College plan Blog

Many businesses are reluctant to advertise to college students because they feel that college students lack the extra funds to spend on services that are considered luxuries. The fact that many businesses sense that leaves an opening for businesses that are willing to take the time and money to target them.

That is why so many businesses offering cleaning and delivery services like LifeEase Home Services, Crazy Hungry, Dorm Delivery Express, and College Bellhop have become so popular. The reason those businesses are able to reach college students and get them to spend is because they realize that college students are busy, just like professionals. Many students take 15 to 18 credits each semester while working a full-time job. Another reason is, not all students have transportation, so having items delivered is a more convenient option, especially in bad weather. A third reason is, many students have roommates, that allows them to combine their money for the cost of luxury services. The final reason that those businesses have become popular is, they are run by college students or recent college graduates, so they know what people want.

Those successful businesses are showing that college students these days are willing to spend more money if it can help ease the frustration of being in college.

Tags: advertising, cleaning, college, college students, delivery, dorm, groceriesadvertising, cleaning, college, college students, delivery, dorm, groceries

Share This

More and more students, both in undergraduate and graduate institutions, are deciding to launch their own ventures upon graduation rather than taking the traditional route of working for another firm. Likewise, more and more individuals are leaving their jobs to fulfill their entrepreneurial dreams.

While these ventures may ultimately be very successful (e.g., Google and Microsoft were both launched by students), they face certain challenges in their business plans and capital raising processes. The foremost challenge is overcoming the lack of experience of the management team. A classis chicken-and-egg problem presents itself - the management team has no past company successes to point to, and can’t prove itself unless given the opportunity to launch the business. While this problem is nearly always the case for graduating students, it also presents itself to many entrepreneurs, particularly those who are launching their first ventures.

To overcome this challenge, these ventures must represent themselves as having a great team by attracting a stellar management team and/or advisors. By attracting a quality management team, even if the team will not start until after financing, it gives investors that confidence that the plan will be properly executed. It also proves that the entrepreneurs have the ability to “sell” others on their vision. The management team need not be complete before seeking capital, since additional members will most likely be added after capital is raised. For instance, shortly after Google raised capital from Sequoia Capital and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Omid Kordestani left Netscape to accept a position as vice president of business development and sales, and Urs H

Tags: business planning, college students, entrepreneurs, googlebusiness planning, college students, entrepreneurs, google

Share This

Starting college can be challenging enough without having to worry about getting on your professor’s bad side. Savvy college students soon figure out that there are just certain things never to ask.

As a former Assistant Professor at the US Air Force Academy, in Colorado Springs, CO, I know those little pet peeves that drive professors right up the wall. Unfortunately, professors don’t come with an instruction book, so I wrote “College Success Your Way, What Your Professors Won’t Tell You and Your Friends Don’t Know,” so all students can know up front the inside secrets about succeeding in college.

Here are three “killer questions” never to ask your professor. Think twice before you ask them. Although your heart is in the right place, your frustrated professor could hear a completely different message.

“When is it due?”

“Is this testable?”

“I was gone last class. Did I miss anything important?”

Let’s take a closer look at why you’ll want to avoid these questions.

“When’s it due?” You may simply be thinking ahead. But, the professor wonders why you’re asking something in your syllabus. Asking your teacher when something is due is like asking where your notebook is. It’s your job to know.

“Is this testable?” This seems like a smart question, doesn’t it? Nope. It drives professors crazy. Why? Here’s what the professor hears when you ask that question: “Do I need to listen now, or can I zone out again, since I’m bored beyond belief, and I’m only taking this class because there
was no way out of it?”

While it may be the case that you are barely able to remain conscious as the professor drones on, remember, diplomacy is key. And, it’s your job to figure out what might be tested by paying close
enough attention so you can tell when points are being repeated and emphasized. Your professor isn’t generally going to be so blunt as to say, “And this is on the test.” If she does, consider it a gift.

And finally, do not ask, “I was gone last class. Did I miss anything important?” This is actually a common question that, on the surface, seems harmless enough. Aren’t you even quite responsible to follow up and ask to make sure you aren’t missing out on some crucial point in your education
because you didn’t attend the last class?

Sadly, dear student, in spite of your best intentions about making up for lost time in following up on any goodies missed, here’s what the professor hears, “Did you say anything I’ll be tested on?” or worse, “You don’t usually say anything important, was last Tuesday an exception?”

Unfortunately, either way, you don’t end up looking very good. And oh, by the way, you already missed class, so what’s up with that?

Knowing what your drives your professors crazy can help you avoid awkward moments, and let you make your time in college smooth sailing.

Tags: college guide book, college speaker, college students, college success, colleges in coloradocollege guide book, college speaker, college students, college success, colleges in colorado

Share This