the perfect opportunity to impress your judge with a solid pitch and great aesthetics making you difficult to forget. Personally, I chose to fly solo. However, make sure to explain to them that they need to be 100% honest in their critical feedback. Read them between drafts and before bedtime. All written events must be printed single-sided. When it comes to presenting, you have the full load of work; you cant rely on someone else to cover certain parts. Top-tier DECA competitors know to hit all the competition event indicators, but its those little touches that elevate a well-prepared presentation to a DECA glass-winning presentation. If you like event planning and management and want to have a tangible impact on your school or community, try a project management event! If you like business research and strategy, Business Operations Research is a great fit for you! If you feel like a video would be, Question your speaking prowess or doubt your ability to perform a flawless pitch under pressure, Feel anxious when you dont have a handicap to lean on and direct to when speaking, Are proud of your amazing speaking skills, Arent the artistic type (or you are, but youre a better speaker), Dont get too nervous under pressure and desire for all the attention (and eyes) to be on you. There are two main types of DECA competitions: role-plays and written events. Most importantly, have a respectful tone when answering. To advance out of the preliminary round and be recognized as an international finalist (a blue ribbon medal), you must be one of the top two scoring projects from your group. That said, though, you must make your board effective. The previous year, I competed in an ten-page event, and I thought that limit was too restrictive, so I had to go for a twenty-pager. Shop DECA is the official source for your chapter needs. No one wants to shake your hand for ten hours. You have fifteen minutes to give your pitch. Business Operations Research events are a great way to connect with local business and understand how they work! If you are using technology, dont count on WiFi or outlets. Do not just read your paper. When you join DECA, you're a part of something greater; you're part of an unstoppable force of nearly 152,000 members around the globe. Make sure, though, that you arent adding visuals just to add them. Honestly, this is a personal decision. This is the most important part of your paper! I hate when people tell me how to conduct research or how to plan, as I have my own weird methods, so I dont want to waste your time telling you how to do your thing. How do you impress them, then? I know an advisor, well call them X, who has a particularly harsh way of letting you know that your paper is complete garbage: X will call up each team, one-by-one, and ask to see the draft. Depending on your event, your presentation can count for as much as 50% of the overall score, meaning your paper also counts for 50%. Recently, I was asked by a few DECA members for written conference competition tips. endobj Like BOR events, Chapter Team events have a maximum page limit of thirty pages and allow for a single competitor, a partnership, or a team of three chapter representatives. For the 2018-2019 year, DECA recent the general written event guidelines, furthermore with those updates, some important changes will be implemented this year!Information regarding the layer out von to Marketing Representative Events the the implementation a this Integrated Marketing Campaign events becomes be discussed to the Stage 0 section . However, this does not give you the green light to haphazardly edit your paper. The executive summary should be dynamic. However, this route also opens itself up to (potentially) devastating negatives: team communication has to be at maximum level during the project (I recommend Slack if you have a team of three); arguments can break out over trite team decisions; stupid high school drama could wreck your team. SYMk^\HhfS>7]-/AA C|J3/IK&4.e:lq!AZ xcbfsH%I98; zgprd x!t% SBE Chapter Certification Submission Site Is Open | DECA Direct Online (This may seem like common sense, but youd be surprised at the number of people who do this.) can make that decision for you. Penalty points can literally ruin everything. That said, researching is supremely important. If youre not talking, act as the ideal audience member. The tough decision, though, was what event to pick. (You bring your paper to ICDC and submit it at conference.) I cant stress this enough., Start with a bang, sell the problem and solution (but hit hard on the problem), and focus on what makes you stand out.. At competition, youll find that PowerPoints are the outliers. WRITTEN EVENTS TOOLKIT PRESENTATION TIPS: Use hand motions! Great care must be taken to assure that the highest ethical standards are . Read them before writing, then again while writing. Do you get nervous before taking an exam? Personally, I have seen more success from a hybrid. The Ultimate