By srobbins
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June 16, 2010
The purpose of this exercise is to expose participants to the impact of different leadership styles on the effectiveness and success of a team. Each team is lead by a volunteer who takes on a specific leadership role (listed below), are charged with constructing a list of products and then selling those products. The success of each company, just as in the real world, is significantly affected by its leader and the leadership style he/she imposes.
Different leadeeship styles used in this exercise:
Democratic - vote on all decisions
Delagative/Laissez Faire - disinterested, aloof, relaxed, non-assertive, lack forcefulness, sociable
Authoritarian & Autocratic - boss of the company, do it in a domineering way. Dominant, poor listener, zest for combat, forced ideas, inflexible
Consultative/Participative - open, up front, very encouraging, good listener, flexible, receptive, assertive, goal orientated
The groups work together to create products our of wooden popsicle sticks and then try to sell them to buyers. The room was filled with loud activity as the students tried to get the buyers attention and sell their products. The students seemed to feel that the most effective leader would be a consultative/participative leader.
By JA_Guest
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June 16, 2010
Hey All! This is Lauren and Adam once again with our JA Business Week Blog. Today, starting with year 1, companies A-M took field trips to many Jamba Juices across the city. They gathered information on the production of Jamba Juice smoothies which helped with their efforts to create a new Jamba Juice smoothie flavor. Next, second year students visited the Colorado Convention Center to better understand where their high school events will be held. The oldest of the group, the third year students had company meetings throughout the day, however they will be going to the 16th Street Mall Good Times to also understand further their project. Mid morning of today, all JA Business Week campers assembled in the University Event Center to learn how to better control stress through stretching and breathing. Overall, we have decided, this year is a great year to be at JA Business Week.
By srobbins
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June 16, 2010
Yesterday the JA Business Week students participated in a workshop, sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, that introduced them to the many different techniques and skills for reducing stress. The truth is that stress is going to happen in your life and knowing the methods to reduce and manage that stress is a skill that will benefit these students for their entire life.
The presenters perspective was that the happier you are the more productive and effective you will be in the tasks that you are presented with. With happiness and reduced stress one is able to make clearer choices and be more supportive of those around them.
The students discussed the different situations that make them stressed out. The mentioned: parents, social “drama”, competition, overreacting to certain situations, siblings, school, sports…just to name a few. They feel the stress internally, which is typical for all people.
They were presented with the idea of self regulation when it comes to reducing stress. This is regulating your thinking, interpretation, actions and behaviors when you are in stressful situations. Conscious self regulation tasks can be anything from exercise to playing music.
After these ideas were discussed the students were able to learn some yoga and breathing techniques in order to lower their stress. As the students practiced basic yoga poses they seemed a little uncomfortable at first, but then began to enjoy the activity. In the end, they were given some valuable skill, techniques and awareness that will help them not only reduce the stress in their life now, but for many years to come.
By JA_Guest
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June 15, 2010
Day Two
Today was a fun filled day. We had an overview of our projects. 2nd and 3rd years had resume overviews and critiques. We polished our resumes to perfection! The 1st years worked on their projects most of the day; consisting of an ethics challenge with the Better Business Bureau. 2nd years took a field trip to Ogilvy Public Relations to gain a better perspective on their projects. 3rd years worked on their projects for a while. The day ended with everyone doing a Leadership and Teamwork with Terrance Carroll, and Electricity challenge and a game show!
Day One
Well we had a great first day at Junior Achievement’s Business Week. We heard a great keynote speaker today at The Opening Ceremony, Keith Jones,who was very inspiring to be positive and enthusiastic. After The Opening Ceremony, we met up with our company advisors and team mates. After dinner we played a great game called Hunk O’ Junk which taught us about creativity, teamwork, and recycling.
By JA_Guest
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June 14, 2010
Junior Achievement’s Business Week, underwritten by OppenheimerFunds, kicked off on Sunday with a very enthusiastic keynote speaker; Keith Jones. This inspiring speech was given to almost 200 high school students and their parents to prepare and motivate them for the upcoming high-energy week ahead. Keith Jones is a Chef, entrepreneur, and author of “Cooking Up Your Dreams”. His positive attitude and ability to bring laughter and muse to students was extremely entertaining.
Keith began speaking about how important it is to never give up on your dreams, and explained that we all have a gift to give. “You never know when you’re going to meet the person or situation that is going to change your life”, Keith re-iterated over and over again. “Remember that learning never stops and neither does education”, Keith continued. As he frolicked into the air showing these apprehensive teens how important enthusiasm for life and learning can be expressed.
Watching the wide-eyed and eager Business Week audience there was no speculation that they were going to carry Keith’s energy on into the rest of the week. This orientation and welcome was also filled with a great introduction to all of the wonderful volunteers who would be heading up each group of students who will be coming together and creating a company this week. Can’t wait to see all the inspiration and ideas they put together!