Business School Seniors in the School of Business at California Polytechnic University (San Luis Obispo CA; “Cal Poly”) enrolled in “Business 454″ are tackling the pre-launch planning for a new digital media production firm which will launch in January 2010 as “StartupTrek.TV”
The 36 business school seniors in the Orfalea School of business will gain hands-on experience working in a tech startup company, as it plans a high-profile launch on the web, in advance of developing cable and broadcast television content relationships.
Learn by Doing
Cal Poly’s educational philosophy (for all 7 schools, or Colleges) at the Campus, revolves around this kind of “learn by doing” classroom activity:
BUS 454: Developing and Presenting Marketing Projects Client-based course providing students with an opportunity to apply their marketing abilities. Student teams utilize research, analytical, and strategic marketing skills to develop an actionable plan that addresses a marketing challenge faced by an organization. Deliverables include research findings, as well as written and verbal presentations to the organization and instructor. 10 lectures. Prerequisites: BUS 451 and BUS 452
Telling the Story of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in America
Startup Trek TV will be a “real-time video interview” blog and TV channel, covering all aspects of entrepreneurship: business concept incubation, company formation, company building, and the growth of “innovation clusters” (miniature Silicon Valleys) across America. During 2010, Startup Trek Journalists will interview startup companies across the USA, following the progress and milestones of startup teams in weekly and monthly broadcasts.
Throughout the quarter at Cal Poly, students will use the DialogR system, developed by Cal Poly Business School Professor Jeffrey Danes, for collective brainstorming, collaborative dialog between class members and teams, and development of detailed work methodologies.
Six Student Teams will compete, while working in parallel
In the first two weeks of the 10-week course, the students are working in six teams of six students to complete an in-depth competitive analysis of 18 top technology business blogs, including Tech Crunch, Alley Insider (business insider), Vator (Bambi) TV, GigaOm, Beet.TV, Read Write Web, etc.
After guest speakers, reading, and training in online marketing and advertising, each team will submit a report detailing a recommended online advertising strategy, for both buy-side (“Pay Per Click”, or PPC) and sell-side (Adsense/Banner) ads to be deployed by StartupTrek.TV
Beta Testing on the target Demographic
Students will conduct Beta testing using internet video conferencing, within key demographic sectors, to fine-tune interview formats, questions, and to maximize user engagement and satisfaction with content. Each team will conduct at least one video interview with a startup company, and publish ten blog posts about topics related to innovation and entrepreneurship. The quarter will culminate with the selection of, and awards for a “winning team” that produces the best summary report about what they’ve learned about developing an online business.
