JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021
DECADIRECT.ORG
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Ready to meet the friends that will change your life? College isn’t just about getting a degree, it’s about making lifelong friends. With over 130 nationalities, your future friends come from all over the world, bringing unique backgrounds and inspiring stories. This is your year to make unforgettable connections.
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HULT.EDU/DECA
MARKETING YOUR CHAPTER IN THE NEW YEAR
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SIX THINGS TO START DOING NOW TO LAND YOUR MARKETING “DREAM JOB”
TOP 10 MARKETING TRENDS TO WATCH FOR IN 2021
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BEHIND THE HEADLINES WITH A P&G COMMUNICATIONS EXECUTIVE
EDITORIAL
DECA EXECUTIVE OFFICERS President Catherine Horton Central Region Vice President Nate Jacobs North Atlantic Region Vice President Ryan Rivera Southern Region Vice President Ramkishore Annachi Western Region Vice President Mattie Bradford
COLLEGIATE DECA EXECUTIVE OFFICERS President Gage Donovan Vice President Zetella Walker Gooch Vice President Shawn Matthijetz Vice President Caleb Nochumson Vice President Hannah Smolicz
DECA INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Mary Peres President-Elect Scott Jones Secretary John Stiles Treasurer Shannon Aaron Members Lori Hairston Steven Mitchell Olga Plagianakos Dave Wait National Advisory Board Chair Mike Brown Ex-Officio Members Frank Peterson Robin Utz
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE DECA Direct Magazine 1908 Association Drive Reston, Virginia 20191-1594 communications@deca.org
DECA Direct (ISSN 1080-0476) is published four times each year—September/ October, November/December, January/ February and March/April. Copyright ©2021 by the Distributive Education Clubs of America, Inc., 1908 Association Drive, Reston, Virginia 20191-1594. All rights reserved.
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THE BEST MARKETING CAREER FOR YOUR PERSONALITY TYPE
MAXIMIZE YOUR CHAPTER’S MARKETING WITH NEW AUDIENCES
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PUT YOUR MARKETING SKILLS TO THE TEST WITH CTE MONTH
80 THE ART OF STORYTELLING70
DECA’S IMPACT
50 40
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30 20 10 0
THE INSIDER’S GUIDE TO MARKETING YOUR SBE
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<DECA <Nation
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Advanced Placement
Publisher Frank Peterson Managing Editor Danny Spors Editorial Committee Emily Colucci Caitlin Roberts Debbie Taylor Christopher Young, CAE Advertising Cindy Allen Design Shawna Hession
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Career and Technical Education
TABLE OF CONTENTS
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS: DECA-STYLE
CHAPTER BUZZ
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CLASSROOM CONNECTION
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JANUARY-FEBRUARY | 2021
DECA DIRECT
This issue of DECA Direct includes instructional content focused on the following performance indicators from National Curriculum Standards: • • • • • •
Describe current business trends Explain employment opportunities in marketing Adapt written correspondence to targeted audiences Describe traits important to the success of employees in marketing communications Explain the use of storytelling in marketing Utilize resources that can contribute to professional development
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Scholarships
Internships
AACSB Scholars Program
Student Success
Career Services
Networking
Career Fairs
Competitions Minors
Clubs
Study Abroad
Visit Campus
Majors
Enrollment Support
Success Starts Here.
Academic Advising Experience
Learn more today!
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NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS: DECA-STYLE CATHERINE HORTON
While there’s no magic wand that suddenly resets our world on January first, a new year means it’s time to both reflect and look forward to new possibilities.
hsdecapresident
FEBRUARY
JANUARY
11 SCHOOL-BASED ENTERPRISE CERTIFICATIONS DUE deca.org/sbe
CTE MONTH
1 KNOWLEDGE MATTERS DIGITAL PRESENTATION SKILLS CHALLENGE SUBMISSIONS DUE
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deca.org/challenges
STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE
STUKENT SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING CHALLENGE BEGINS
deca.org/scholarships
19-29 VIRTUAL BUSINESS CHALLENGE ROUND 2 deca.org/compete
20 ONE DECA CALL deca.org/onedeca
22 OUTSTANDING DECA CHAPTER ADVISOR AWARD RECIPIENTS DUE
29 DECA EMERGING LEADER HONOR AWARD APPLICATIONS DUE deca.org/honoraward
deca.org/challenges
7 FIDM ENTREPRENEUR OF TOMORROW CHALLENGE SUBMISSIONS DUE deca.org/challenges
8-12 ALUMNI RECOGNITION WEEK
10 PIPER SANDLER TAKING STOCK WITH TEENS SPRING SURVEY BEGINS deca.org/piper-sandler
17 ONE DECA CALL deca.org/onedeca
While most of us are setting common New Year’s resolutions like working out, focusing more on school and overall self-improvement, I have some other resolutions on my mind— DECA resolutions! What better way to kick off 2021 than by creating #NextLevel resolutions focused on leadership, competition and community service. If you want to take your DECA leadership to the next level, now is the perfect time to start! Set your goals for what leadership opportunities you want to pursue. Possibilities might include leading a chapter committee, joining your chapter’s leadership team, running for an association office or even seeking an executive office. There is no time better than the present to start your DECA leadership journey. Competition season is right around the corner! Start strong by creating solid study and practice habits. To prepare for role-play events, set a goal of completing one mock role-play a week and create a study schedule to prepare for your exam. For written events, review your paper to check for penalty points and areas of improvement, then seek feedback from others. Once your paper is perfected, start practicing your presentation in both high-stress and low-stress situations so that when competition day arrives you will be ready for anything. By setting goals to work hard this competition season, you will take your chance of winning DECA glass to the next level! Focus your next DECA New Year’s resolution on community service. The new year is full of possibilities, so get creative to make an impact on the world around you. Work with your chapter to start new community service initiatives and projects for the upcoming year. The year 2021 will be a time for growth and opportunity within DECA. Start your year off at the next level with strong goals that will make you a community-oriented, competition-ready and experienced DECA leader.
JANUARY-FEBRUARY | 2021
HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION PRESIDENT
On behalf of DECA Inc. and the Executive Officer Teams, I wish everyone a healthy, happy and successful new year!
