Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - I've Picked My Competitive Event, Now What? Prepared Events

By pranav sarma

Texas DECA Vice President, Vista Ridge High School

So, you’ve picked your event for DECA’s prepared event category—congrats! Now comes the exciting part: the research and planning stage. Whether you're working on a marketing campaign, or an entrepreneurship pitch, getting organized early will set you up for success.

While each event has unique requirements, there are some key steps that are common across all prepared events. Let's break it down.

1. Outline Your Paper

Before diving into writing, it’s essential to have a clear roadmap. Outlining helps you organize your thoughts and ensures that your paper flows logically. Start by reviewing the guidelines for your event and identifying the major sections required in your paper (e.g., Executive Summary, Market Research, Financial Plan).

Create a rough structure of your paper based on the sections outlined for your event:

1. Operations Research Events

2. Project Management Events

3. Entrepreneurship Events

4. Integrated Marketing Campaign Events

5. Professional Selling & Consulting Events

2. Do Background Research

Research is the backbone of any successful DECA prepared event. Start by collecting data related to your event. Whether it's market trends, consumer behavior, or new technologies, you'll need credible information to back up your ideas. DECA judges love to see well-researched content, so dive deep!

Here are some ways to approach research:

1. Industry Reports: Find reports relevant to your event’s industry or topic. Sources like IBISWorld, Statista, and government websites can be a goldmine.

2. Surveys/Interviews: If applicable, reach out to potential customers or professionals in the field to gather firsthand insights.

3. Competitor Analysis: Look at similar projects or businesses to see what’s working, and identify any gaps in the market.

3. Contact Stakeholders and Resources

Often, it’s helpful to involve others who can provide insights, advice, or feedback on your project. Stakeholders could be mentors, business owners, or even DECA alumni who have experience in your chosen field. Reach out to them early to get their input, as they can help guide your approach and validate your ideas. Consider setting up meetings, sending out emails, or organizing interviews with people who can add value to your project. DECA is all about networking, so don’t hesitate to leverage your connections!

4. Begin Working on the First Section of Your Paper

With your outline and research ready, it’s time to start writing. The introduction or executive summary is often a good place to begin. This section should set the stage for your entire paper, so make it compelling. Provide a brief overview of your project, highlight your goals, and touch on why your approach is unique or impactful.

Keep the following in mind:

• Clarity: Your paper should be easy to follow and well-organized. Avoid jargon unless necessary.

• Professional Tone: Maintain a formal tone, but also make it engaging. Remember, you’re presenting a business idea, so keep it polished.

• Creativity: Stand out by presenting your ideas in a creative and innovative way. DECA judges appreciate original thinking.

By taking these steps, you’ll be off to a strong start in your DECA prepared event journey. Remember, this is just the beginning—your paper will evolve as you refine your research and ideas. Stay focused, seek feedback, and don’t be afraid to make adjustments as needed. Good luck, and let’s get that glass!

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - I've Picked My Event, Now What? Role Play Events

By henry nguyen

Creekview High School

Congratulations on selecting your DECA role-play event! This is an exciting step in your DECA journey, and you're probably wondering how to prepare effectively. Whether you're new to DECA or looking to up your game, here's a guide to help you navigate the next steps and set yourself up for success.

Understand the Role-Play Format

Before diving into preparation, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with the structure of your chosen event.

● Read the Guidelines: Visit the DECA website and download the official guidelines for your role-play event.

● Know the Basics: Understand the time allotted for preparation and presentation, the performance indicators, and the evaluation criteria.

Tip: Knowing the format will help you manage your time and focus on what's important during the competition.

Master the Performance Indicators

These indicators are the backbone of your presentation.

● List Them Out: Write down all the performance indicators for your event.

● Understand Them: Ensure you fully grasp each one and how it applies in real scenarios.

● Practice Explaining: Be able to discuss each indicator clearly and confidently.

Polish Your Presentation Skills

How you deliver your message is just as important as the content itself.

● Body Language: Maintain eye contact, use appropriate gestures, and exhibit confident posture.

● Clear Communication: Speak clearly, and avoid filler words like "um" or "like."

● Practice Makes Perfect: Rehearse your presentation multiple times to build confidence.

Manage Your Time Effectively

Time management can make or break your performance.

● Prioritize Points: Focus on the most important aspects first in case you run out of time.

● Keep Track: Be mindful of the time without letting it distract you.

Tip: Practice under timed conditions to get comfortable with the pace.

Adopt a Positive Mindset

Your attitude can significantly impact your performance.

● Stay Confident: Believe in your preparation and abilities.

● Be Adaptable: If something doesn't go as planned, stay flexible

Remember: A positive demeanor can leave an impression on the judges.

Seek Feedback and Support

Don't hesitate to reach out for help.

● Consult Advisors: Your DECA advisor can provide valuable insights and tips.

● Peer Practice: Team up with other members to practice and critique each other.

● Learn from Others: Watch example role-plays to see what works well.

● Collaboration: Sharing experiences can enhance your understanding and boost your confidence.

