The Team The Team

CommunicationTeam members should check in daily with the group by either contributing to the discussion board or Google docs. Team members should read discussion threads before they post, so every member is ‘heard.’If a team member is going to be away for a few days and unable to check in or contribute they must let the members know ahead of time so they can work out appropriate accommodations.As the team members work together, they should all begin to know more about each other. They should become increasingly aware of each other’s background, culture, and life so that they can understand each other better.

RespectAll ideas of team members should be considered and tried; respecting all member’s input and opinions even if the team isn’t in complete agreement.If disagreement arises, negative language will not be tolerated.If disagreements occurs or others problems arise, discuss the issues, not the team member(s).Probe ideas; ask questions in order to clarify suggested ideas or opinions of fellow team members.Do not criticize other team members; listen to and give positive feedback.Remember, negativity discourages creativity.

Work EthicTeam members should hold themselves accountable; they should take responsibility for completing their specific tasks on time and to the best of their ability.Team members should make all attempts to turn in their assignment(s) early; or at least on time.Team members should not hesitate to ask for help if a problem arises. It is more important for a member to be honest about a difficulty rather than hoping it will work out in the end.

Purple TeamGroup NormsPurple TeamGroup Norms

Rachel Fiorentino-Executive RoleResponsibilities include but are not limited to:

Implements plans and makes sure that they are carried outManages organization of teamResearches and formulates business policies and structureMaking sure that the business runs according to the Write On! Mission and Vision Statement

Nisha Kataria-Conceptual Design RoleResponsibilities include but are not limited to:

Research the needs and desires of customers Communicating with team during different phases of the design processCreating conceptual designs of cards based on research and team ideasMaking sure that card designs adhere to the Write On! Mission and Vision Statement

Jessica Ugstad-Technical Communications RoleResponsibilities include but are not limited to:

Organizing, writing and editing of team documents, business and marketing materialsDigitally producing card lines from conceptual designs Making sure that card designs and business practices are appropriate and ethically soundCreating brand identity consistent with the Write On! Mission and Vision Statement

Purple TeamRoles and Responsibilities

Purple TeamRoles and Responsibilities

Summary:Team Purple was able to create this project with very little barriers or challenges. Proactive planning was an important part of the process that set the course for success for each team member. Our team discussion board started with conversations about our individual expectations, leadership styles and opened up a forum to find out a little about each other.  Determining a leader with very little knowledge of each other could have been a huge challenge, yet those first exchanges were vital to beginning to understandeach other’s work ethic, communication style, strengths, personality and experiences that related to the task at hand.  Jessica and Rachel tended to be the initiators and organizers of assignments, while Nisha focused on adding creative input maintaining the teams focus on the cultural characteristics of our business and product.

Challenges:The loss of our fourth team member who failed to post by the first deadline made us a team of three.Finding time for communication on an individual basis was not difficult, however, we all had completely different times that we were able to do coursework. As a result, we ran into a few periods of waiting for responses or input from other team members.We experienced some gaps in communication over absences and discussion board posting due dates. 

Reflections:It would have been more efficient to have chosen a weekly chat time prior to the Wednesday and Sunday deadlines in order to give feedback and coordinate our work.Our team would have been more organized if we had used the SMART format for the entire project so that everyone had a clear idea of when each step was due preventing added stress..

Organizational and Leadership Challenges

Organizational and Leadership Challenges

The Business

The Business

10-Year Strategic Plan

10-Year Strategic Plan

Mission and Vision Statement  At Write On! we strive to connect people by:

Creating greeting cards that express the college experience for all students, traditional or non-traditional, from around the world.Creating greeting cards that value the diversity of cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds while connecting customers to traditions, themes and beauty from around the globe.Becoming a valuable company that is the greeting card leader in college campus bookstores offering unique products with global themes.Reducing our environmental impact by producing greeting cards using only 100% recycled paper and vegetable inks.Giving back to the community by donating 10% of all sales to Roots & ShootsSupporting a creative work environment that nurtures innovative ideas. Maintaining a direct connection to the growing needs of our customers with a special focus on customer input via our company website.

Organizational GoalsTo create a business that is both profitable and able to grow substantially over a 10-year time period.To create a business whose main focus is on customer satisfaction. Creating a product that is environmentally friendly and gives back to the community.Creating a product that connects people to cultures and traditions from around the world encouraging diversity and unity among all global citizens.

 

Strategies for Reaching Goals Profit and Growth

To have Write On! products sold in every Arizona based college and university bookstore within 6 years.To expand the Write On! distribution and marketing into at least 10% of all other PAC 12, Big 10 and SEC universities and colleges within 10 years.

