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!

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - Summer Competition Preparation - Prepared Events

By Shivani Kondubhatla, State Vice President

Westwood High School

With summer in full swing, it’s the perfect time to get a headstart on preparing for your DECA Prepared Event. The prompts are out (for the applicable events), and DECA+ is filled with great  samples and resources to look through and get some inspiration. Here are a list of a few tips and tricks to make sure that you are ready to go for when DECA season officially starts: 

• Choose Something You’re Passionate About

Winning the coveted glass or making it to ICDC does not always come from choosing “easier” events, but rather ones that you are genuinely interested in. Summer is the perfect time to find the right event for you. Is there a social issue that you are very passionate about? Maybe Project Management is the way to go. Do you like to research and collaborate with local businesses? Then consider Operations Research. Here is a great resource to help you discover what event you want to do. But whatever you choose, make sure that you genuinely are interested in it and can write a report/make a presentation on it! 

• Make a Game Plan for the School Year 

When school’s in session, it can get pretty hectic balancing schoolwork with your DECA project. Your life will be 10x easier if you make a checklist right now of what you want to accomplish each month to ensure your DECA project gets completed. My partners and I competed in Operations Research, and we created a strict schedule that we followed throughout the year. We made sure to reach out to local businesses and do more research on the prompt in August, and we finished conducting our research in September-October. Here are some great timelines to follow if you need help making your game plan.

• Research, Research, Research

Summer is the perfect time to really understand your event and the business acumen you need to acquire. For the events with prompts, this article has so many links to further understand your prompt and brainstorm. If you are doing an Entrepreneurship event, for example, be sure to be very familiar with financials, different markets, etc. If you aren’t too confident with these, then start learning about it right now! Judges can tell if you know what you’re talking about, be it while judging your report or your presentation, so do lots of research now! It’s also a great time to start looking at other’s reports/presentations, which can be found on DECA+. You can get a good idea of what to implement, things that worked, etc. (but make sure not to copy or plagiarize their work!)   

• Start Writing or Making Your Presentation

If you’re feeling very productive this summer, you can even get started on your actual report or presentation. You want to become best friends with your event’s guidelines, which can be found on DECA+. Use that as the blueprint of your report, and start outlining and writing your report on Google Docs or Word. Don’t worry about graphics or making your report look pretty just yet — just focus on the content and remember it’s just the beginning. Take your time! Check out this written event guide for more assistance.

 We hope these tips help you get started on your prepared event this summer. Good luck!

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - Summer Competition Preparation - Role Play Events

By Johana Gonzalez, District 12 Vice President

Harmony School of Innovation - Fort Worth

Summer is ideal for getting ahead in your DECA Role Play Events! With less schoolwork and plenty of free time, you can focus on sharpening your skills and gaining an edge over the competition. So, here is how you can make the most out of your summer and prepare like a pro for those DECA Role Play events.

What is a Role Play?

Before you start preparing, it's essential to understand the structure and expectations of DECA Role Play events. Each event typically features an exam, a real-world scenario or business case study, a preparation period, and a presentation. These events are designed to assess your problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and industry knowledge within a realistic business context. To prepare effectively, familiarize yourself with the official DECA guidelines and study past role-play examples available on texasdeca.org. This resource provides exam blueprints and past case studies that are key to understanding what judges look for and refining your approach accordingly.

Why a Role Play Instead of a Written Event?

Role-plays offer a dynamic way to demonstrate your skills. Unlike written events, role-plays require on-the-spot thinking and adaptability, reflecting real business challenges. They help you develop critical soft skills like public speaking and quick decision-making, which are highly valued in business. DECA Direct’s Article, You Do You: Choose Competitive Event, has lots of information to help you decide if Role Play is your perfect competitive event!

Two Different Role Plays Formats:

1. Individual Events: Individual events in DECA encompass a variety of formats, including Principles Events tailored for first-year participants. In these events, you are presented with a scenario and allotted 10 minutes for preparation, followed by 10 minutes to present your solution.

2. Team Decision Making Events: In these events, participants work in pairs, emphasizing teamwork, collaboration, and the ability to develop a cohesive strategy. Each team is presented with a scenario and given 30 minutes to prepare, followed by a 15-minute presentation to present their solution.