Final Thoughts

By understanding the event format, mastering the content, and improving your presentation skills, you'll be well on your way to success.

Believe in yourself, stay dedicated, and most importantly, enjoy the journey!

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - Helping Members Choose Their Competitive Event

By brady smith

Eaton High School

Dip and Pick Night: Helping Members Choose Their Competitive Event

At our chapter, we have created a fun and interactive way to guide members in selecting their competitive events. During our Dip and Pick Night, members enjoy snack such as chips, marshmallows, and other treats, dipping them into sauces like queso, salsa, and chocolate.

While snacking, members explore the various different competitive events DECA offers by discussing their personal interests, strengths, and goals. This relaxed setting helps to foster a collaborative environment, helping each member identify which event aligns best with their skills and their interests.

Dip and Pick night is more than just a social gathering; it’s an opportunity for members to learn more about DECA’s numerous competitive event categories, such as role-plays, written projects, and even professional selling. By making this process more interactive and fun, members feel less pressured and more excited about picking their event. With having causal conversations between members and advisors, everyone gains a better understanding of where they might excel, ensuring that each member can pick a path that suits their talents.

One of the key aspects of our Dip and Pick Night is the support offered by our senior DECA members and our advisors. They share their insights and personal experiences, guiding newer members as they continue to explore different competitive categories. Through these discussions, members received tailored advice, enabling them to make more informed decisions about the events that play into their strengths. This mentorship ensures that all members, whether or not being a returning member, having the resources and the confidence needed to thrive in DECA competitions.

By combining a social event with the serious task of selecting competitive events, Dip and Pick Night creates a stress-free environment where members can bond and have fun while making important decisions on what they’re going to compete in this year. It fosters camaraderie within our chapter as well, ensuring that everyone feels involved and supported within our chapter. This balance of fun and purpose helps motivate members to engage in the selection process, ensuring that they leave the event with a clear idea of what they want to compete in this upcoming competition season.

Key Benefits of Dip and Pick Night:

● Encourages collaboration and mentorship between newer and experienced members.

● Combines fun social activities with event selection, reducing pressure.

● Provides tailored advice to help members find competitive events that align with their strengths.

● Fosters a strong sense of chapter unity and participation.

Dip and Pick Night has quickly become one of our chapter’s favorite traditions, offering both personal growth and team bonding. By merging a fun, food-centered social event with a serious, productive task like competitive events, our chapter ensures that every member can feel engaged and prepared. The relaxed atmosphere also allows members to focus on what truly matters - finding an event that best suits their future interests and their career goals.

Looking forward, we hope to continue improving our Dip and Pick Night by adding more and new interactive elements, such as event simulations or guest speakers to further help members gain better clarity and confidence in picking their event. Ultimately, the success of this event lies in its ability to balance fun with purpose, ensuring that all members feel supported, informed, and ready to take on their DECA journey.

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - Choosing the Right Event

By Yashitha chunduru

Texas DECA President, Coppell High School

With a new DECA year ramping up, choosing a competitive event can be an overwhelming task. With over fifty different competitive events to choose from in Marketing, Finance, Hospitality, Management, and Entrepreneurship, finding the right event can be challenging. However, there are a few steps you can take to make it easier for you to choose an event!

Role Play vs. Prepared Events:

The first thing you can do to narrow down your options is picking between a role play event and a prepared event. A role play event will usually consist of one role play at the District and State CDC level and two preliminary role plays at ICDC (as well as a third finalist role play for those who advance at ICDC). Role Plays can be characterized as made up scenarios that are modeled after the tasks and challenged within a corporation. You would be given a role play and have a set amount of time (10-30 minutes based on the event you choose) before you get to present your ideas to a judge. For example, in a Business Services Marketing role play, it wouldn’t be surprising to find a role play asking you to make a promotional plan for a new product. Role plays are broken down into instructional areas. These instructional areas are broad  topics that your role play will fall under. For District CDC, your instructional area can be found ahead of time. Within these instructional areas, there are performance instructors. These PIs are the specific idea or skill that you have to show that you know through your role play. Along with the role play, you must take a one hundred question exam in your career cluster as part of a role play event. Role play events are recommended for students that can think quickly on their feet.

Here is a sample Business Services Marketing Role Play. It includes the competitor’s scenario, the judge’s scenario, and the rubric. Here is a sample Marketing Cluster exam.

In a prepared event, as the name suggests, you get to prepare for months before you present your final product to a judge. Based on the event you choose, you could be making a written proposal, a pamphlet, or a poster. These events usually take more research and preparation to excel in. If you’re the type of person that likes to walk into a presentation completely prepared with a thought out written paper and maybe a poster, a prepared event would be perfect for you!

How to Pick A Role Play Event:

If you are leaning towards a role play event, the next decision you should make is whether you enjoy working by yourself or with a partner. The Individual Series Events consist of fourteen different events to choose from. For these events, you have a ten minute role play preparation time and ten minutes to present your ideas to the judge (you also have time to answer the judge’s questions during these ten minutes). Individual Series role plays have five performance indicators that the judge grades you on.