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MARKETING YOUR CHAPTER IN THE NEW YEAR COLLEGIATE DECA PRESIDENT @cdecagage
FEBRUARY
JANUARY
12 ONE DIAMOND CALL
CTE MONTH
8-12
deca.org/onediamond
ALUMNI RECOGNITION WEEK
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STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE
deca.org/collegescholarships
25 STOCK MARKET GAME ROUND 2 BEGINS deca.org/collegechallenges
ONE DIAMOND CALL deca.org/onediamond
15 COLLEGIATE DECA MEMBERSHIP SUBMISSION + DUES DEADLINE FOR ICDC EVENT COMPETITORS deca.org/register
RECOGNITION AWARD NOMINATIONS DUE deca.org/collegeawards
LEADERSHIP PASSPORT AWARD SUBMISSIONS DUE deca.org/passport
It is hard to believe that the first semester has come to a close and 2020 is finally over. I know that the past year was not easy and many chapters had unique struggles, but it is important to remember that we are all in this together. The second semester still presents a world of opportunities filled with virtual association conferences, the International Career Development Conference and the chance to win DECA glass! Virtual member recruitment is something we’ve all had to quickly embrace. The best way to spread the word is to develop a consistent social media effort and increase your following by connecting with as many students as you can find at your campus. If you haven’t already, explore the resources available in the Collegiate DECA Digital Member Recruitment Toolkit. Once you have built up your social media following, you then have the opportunity to host campus-wide events to encourage students to become members. A great incentive for prospective members is the chance to compete before fully committing. Your chapter can do this by hosting a virtual or in-person mock competition. When creating case study teams, pair up returning members with new members. Returning members can help guide recruits and share their DECA experiences throughout the process. DECA Inc. has an online library of practice exams and case studies that can easily be used during your mock competition. Take 2021 to the #NextLevel by connecting with members around the globe on DECA Connect, leveraging social media and hosting a mock competition. If your chapter has hosted a successful mock competition or other recruitment activities, share your experiences and best practices on DECA Connect for the rest of our members. A new calendar year may be beginning, but we’re only half way through this academic year and we have so much yet to accomplish. We are all in this together!
JANUARY-FEBRUARY | 2021
GAGE DONOVAN
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MAKE YOUR ADVISOR AN ALLY. SET UP INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS. SKILL-UP ONLINE (FOR FREE!) SCHEDULE A JOB SHADOW. SET UP YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE + RESUME. PROMOTE YOUR PERSONAL POINTOF-VIEW. MAKE YOUR ADVISOR AN ALLY. SET UP INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS. SKILL-UP ONLINE (FOR FREE!) SCHEDULE A JOB SHADOW. SET UP YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE + RESUME. PROMOTE YOUR PERSONAL POINT-OF-VIEW. MAKE YOUR ADVISOR AN ALLY. SET UP INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS. SKILL-UP ONLINE (FOR FREE!) SCHEDULE A JOB SHADOW. SET UP YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE + RESUME. PROMOTE YOUR PERSONAL POINT-OF-VIEW. MAKE YOUR ADVISOR AN ALLY. SET UP INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS. SKILL-UP ONLINE (FOR FREE!) SCHEDULE A JOB SHADOW. SET UP YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE + RESUME. PROMOTE YOUR PERSONAL POINT-OF-VIEW. MAKE YOUR ADVISOR AN ALLY. SET UP INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS. SKILL-UP ONLINE (FOR FREE!) SCHEDULE A JOB SHADOW. SET UP YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE + RESUME. PROMOTE YOUR PERSONAL POINT-OF-VIEW. MAKE YOUR ADVISOR AN ALLY. SET UP INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS. SKILL-UP ONLINE (FOR FREE!) SCHEDULE A JOB SHADOW. SET UP YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE + RESUME. PROMOTE YOUR PERSONAL POINT-OF-VIEW. MAKE YOUR ADVISOR AN ALLY. SET UP INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS. SKILL-UP ONLINE (FOR FREE!) SCHEDULE A JOB SHADOW. SET UP YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE + RESUME. PROMOTE YOUR PERSONAL POINT-OF-VIEW. MAKE YOUR ADVISOR AN ALLY. SET UP INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS. SKILL-UP ONLINE (FOR FREE!) SCHEDULE A JOB SHADOW. SET UP YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE + RESUME. PROMOTE YOUR PERSONAL POINT-OF-VIEW. MAKE YOUR ADVISOR AN ALLY. SET UP INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS. SKILL-UP ONLINE (FOR FREE!) SCHEDULE A JOB SHADOW. SET UP YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE + RESUME. PROMOTE YOUR PERSONAL POINT-OF-VIEW. MAKE YOUR ADVISOR AN ALLY. SET UP INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS. SKILL-UP ONLINE (FOR FREE!) SCHEDULE A JOB SHADOW. SET UP YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE + RESUME. PROMOTE YOUR PERSONAL POINT-OF-VIEW. MAKE YOUR ADVISOR AN ALLY. SET UP INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS. SKILL-UP ONLINE (FOR FREE!) SCHEDULE A JOB SHADOW. SET UP YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE + RESUME. PROMOTE YOUR PERSONAL POINT-OF-VIEW. MAKE YOUR ADVISOR AN ALLY. SET UP INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS. SKILL-UP
SIX THINGS TO START DOING NOW TO LAND YOUR MARKETING “DREAM JOB” JULIA PITLYK
You already have your sights set on your dream job in marketing – great! So, what do you need to do to get there? Read on for some must-do and next level actions you can take to build your network, skills and brand and start making your dream job a reality. 8
NEXT LEVEL: SCHEDULE A JOB SHADOW When it comes to landing your dream job, nothing beats firsthand experience. While you may be learning new skills at your job or internship, you can also gain perspective from a few levels up through job shadowing. As you build your network through informational interviews, ask your interviewee if they would be open to having you shadow them for an afternoon so you can see a day in the life of your dream job. You’ll be surprised how many say yes!
EXPAND YOUR NETWORK MUST-DO: MAKE YOUR ADVISOR AN ALLY Between their personal connections and professional contacts, your DECA advisor has a pretty solid network. So, help them help you as you build your own! Set up time with your advisor to share your marketing career plans. Let them know you’re looking to grow your network in the field and ask if there is someone they could connect you with to get started. Your success is their success, and they will be happy to help you make connections! NEXT LEVEL: SET UP INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS It may be too early to interview for your dream job, but that doesn’t mean you can’t interview someone who’s currently in it! Use LinkedIn to find people who work in the industry or job you desire and reach out to ask if you could have 15-30 minutes of their time to learn about their career path. Most successful people are willing to share their experiences, especially with ambitious students. Make sure to prepare a list of thoughtful questions in advance and follow-up with a thank you note – bonus points if it’s handwritten!
