Building a Better Tomorow

Culpeper Star Exponent

Business Monday

February 18, 2013

Jim Charapich

 

 

I have a new appreciation for educators in our schools. I had the opportunity to provide E Squared students with three workshops on how to write a business plan last week. The sessions were 90 minutes and in all that meant that I had 4 ½ hours of air time. Knowing that our educators are able to provide instruction all day, five days per week, is amazing.

I am sure they would see me as a lightweight for even mentioning the ½ day of instruction as challenging. However, the opportunity to talk with students about business plans was very rewarding. The E Squared program offers the participating students an opportunity to gain a big step forward in their professional development.

By this time in the semester long program, students have selected their company names and have a product concept. They are in the process of developing the various parts of the business plan. The business plan development is supported by a template and process that is refined each year. Students have access to one of the best resources for business plan development at www.EsquaredCulpeper.com. Though the concepts are complex, the students are offered step by step reference materials.

The students will have several more workshops including Marketing, Operations, and Finance. At the end of the semester, the students will have developed a comprehensive business plan. They will then present the plan to a set of “Faux”Venture Capitalists. The VC’s are local business leaders. Students will need to develop public speaking skills and present their ideas in a public forum. They are scored heavily on their public speaking and presentation skills. However, the written business plan has the most weight in the overall competition scoring.

In my comments to the students, I point out that the program is a rare partnership with educators and business. The partnership is a significant reason for the continued success. Educators provide the pathways for education and the business community provides practical experience lessons.

Our students have the benefit of access to coaching from local executives as they develop their plans. The students also have the benefit of learning to work in a team, developing the highly valued soft skills of communication and teamwork. Soft skills are often the differentiator in opportunity for jobs and promotions. The students were impressive, professionally dressed, motivated, and well spoken. Their ideas and business concepts are very creative.

Our students are competing for jobs in an increasingly global context. The E Squared program is a resume builder. It is so impressive that our students will be able to discuss a business plan in an interview for a job. Our E Squared students will stand out while also having a fundamental understanding of wealth creation.

When I asked what the students could do with newly created wealth. One answer…. give back to Culpeper County Schools. Many of the business leaders contributing to the E Squared program are graduates of Culpeper County Schools. Another lesson passed on… What a great legacy.