If you think you would be more successful working with a partner, the Team Decision Making Events might be a better option. There are eight TDM events. For these events, you are given a thirty minute preparation time with your partner and a fifteen minute presentation time in front of your judge. You will have seven performance indicators.

Another option that is only available to first year DECA members is the Principles Event category. The Principles events are a great introduction to the DECA competition structure and are considered to be more foundational knowledge. You will have ten minutes to prepare and ten minutes to present in front of a judge. There are four performance indicators on a Principles role play. All Principles events take the Business Administration Core Exam.

After figuring out which type of role play event you would like to compete in, I would recommend looking through the different event situations and exams to figure out which cluster (Marketing, Finance, Hospitality, Management, and Entrepreneurship) you like the most. After this, you can decide which event you like the best and start preparing!

How to Pick A Prepared Event:

Prepared events consist of many different types of events that can be filtered into Written events and Professional Selling events. Your written component and presentation component are judged separately. The Business Operations Research events require students to research and come up with a strategic plan for the topic that year (the topic does change every year). There are four different BOR events that all have a maximum of twenty pages for your written entry. The Entrepreneurship events allow you to get a glimpse into various stages of the entrepreneurship process. There are six different Entrepreneurship events within the prepared events. For the Project Management Events, you are supposed to plan and manage a product. There are six PM events. There are three Integrated Marketing Campaign Events which require you to create a marketing plan. The IMC events also require you to take a one hundred question exam (like the role plays). Regardless of which of the written events you choose, there is a fifteen minute interview time where you will present your plan to the judge and they will have the opportunity to ask you and questions they have. These events can have one to three participants in a team.

All of the above events were Written Events. The Professional Selling events are considered a little different. These events require you to take a one hundred question exam. There is a prompt that changes every year for the Professional Selling Events and you are supposed to make a sales pitch to the judge based on the prompt. Visual aids and notes are allowed. You have fifteen minutes to present to the judge and answer any questions they might have. If you are a good test taker, but are still someone that likes to have a plan instead of thinking on their feet, this might be a good option for you.

While the process of choosing an event may seem daunting, remember that every event will teach you something new along the way! Good luck for this DECA year!

Check out this resource from Texas DECA to help you select an event if you’re still unsure!

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - Understanding the Differences in the Types of Competitive Events

By LEWIS REID

Ben Barber Innovation Academy

With 60 different competitive event options to choose from - including traditional competitive events & online opportunities - in 6 different clusters, the possibilities to demonstrate your leadership and entrepreneurial skills are endless. When thinking about competition, it may seem overwhelming at first, but there truly is something for everyone. Whether you want to share your passion for entrepreneurship through a community service project or your love for sports through a roleplay with your DECA bestie, DECA’s comprehensive competitive events program allows you to compete in something YOU are passionate about and interested in. If you’re lost, that’s okay too. Consider this your one-stop shop to learn about all of the different DECA competitive event categories! 

DECA’s competitive events program is split into 10 different categories, each varying in requirements and expectations. Pro Tip: When choosing your competitive event, consider your strengths, interests, and passions and how much of a time commitment you are willing to put into competition. 

Role-plays + Case Studies 

When thinking about competition, most people think of roleplay events as the “typical” competitive events that come to mind. Roleplays don’t require as much of a time commitment prior to competition days, but tend to carry a lot more pressure the day of. Members who are good at extemporaneous speaking, creatively and critically thinking, and working well under pressure thrive in the following event categories: 

Principles of Business Administration 

Designed for first-year members, the Principles events allow members to demonstrate their knowledge of basic business concepts and scenarios. Members compete individually and can compete in any career cluster event. 

10-Minute Preparation Time + 10-Minute Presentation Time + Business Administration Core Exam Business Administration Core Exam - 50% + Roleplay with a Judge - 50% 

Individual Series 

DECA’s individual series is the largest competitive event category and features an event in each cluster. From marketing communications to human resources management, members who thrive individually and can think of creative ideas on the fly fit perfectly in this category. 

10-Minute Preparation Time + 10-Minute Presentation Time + Cluster Exam 

Cluster Exam Score - 50% + Roleplay with a Judge - 50% 

Team Decision Making 

Team Decision Making events are one of the most popular categories and are designed for dynamic duos who think creatively and thrive working synchronously. TDM events allow competitors to play off their partner's strengths and strategically provide innovative solutions to scenarios. 

30-Minute Preparation Time + 15-Minute Presentation Time + Cluster Exam 

Averaged Cluster Exam Scores - 50% + Roleplay with a Judge - 50% 

Prepared Events 

DECA’s prepared events allow members to exercise knowledge and skills in several areas of business in a creative and technical way. Although prepared events require a large amount of time and effort before competition, you can walk into your CDC knowing exactly what you want to say and how you want to say it. For most people, this reduces a lot of the stress that a roleplay competitor might have. Members who prefer prepared speaking, working on long-term projects and plans, and completing in-depth research excel in the following prepared event categories: 

Business Operations Research 

The BOR events allow members to complete a research project on a business model, and provide a solution/innovation to a modern-day issue! The competitive event topic changes every year, and the project allows you to create applicable innovative solutions for real-world businesses! 