Customer SatisfactionTo give customers a variety of greeting card categories that address a wide spectrum of special events, daily activities, disciplines and experiences using imagery and symbolism with cultural significance and relatable messages to convey humor, wisdom and encouragement.To create cards that convey the diversity of the student body attending universities or colleges today including: students who are full-time, part-time or online; students who live on or off campus; foreign exchange students; students who are returning to college; students with families, jobs or other responsibilities; and students with a combination of these characteristics. To create cards with imagery and messages that are ethical, diverse and non-discriminatory and that reflect the social evolution of students as part of a global community.

Environmental Impact Creating Write On! greeting cards using 100% recycled paper that is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified giving the customer the assurance that they are getting a product that comes from recycled wood or fiber from well managed forests.Using vegetable based inks which are not petroleum based so they do not contribute to environmental pollution. Donating 10% of all sales to Roots & Shoots (rootsandshoots.org), a non-profit organization founded by Jane Goodall and implemented around the world. This program engages and inspires children to create change in their communities and the world by recycling, gardening, participating in community service and animal preservation.

Action Plan Profit and Growth

Begin with market researching the three main university bookstores and student body histories in Arizona: Arizona State University, University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University.For the first year, focus on a marketing strategy of the needs of each student university’s body, utilizing interdisciplinary team research, and keeping consistent with the Write On! Mission Statement, goals and strategies. With this information a portfolio can be created containing available products that are specific to the needs of those three universities.

Action Plan/Profit and Growth-continuedGet Write On! products into all three bookstores building up to a minimum of 8 categories each and a total of 100 cards per location within 2-3 years while simultaneously creating a reputation that is respected and distinct above all other brands.Adjust and expand the interdisciplinary market research and marketing strategy to other viable colleges and university bookstores in Arizona, such as those located on community colleges, building up to a minimum of 8 categories each and a total of 100 cards per location within 6 years.Continue to expand Write On! company into at least 10% of all other PAC 12, Big 10 and SEC universities and colleges within 10 years using adapted versions of the previously mentioned interdisciplinary research and marketing strategies taking into consideration the evolving trends and needs of the consumer.

  Customer SatisfactionWrite On! will utilize interdisciplinary teams in order to conduct in-depth research about the needs and experiences of students specific to each university or college. These teams will be comprised of employees from each department of Write On!; from conceptual design to marketing and distribution. This will ensure a product that utilizes all perspectives within the company, based upon the researched needs of the consumer, in order to create a more satisfactory product.Write On! will create an online service that works directly with customers giving them the ability to share their own ideas for creating new cards, allowing them the ability to give feedback about our company and our products and the ability to participate in ongoing discussions that pertain to real issues dealing with diversity on college and university campuses as well as their experiences as global citizens.

  Environmental ImpactWrite On! will research companies that are FSC certified in order to purchase and use paper that is environmentally sustainable.Write On! will research a product line of vegetable based inks in order to provide a product with a lower environmental impact.Write On! will create a logo design that encapsulates our promise to provide recycled and environmentally friendly products.Write On! will add additional information for customers on the cards pertaining to our dedication to the environment and our 10% donation of proceeds to Roots & Shoots.

Monitoring of Plan Implementation Throughout the 10-year strategic plan, executives will conduct weekly team meetings where the successes, challenges or barriers within their specific departments are addressed in order to collaborate on new ideas and solutions to problems. Throughout the 10-year strategic plan, executives will conduct monthly meetings that will address the financial situations within the business. It is at this time that re-evaluations of marketing strategies will occur as needed based upon profit projections.

 

Executive and ManagerialDescriptions and Responsibilities

Executive and ManagerialDescriptions and Responsibilities

The CardsThe Cards

Home Away From Home

This card category uses culturally relevant symbols and holidays to connect students to homes and

families that are far away.

Front/Back

Inside Left/Right

Campus LifeThis card category focuses on

the daily life of students on campus such as wishing good luck on an exam, greeting new students, roommate drama and

classroom activities.

Front/Back

Inside Left/Right

LGBTQIThis card category focuses on students

in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex

communities by celebrating pride related holidays, friendship, love

and encouragement.

Front/Back

Inside Left/Right

Non-Traditional Students

This card category focuses on non-traditional students whether they

have families or full-time jobs, are attending online, part-time or going back to school for the second time.

Inside Left/Right

Front/Back

Health and Healing

This category focuses on the overall health of students by wishing them

well if they are ill, sending good thoughts for a bright day or just

sending a note to make a friend smile.

Front/Back

Inside Left/Right