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:
Operations Research Events
Project Management Events
Entrepreneurship Events
Integrated Marketing Campaign Events
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:
Industry Reports: Find reports relevant to your event’s industry or topic. Sources like IBISWorld, Statista, and government websites can be a goldmine.
Surveys/Interviews: If applicable, reach out to potential customers or professionals in the field to gather firsthand insights.
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!