15-Minute Presentation + 20-Page Written Plan 

Oral Presentation - 40% + Written Plan - 60% 

Project Management 

DECA’s project management events allow competitors to demonstrate their interest in business management through a project focused on community service, financial literacy, business solutions, and more! This event is designed for people who want to leave a greater impact on their local communities and DECA chapters 

15-Minute Presentation + 20-Page Written Plan 

Oral Presentation - 40% + Written Plan - 60% 

Integrated Marketing Campaigns 

The Integrated Marketing Campaigns allow competitors to design a marketing initiative for an event, product, or service. After completing the marketing cluster exam, teams of 1-3 work diligently to design a 10-page paper and deliver an oral presentation detailing the campaign and its intended benefits. 

15-Minute Presentation + 10-Page Marketing Campaign Proposal + Marketing Cluster Exam Oral Presentation - 33.3% + Written Proposal - 33.3% + Marketing Cluster Exam - 33.3% 

Entrepreneurship Events 

DECA’s prepared entrepreneurship events combine every aspect of business administration. Competitors design a plan to start, innovate, and/or grow a business uniquely and creatively. Members can choose from a variety of events to start or improve a business. 

15-Minute Presentation + 10 or 20-Page Written Plan (depending on the event) For 10-page events: Oral Presentation + Written Plan Reviewed Together to Determine Final Score; For 20-page events: Oral Presentation - 40% + Written Plan - 60% 

Professional Selling and Consulting 

This event category allows members to demonstrate their sales and consulting knowledge and skills in marketing, finance, or hospitality and tourism. If you’ve ever been told you’d make a good salesperson, this event is for you! Competitors host a sales presentation or consultation with a potential client (the judge) to sell/consult on a yearly topic! 

Sales Presentation or 15-Minute Consultation + Cluster Exam 

Selling Events: Sales Presentation - 50% + Cluster Exam - 50% 

Consulting Event: 15-Minute Consultation - 50% + Cluster Exam - 50%

Personal Financial Literacy 

The PFL Cluster/Category is one event that tasks competitors with demonstrating personal financial skills based on facts and systematic decision-making! For all the aspiring personal bankers and financial consultants, these events are for you! 

10-Minute Preparation Time + 10-Minute Presentation Time + Cluster Exam 

Cluster Exam Score - 50% + Roleplay with a Judge - 50% 

Online Simulations 

DECA has 9 online competitive events available for members. These events are for members who prefer to work on long-term online projects and don’t want to do much extemporaneous or public speaking. Members can compete through online simulations to rise up the ranks within their chartered association, region, and organization as a whole! Both of the following events are ICDC Qualifying events, and competitors must place at the top of their respective regions in order to advance: 

Virtual Business Challenges 

Sponsored by KnowledgeMatters, the VBC events allow members to compete in simulation games, centered around a certain aspect of business. From hotel management to forensic accounting, the VBC events are designed to expose real-world business life to our emerging leaders! 

2 ICDC Qualifying Rounds - The Top 2 Teams from Each Region Qualify for ICDC - Visit www.deca.org/compete for more VBC information! 

Stock Market Game 

Each year, DECA’s Stock Market Games puts members to the test by simulating a stock market portfolio for teams of 1-3 to control and compete with. This competitive event is highly-renowned and competitive, but incredibly impressive after hard work and dedication! 

1 ICDC Qualifying Rounds - The Top 25 Teams from Each Region Qualify for ICDC 

Visit www.deca.org/compete/stock-market-game for more information! 

Check out the resources below for more information on understanding DECA’s different competitive events! 

DECA Competition Homepage: www.deca.org/compete 

DECA Competitive Events Poster: 

https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/635c470cc81318fc3e9c1e0e/669029b758cf2963d40ad46a_2024-25 _CE_Poster.pdf 

2024-2025 DECA Guide: https://issuu.com/decainc/docs/deca-24-hs-guide?fr=xIAEoAT3_NTU1 

2024-2025 Competitive Events Topics: https://www.decadirect.org/articles/deca-announces-competitive-event-topics-for-2024-2025

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - Tips & Tricks for Mastering your Exam

By Gabriel Melo

Rouse High School

Mastering your career cluster exam is an often overlooked portion of qualifying for ICDC and becoming “the one”. A top score can make all the difference at both the state and international levels, with your cluster exam score being worth a third of your total score when compounded with your presentation (and written report for IMC) in any testing event. Maximizing your score can propel you to new competitive heights, maybe even helping you earn that ICDC Top 10 Test Score medal (and even better, glass!). Here are a couple of steps I recommend taking to increase your test score and master your cluster exam.

FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH YOUR CLUSTER EXAM’S STRUCTURE

As ICDC top 10 test scorers, my teammate and I found that knowing what sections will be tested on your exam and how much each section is tested is key to navigating your way through a DECA test. The exam blueprint is a great resource that goes into detail about what sections are tested for each cluster exam at the district, state, and international levels. The blueprint shows you the specific sections that will hold more importance on your cluster exam. Analyzing these sections and their order can help you better deduce what information you need to dedicate time to studying. Crucially, you need to know, and expect, to see certain concepts be asked on the test because you’ve familiarized yourself with your cluster exam’s structure. This basic knowledge can help guide your study sessions and determine your pacing on test day.

STUDY UP!

Simply knowing what questions are coming next won’t matter if you don’t know the definition of the answer choices or if you can’t conclude what the question is asking. DECA exams will test your business acumen, and for that, you’ll need to know your way around your cluster’s terminology. I recommend using Quizlet and doing a quick search for “DECA *insert cluster here* Terms Flashcards”. There will be multiple sets of hundreds of flashcards you can study for every cluster, so access to information won’t be an issue. And if for example, you’re a Marketing test taker struggling with the Finance section of the Marketing exam, that won’t be a problem either: just search for the finance flashcards and attack the terms you’ve been having trouble with! The best way to get terms nailed down in your brain is to write them on paper, as it has been proven that writing down information makes you more likely to remember it later (trust me). Make sure to revisit any terms you may be confused about and try to incorporate them in your presentations too! Using the terms you study in a presentational setting will help you grasp their definitions even better.

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

Just like any test, practice makes perfect when it comes to your DECA career cluster exam. Repeatedly seeing and answering questions over and over again will aid in your pattern recognition and help you understand the broader concepts behind each section of the exam. Each test is equipped with an answer key at the end of the document featuring detailed explanations of every answer choice and question. After taking a practice test, mark the questions you missed, then refer to your exam’s key to understand the concepts you originally answered incorrectly. You can find practice exams on DECA+, AnswerWrite, and even online by searching “DECA *insert cluster here* Exam PDF”. In conjunction with studying terminology and knowing your cluster’s exam structure, knocking out hundreds of exam questions will give you the best preparation for test day. More importantly: don’t burn yourself out! While it is important to keep practicing, cramming the night before the test and losing out on important sleep is a no-go. Consistently practicing questions plus habitually studying for a short time daily will be the most effective method to retain terms and concepts. Be prepared well in advance and take those practice tests early!

By following these steps, you’ll be much better prepared to tackle your exam on test day and ace it. Not only will exam mastery guarantee a top score, but gaining knowledge of your cluster’s concepts and terminology will take your presentations to the next level. Good luck this DECA season and I can’t wait to see you all become the one!

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - Ways to Get Your Chapter Engaged

By Kathryn Lock

Round Rock High School

Whether you’re leading a chapter of 10 or 500, engagement is crucial to a successful DECA chapter. I’ve broken down engagement into 3 categories: competition, community service, career preparation. 

COMPETITION

EVENT SELECTION

• Keep prospective members interested in joining DECA by hosting ‘speed dating’ for various events. Have stations where veteran members give a 1-2 minute pitch of the event. By the end of the meeting, members will have an accurate understanding of several events.

TEST PREP

• Host a live Kahoot tournament using cluster exam questions. Bring snacks and increase the stakes by offering DECA swag to the winner!

COMMUNITY SERVICE

COLLAB WITH OTHER SCHOOLS

• Members can connect with students from other schools and also reconnect with people they’ve met at previous conferences/events

• If you are a small chapter this is a great way to pull off a bigger service event

• Offering the opportunity to connect with students outside of competition allows members to see DECA as more than just a competition club

• Bonus: you can work towards completing your Texas Two-Step campaign

CAREER PREPARATION

GUEST SPEAKERS

• Ask community leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals from diverse background to talk on a topic of your choice

• Topics can include different paths to careers, roles within a start-up, or how to get experience while still in high school

• Having guest speakers highlights the connections that DECA can bring

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - How to Select a Competitive Event

By Mariyam Khazi

Round Rock High School

From DECA’s 51 events, it can be difficult to select an event, especially for new members or previous members that want to try something new. Follow this map to figure out what event is best suited for you!

To see all of DECA’s 51 competitive events, visit deca.org/compete.

This breakdown has helped many decide which event they may be interested in! However, selecting a DECA event has much more to it.

1. Finding the proper career cluster:

• It’s important to decide which career cluster you are best suited to compete in. This depends on your interests, skill sets, and level of comfort in regards to speaking on each topic.

2. Creating an efficient schedule:

• Prepared events such as OR or PM events require much more planning and time set aside for DECA prior to each level competition. It’s crucial to factor in how much time you are able to put aside for DECA in your regular schedules. It can be difficult to juggle school, other extracurricular activities, and DECA, so deciding what your priorities are is definitely the first step.

3. Understanding your character:

• Once you realize how you learn, how you work most efficiently, etc, these all factor in to provide an amazing boost to your selected DECA event. Detail-oriented people generally gravitate towards the prepared events, as it’s well-suited for those who do prefer to have an extended preparation time. However, for those who work best when placed under stress, roleplay events may be best as they may flourish under the time constraint for preparation.

