Business planning... or Marketing Campaigns

For your entrepreneur/innovation/inventor project you do not have to do a business plan. However, you do need to prepare a product, having done market research. You need to design and refine a product that suits a need you have discovered. You do not need to actually construct a completely functional prototype if it's too tricky, but actual products made to a high standard would be very cool! If you don't make an actual model, you do need some form of high quality visual presentation. Use your IT skills whever possible. You will be presenting your "sales pitch" at a trade fair in the gym in week 10. You will probably have no more than a desk space to work with. It will need to be made to look professional. Again, as with all posts, we will clarify this in class.
In class we will continue to investigate the powers of advertising as part of our integrated learning through reading and other language lessons. This will improve your ability to create an irresistable marketing plan - bold statements, catchy phrases, effective colours, snazzy jingles!
As producers of goods for sale you need to be aware of the consumer guarantees act, consumer rights and the responsibilities of producers and advertisers. [We will go over all terms used here in class.]
See below some websites with information relating to these topics:

http://www.consumeraffairs.govt.nz/consumerinfo/cga/

http://www.consumer.org.nz/reports/consumer-guarantees-act

The Advertising Standards Authority

Now Create Your Own AD! Click here to begin...

Term 3 Mega-Project!

[boot is made of organic hemp and recycled tyres]

As discussed in class, you need to come up with an innovative, entrepreneurial or inventive idea that you can design, develop and market to a target audience. In class you will have time to work on the project. You need to work alone. [In special cases I will allow people to work together - e.g. the worm farm project is a group effort.]
You need to:
1. Have an idea for something that needs improving, re-designing, or inventing from scratch.

• Consider something that annoys you and that you can think of a solution for. [Remember the story of the girl who had to stop her cat following her to school each day.

2. Start an inventors or innovators log book to record your ideas, designs, market research, discussions with others, etc. Date your entries and show the development of your thinking, including ideas that you decide against.

3. Plan, model, test, produce your prototype.

4. Test your product on an audience for feedback.

5. Evaluate the product and make any improvements required.

6. Design a marketing campaign. Try to be innovative and amazing with this - blow your audience away! Use advertising tricks [as discussed in class and on previous blog posts] to lure your audience in to wanting to buy or use your product.

• TV ads
• Radio ads
• Print ads in b/w or colour
• Internet marketing
• Can you think of other ways to promote your product or idea?

7. Present your entire project at the Matai Team Trade Fair in Wk 10 in the Gym. Plan ahead to have access to anthing you need to make your display a success. You will need to stand at a stall of some description to "sell" your idea to passersby. Parents, teachers and other classes will be invited.

See Mr Nunn's example for a minimum requirement.

Media Literacy

What is media literacy? How does it relate to you young Woodmonstas? It may be amongst the most important areas of learning for your generation.
The following material is from the website "Dont' Buy It" ... [It's a really interesting interactive site with topics for you to reflect upon, like why bother buying designer clothes or trying to look like a super model.]
"What is Media Literacy?

Media literacy empowers people to be both critical thinkers and creative producers of an increasingly wide range of messages using image, language and sound. It is the skillful application of literacy skills to media and technology messages. As communication technologies transform society, they impact our understanding of ourselves, our communities and our diverse cultures, making media literacy an essential life skill for the 21st Century.

--Alliance for a Media Literate America

Media literacy goes beyond the idea of reading and writing. It requires media consumers to effectively analyze and evaluate the numerous media messages we encounter.

Media education can facilitate students' reflections on their media experiences and help them develop critical thinking skills. The classroom exercises proposed in this guide may support many different subject areas, including arts and language, mathematics, health and nutrition"

- http://pbskids.org/dontbuyit/

Access the site and check out the activities. It relates to our thematic learning on entrepreneurs etc because we will be advertising our innovations and inventions at our class trade fair this term.

Eco house design

Each of you needs to research the concept of eco-house design, be able to explain the fundamentals [on your blog and in person], and create your own design for your Matai Islands home.
Experts might actually build a model for extra credit.