DEVELOP A PERSONAL BRAND MUST-DO: SET UP YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE + RESUME Creating a solid resume and LinkedIn profile are the first steps towards building your personal brand. Start with LinkedIn—the templated profile format will help you organize your thoughts. Be sure to check out decadirect.org for tips on writing your profile. Then, reuse that content to write your resume! Keep your resume layout simple and easy to update by finding a template online or asking your advisor for a sample. To make sure you’re always ready for the next opportunity, schedule a reminder to update your resume and profile every quarter as you gain more experience in work, school and DECA.
BUILD YOUR SKILLS
Top employers are interested in candidates that show passion and perspective around their work, so start sharing yours now! As you complete more marketing classes and DECA projects, you’ll create plenty of presentations that are prime for sharing and building your professional brand. Use your LinkedIn profile to publish your papers, projects and presentations, and make sure you create a post about them to share what you learned and seek feedback. You never know what will catch the attention of someone at your dream company!
MUST-DO: SKILL-UP ONLINE (FOR FREE!)
If you have your heart set on a marketing dream job, don’t wait to start making it a reality; get started today!
Most marketing professionals will tell you that working in the field requires non-stop learning to keep up with the latest trends and techniques. So, why not get started now? Gain skills in some of the latest marketing tools through free courses from Google Skillshop, HubSpot Academy or Facebook Blueprint. Or head to Coursera for free courses on marketing strategy, entrepreneurship and other business topics.
JANUARY-FEBRUARY | 2021
NEXT LEVEL: PROMOTE YOUR PERSONAL POINT-OF-VIEW
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Undergraduate Programs Applied Mathematics Architectural Studies Behavior and Social Sciences
A place to build your own road to success
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ILLUMINATING 13-0647
TOP 10 MARKETING TRENDS TO WATCH FOR IN 2021
COLOR OF THE YEAR 2021
ULTIMATE GRAY 17-5104
RANDI BIBIANO | DECA Inc. Competitive Events Specialist
1. MICRO-INFLUENCERS/NANO-INFLUENCERS – We all know about social media influencers, but do you know about micro-influencers and nano-influencers? While brands originally thought it was most beneficial to partner with macro-influencers boasting millions of followers, they’ve realized that the high price tag comes with a low ROI. Instead, micro-influencers have between 1,000-100,000 followers and tend to focus on a specific niche where they are considered experts. While they have a smaller “cult” following, they often have stronger relationships with their followers and higher engagement. The good news for brands? They cost far less than regular influencers! Nano-influencers are another type of influencer with less than 1,000 followers. They are typically popular in local communities and are perfect for local marketing efforts. 2. RESPONSIBLE CONSUMERISM – There are two sub-trends focused on responsible consumerism. First, brands are looking at questionable ethical behavior from consumers during the initial COVID-19 months—hoarding products such as toilet paper, hand sanitizer and bottled water that caused a massive shortage. Second, major brands are listening and adjusting business practices and messaging based on what is important
to consumers. Trends include social justice, environmental sustainability, political activism and refurbished/secondhand goods. 3. STORYTELLING – Using storytelling allows marketers to engage with an audience’s emotions and immerse them in what’s happening first so that the product comes second. A well-crafted narrative puts customers in the role of the hero, showing how they can use a product or service to overcome a challenge they face. Being able to grab a consumer’s attention is critical for a brand to stand out and get noticed. 4. TWITCH – Not just for serious gamers anymore! What started as a live streaming platform for gamers has transformed into a platform to watch and chat with fans all around the world. Twitch’s non-gaming content has quadrupled in the past three years and saw a surge in 2020 as people turned to gaming to stay entertained while safe-at-home. Brands and influencers can now engage with Twitch’s 17.5 million daily users. 5. CUSTOMER RETENTION INCENTIVES – Since the pandemic began, many brands found new customers while normal purchasing habits were interrupted. Whether brands acquired new customers due to convenience, availability, boredom or brilliant marketing tactics, they must now focus on creating beneficial incentives to transform their new buyers into loyal customers.
JANUARY-FEBRUARY | 2021
Looking for the latest trends and buzzwords to incorporate into your next role-play? DECA’s Competitive Events Specialist shares a look at what to expect in the new year.
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6. CANCEL CULTURE – Fueled by social media, being “canceled” refers to public, mass withdrawal of support, typically in response to perceived poor behavior or wrongdoings. One positive aspect of this trend is the increased focus on monitoring all communications and actions of staff, influencers and other stakeholders to ensure unbiased marketing efforts. To mitigate the risk of being canceled, brands must keep open channels of communication, evaluate the risks of business decisions and understand when it is time to address and/or correct missteps. 7. INCLUSIVITY – Given the importance of equality, inclusion and diversity brought into the spotlight by racial inequality protests in 2020, marketers must evaluate all campaigns to ensure no group of individuals is excluded or marginalized. Target markets must widen or realign to include groups that may have been left out of prior campaigns. Brands should also leverage enlightened consumers’ increased focus on social justice and civic engagement by highlighting elements of their brand values that speak to civic participation and expression. However, this can’t be faked as a “marketing ploy”—consumers will do the research and hold brands accountable.
9. SOCIAL COMMERCE – It’s no secret that social media is now the biggest and most beneficial platform for digital marketing. With the introduction of shopping on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and many others, social commerce is set to become one of the biggest marketing trends in 2021. 55% of online shoppers currently make purchases through social media and 71% of consumers turn to it for shopping inspiration. And we’re only at the beginning. Now is the time for brands to make their products and services shoppable on social media. 10. TIKTOK – While the app has already been a huge favorite among Gen Z, the pandemic has accelerated adoption as many Millennials and Gen X look for fresh ways to connect and be entertained. Watch for the growth of video ads, branded hashtag challenges and creative content tools. Blending storytelling, video marketing, influencer marketing, user-generated content and social commerce, TikTok will only continue to grow in relevance.
JANUARY-FEBRUARY | 2021
8. COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS – Brands will continue to find new ways to work together. A perfect example: customers can return Amazon purchases at Kohl’s stores. These strategic partnerships are growing in number every week, blending industries and channels. Marketers can leverage these unique business relationships to gain new customers, add value and build brand awareness.
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BEHIND THE HEADLINES WITH A P&G COMMUNICATIONS EXECUTIVE LOTTIE WATTS | NRF FOUNDATION
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Here are just a few of the questions students at universities nationwide asked – along with answers from Jones:
Of the nearly 100 P&G brands you’re responsible for, which one is your favorite and why? One of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve had was working on the Gillette business (which has a $6 billion business around the world). Gillette has been a pioneer in sports marketing. We were one of the first sponsors of Major League Baseball, figuring out how to do stadium sponsorships and radio advertising. We’ve tried to continue that innovative approach by getting into things like e-sports and gaming, and integrate with new ways that people are connecting with each other and making ourselves a part of that discussion.