Memorizing and Understanding Performance Indicators (PIs)

Performance Indicators (PIs) are specific skills and knowledge areas that judges look for in your

role-play. To master them:

- Memorize: Familiarize yourself with the PIs related to your event category. Create flashcards or use apps to aid memorization. Websites such as AnswerWrite, Quizlet, DECA+, and Texas DECA offer resources.

- Understand: Go beyond memorization by applying PIs in practice scenarios. Understanding how to implement them in various contexts will make your presentations more effective.

Practical Tips for Summer Preparation

1. Research Your Event Category: Stay updated on industry trends, key concepts, and current events.

2. Study Terms: Dedicate time to learn and understand essential terms and concepts relevant to your DECA event category. Mastering these terms will not only enhance your exam performance but also strengthen your presentations by demonstrating a deep understanding of industry-specific language.

3. Practice Role-Play Scenarios: Use past DECA scenarios to simulate competition. Time yourself and focus on clear, structured responses.

4. Develop Soft Skills: Enhance public speaking, body language, and confidence through

practice and feedback.

By following these tips, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle DECA Role Play events with confidence

and skill. Use this summer wisely, and you’ll see the results in your performance. Good luck!

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - My ICDC Experience in a Emerging Leader Series Academy

By Ayush Dave, Liberty High School, Thrive Academy

Dress shoes clacking at every step. 

Suits rustling with anticipation. 

Lanyards swinging wildly.

My incredible journey through the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) came among this chaos of teens. Competing in Anaheim, California, was an unforgettable experience for me and my chapter from Liberty High School. 

Our journey to ICDC began with anticipation and loads of excitement as I boarded the plane bound for Anaheim. Due to unexpected weather changes and thunderstorms, we were stranded at the Dallas airport for more than 6 hours. Despite the setback, we found a company that shared experience with other DECA competitors facing similar challenges. It gave us time to roam around the airport, connect with students from different high schools, and try food from every restaurant in the airport terminal.

Liberty High School DECA Students Boarding Flight to Anaheim! (From left: Ramya, Amogh, Ashvita, Lea)

After finally arriving in Anaheim, it was already nighttime. We checked into our hotel and then went out to find dinner. I was very excited about the next day, as it would be my first ICDC experience, but I was also a bit nervous since I didn't know what to expect.

The following day, while some of my schoolmates were busy with presentations and tests, I had a free day. This allowed me to explore and discover new places and restaurants, which helped me feel more comfortable in a new city. With an extra day pass to Disneyland, I visited the park and had fun before the program began. This experience not only allowed me to unwind but also helped me get used to my new routine for the coming week. Meanwhile, most others stayed behind to prepare for their presentations and roleplays.

Finally, what we had all been waiting for was here: the ICDC opening session. The opening session was like entering a bustling marketplace of ideas and opportunities. One unforgettable highlight was the pin exchange at the opening ceremony. It was a fantastic way to kick off the event, connecting with students from various states and countries. Exchanging DECA pins became more than just a tradition—it was a way to learn about each other's DECA journeys and proudly display our backgrounds.

Students and Academy Speaker Patrick Grady (from left: Aashi, Ayush Dane, Patrick Grady, Lea)

As a non-competitor, I participated in the Thrive program, designed to empower students with the skills to manage DECA chapters and foster a growth mindset. Learning practical strategies for chapter leadership and gaining insights into the latest trends shaping the business world was insightful. One particular lesson that stood out was learning new techniques for conflict management within a team and gaining fresh event ideas from other students. Hearing from speakers like Breanna Holbert, Patrick Grady, Kenzie Bastian, and Eddie Slowikowski was eye-opening. Their stories and advice have motivated me to strive for excellence.

Beyond the enriching workshops and speaker sessions, ICDC was a mix of cultures and dreams. Networking wasn't just a buzzword; it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience of meeting peers from across the globe, sharing aspirations, and creating lasting connections. Every conversation counted, whether we were chatting about new ideas or figuring out our career paths. It was genuinely fun to talk to people from different places and learn about their lives, making the experience more relatable and enjoyable for anyone, not just those involved with ICDC or DECA.