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - Choosing the Right Teammates

By Ananya gogula

Uplift North Hills Prep

Choosing teammates for your DECA competition is arguably one of the hardest tasks at hand. The natural tendency is to obviously pick your friends, but in the end, is this really the right choice? Are they really the ideal members for your team? Learning what the team needs, and the importance of a well-rounded team with a common goal can help you make the right decision.

Importance of diverse strengths: 

To understand, let’s take an example scenario. Let’s say you decide to pair up with some friends; you all are amazing presenters and are like-minded with similar skill sets. While the presentation skills can always come in handy, other tasks for projects can become more overwhelming and less streamlined due to the lack of different skills and perspectives. Delegating and dividing tasks also becomes easier when team members have different skill sets. Choosing people with complementary skills to you can work out really nicely in the end; example - you are an extrovert and have a lot of confidence in presenting while your teammate can make a killer slideshow – these skills go hand in hand. Some other pros of having a team with diverse strengths:

• Enhanced problem-solving and creativity: more perspectives/opinions, more innovative ideas

• Improved decision making: more informed decisions, different viewpoints

• Risk mitigation: makes sure things are not overlooked

• More collaboration: Shared goals and vision, more communication

Steps to choosing the right teammates: 

1. ASSESS THE PROJECT AND IDENTIFY KEY STRENGTHS NEEDED:
Understanding the event/project topic and what the desired outcome is can be the first step to choosing teammates. What are the deliverables? What do you need to complete the project; are there specific resources available, deadlines, or specific time commitments needed from team members? Is there a certain way the project tasks should be broken down?

2. ASSESS YOURSELF:
What strengths do you have? What weaknesses do you have? Are there certain skill sets/strengths that can complement yours? Are you able to delegate tasks to make the project successful? This is an important step in the team selection process.

3. DIVERSE EXPERTISE AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
Make sure the team delegates responsibilities equally and communicates effectively. Everyone should hold each other accountable. Remember communication is key and it can actually be better to over communicate at times!

In the end, choosing people with diverse strengths and common goals can really help make a well-rounded team. Remember to learn from each other, communicate well, and to have fun!

Resources for Role Play Events

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What is a ROLE PLAY Event?

Role Play/Case Study events require students to think on their feet as they work through a business situation - given to them at the conference, with a limited amount of time to prepare. Students will have either ten (10) minutes as an individual or thirty (30) minutes as a team of two (2) for our Team Decision Making Events. After you work through the situation, you will head over to the Judge’s area and present your solution in an interactive session.

These events will also take a 100-question exam, which is based on their event. This exam is used to determine content knowledge and is 1/3 of the score used to calculate the top competitors! (The Role Play(s) make up the other 2/3).

The Exams and Role Plays are generated using PERFORMANCE INDICATORS, which are based off of National Curriculum Standards and are industry-verified for being real-world and relevant. Students are likely learning many of these Performance Indicators in class, but additional outside preparation is definitely encouraged!

To help you prepare for Role Play Events we recommend that you Study Performance Indicators, Take Practice Exams, and Do Practice Role Plays! Luckily for you, we have those tools and resources available here!

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS FOR YOUR EVENT

Performance Indicators are a specific piece of knowledge that students will be challenged on as part of the exam and/or role play scenario. Students should be familiar the Performance Indicators that apply to each event. We have broken these down for you by event.

A good rule of thumb when studying these Performance Indicators is:

When you see it and you’re confident in the answer, move to the next one. If you see it and you’re unsure, talk about it with an advisor/teacher. If it’s the first time seeing that terminology, dig deeper and research the content. There is not a perfect answer for every performance indicator, so there isn’t a bulleted list to study and memorize. Work to become familiar with the terms and feel confident, so that when you see them on an exam or role play, you’re prepared to EARN that DECA Glass!

**DECA Plus has flashcards with great information to address each performance indicator.

A note from judges: “Good competitors will mention the Performance Indicators. What separates the top competitors is explaining the PIs and connecting them to the scenario/situation. That’s what earns them those top scores!”

Since we LOVE Acronyms, here is one regarding Performance Indicators!

D: Deliver the information. If it says Explain… Explain it. If it says Demonstrate… Demonstrate it.
E: Explain its importance and relevancy. Why is this important to know?
C: Connect it to the situation.
A: Above and Beyond. What else can you add on that Performance Indicator to make it memorable and valuable?