What are your most important considerations when going through a company or a product rebranding? When something’s not working in any business, our first instinct is to change everything. In retail, that’s the last thing you want to do. Many of our brands have hundreds of thousands of loyal consumers. The balance in growing a business like this is that you want to maintain the consumers who you know, who trust you, who are loyal and dependable. It’s a balancing act of knowing and understanding your core values, deciding what is going to be the same for your brand over time and what are the things that are going to be different. When you do get consumer feedback, understand why they liked a particular feature and what was the utility of it and make sure to communicate the benefits of those products in meaningful and specific ways.
Why is it important for P&G to use its platform to speak out on social issues? One of the things people may not know: P&G is one of the world’s largest advertisers. We’re putting out a lot of images and messages into the world every day. Those messages impact how people see themselves and how they see each other. That’s a responsibility that we take seriously.
on the world around us, and an impact on society. A more equal society is better for the world, and it’s better for P&G.
What is your greatest piece of advice for students who aspire to be in your shoes one day? Find an environment where you can learn. I love surrounding myself with people who are smarter than I am. People who have different sets of expertise and a different world view. When you can find people who bring that different point of view, you find that you’re challenging your thinking all the time, and you’re not making assumptions. During my career with P&G, I’ve been fortunate to work in a number of countries. Working in a different environment where no one looks like you, people may not speak the same language, they grew up with a different set of cultural values – it forces you to articulate what’s important to you, but it also gives you insight into different ways that life can be lived. I think I’m a much better leader and a much better person for having some of that.
What are some careers offered within the retail industry that people may not be aware of? We have people who study human psychology and behavioral science and apply that to consumer choices, to marketing and to communications – psychologists and psychiatrists. We enjoy observing consumer behavior and how and why consumers make different decisions. Watch the full video and discover more insights on the retail industry with NRF Foundation All Access. View sessions ondemand at nrffoundation.org/allaccess.
“Consumers are more loyal to brands when they stand for an important social or environmental cause.”
JANUARY-FEBRUARY | 2021
PROCTER & GAMBLE CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER Damon Jones sits down with NRF Foundation All Access for “20 Questions.” From what skills are essential to communications roles in retail to how to understand consumer behavior and why P&G uses its platform to address social issues, he takes us behind the headlines.
We know that consumers are more loyal to brands when they stand for an important social or environmental cause. It’s something we’re doing because we believe it will have an impact 15
THE BEST MARKETING CAREER FOR YOUR PERSONALITY TYPE JULIA PITLYK
Marketing careers are not one-size-fits-all, and the variety of career paths in marketing continues to grow each year. Read on to learn more about a few top marketing specialties and which might be best for your unique personality!
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MARKETING ANALYST
THIS MAY BE THE BEST CAREER PATH IF YOU:
What they do: Marketing Analysts focus on measuring the outcome of marketing activities to ensure brands meet their business goals. These professionals can be responsible for analyzing a mix of online and offline marketing activities, including events, television advertising, social media advertising, influencer marketing, paid search and more. Marketing Analysts are critical in helping businesses get the most out of their marketing efforts and budgets.
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Like to dig deep into data to answer a question or solve a problem
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Need to measure results and prefer facts over instincts
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Are “left-brained” and enjoy most math classes, especially statistics
THE BEST COMPETITIVE EVENTS FOR THIS CAREER PATH: •
Entrepreneurship – Business Growth Plan
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Project Management – Business Solutions Project
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Integrated Marketing Campaign – Product or Service
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
THIS MAY BE THE BEST CAREER PATH IF YOU:
What they do: Social Media Managers oversee a brand or company’s presence across social media channels like Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn. In addition to managing the content and posting strategy, these professionals are often responsible for directly engaging with followers in comments and DMs. This field can also include influencer marketing, which involves building and managing relationships with influencers to more authentically promote a brand or product.
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Are an extrovert who loves to respond to a full inbox of DMs
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Are a pro at mastering Instagram’s latest features
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Shine in journalism, photography and/or creative writing classes
BRAND MANAGER
THIS MAY BE THE BEST CAREER PATH IF YOU:
What they do: Brand Managers are essentially the mini-CEOs of a brand. They’re responsible for setting brand guidelines and ensuring that every marketing activity delivers one cohesive brand experience. These professionals are usually responsible for orchestrating cross-channel marketing and advertising plans, and often manage other teams or agencies to execute them. Some Brand Managers also oversee their brand’s financials and are responsible for keeping the brand’s business healthy and profitable.
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Naturally assume leadership roles and can drive others towards a shared goal or vision
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Often see the “bigger picture” of projects and can put a plan in place to bring it to life
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Are collaborative, but don’t mind being accountable and decisive
What they do: Digital Performance Marketers focus on designing, implementing and optimizing paid marketing campaigns to drive more likes, clicks, views, conversions and other performance indicators. These individuals can work for one brand or serve many different clients at an agency. Digital Performance Marketers work closely with Marketing Analysts to uncover insights that help them with their campaigns’ content, targeting, budget and more to constantly improve results.
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Project Management – Community Awareness or Community Giving
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Integrated Marketing Campaign – Event, Product or Service
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Virtual Business Challenge – Fashion
THE BEST COMPETITIVE EVENTS FOR THIS CAREER PATH: •
Individual Series – Marketing Communications or Business Finance
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Integrated Marketing Campaign – Event, Product or Service
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Entrepreneurship – Business Growth Plan
THIS MAY BE THE BEST CAREER PATH IF YOU: •
Are both analytical and creative at the same time (you’re left and right-brained)
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Spend time thinking about the strategies behind the Instagram ads you see
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Are incredibly results-focused and always look for ways to improve your work
THE BEST COMPETITIVE EVENTS FOR THIS CAREER PATH: •
Integrated Marketing Campaign – Event, Product or Service
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Entrepreneurship – Business Growth Plan
JANUARY-FEBRUARY | 2021
DIGITAL PERFORMANCE MARKETER
THE BEST COMPETITIVE EVENTS FOR THIS CAREER PATH:
No matter what your interests and skills, use DECA’s competitive events to explore and learn more about the exciting, broad range of careers in marketing. 17
MAXIMIZE YOUR CHAPTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MARKETING WITH NEW AUDIENCES 18
JULIA PITLYK
AS DECA MEMBERS, we spend so much time thinking about marketing for other brands – but don’t forget about marketing your own chapter! Check out these three under-tapped audiences that you should be targeting with your chapter’s marketing and some key ways to reach them. THE ALMOST-ELIGIBLE MEMBERS
LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS
Marketing to students already enrolled in DECA-related classes is a given. To keep your chapter’s brand strong, check out these ideas to expand your efforts and reach students who will soon be eligible to join your chapter:
Whether your chapter needs donations and sponsorships, internship opportunities or businesses to feature in competitive events, marketing DECA to your local business community is essential for building relationships that help your chapter succeed.