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - My ICDC Experience as a Competitor

Chapter members from Liberty High School in front of the Anaheim Convention Center at ICDC 2024.

By Anvi Saxena, Liberty High School, Project Management Career Development

"Tikki, spots on!" from Miraculous Ladybug is what I think of when I step into a DECA environment. Competing once again this year at ICDC was the same. I truly feel empowered to be my greatest, authentic self and feel so amazing about the journey my event has made throughout the course of the year. Wearing that blazer makes me feel like a superhero who can make a difference, just like Miraculous Ladybug. Now, as much as I would love to talk about my rollercoaster experience this year simply, I also want to be able to leave you with something. So as your DECA hero, here are my top three tips for having a great time at ICDC from my experiences this year:

1. Persevere Through Any (and all) Obstacles

This year, my team and chapter faced significant challenges before, during, and after ICDC. Our flight and others from our area were delayed six hours, giving us one less day to experience it all. However, this delay helped us grow closer as a chapter as we switched from terminal to terminal. We made the best of it by running our scripts and playing random games. However, things didn’t get easier from there. My partner got sick the day we flew in, and our board frame was completely broken. Although the board was a quick fix, thanks to Target, my partner getting sick wasn’t. We had been practicing for months for this day, and she could barely talk. Thanks to the CVS below us and the great ramen place near our hotel, we persevered through it all. My partner felt a bit better by presentation day, allowing us to give it our best shot. Although there was so much that kept happening, seeing all chapter members support each other made us push through and make the best out of every situation thrown at us. The key was not giving up and making the best of our situation despite not being what we had initially hoped for. You also have to remember that, at the end of the day, this is supposed to be a fun experience. By facing obstacles as they arise, you allow yourself to move forward and truly experience the difference!

2. Enjoy the Whole Process (not just the end result)

Another very important lesson I learned this year was that it's crucial to focus not just on the end results but to enjoy the entire journey. As a written event competitor, I can say that almost all written events are fueled with passion. With most of us starting in the summer and planning out every tiny detail, from a report’s font size to executing a project, it can be disheartening when factors out of your control dictate your end result. A pitch my partner and I had been working on for weeks had to be switched because of a random, unforeseen sickness. Although I didn’t realize it two days before the competition, we spent prepping; competing at ICDC is so much more than just winning. It’s about presenting the passion you have poured into your project and showcasing it internationally. 

While our presentation pitch may not have been what we had hoped for, we still took so much away from competition day. While standing in line, I saw so many other unique projects, such as how some people promoted career development through robotics while others expanded small businesses exponentially. Learning about these various projects and talking about mine made me realize the impact and importance of our competitive events beyond the DECA environment. By enjoying the whole journey of competing rather than focusing solely on the end result, you might surprise yourself with new learnings and connections in the real world!

3. Talk to Everyone and Anyone

“Interacting with people from all over the world is what makes ICDC so fun” is probably something you've heard a million times. As an introvert, this tip initially scared me, but I truly understood its value once I was at ICDC. Before my first ICDC last year, I never really grasped how I could connect with people from around the globe. When random people approached me to trade pins, hats, and lightsabers at my first opening session, I started to understand how easy it was to ignite a conversation. Meeting people who share the same love I have for Chipotle and DECA was truly life-altering for me.

Although I didn't manage to get a China pin this time, the “networking aspect” was taken to the next level. Not only was the opening session filled with new connections, but I also captured some of these moments on camera while vlogging the experience. Looking back, it was really cool to see how the DECA environment makes it so easy for us to approach one another. Another enhancement to my networking came when we were shooting my friend’s NHS campaign video. We got to connect on things besides DECA and really create a bond. By the end of my friend’s campaign video, we had made so many new friends and a great video, which, although it didn't get used, is still fun to watch to this day. It’s still so cool to catch up with people worldwide through a random Instagram DM or bumping into them on vacation. This year, I really got to expand my networking, and it significantly enhanced my overall ICDC experience.

Now that you know my top three tips from my experience as a competitor at ICDC, I think my work here is done. But wait, what about your next ICDC adventure? How will you make it extraordinary? “Tikki, spots off.” So, how will you “be the one” at your next ICDC?