What is Marketing and why it is important to me?

Marketing is finding the right people for a product/service; or creating right product/service and deliver to those people who need it.  It is everything we do in coordinating the elements of people, product, place, and promotion in order to place our product/service in the hands of potential customers. 

A good marketing plan can help a company focus their energy and resources.  The marketing strategies/concepts can be used to market oneself in the process of obtaining a position or career. So marketing is very important. 

My Business Vision

After receiving my MBA degree in two years, I would like to obtain a director's position in a preschool in the Silicon Valley by end of 2016. 

Meanwhile, during my MBA study (2014-­2016), I want to learn and work more on planning to open my own school. I want to survey and gather more information / resources to find a market niche (what parents want? what children need? what is not being offered? what needs were not met?) in the preschool /after school industry. 

I want to find a partner who is experienced in after school program and open my school by 2020. I want to create a school that provides a lot of nature/relaxing elements (e.g., nature lights, plants, wooden materials, neuter paint colors....etc., so people (children, teachers, parents and visitors) feel comfortable and peaceful in the facility. I want to pick up valuable elements/philosophy, and effective teaching approaches/materials, then incorporate them into an desirable program. 

I want to find good quality teachers and directors and establish a compensation program to include staffs in running and recruiting process that makes them feel they own and belong to this school, and it not only benefits them financially, but also values/empowers them in their effort. 

I want to start the school with around 50 to ­80 students and expand to 300 students within 3 years. The new school will be located in Santa Clara/ Sunnyvale where it is convenient for parents' commute but less expensive compare to Cupertino /Mountain view/ Saratoga; or it can be in a newly developed/fast growing area (such as antelope valley). 

I will use the experiences and repetition gained from the first school to open up the 2nd and 3rd schools if it is desirable.

My First Face to Face Meeting in CALMAT Class

Aug 30, 2014 was my first face to face meetings/classes in CALMAT (California University of Management and Technology) Silicon Valley Campus. I was so excited to start my MBA study journey. 

The classes went well. I love the small sized class group, the huge flat screen TV/monitor, the diverse group (age, culture, professional background~). The professors are not only very knowledgeable and experienced, they also were well prepared and had great interpersonal skills. 

I love CALMAT's mission which is "to offer high-quality, flexible, innovative, industry-connected programs that integrate advanced technology with proven management strategies to enable students to apply their knowledge and skills in the global high-tech industry."  

With this mission in mind, I see CALMAT is a great place for me to study MBA and at the same time getting familiar with the global high-tech development that can inspire my future management style/system. The Ulearn system is wonderful and powerful. 

I love Dr. Eric's many small assignments that step by step, specifically and gradually lead and push me to become familiar with the Ulearn, Gmail, blogging...etc. Make each assignment and journal an entry to the blog is also a great idea. 

I love learning and trying new things. My feeling towards my CALMAT MBA study since my first class is just like the McDonald's slogan " I'm lovin' it!"

Weekly Study Planning

I started my MBA study on Aug 30, 2014. I plan to complete the program in 1.5-2 years. 
This is my weekly Study Planning for my Bus 600 course

Saturday 8:00pm-10:00pm 
Sunday   8:00am-11:30 am 

I plan to study for BUS 600 on Saturday and Sunday. Because I am not a speed reader, so it takes me longer to read; and English is not my first language, so it takes me longer to write. I want to establish a habit of study and get assignments done as soon as possible. Because life is often unpredictable, and there are always something comes up to interrupt my plan/schedule. So I should not put it off until last minute. I want to continue study right after class to get as much done as possible during the weekend.  And if I don't finish the reading and weekly assignment by Sunday noon, I will schedule more time accordingly (using Sunday~Wednesday).

Wednesday 8:00pm-9:00pm -'
double check assignments, provide feedback to other students. and preview for next class.
Thursday 8:00pm-9:00pm -
review the new weekly module released and provide feedback to other students.

My Friday schedule is Jam-packed from early morning till almost midnight, and BUS 600 class starts early on Saturdays. I am also taking Marketing class this Semester. Therefore, I should have all of the study and homework done by Thursday night.

Time management is always a challenge to me, I think it is a good idea to take Dr. Eric's strategy to make good use of the Google Calendar and make myself a slave to the calendar; or make the calendar a law that I can only follow. I would love to see improvement in my time management starting right now.

The Ten-Day MBA

The Ten-Day MBA: 

A Step-By-step Guide To Mastering The Skills Taught In America's Top Business Schools

Get at least $20,000 of MBA education at 99 percent off the list price, and get 40 percent of a two-year MBA program in ten days.

These promises sure draw attention!

The author Silbiger observes: "My goal is make you familiar with the significant MBA tools and theories currently being taught at the leading business schools and to help you understand and develop the MBA mind-set."

This book is recommended by many readers, even MBA professors and students, as a handy desk reference for potential and current MBAs, along with business people in general. It is written in clear, concise, complete and organized manner.  I am anxious to read this book. If you cannot wait for this book to arrive after you have ordered it, here is a link for a sneak peak.

The Ten Day MBA slideshare