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If your school only offers DECA to juniors and seniors, start building the brand with underclassmen now! Host DECA socials open to all grades and identify upperclassmen ambassadors to talk to underclassmen about the benefits of DECA. Or follow the trend of many chapters and create a pre-DECA program for underclassmen. These programs give almost-eligible members a taste of DECA membership through competitive events and networking opportunities that build awareness and interest in all things DECA! For chapters already open to underclassmen, start building the DECA brand among students about to enter high school. These younger prospects will be excited to build relationships in high school before they even start, and DECA will be at the forefront of their minds as they pick their classes for next year. Work with your counselors and administrators to find the best way to schedule an online social or guest presentation to share the benefits of DECA with these students.
COUNSELORS AND ADMINISTRATORS Your chapter marketing is also about building support for DECA within your school community. Creating awareness and advocacy for DECA among your school’s counselors and administrators is critical to make sure that your members and advisors get the recognition and support they need. •
To engage counselors, gather some of your chapter’s top competitors and have them share how DECA events and activities helped them define their college and career plans. Share how DECA’s competitive events are connected to career clusters and growing job fields and ask for their support in recommending DECA-related classes to students.
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From competitive event wins to successful community service events, you should always market your chapter’s successes to your school’s principals and superintendents. For every success, have the DECA members involved create a write-up that shares what they accomplished and send it to your administrators. Also, flex your PR skills and use these write-ups to secure coverage in your school and/or local media. Your school administrators will pay attention, and this coverage highlights the positive publicity that DECA creates for their students and their school’s brand.
•
Ask your local chamber of commerce about opportunities to talk about your DECA chapter with its members. Have a few officers share your chapter’s activities and goals at an upcoming chamber meeting, or see if you can provide content for the chamber’s newsletter or social media accounts. Take it to the next level and ask to provide a recurring update to the chamber community—the more frequently you share your message, the more likely these business owners will remember and support you!
•
With many small businesses facing unprecedented challenges this year, some additional marketing support can go a long way. By choosing a local business for an internship or competitive event, you can provide them with additional marketing ideas that could make a real impact! If your chapter is looking to businesses for donations or sponsorships, consider offering some marketing services in exchange, like social media advice or a free promotion in your chapter’s newsletter. Building these relationships now will continue to benefit your chapter for years to come!
When planning your chapter’s marketing efforts, think outside of the box and don’t forget to target these key stakeholder groups. Your chapter will benefit from increased support and awareness, as well as a steady stream of future members!
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Visit deca.org/mens-wearhouse for exclusive deals for DECA members.
PUT YOUR MARKETING SKILLS TO THE TEST WITH CTE MONTH •
Send letters or emails to public policy makers on the local, state or federal level to share how your DECA chapter has made an impact in the community and how they can support CTE on a broader level. Be sure to thank them and ask for continued support if they’ve been an advocate for CTE in the past.
•
Attend an in-person or virtual school board meeting to talk about DECA, share the benefits of having the program within the school and highlight your chapter’s favorite projects.
WITHIN YOUR SCHOOL Advocacy within your school includes sharing the benefits of DECA and CTE with future (potential) members, teachers, counselors and administrators. •
Partner with other CTSOs to host a virtual CTE fair. Each organization can promote the benefits of joining, share member success stories and highlight CTE-related classes to sign up for next fall. Be sure to invite both high school and middle school students to attend.
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Plan an experiential learning experience for students such as “day in the life” virtual industry tours, a panel of local business leaders or a mini marketing challenge. An interactive event is the perfect way for potential members to test drive the DECA experience.
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Takeover your school’s promotions! You are only limited by your creativity, but consider displaying posters, creating a video, using morning announcements, writing an article for your school’s newspaper, visiting classrooms (virtually or in-person), sending thank-you cards to CTE teachers or launching an all-out social media blitz.
WITHIN YOUR COMMUNITY Being an advocate for CTE within your community means reaching out to parents and family members, local business leaders and community organizations and associations. •
Talk to local businesses or your Chamber of Commerce about the role DECA and CTE play in readying their future workforce and ways they can get involved with your chapter. Invite them to an activity, ask them for mentorship while you prepare for competition or set up a job shadowing experience.
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Invite others to see your DECA chapter in action by hosting a virtual event for the community. Showcase your chapter’s favorite projects, success stories and the impact you have on the community. You can also partner with other CTSOs to host the event.
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Write an article for your local newspaper or reach out to a local news or radio station to set up an interview. This is the perfect opportunity to share facts about CTE and DECA (See page 23), highlight high-achieving CTE students or spotlight one of your chapter’s business/industry partnerships.
WITH PUBLIC POLICY MAKERS Public policy makers create ideas, plans and policies—often in the form of laws and regulations. This type of advocacy includes your mayor, school board, city council and lawmakers at the state and federal level. •
Make CTE Month official in your city by encouraging local policymakers to proclaim February as CTE Month. By getting CTE Month officially proclaimed in your city, you can introduce your entire community to the benefits and importance of DECA and CTE.
Complete three school outreach activities, three public policymaker outreach activities and three community outreach activities during February and your chapter can earn recognition through DECA’s Advocacy Campaign! Visit decadirect.org/advocacy for more ideas and resources to get started!
JANUARY-FEBRUARY | 2021
WE ALL KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF MARKETING DECA to recruit new members, but Career and Technical Education Month® in February is your chance to take your chapter’s marketing and advocacy efforts to the next level! Read on for ideas to help you celebrate CTE Month this year by promoting DECA and the importance of career and technical education (CTE).
ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN Advocate during Career and Technical Education Month in February.
SCHOOL OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
PUBLIC POLICY MAKER OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
COMMUNITY OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
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DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. DECA Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit student organization with nearly 225,000 members in all 50 United States, Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico and Germany. The United States Congress, the United States Department of Education and state, district and international departments of education authorize DECAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s programs.
