Creating Business PartnershipsMr. Tom Bratten, Director of CTE

How Do I Secure Businesses?How Do I Secure Businesses?

• Through people that know people (gets me in the door)

• Through my present Advisory Committee members

• Through knowing my community and surroundings

• Through local articles in newspapers/magazines

• Through companies that have helped my school/district in the past (know your history)

• Through my local Rotary Club

• Through luck (when preparation meets opportunity); take a chance, all they can do is say “No” (Penske-Ryan Newman).

How Did I Choose a Specialty?How Did I Choose a Specialty?

• By knowing the businesses that surround my community (We are located in an area heavy on manufacturing—therefore we chose CIM)

• By knowing what the business does?• By knowing what the business offers?• By knowing the business’ subsidiaries/affiliates?

With whom do THEY do business?• By DOING YOUR HOMEWORK ON YOUR

BUSINESSES

What To Take To A MeetingWhat To Take To A Meeting

• Introductory letter about who you are

• Fast Facts Page

• Detailed Version

• Design Plans

• Curriculum

Sample LetterSample Letter

• What is the role of business/industry in PLTW? • May business provide internships for students

in PLTW courses? • Can business provide equipment and supplies

to participating schools?• Is there a way for business to have its

employees trained on some of the equipment used in the PLTW program?

• What role might government play in the PLTW program?

Expenditure PageExpenditure Page

Good, Better, Best ApproachGood, Better, Best Approach

Know What You Will Ask For:

• You will have a basic, consistent idea of what you want from all of your businesses

• The change will come from deciding how major of a player it is with which you are dealing (They are all important, but some can afford/offer more than others)

• Play to their strengths of what they can offer (technology, money, internships, speakers, advisory committee members, etc)

• Companies are tired of just handing out money, they want to see a return on their investment

• Show them what you can do TOGETHER, not just what they can do for you

Honor Your Partners

• Honor them in the Media

• Honor them at a Grand Opening

• Honor them in your classroom

In Closing…In Closing…• Keep in constant contact• Speak with a Human Being every 2 to 4 weeks,

so that they don’t forget who you are• Send them updates, test results, pictures,

inventory lists of items purchased, etc.• Make sure they have a company representative

on your advisory committee to keep them involved and having ownership

• Most important, DO THEIR JOB FOR THEM; THEY DON’T HAVE TIME TO DO YOUR PRESENTATION TO TAKE TO THE PEOPLE WHO WILL DECIDE YOUR FATE (PENSKE)

Contact InfoContact Info

Tom Bratten, Director of CTE

South Stark Career Academy

600 Faircrest St SE

Canton, OH 44707

(330) 484-8000, ext. 507