USF MBA Students Create Marketing Plan for Local Non-Profit

Reprinted from TBAH E-Newsletter, 7-17-09

On July 7, 2009 five students in Masters of Business Administration program at the University of South Florida presented a comprehensive marketing plan that will improve its communication in the Tampa community.

Kymia, Maria, Mark, Keisha, & Jeff under the instruction of Dr. Barbara Lafferty, who stated “I developed the course to be of service to the community and specifically to be of service to local non-profit organizations. I realize how difficult it is for many NPOs to get professional guidance on their marketing and promotions due to budgetary or other constraints. This class is a wonderful opportunity for our Masters students to work with clients and to learn the nuances of developing a promotions plan to help the organization achieve their objectives. I feel it is definitely a win-win for everyone.”

In spirit of community service, behind the recent community service initiatives passed by the President of the United States these from the University of South Florida have led by example.

The purpose of this project, as stated by students was, “Realizing that non-profit organizations rarely have the means of developing a good, thorough marketing plan to help them successfully raise the awareness and funds necessary for the development of their organization and execution of their programs (as well as attracting participants), the purpose of the project was to develop an integrated marketing communication plan for a local non-profit organization in order to assist them in reaching exactly these kinds of objectives.“

These Colleges of Business students were asked why did they select the Tampa Bay Academy of Hope? Their answer was, “that the Tampa Bay Academy of Hope was selected by our team because Kymia had learned a lot about the organization through her co-worker and friend, Rania Abdulla who is currently a mentor and volunteer with TBAH and has worked with the organization since 1999. We liked the idea of working with an organization that focused on disadvantaged youth. We looked at the website, and we could tell that there was a lot to be developed and discovered with TBAH.”

“As students we gained the opportunity to learn more about the operations of TBAH and the importance of marketing in the world of business, whether it is a for-profit or non-profit organization. We are also happy to have had the opportunity to provide marketing information to such a wonderful organization. We are glad that Tampa Bay has an organization like TBAH to help mold and give support to future professionals of the Bay area.”

In conclusion the students stated: “We hope that our (203 page) marketing plan will have an immediate impact on the whole organization. We hope to have provided realistic and attainable marketing and promotion options that can be brought to fruition by the current TBAH staff and volunteers at the start of TBAH’s 2009 – 2010 fiscal year. Each of the proposed components can be implemented in mass or can be independently executed.”

Watch Video: Tamyla's Dream

How to Do Business in Haiti by Kéto Nord Hodges

My MBA studies at University of South Florida (2003-2005) provided me with some of the best moments of my life to date. One of my projects that I took on in the course of my Management curriculum was to study how to do business in my home country of Haïti or "Ayiti" as we say in Creole. I had the good fortune to lead a team of fellow MBA's and I've presented a summary of our research in the presentation "How to Do Businesss in Haïti" below.

Are You Prepared for Hurricane Weather?

Earlier in August, 2008, I published an informational post on hurricane preparedness as excerpted from The Weather Channel Hurricane Preparedness list for my readers of TheListbyKeto, my e-magazine started in 2006 after completing my MBA at University of South Florida. So I think it fitting that I republish excerpts of this guide for my blog readers as well, especially as the information herein is relevant to all residents of Florida and the South and Southwest of the US. In addition I've provided some basic severe weather definitions. As well, this weekend marks the 3rd Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina of August 29, 2005 whose effects were exacerbated by an incompetent, do-nothing government which had billions of dollars in aid overseas the day after after the Indonesia tsunami of December 26, 2004, but took 3 days to even react to Hurricane Katrina just a few thousand miles away and after President Bush's August 28, 2005 Katrina briefing on the possibility of a category 3 hurricane breaching the levies in New Orleans. Well, it will go down as one of the big failures of an administration that is synonymous with failure. But...at least the Florida Division of Emergency Management is more proactive in emergency management and allows citizens to create their own family disaster plan. Well...stay safe out there!

DEFINITIONS:
Hurricane Season (Atlantic): 1 June - 30 November
Hurricane Watch: Hurricane conditions, sustained winds greater than 73 mph, are possible in the area within 36 hours.
Hurricane Warning: A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected in the area in 24 hours or less.

Safety Before a Tropical Storm or Hurricane

Be Informed
Determine your insurance eligibility now. In addition to high winds, rain and floods are sometimes associated with hurricanes and tropical storms. However, damage caused by flooding is not usually covered in regular homeowners' insurance. The federal government insures against flood damage.

Find out more from:
Your insurance agent
National Insurance Consumer Helpline (1-800-942-4242); The Insurance Information Institute (1-800-331-9146) The National Flood Insurance Program

Learn how your town handles emergencies by contacting:
Your local American Red Cross chapter chapter or check the business listing of your white pages. Your local Emergency Management Agency (EMA)

Be Prepared
Pay attention to local weather reports. Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio and sign up for The Weather Channel's free alerts for your mobile phone or email..

Develop a Family Preparedness Plan that includes the following:
Decide where to go if at home, school, work, outdoors, or in a car when a tornado warning is issued. Update these plans every school year and as places of employment and residence change. Compile a family emergency supplies kit. Make certain everything you need is in one specific, easy-to-access location. These contents can be assembled over a five-month period on a weekly basis, and perishable items should be changed or replaced every six months. To learn more about assembling and refreshing supplies, see the American Red Cross' preparedness information.

Prepare Your Home
There are a number of cost-effective measures that be taken to strengthen the exterior and interior structural integrity of a house. Learn more:

• Preparing Your Home for Hurricanes
• Consider Hurricane Shutters
• Keep Wind and Water Out During a Hurricane

For more information on TheListbyKeto, a FREE e-magazine highlighting local events and business advertising, please logon http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheListbyKeto. We are also on Myspace, http://www.myspace.com/thelistbyketo and Facebook http://www.facebook.com/people/TheList_byKeto/833578290. TheListbyKeto—Connecting Tampa Bay's Culture, Community, Networking & Nightlife!