ABOUT DECA
IMPACT
DECA extends the teaching and learning of National Curriculum Standards in four career clusters.
of DECA members report they gained skills in problem solving.
DECAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Comprehensive Learning Program integrates into classroom instruction, applies learning, connects to business and promotes competition.
88%
DECA prepares the next generation to be academically prepared, community oriented, professionally responsible and experienced leaders.
of DECA members report that DECA experiences connected school to the real world for them.
MEMBERSHIP
225,000
5,800
TOTAL MEMBERS CAREER
TOTAL CHAPTERS
DECA
National
Business/Management
39.1%
13.6%
Entrepreneurship
35.7%
15.0%
Marketing Communications
29.2%
5.6%
Finance
16.4%
4.6%
80
<DECA <National
70
Career and Technical Education
10
Honors Programs
20
Advanced Placement
30
College Credit Courses
50
Gifted/Accelerated Programs
60
40
96%
When selecting a career, DECA members are more likely to select a career in marketing, finance, hospitality or business management.
DECA members are academically prepared students who will enter college with credits and other forms of academic credentials.
87%
of DECA members report they learned how to work as part of a team.
87%
of DECA members report that participation in DECA prepared them academically for college and a career.
87%
of DECA members report that DECA experiences empowered them to become an effective leader.
0
Research findings courtesy of the National Research Center for College and University Admissions. The 2020 sample included 24,699 high school DECA members and was compared to data from nearly 500,000 students nationwide.
Learn more at deca.org
TO MARKETING YOUR SBE DEBBIE TAYLOR | DECA Inc. Leadership Specialist
PEOPLE LIKE TO SAY THAT 2020 CHANGED EVERYTHING, but the reality is that the world of marketing is constantly evolving. If you want to attract new customers while maintaining a loyal base, you need to utilize cutting-edge techniques for your school-based enterprise. With the right mix of activities, you can identify and focus on the most effective marketing tactics to level up your SBE. There are countless ways you can promote your school-based enterprise, but here are some of our favorites shared by DECA advisors across the globe.
ARROW MART
SHERANDO DECA, VA Contributed by Advisor, Jason Uhry Go broad to reach a larger audience. At the Arrow Mart, members use a variety of methods to market their SBE. They utilize school-wide announcements, Google classroom posts and social media as the primary tools to market merchandise. But itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not just about promoting to students. Virtual flyers are sent to parent emails and students are also planning a showcase of products on Facebook Live to reach local community members. 24
CAT'S CORNER + THE GREEN BEAN JENISON DECA, MI
Contributed by Advisor, Jordan Whittecar Empower students. At Jenison High School, students are broken up into six departments at the beginning of the year to manage their retail store (Cat's Corner) and coffee shop (The Green Bean). Three of the departments work together to oversee all marketing activities: Digital Marketing, Visual Merchandising and Promotion. The Promotion Department comes up with innovative new ideas, works with other student groups (band, student council, athletics) to create influencers, oversees the morning announcements and sends monthly email blasts to the entire school district. The Digital Department creates content for social media and the store website, and the Visual Department takes care of in-store marketing such as mannequins, signage, chalkboards and TVs. The division of responsibilities allows students to become experts in their chosen area while also learning to work collaboratively with all departments. Plus, students are the most in-tune with the latest trends, so why not give them the tools to make decisions and be accountable!
THE CORNER STORE PAUL DUKE STEM DECA, GA
Contributed by Advisor, Lauren O'Conner Make advertisements visual. Make advertisements eye-catching and appealing to students across all platforms. At the Corner Store, students use digital screens, images projected during lunch, window displays within the store and Instagram to capture customers’ attention. Investing in high-quality product photos and well-designed promotions can make all the difference!
DECA DEPOT
THE CORNER STORE
ELK RIVER DECA, MN Contributed by Advisor, Sonja Weiler Pop-up in your community. To grow your sales, create opportunities for your SBE to be visible outside of your school building. Set up at local fairs, sporting events, farmers' markets or any other spot where the community gathers. This year, the DECA Depot launched an enclosed trailer converted into a mobile store, called the SWAGON, to make pop-ups easier. Use student models, not just mannequins to display clothing items. This will drive more people to visit the online store and perhaps decide to purchase. Try hosting a school model search, influencer program or reward DECA members. Be sure to change the pictures occasionally to keep the site fresh and updated with new faces.
DECA DEPOT
Include a “give back” component to your SBE. The community likes to see DECA members in the community giving back, not just selling. Many chapters see stores as an avenue to generate revenue but forget they can be the key to an impactful community service project. Favorable opinions make loyal customers.
FOX STOX
KING GEORGE DECA, VA Contributed by Advisor, Dee Strauss
CAT’S CORNER JANUARY-FEBRUARY | 2021
Take advantage of digital platforms. The Fox Stox managers use social media, especially Instagram to promote products. An ongoing campaign includes sharing new videos each Friday to promote the hottest products and promotions. Since the store is also virtual, they partnered with the school to place a link to their SBE website on the school’s homepage.
THE PAW PRINT CONROE DECA, TX
Contributed by Advisor, Katheryne Hinze Use social media. Don’t just rely on one person, one platform or one account to reach all of your target markets. The Paw Print uses Instagram (posts and stories) and relies on student staff to amplify the messages by sharing to their own stories. You can also partner with your school or district’s social media accounts to re-share your content. Use various methods of promotion. The Paw Print places ads in the parent newsletter that their school’s principal sends out every Sunday night. They also utilize morning announcements, the school news crew and the school's digital marquees to spread the word about new products and promotions.
