Monthly Blog - November

For the month of November I received a couple of good lessons on how to price and organize product that we sell in stores from my mentor, Sara Timberlake. She's taught me how to price and get the most value out of the items we sell in the store. In store management, both for profit and non-profit, the goal is to ultimately make more than what you previously spent before on something. She's told me to look at things through a customer's eyes. Do they want something sturdy? What brand is the product? Does the item for sale have a set it could match with? Is the item in a sellable condition? (very important for non-profit organizations. This question would be out of the context for a regular store) These questions are good. I'll go into a bit more detail on how pricing and sets work at our store below.

So looking at the above kitchen cupboards and draws, what do you think? Is it visually appealing? Is it clean? Does the items above appear to be brand-spanking-new? Do they match? Would you want one of these in your home?

The answers to the above questions may vary depending on the buyer. Selling merchandise from a store could be as simple as just having the product in a clean and neat manner. Sets of items always tend to catch the eye of customers and I know that from my experience at Habitat for Humanity. In terms of selling home-improvement based goods, people tend to want uniformity, for everything to look the same. It's a no brainer, but for a store to sell these types of items it's a lot more important than some people realize.    

Blog 10: EQ

1. Review this. Confirm by stating "I reviewed the rule of three for writing an EQ."

I reviewed the rule of three for writing an EQ.

2. Review the following EQs and tell us if each meets the rule of three. Tell why they do or why they don't.

EQ#1: What is the most important factor in healthy weight loss? 

Question 1 easily provides a framework for research as it is a general question that could be many different answers. No direct stance is taken when it comes to the question above, however a stance could be taken AFTER doing all of your research and finding out what are important factors for healthy weight loss. Wording makes sense. All-in-all, the question above is a decent EQ.

EQ#2: What is most important to securing a conviction in a criminal investigation?

Question 2 doesn't appear to be too bad of a question, but it could be worded a little better, for the formatting is awkward. Example: What are the most important factors to securing a conviction in a criminal investigation? 

EQ#3: What is most important in creating a hairstyle that best satisfies a customer.

Question 3 is not an optimal EQ because best satisfying a customer is extremely subjective, therefore, the research behind it would have too many variables. I guess it could be said that great service and listening to descriptions given by the customer is a good start, but it's just too broad at the start.

EQ#4: How can an anesthesiologist best treat chronic pain?

Question 4 is fine. Wording is okay. You can research many different sub-topics under anesthesiology for it. It's debatable if it takes a stance, but with more research a side could easily be taken.

3. Based on your review of the rule of 3 and your experience with assessing four EQs, please write another draft EQ for your senior project. 

DRAFT EQ: How can a store be managed most effectively during the busiest hours of the day.  

Blog 9: Lesson 1 Presentation Reflection

1. Positive Statement

What are you most proud of in your Lesson 1 Presentation and why?

I knew all of my topics and sub-topics for my senior project. That without a doubt I could say confidently. For not having props, visual aid, or an interesting activity, I felt that orally I did extremely well in explaining what my topic was and all of the things needed to be an effective store manager. The main idea was there and I felt that I truly had my audiences' attention. I showed no nervousness and the milestone of eight minutes didn't seem to be too hefty in terms of remembering what I needed to present.

2. Questions to consider

What assessment would you give yourself on your Lesson 1 Presentation (self-assessment)

In a way, I felt I deserved an AP straight up for one very important component I left out during my presentation... My props. I was going to previously bring a clipboard and a bucket with different sized nails inside of them, showing when I had to organize shelves containing nails, screws, etc. at my location of mentorship. I hardly physically referenced anything during the presentation, which would undoubtedly lower my grade. I did dress professionally, but I really felt it wasn't enough and it wasn't very evident. Everything else on the contract, however, I was able to get down and explain, I personally feel.

3. What worked for your Lesson 1?

My presentation itself. I could speak well. My volume was perfect. I could feel people were actually paying attention to me. I felt I made great eye-contact with everyone. I talked like I knew my stuff. That's what worked well for my lesson one.

4. (What didn't work) If you had a time machine, what would you have done to improve your lesson 1?

Bring my props. Easily. I won't go into detail why I couldn't exactly bring the necessary materials, but lets just say if I could go back I would have brought the props mentioned above. I would also reference my mentorship a lot more.