PRINCIPLES

PBM PRINCIPLES OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION | Click Here to View Performance Indicators

INDIVIDUAL SERIES

HRM HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT SERIES | Click Here to View Performance Indicators - pg 4-26, 42-47

TEAM DECISION MAKING

BLTDM BUSINESS LAW & ETHICS TEAM DECISION MAKING | Click Here to View Performance Indicators - pg 4-26

INDIVIDUAL SERIES

ENT ENTREPRENEURSHIP SERIES | Click Here to View Performance Indicators

TEAM DECISION MAKING

ETDM ENTREPRENEURSHIP TEAM DECISION MAKING | Click Here to View Performance Indicators

PRINCIPLES

PFN PRINCIPLES OF FINANCE | Click Here to View Performance Indicators

INDIVIDUAL SERIES

ACT ACCOUNTING APPLICATIONS SERIES | Click Here to View Performance Indicators - pg 4-26, 27-32
BFS BUSINESS FINANCE SERIES | Click Here to View Performance Indicators - pg 4-26, 38-42

Professional Selling and Consulting

FCE FINANCIAL CONSULTING EVENT | Click Here to View Performance Indicators - pg 4-26 (Exam Only)

TEAM DECISION MAKING

FTDM FINANCIAL SERVICES TEAM DECISION MAKING | Click Here to View Performance Indicators - pg 4-26

PRINCIPLES

PHT PRINCIPLES OF HOSPITALITY & TOURISM | Click Here to View Performance Indicators

INDIVIDUAL SERIES

HLM HOTEL & LODGING MANAGEMENT SERIES | Click Here to View Performance Indicators - pg 4-32, 42-48
QSRM QUICK SERVE RESTAURANT MANAGEMENT SERIES | Click Here to View Performance Indicators - pg 4-32, 49-55
RFSM RESTAURANT AND FOOD SERVICE MANAGEMENT SERIES | Click Here to View Performance Indicators - pg 4-32, 49-55

TEAM DECISION MAKING

HTDM HOSPITALITY SERVICES TEAM DECISION MAKING | Click Here to View Performance Indicators - pg 4-32
TTDM TRAVEL & TOURISM TEAM DECISION MAKING | Click Here to View Performance Indicators - pg 4-32

Professional Selling and Consulting

HTPS HOSPITALITY & TOURISM PROFESSIONAL SELLING | Click Here to View Performance Indicators - pg 4-32 (Exam Only)

PRINCIPLES

PMK PRINCIPLES OF MARKETING | Click Here to View Performance Indicators

INDIVIDUAL SERIES

AAM APPAREL & ACCESSORIES MARKETING SERIES | Click Here to View Performance Indicators - pg 4-28, 47-53
ASM AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES MARKETING SERIES | Click Here to View Performance Indicators - pg 4-28, 39-42
BSM BUSINESS SERVICES MARKETING SERIES | Click Here to View Performance Indicators - pg 4-28, 39-42
FMS FOOD MARKETING SERIES | Click Here to View Performance Indicators - pg 4-28, 39-42
MCS MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS SERIES | Click Here to View Performance Indicators - pg 4-38
RMS RETAIL MERCHANDISING SERIES | Click Here to View Performance Indicators - pg 4-28, 47-53
SEM SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT MARKETING SERIES | Click Here to View Performance Indicators - pg 4-28, 39-42

TEAM DECISION MAKING

BTDM BUYING & MERCHANDISING TEAM DECISION MAKING | Click Here to View Performance Indicators - pg 4-28
MTDM MARKETING MANAGEMENT TEAM DECISION MAKING | Click Here to View Performance Indicators - pg 4-28
STDM SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT MARKETING TEAM DECISION MAKING | Click Here to View Performance Indicators - pg 4-28

Prepared Events

IMCE, IMCP, IMCS INTEGRATED MARKETING CAMPAIGN - EVENT, PRODUCT, SERVICE | Click Here to View Performance Indicators - pg 4-28 (Exam Only)
PSE PROFESSIONAL SELLING EVENT | Click Here to View Performance Indicators - pg 4-28 (Exam Only)

PFL PERSONAL FINANCIAL LITERACY | Click Here to View Performance Indicators

Related Resources:

Hosting a Mock Competition Checklist

Also see: How to Make Your Mock Conference a Success

Judge Recruitment Resources

Sample Email/Social Media Copy

Help recruit judges for your District Conference and the 2022 Texas DECA State Career Development Conference. This copy has been written for SCDC, but you may change any dates/locations and links to fit your district conference.

Flyer

Use this flyer to distribute when recruiting judges for the 2022 SCDC. The .jpg version of this flyer may also be used to recruit on digital platforms.

volunteer as a competitive event judge Packet

Take a look at what exactly it means to be a competitive event judge, what kind of events we have and the attendee profiles of our conference.

Executive Summary Toolkit

HOW TO WRITE AN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
https://www.alchemer.com/resources/blog/how-to-write-executive-summary/
https://www.projectmanager.com/blog/write-an-executive-summary
https://www.inc.com/guides/2010/09/how-to-write-an-executive-summary.html

4 TIPS FOR WRITING AN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY THAT WILL GET READ
https://www.klipfolio.com/blog/executive-summary

10 TIPS FOR SUCCESS WHEN WRITING AN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
https://earlygrowthfinancialservices.com/10-tips-crafting-executive-summary/

4 MOST IMPORTANT WORDS WHEN WRITING AN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
https://fundingsage.com/writing-an-executive-summary-the-4-most-important-words-infographic/

TIPS FOR ADDING VISUAL ELEMENTS
https://neilpatel.com/blog/12-infographic-tips/
https://venngage.com/blog/infographic-design/

CREATING VISUAL ELEMENTS IN WORD
https://www.edrawmax.com/infographic/how-to-make-an-infographic-in-word/

OTHER TOOLS FOR CREATING VISUAL ELEMENTS
https://buffer.com/library/infographic-makers/

Click below to see example executive summaries. *These examples are from the sample events at www.deca.org. The executive summaries have been taken out and combined into one file.