ARROW MART 25
HOW TO INTEGRATE POWERFUL STORIES INTO YOUR NEXT PRESENTATION CALEB NOCHUMSON | Collegiate DECA Vice President
THREE HUNDRED, SIXTY-SIX DAYS OF surreal, insane, terrible and divisive moments. That is one phrase to describe the year 2020. For many, this description may be the most accurate; however, others will describe it differently... Twelve months of never-before seen opportunities, challenges to make us stronger and chances to rediscover what is most important in our lives. While both ways may accurately describe the past year, one tells a much more positive story. Whether we are competing, fundraising, socializing, serving or leading we are constantly telling a storyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;our DECA story. We are telling the story of why a new student should join DECA. We are telling the story of why a judge should buy into our solution above all others. We are telling the story of why community members and professionals should support the mission of DECA. So, why not make your story the best it can be?! 26
1. CHOOSE A CLEAR AND CENTRAL MESSAGE: Whenever we have a role-play, prepared presentation, interview or chapter meeting, we must provide our audience with a clear and concise message. You can do this by creating a detailed outline, implementing a slide deck or mapping out key takeaways. I love using the one-sentence summary technique: think about your presentation and write down your central theme or message in one sentence. 2. EMBRACE CONFLICT: In almost every story, a hero overcomes conflict. In business stories or DECA competitions, this same principle applies. When we craft a story, we are clearly defining and then solving a problem. We provide a new and innovative solution for our customers, persuade new members to join our chapter, develop a long-term competitive advantage for our company or solve a critical business problem for our judge. 3. HAVE A CLEAR STRUCTURE: Have you ever read a classmate’s essay and you had no idea what it was trying to say? Or listened to a business presentation where you did not understand the product or service? Having a clear structure is critical to telling a compelling story. For competition, try to use the performance indicators as a guide. In a business presentation, focus on the most important information to your audience—the introduction, market research, product or service, timeline/implementation plan, budget and conclusion. 4. MINE YOUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCES: While you might not always be the main character, the best stories are often the ones that only you can tell. Use your knowledge and personal experiences to help bring your story to life. Not only will your story be more relatable, but you will also increase your credibility. 5. ENGAGE YOUR AUDIENCE: The best stories are interactive and engaging. They are the ones that keep you on the edge of your seat, waiting to hear what happens next. Try implementing this same style of storytelling when delivering a presentation. Engage your audience by involving them in the story, adding some dramatic flair or implementing an activity. 6. OBSERVE GOOD STORYTELLERS: Your personal stories will always be unique to you, but there’s no better way to learn how to craft and deliver a narrative than by observing storytellers you admire. Talk to your association officers, executive team or past competitive event champions to learn how to tell stories. You can also gain insights from watching politicians, celebrities or business leaders.
7. NARROW THE SCOPE: When telling a story to a boss, judge or potential DECA member, it can be challenging to know what elements to include. It may be a struggle to not over complicate or provide wasteful details. Try to focus only on the key elements that you need to communicate to be successful. Think “quality over quantity.”
Now that you know the basics of storytelling, you’re ready to capture your audience’s attention and leave a lasting impression. Use these tips to integrate stories into your next presentation and take your delivery to the next level! 1. PREPARE TO WIN: When it comes to presentations, you can never be over-prepared. Make sure you are an expert on your subject and anticipate possible questions so that you can deliver the right message to your target audience effectively. 2. DESIGN CORRECTLY: To create a competitive advantage, make sure your slides are illustrated and visually stand out. It is important to do this without overwhelming your audience or adding unnecessary graphics. 3. PRACTICE TO PERFECTION: Practice, practice, practice! Whether in your career, classroom presentations or competition, there will be a time limit. Make sure you are wellrehearsed so your points land perfectly and concisely with your audience. 4. DELIVER WITH POISE: The best presenters project confidence and poise. Adrenaline can be your friend, but you need to strike the right balance of calm, openness, excitement and energy. 5. AVOID MISTAKES: The best competitors do not make silly mistakes. It is important to avoid cheesy clip art, nonessential flashiness, reading directly from your materials and other easily-avoidable issues. Of course, we’re all human! If you do make a mistake, focus on recovering smoothly.
JANUARY-FEBRUARY | 2021
Check out these seven tips to unlock the power of effective storytelling.
This year is all about finding ways to break through to the next level. Learning the power of effective storytelling and delivering effective presentations will ensure you have a competitive advantage over others—in DECA and beyond! 27
#NowGoLead
Leaders Wanted
LEADERSHIP
+ SERVICE = MEASURABLE CHANGE
> Free registration for DECA Advisors and students > Access to leadership lessons and service project plan > Leadership lessons and project works perfectly with physical distancing > Aligned with 21st Century Skills, CTE, Project Based Learning and Literacy > Merge Lead4Change with your Community Service Competitive Events Project > Complete a service project and enter the Lead4Change Challenge for a chance to win up to $10,000 for your charity or school
Lead4Change.org
REGISTER TODAY!
CHAPTER BUZZ PINNACLE DECA ARIZONA
MORROW DECA GEORGIA
Pinnacle DECA members participated in a virtual Fall Leadership Experience over two days in November. The first day offered intermediate level workshops on communication and organization, while the second day offered advanced workshops for returning members and an introductory course for new members. Each day closed with interactive virtual games and a social event.
Morrow DECA members volunteered at Books for Africa, a nonprofit organization that strives to end the book famine in Africa. The officer team was happy to find a safe activity that allowed them to make an impact.
After months of pop-up shops, appointment-only shopping and callin ordering, Alma DECA’s school-based enterprise was able to open to the public. With health and safety protocols in place, the chapter has now been able to serve their community in-person. They are also launching an e-commerce site soon!
STEM SCHOOL HIGHLANDS RANCH DECA COLORADO Gitanjali Rao has been selected from a field of more than 5,000 nominees as TIME’s first-ever Kid of the Year! The Vice President of Highlands Ranch DECA, she has used technology to tackle issues ranging from contaminated drinking water to opioid addiction and cyberbullying. We can’t wait to see what innovation she takes on next!
SOUTHINGTON DECA CONNECTICUT Southington DECA just launched their SBE online! Led by President of Store Operations, AJ Colwick, chapter members worked together with their business communications class to transform their in-person, food-based store into a virtual retail operation. They have worked hard to navigate all this year’s challenges as they work toward gold certification.
SOMERSET ACADEMY DECA FLORIDA Somerset Academy DECA collected over 2,000 books during their African Library Project Book Drive in October. Chapter members held a drive-through drop off and had over 300 individuals donate. The books will be distributed to two schools in Uganda to build libraries and develop literacy programs.
Niles North DECA members Malav Patel and Steven Reed have created a chemical-free machine that uses UV light to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The entrepreneurial duo was featured on the Chicago WGN News in December and is beginning to secure sales to local schools. The idea and the business began as a class project during Spring 2020 with the assistance of advisor, Mr. Nick Pahl.
Alma DECA
Somerset Academy DECA
NILES WEST DECA ILLINOIS Niles West DECA hosted a drive-thru meet and greet for their 63 new members. New members received Niles West DECA merchandise, candy and a dose of DECA excitement! The officer team looks forward to finding more creative ways to keep members engaged while learning remotely.
Morrow DECA
HOPEDALE DECA MASSACHUSETTS Hopedale DECA members hosted a successful virtual Financial Literacy Fair in December. Led by seniors Natalia Lee, John McDonough and Tyler Small, members learned useful money management skills and interacted with community members as they traveled through different booths on financial decision-making . Students left the fair with a better understanding of financial literacy and how every choice can impact one’s quality of life.
