Case Study 1 and Professional Development

Chamber of Commerce / Pacific Institute Professional Development Page 1

Project is being returned ungraded. Please see comments within this file. Overall the project needs to be more reflective of how these events relate to your professional goals and education at Penn Foster.

Professional Development Seminar 1

The Pacific Institute Professional Development Comment by Windows User: The content of this project should be reflective of the material covered in the event and how it relates to your professional gaols and your education at Penn Foster. What is submitted is not sufficient to the project requirements.

During my preparation for this assignment, I assumed it would be difficult to attend a seminars held by our local Chamber of Commerce unit. Upon calling the Chamber I realized it was extremely easy. Melissa, the Chambers assistant, gave me all the instructions I needed to attend a local event. Comment by Windows User: Not double spaced as required.

The event was called, “Business Basics,” featuring a keynote speaker for the day. During the introductions the group was delighted to see the keynote speaker for the day being, The Pacific Institute. Josh from the Pacific Institute, spoke about key principles and functional operational planning. He pointed out that the key principles to a functional operation is planning. I did not realized until the end of his speech how both topics went together. The event was extremely educational because it showed me how to apply daily operations into rewarding outcomes. At the event we were given a book written by Josh; as I was reading the book more than half of the information was familiar to me. I could reference this back to one of the classes I had to take called “Business Principles BUS110.” Comment by Windows User: Who was the key note speaker? Comment by Windows User: You should not used only first names is a professional paper. Comment by Windows User: This need to be explained much more.

I was excited to leave the Chamber with my new found knowledge, so excited that I shared it in a staff meeting on Wednesday morning. Being able to share that information gave me a deeper understanding of how a business works with daily operations and how everyone in the company is a vital part of the operation. Before leaving the event all attendees received a list of all attendees so we can keep in contact for networking. We were also encouraged to make a LinkedIn account to help with contacts.

References

Chamber of Commerce Lafayette Unit, http://www.lafayettechamber.com/ Comment by Windows User: These are not complete references.

The Pacific Institute, http://www.thepacificinstitute.com/

Session Summary

​Time	​Activity
​8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.	​Opening speech and welcome video Business Basic Objectives
​10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.	​Morning Break
10:15 – 12:30 p.m.	​ The Pacific Institute: Key Principles
​12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.	​Lunch (provided)
​1:00 – 3:00 p.m.	​ Functional Operational Planning
​3:00 – 3:15 p.m.	Afternoon Break
3:15 – 4:00 p.m.	Reflection from Key Principles
​4:00 – 5:00 p.m.	​Reflection from Functional Operational Planning
​5:00 – 6:00 p.m.	​Closing Remarks

Date and time of the session: 08/24/2015 8:00 am – 6:00 pm

Name of instructor and /or presenters: Tim Hula, Career Services, The Pacific Institute, Business preparation.

Preparation hours: Approximately 1 hour

Activity hours: 9 hours

Reflection/summary hours: 08/24/2015, 2 hours

Professional Development Seminar 2

Pete the Planner Professional Development

For my first professional development assignment I went to the Chamber of Commerce for a day event on Business Basics. I had such a positive learning experience that I decided to return for another event. This event focused on the financial aspect of business. Comment by Windows User: Same comments apply as above.

As mentioned this event focused on the financial aspects of business, this event featured Pete the Planner, a national recognized financial planner. Pete gave us several pieces of material including a monthly business planner. Pete spoke about the importance of strategic planning not only in business but home as well. One thing that Pete said really made me think about was how much money Americans spend on eating outside of the home, which was a whopping $50.466 billion dollars per year, or approximately $6,000 per household per year. I hate to say that he was right. During my FIN305 – Securities and Investments class with Penn Foster, I made a financial portfolio and within that it shows for 2014 that I spent close to $4,000 eating out. Pete also spoke with the group on how to save money within the business and one of the biggest items he pointed out was printer paper. He stated if more items are sent via email then that will cut a huge cost for paper, he also included a normal business spends about $800 per month in paper.

Reflecting on the event and how it came into play within my studies was very “eye opening.” The event made business life seem within arm’s reach. As a student, I have kept my eye on the prize of obtaining my Bachelors’ degree and this event made it surreal for me that I will soon be in the workforce applying these skills I have learned. Comment by Windows User: Please explain more.

References

Chamber of Commerce Lafayette Unit, http://www.lafayettechamber.com/

Pete the Planner, http://petetheplanner.com/

Session Summary

​Time	​Activity
​9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.	Business Finance Objectives
​10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.	​Breakout session: Preparing for business
11:00 – 11:15 p.m.	​Morning Break
​11:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.	​ Pete the Planner: Money
​1:15 – 2:00 p.m.	​ Lunch (provided)
​2:00 – 3:00 p.m.	Reflection from Preparing for Business
3:00 – 3:15 p.m.	Afternoon Break
​3:15 – 4:00 p.m.	​Reflection from Pete
​4:00 – 5:00 p.m.	​ Closing Business Remarks and Questions

Date and time of the session: 08/25/2015 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Name of instructor and /or presenters: Tim Hula, Career Services, Pete the Planner, Financial advisor

Preparation hours: Approximately 1 hour

Activity hours: 6.45

Reflection/summary hours: 08/25/2015, 2 hours