INC - Month in Review - Oct. 2019
INCubatorEDU@Sheboygan South High School
Who do you Know? - Competition and Customers
October's focus was on knowing the competition and the customer. These two elements are always vital, but especially so in the early stages of a business. During the month, teams identified a small group of direct and/or indirect competitors. They looked at the features that make each unique and the benefits that each provide to the customer. They have then determined what areas they need to mimic, improve upon, or be willing to sacrifice because they cannot compete. Ultimately, we did this to help them find their niche or "UVP".
Teams also identified three market segments, explored them empathetically, and gave them personas. Now, as we move into interviews, they need to determine if these groups see their problem is something on which their targets would spend money.
Mentor Match Day Presentations
The Class and Coach Nowakowski
Project Pitch It Teams
Next Month's Events and Activities
We are moving into the fact-finding portion of the course: (1) developing good interviews to better understand the problem and (2) developing good interviews to better understand the solution. Then, we will revisit those market segments to see if they still have profitability. If they do, then we move forward with how our product will be positioned against our competitors.
Remember, any volunteer/parent can attend our class on any given day. Just tell the Main Office that you are here for INC. Our schedule can be found on the INCubatorEDU site.
November 1-13: Solution Interview
November 15, 18-19: Market Sizing with David Bolland
November 20, 22: Positioning with Tryg Jacobson
November 25-27: Distribution Channels
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
From INC to YOU - Let Us Give Back!
Every year, we have leftover exams we don't use, so we'd like to offer these to our INC partners.
If your company would be interested in having its employees gain these certifications, contact me and let's make it happen! For more information, visit Microsoft's information page here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/certification-overview-mos.aspx
Student Spotlight - Noah M.
Team: Beyond the Front Door
Year: Senior
His favorite part of INC is the creative aspects of it. Having a chance to create an actual product or serve and pitch it to real investors is exciting.
His plan for after high school is to attend Lakeland University or UW-Whitewater and major in something business-related.
Student Spotlight - Chloe R.
Year: Senior
Chloe is a member of student council, publications, Red Team, Track, and National Honor Society. Even with all that, she finds time to work at Cucina, where she is a hostess.
Her favorite part of INC is getting to experience all the cool business opportunities like Project Pitch It and the Hatch Pitch event.
She plans to major in Marketing and minor in Communications at the University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse next year.
Student Spotlight - Andrew L.
Team: Poomba
Year: Junior
His favorite part of INC is working alongside actual business owners and getting to learn more from them.
His plan after high school is to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice by attending a local technical college.
Volunteer Spotlight - Coach Tryg Jacobson
He will be coaching students on Market Sizing in November.
Jake's Cafe fosters a collaborative - rather than competitive- workplace. What he enjoys most about running a creative community is the chance to help others accomplish great things.
Coach Jacobson also served as a chairman of Jacobson Rost Advertising for 29 years before starting this endeavor. As you can see, he provides a vast wealth of experience in the marketing field and the business community as a whole.
Advice for Students: "Study many things. Learn how to write clearly. Read lots of poetry. Push hard."
Volunteer Spotlight - Coach David Bolland
David was brought into Plymouth Foam by the Roberts family as the director of marketing. In 2005, he was asked to become president and, later, CEO. David purchased the company three years ago. In addition to driving technology within Plymouth Foam, his marketing sensibility promotes brand and enterprise value.
Volunteer Spotlight - Mentors Adam and Amanda Kroener
Adam and Amanda are mentoring one of the teams that is co-mentored this year, PocketWallet. They are the founders of SNFood & Beverage, LLC; the makers of Carbliss.
Outside of their very new startup, he works full-time at Richelieu Foods as Plant Manager. He previously was the Director of Manufacturing at Masters Gallery Foods.
Amanda worked in the energy industry in a variety of positions, including Vice President. She currently works as the Accounting Manager at Van Horn Automotive.
Advice for Students:
Adam: "I spent my younger years trying to be the smartest person in the room, which inherently pushed people to believe I was arrogant and cocky. It wasn’t until my mid-to-late twenties that I realized the best way to be successful is believe in yourself more than anything, and know that there is something to learn from every person you meet. Focus on learning new things from others and not trying to tell them how smart you are. The best business people aren’t necessary the smartest. They are the most resourceful.”
Amanda: "An individual's experiences are what sets them apart from everyone else in the room. Get involved in as many opportunities as possible - and don't just be a member, stand up and stand out, hold leadership positions, and commit to the team/group by giving them all you have to give."
Did you Complete your Volunteer Spotlight?
INCubatorEDU@SHS
Email: gstone@sasd.net
Website: https://sites.google.com/sasd.net/incubatoredu/home?authuser=0
Location: 1240 Washington Avenue, Sheboygan, WI, USA
Phone: 920-459-3637