BLUE SPRINGS DECA MISSOURI Blue Springs DECA has opened a brand new SBE complete with apparel, merchandise, food and a new latte machine. The Cat’s Corner students are now learning how to plan menu items and latte recipes, take coffee orders and become baristas. Teachers and in-person students are loving this new addition to help jumpstart their mornings. The chapter is appreciative of their amazing administration for giving them autonomy to learn real-world skills!
Niles West DECA
Hopedale DECA
JANUARY-FEBRUARY | 2021
ALMA DECA ARKANSAS
NILES NORTH DECA ILLINOIS
Blue Springs DECA 29
CHAPTER BUZZ SALINE COUNTY CAREER CENTER DECA MISSOURI In November, the Saline County Career Center DECA chapter received a special visit from Marshall Mayor Julie Schwetz who presented them with a DECA Month proclamation. Members also had the opportunity to highlight their next level projects and activities.
LINCOLN EAST DECA NEBRASKA Lincoln East DECA members joined together in-person and via Zoom to make tie blankets for the children at St. Elizabeth Hospital. The chapter was able to complete six tie blankets to help spread some warmth this holiday season.
NYC LAB SCHOOL FOR COLLABORATIVE STUDIES DECA NEW YORK One of DECA’s newest chapters, the NYC Lab School for Collaborative Studies has been hard at work to make their first year a success. The chapter hosted a guest speaker, George Schenek, an Ad Sales Research Analyst from Hulu, to give members insights into the marketing industry. They learned a lot about Hulu’s marketing efforts and the many statistics they collect and analyze to assess how to best appeal to consumers. The event was open to the entire school and helped the chapter gain a considerable number of new members. The Lab School is off to an impressive start and can’t wait to see what comes next in DECA!
TRIANGLE MATH AND SCIENCE ACADEMY DECA NORTH CAROLINA Triangle Math and Science Academy DECA recently started the first middle school chapter in North Carolina. Middle school students have already started to engage with the high school chapter, participate in community service and compete. Four students even placed on their association’s leaderboard for the Virtual Business Challenge!
KLAMATH UNION DECA OREGON Klamath Union DECA teamed up with Jackson County Parks to help restore a section of wetland destroyed by a devastating fire. Members helped pick up debris, spread new grass seed and scatter straw to prevent water damage to the area. Throughout this project, members collected 20 bags of trash, planted 25 pounds of grass seed and distributed 60 bales of straw across a one mile stretch of riverbed wetland.
Saline County Career Center DECA
STATE COLLEGE AREA DECA PENNSYLVANIA Throughout October, State College Area DECA hosted its second annual DECA Dash—this time virtually! Modeled after the Color Run; the chapter provided nearly 80 participants with a packet that included a t-shirt, promotional items from local businesses, color powder and a prize if they received one for signing up. Prizes were donated by over 20 local businesses who helped support the DECA Dash. The chapter really stepped up and raised over $3,550 for their state charity, Kisses for Kyle.
Lincoln East DECA
NYC Lab School for Collaborative Studies DECA
VANDEGRIFT DECA TEXAS Vandegrift DECA’s officer team organized and led a role-play workshop for all six schools in the Leander Independent School District. When Vandegrift’s advisor, Kari Michalek, was asked by several chapter advisors for guidance on competing in role-play events, she immediately went to her career development team and asked if they’d be willing to host a workshop. They embraced the request and held an interactive Zoom webinar to share their three-tiered approach for role-play events. The event was appreciated and wellreceived by all attendees.
Triable Math and Science Academy DECA
Klamath Union DECA
BLACKSBURG DECA VIRGINIA Blacksburg DECA has a tradition of serving “DECA donuts” from Carol Lee Donuts after chapter meetings. Not being able to meet in-person, they had to get creative to keep the tradition alive. On Halloween, the chapter’s officers held a “DECA Donut Dropoff” and delivered sweet treats to nearly forty new members.
State College Area DECA
Clarke County DECA 30
CLARKSTON DECA WASHINGTON
MCFARLAND DECA WISCONSIN
Clarkston DECA hosted a “BEE Kind” Campaign to promote choosing kindness. The chapter purchased 80 yellow BEE masks that students and teachers wore for the week in November. The campaign involved BEE Kind stickers on all drinks sold through the chapter’s SBE, posters and morning announcements. Students also posted random acts of kindness on social media such as paying it forward and buying someone’s drink, vacuuming cars, delivering Thanksgiving meals and many more. Clarkston DECA continues to repost any random act of kindness because choosing to BEE Kind never should end!
McFarland DECA brought their community together through “Spot the Spartan.” This community-wide challenge provided a fun, engaging and socially-distant opportunity for families to leave their houses! During October, businesses and organizations in McFarland purchased and displayed a decorated wooden spartan head at their desired location. Community members had two weeks to spot them all by purchasing a “passport” including a map of locations. With over 30 spartan heads and more than 85 passports sold, they raised over $1,000 for the McFarland Food Pantry.
Appleton East DECA took part in Wisconsin’s annual Trick-or-Can service project. Adapting for COVID-19, members dropped off cans directly at their local food pantry. In total, they collected over 1,000 pounds of canned food for local families in need.
INDIAN TRAIL DECA WISCONSIN Indian Trail DECA also took part in Trickor-Can during Halloween. The chapter collected over 1,600 cans and broke their previous record! The items were donated to a local food pantry. Members were excited to serve their community and look forward to more service projects throughout the year!
SUN PRAIRIE DECA WISCONSIN In October, Sun Prairie DECA members worked with their Downtown Business Improvement District to organize and operate a contactless drive-thru event for local businesses to offer their signature products and services. Members helped take payment, run products to cars and direct traffic. The event was extremely successful, serving around 180 cars and generating nearly $10,000 in sales. In the end, over $2,000 was donated to their local food pantry, the Sunshine Place.
Indian Trail DECA
Sun Prairie DECA
WAUSAU WEST DECA WISCONSIN Wausau West DECA held their annual Trick-or-Can event to collect nonperishable food items for the Wausau Women’s Community Shelter. Members delivered bags and promotional flyers to homes in the community a week before the event. On Halloween, members then collected the donations and received 4,500 nonperishable food items.
ALUMNI RECOGNITION WEEK
JANUARY-FEBRUARY | 2021
APPLETON EAST DECA WISCONSIN
Appleton East DECA
FEBRUARY 8-12, 2021
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SHOP ALL YOUR DECA NEEDS S H O P D E C A .O R G
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