Choosing the Right Event

Champion Chats

Check out these interviews with some of our past Texas DECA Champions to get some tips and tricks on how you can better your role plays/presentations!

Student Testimonials

Industry Buzzwords

Check out some common words that are specific to different industries. You never know when they may show up in an exam/role play or you may be able to use them (in the appropriate context) to wow your judge!

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT + ADMINISTRATION

HOSPITALITY + TOURISM

MARKETING

PLAY BINGO WITH THE MARKETING BUZZWORDS

CALL CARDS COMING SOON

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

FINANCE

Do you know a buzzword that you think everyone should know? Let us know!

Exam Blueprints

3 Reasons Why You Should Do A Written Event

With over fifty competitive events, choosing just one to participate in can be one of the most difficult choices to face in DECA. However, a choice that’s much less overwhelming to make but narrows down your choices greatly is whether you want to compete in a written or role play event. A written event involves writing a paper, submitted before competition, and presenting it to a judge. A role play event involves taking a test beforehand and then presenting a response to a scenario you are given at competition. Not sure about which one of these two event categories is best for you? Read on to find out three major reasons that written events might be the perfect fit for you!

You should do a written event if. . .

1) You present the best when you’ve had time to rehearse.

One of the biggest downsides to roleplay events is their on-the-spot nature: you have less than an hour to both brainstorm and deliver a top-notch presentation. On the other hand, if your presentations are best when you’re able to practice them beforehand, a written event allows you to do just that. You’ll be able to spend several months before competition perfecting your presentation so you know it’s the best it can be when you finally deliver it to a judge.

2) You’re a stellar writer.

Your competitive event should show off your best skills. If you have a special way with words, a written event is for you! Your awesome writer’s voice will help you to craft a paper that is both informative yet engaging - a winning combination.

3) You have a unique idea you know you can sell to the judges.

Whether it be a creative way to transform a business whose stock has been underperforming or an idea for the next big tech gadget, a written event is a great way to display a unique, game-changing idea. Use your paper as a tool to pitch your out-of-this-world idea to your judge.

Did any of those reasons sound just like you? If so, check out the DECA website’s competitive events page to find out more about what written events are available!

BY: ANYA KACKER

Related Resources:

Do's and Don'ts of Personal Financial Literacy

The Personal Financial Literacy Event measures the personal finance knowledge and skills a DECA member should possess, it is designed to measure your ability to apply reliable information and systematic decision making to personal financial decisions. You automatically have the advantage in this event when you have prior knowledge or experience whether it be from your personal finances or by taking finance-related courses. Since this is a role play event, you will be required to take a 100-question exam, have 10 minutes to prep time, and then 10 minutes to present your case study before a judge. 

1. STUDYING

Let’s just be honest, studying is a major dislike amongst students, but to succeed in this event, studying is vital. Visit deca.org & texasdeca.org to see the hundreds of study materials that's been provided. 

DO STUDY THE PRACTICE TEST – One of the best resources that we’ve been granted are the practice tests. These are questions that have previously been used and that you may see again on your actual 100 question exam, so it’s best that you familiarize yourself with them. 

DON'T WASTE TIME – Competition season comes very fast so it's best that you give yourself time to prepare. Remember it is impossible to prepare when you procrastinate, You’re on the road to DECA glass!

2. TESTING

Taking 100-question exams in just 90 minutes isn’t an easy task. It’s important that you remain alert and use great test-taking strategies. 

DO THE QUESTIONS THAT YOU’VE SEEN BEFORE FIRST – If you took the time to study the practice test, then you will notice that some of the questions are the same or very similar. Do those first so that you have time to focus on more challenging ones. 

DON’T EAT A HEAVY BREAKFAST OR MEAL BEFOREHAND – When you eat heavy you get something I call “THE ITIS”. In other words, you get sleepy and instead of focusing on your test, you focus on fighting your sleep. Eat something light on your stomach like fruit or cereal.

3. ROLE PLAY

A role play can be very stressful, especially when it’s your very first time doing one. However, there are ways to get rid of the anxiety and give your judge the best role play they’ve ever seen. 
Quick Tip: The very first thing you want to do is greet your judge by shaking their hand, telling them your name and what your role is given by the case study. 

DO PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE PERFORMANCE INDICATORS – The performance indicators are the specific topic questions that your judge will ask you, familiarize yourself with them so you know the type of questions you’ll be asked. 

DON’T SAY “I DON T KNOW” – If you don’t understand a question, then that completely okay to ask your judge to clarify or explain the question to you. Remember you want to treat this like a job / professional career interview. Would you say I don’t know to a question asked by a future boss? 

BY: TAE’ LYN NICHOLSON