The document summarizes observations from a back to school shopping event and draws parallels to business. It discusses how the excitement of a "fresh start" creates opportunities, the nervous but excited anticipation of new adventures, and an attitude of appreciation. In business, new beginnings often come from changes and motivate teams, anticipation inspires, and appreciation improves group dynamics.

1. BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING
What This Experience Teaches Us About Our Business

2. AGENDA
• The “Back to School” shopping experience background
information
• How the “Back to School” experience relates to the business
environment
• Lessons we can learn from the “Back to School” experience

3. Back to School Shopping Event Info
 One of our annual events is to recruit volunteers for BGCS Back to
School Shopping events, and collect donated school supply items.
 BGCS paired 1,000 youth and teens with adult volunteers to spend an
hour shopping for back to school clothing and shoes for the upcoming
school year.
 Each student is provided a $100 gift card to Kohl’s for the shopping
excursion.
 The kids receive a back to school back pack and clothing to start the
school year.

4. A Little About Me
• Hue Haslim, Senior Director of University Engagement/Alumni &
Career Resources for Western International University (West)
• Over 20 years in Higher Education
• Over 3 years in Community Engagement
• Involved with coordinating Back to School efforts with Boys and
Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale for 3 years

5. What I Saw
New Beginnings – There is always an excitement when one is involved
in a new adventure. A “fresh” new academic school year with the
opportunity for a “fresh start” brings enthusiasm and hope for the
upcoming year.
Source: H. Haslim
Source: http://www.alwayssavemoney.ca/

6. What We Can Learn
New Beginnings create “new positive
outcomes” in the business environment
• New Management – Brings enthusiasm
and hope for the company’s future
• New Team Members – Add value to the
team; provide breadth of context; new
ideas brought forth
• New Goals/Topics – Challenges staff to
accomplish something new; naturally
creates energy for new endeavor
Source: http://www.philpercs.com/
Source:: http://domainerdom.com/
Source: http://www.salary.com/

7. “If you want something new, you have to
stop doing something old.”
Peter Drucker
Source: www.sangay.com

8. What I Saw
Nervous, but Excited – Since there are many
unknowns when entering a new phase of life,
it is natural to have nervous excitement about
meeting new classmates and teachers, and
anticipating what the new environment will be
like.

9. What We Can Learn
The “Nervous but Excited” feeling for children correlates to the “Starting a New Business
or a New Job” feeling – excited, motivated and inspired.
• Not knowing where to start – Locate someone who has experienced opening a new
business previously or people who are familiar with the job.
• Excited to meet new classmates, teachers - Similar to getting to know the markets,
new product(s), customers or colleagues for a new job.
• Anticipate what the environment will look like – Similar to viewing the future of a
business with expectancy or looking forward to a new environment.
Source: www.stargazette.com
Source: www.dreamstime.com

11. What I Saw
Planning For The Year – Take time to think
about what items are necessary to have a
successful year.

12. What We Learn
Planning for the year: As children and their shopping partner plan what is needed to
start back to school, in the work place or business world we need to have vision or
perspective for the future, therefore planning for success
Simple Steps:
• Everything has to start with vision.
• Clarity – Define the vision to the smallest details.
• Plan – Write down how the vision becomes reality.
• Act – Execute the vision.
Arizona State Senator Bob Worsley echoed these steps in
his speech at West’s 2015 Commencement ceremony:
https://youtu.be/77n2EmLPkkc
Source: http://www.icocnigeria.com/

13. Source: http://izquotes.com/

14. What I Saw
Attitude of Appreciation – The boys’ and
girls’ excitement as they go shopping and how
they are very appreciative for what they have
been given.

15. What We Can Learn
Attitude of Appreciation – In the workplace or business, we need to have a
“professional attitude” that reflects appreciation for our workplace, co-workers
and company leaders.
• In organizational life, an “Appreciative” attitude comes from a sense of worth,
and as a result it increases performance which benefits the organization.
• An attitude of appreciation leads to improved health and generates positive
staff. (http://happierhuman.com/)
Source: http://payamshoghi.com/

16. SUMMARY
What I Saw
• “Fresh starts” create opportunity
• Anticipation often results in
excitement for the new adventure
• Appreciation always builds
character and benefits so many in
the group
How It Relates
• Business opportunity often
comes with changes and “new
beginnings”
• Excitement is good for business
because it motivates and inspires
• Group dynamics can improve
when appreciation is evident in
its members