DECA Written Event Guide | by Andrew Weatherman | Medium 2. Here are a collection of my top tips for ICDC! When I conducted research, I always brought a notepad with me, so I could jot down any tidbits, figures, etc. Credit to Annie Hulse of Oakton DECA (VA). I always recommend chapters of any size to pick an event and go for it! Take a look at the complete list in the DECA Guide. Written events are a process, and they require months of preparation, all-nighters, and a lota lotof research. If you cant hand-carry a visual, dont bring it! Honestly, the decision was only between two eventsIndependent or International. The Ultimate DECA Written Event Guide | by Andrew Weatherman | Medium You have no one to hold you responsible to any deadline, and if you start to lose interest, you will have to find a way to reel yourself back in. If you love solving a challenging problem on your feet, then Id advise staying away from written events (go for role plays!). These questions are not meant to trick you. Its far better to be proactive than reactive! Get the jist? There are five events that fall under the Business Operations Research umbrella: Business Services, Buying and Merchandising, Finance Operations, Hospitality and Tourism Operations, and Sports and Entertainment Operations. My name is Andrew Weatherman. Find the methods that work best for you/your team. A simple print-out of the event guidelines, a few dates/ranges scribbled here and there, and that was it. If you fancy yourself a strong public speaker, then definitely consider going this route. You. Explore these frequently asked questions and answers. Take a few deep breaths before your section is called to present. After scouring DECA Direct for advice, I realized that there is no leading document full of tips, so I decided to author my own. Youll do great!! Identify the problem, solution and opportunity.3. For more details, head to www.deca.org/compete. Here are all of the top secret competition goods! Independence DECA If you have any interest in entrepreneurship, I highly recommend looking into these events! If you are a voting delegate and reach the finals round, then your competition time may coincide with the Business and Elections session, so make sure you have someone on call that can fill in for you and vote (or however your association handles that). Go with your gut; ask teachers and fellow members, but the end decision is yours, so own it. A vital thing to do at this moment would be to print out the guidelines of every event that you are considering. If your chapter is up to the challenge, you can do all six events! Shop DECA has been providing products and services to chapters and associations for more than twenty years. Also, a word of wisdom: Ive gotten burned by (looking back) ludicrous promises by teammates. Over the course of the conference, hundreds of industry judges and DECA volunteers assess and evaluate thousands of DECA students in competitive events. The Ultimate DECA Written Event Guide | by Andrew Weatherman | Medium Following my term as state president, I was elected as the 20182019 DECA Inc. Executive President. Be engaged. Written Event Statement of Assurances and Academic Integrity Form Its okay to be nervous; you should be (after all, you spent months on this paper), but dont present nervously. What presentation method is best for you? They have to add substance to your paper. Make your presentation unique in any way you can! Whether it be a creative way to transform a business whose stock has been underperforming or an idea for the next big tech gadget, a written event is a great way to display a unique, game-changing idea. Out of the 16 or 20 projects in the finals round, only ten will be named Overall Finalist (a large red, white, and blue ribbon medal with an advisor pin), and called on stage. X}}*V9=J7R@;FZoMNTLs1=^;v>JOyc~0qrI+RL]FBo5 ;/C))NiML/l'HMa #Rn)NZcLA1~B_j.n)S?`ELQU"I Before you dive in and begin planning your paper, you must decide which event to compete in! Focus on what makes you stand out.4. Financial Services Team Decision Making | DECA+ Like every project or idea, the team is the backbone and will make or break everything. Make sure its the absolute best it can be before it reaches the judge and its your turn to deliver a knockout presentation! Create engaging and visually appealing materials. Your ES is the most important feature of any written [event] that you compete with. Secundino Garcia (Cooper); Michigan DECA Member. No matter the results in Atlanta, you made it, and thats no easy task. Important Updates for the 2018-2019 Yearly. With these three easy methods, you will be able to overcome your test anxiety and stroll into your classroom or competitive event feeling confident that you will ace that test! Even though I have harped on the importance of research and planning, I have purposely left this stage relatively short. Learn DECA - What is A Written Event?Video Created by Washington DECA Team Legacy