Campus Concepts Careers

09/05/2014

HOMEBASED * SOLID * STABLE

09/03/2014

http://campusconceptsusa.com/careers/

09/03/2014

Stable work from home

09/02/2014

SPORTS ADVERTISING SALES
We have kicked off an aggressive nationwide expansion campaign for the following long term career opportunities:



3 – Divisions

Sales – Telecommuters work from home, closer.

Sales – Local outside sales agent.

Sales - Traveling outside sales agent.

Campus Relations - No selling work from home.

Recruiter - Virtual opportunity.



Perfect for:

Sales Professionals – Specialty Advertising Pros - Closers -Telemarketers - Stay-at-Home Moms – Recent College Grads.



Your criteria for a career change or just starting out may match our client company’s needs and wants. Below is a brief description of:



The Official Campus Publishers & Printers Career Opportunities
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Description

As a member of our team you will be assigned exclusive contracts with department heads for major high schools, colleges and universities within your territory. These educational institutions order custom designed media guides, book covers, school folders and sports calendars. Business sponsorships subsidize the entire cost so there’s NO CHARGE to the campus.





The Power of Leverage!

Sales: This is a 3rd party sale using the name of the school name as leverage when calling on local businesses surrounding your assigned campus. That power ensures you will never have a bad lead and every business can benefit from our services. Our customer base includes businesses that are either contracted by the institution, have emotional ties to the campus or seek an R.O.I. from their investment. Building long term relations with your customer base ensures future income from not only other publications but other assigned campuses within your territory.

Estimated income: $64k to $112k


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Campus Relations: A long term work from home opportunity. The position of the Campus Relations Director is to contact department heads of educational institutions nationwide. This free offer is to allow us to manufacture and supply FREE OF CHARGE to that contracted school system our book covers, folders and sports calendars. The primary goal of the director is to obtain signed contracts and verification letters from the campuses.

Estimated income: $34k to $62k




Human Resources: This position is 2 – fold and includes the placing and maintaining of current ad posts, online interviews and training & orientation of new hires. The position duties are conducted virtually and over the phone within our company’s online office suite from the comfort of your home

Estimated income: $54k to $82k


Advancement $100k +

Successful agents will be given the opportunity to advance into our middle management program. This is a results based promotion NOT seniority based. These assignments will create additional steady streams of residual income. There will be less direct selling, a higher ratio to close and more training and maintaining of new hires. The value of this position is estimated to bring your yearly income level well into the $100k plus range.





FACTS!

These publications have been around FOREVER!

Businesses will ALWAYS sponsor school programs!

We’re not governed by federal or state laws causing BUBBLES!

You will NEVER EVER have a hang-up, mean or nasty call!

What BETTER leverage to get your foot in the door then the campus name!

This is NOT a one-time sale, our renewal rate is over 70%!

There NO such thing as a bad lead in our business!

This is in NO WAY like any other sales company!

This is a third party sales — the POWER being the campus!

NO restrictions on who we can sell and when we can sell them!

There are no layoffs, downsizing, budget cuts ZERO!

All our contracts with campuses are exclusive - NO COMPETITION!

09/02/2014

WORK FROM HOME

09/02/2014

07/02/2014

Program Director – Full Company Training
Local Territories: USA 5 miles to a 90 miles radius of your home.
Manager / Closer - $100k plus opportunity
Well respected National Sports Marketing Company, Est. in 1987 is currently expanding our telecommuting sales division nationwide. We are in search of talented, experienced, and sports minded territory managers/closers to join our winning team!

Campus Division – Field (outside)
Job Description: (Program Director)
As a member of our team you will be calling on local & national businesses surrounding high schools, colleges & universities in your territory. Your main goal is to capture/close sponsorships (ads) on 1 of our 3 product lines that our company distributes FREE to the campus. If you are willing to put in the time we will fully train and equip you to succeed!
Our business has exclusive contracted campuses and warm / hot & burning leads. You will also be provided with full access to our online office suite that offers your own private email address, direct access to our online library of audio training sessions, product samples, presentation videos, testimonials, other tools to ensure success. You will also work closely with our company’s customer service & production departments allowing you to do what you do best and that is to CLOSE sales. Ongoing mentoring with managers that have over 25 years’ experience in the industry means your growth is guaranteed.
This is a perfect career position for people that have sold B2B: print advertising, coupons, town maps, yellow pages, and gym & golf ad specialties. We encourage college graduates who desire a chance to succeed & at-home moms who need the freedom & flexibility in their schedule.
Our average Program Directors earn $75k - $92k their rookie year, some earn well into the thousands weekly. Earnings will double your second year. There is no cap on your residual income for years to come. Promotion opportunities are available for those who shine.

Requirements
Working Vehicle
1 year minimum outside sales - CLOSING (capturing payment) & or college graduate

We offer
Full company training - ongoing
Top Notch Company
Full disclosure / everything is in writing
Industry stability
Leads – warm, hot, burning
3rd party leverage (campus)
Exclusive contracts
No micro-management
Compensation paid directly to your account
Bonuses: daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, annual
Trips, Prizes
Advancement opportunities

The Truth:
“There’s nothing like it”! – Kent J. California Director
“These guys know what they’re doing WOW” – Brad C. Utah Director
“I made 2k my first week it’s easy for me, I can’t wait to get good at this” – Rob L. New York Director
“It took me 2 weeks to figure it out, I never been in sales before. But they helped me so much- I made over 2k my 3rd week yea” – Kelly K. Arizona Director
“I remember finding my schools when I was a road rep using a Rand McNally map” – Jason G. National Sales Director- 26 years of service

So if you are looking for a recession proof business model and desire a long term residual income with a top notch company with a proven business model look no further.
The Nation’s Leader for Campus Sponsorships

06/28/2014

Openings in: Sports Sponsorship Sales SPORTS ADVERTISING GIANT EXPANDING IN USA Special news release: PUBLISHING GIANT EXPANDING USA – 3 DIVISIONS (USA) All Nationwide Sales Recruiting Firms have been alerted. Top publishing company has kicked off an aggressive national exp…

06/28/2014

campusconceptsusa.com/we-r-hiring-4-sports-advertising-sales/

Openings in: Sports Sponsorship Sales SPORTS ADVERTISING GIANT EXPANDING IN USA Special news release: PUBLISHING GIANT EXPANDING USA – 3 DIVISIONS (USA) All Nationwide Sales Recruiting Firms have been alerted. Top publishing company has kicked off an aggressive national exp…

06/26/2014

How I Bought a $147,500 Job For $00.00
Email:[email protected]

06/25/2014

Congratulations Mary " Regional Sponsorship Director"

06/24/2014

Should Salespeople Be Paid Commission Or Salary?

Most companies create pay incentives for their Salespeople. At least some form of commission payment has been an industry standard for decades. Some companies are starting to adopt a salary only payment structure. They claim that commissions are influencing Salespeople into losing their objectivity with customers. Is that really the case?



Three Forms of Pay Structure

For the past 30 years, I’ve been employed in the Sales Industry either as a Salesperson, Sales Manager or Sales Trainer. I’ve seen three basic forms of pay structure all based on company goals and beliefs. Many pay structure hybrids can exist, as each company determines its proper sales culture and attempts to attract the right caliber of individual.

Full Commission

The Salesperson receives a healthy commission for completing a sale. If no sales are made, no commissions or monthly wages are paid. This attracts seasoned Sales Professionals that have proven sales experience and the ability to be virtually self-employed in business for themselves.
Full Commission Salespeople are almost always classified as Outside Salespeople. They have to proactively call on potential customers and entice them to buy their product or service. Realtors, Media Salespeople and Direct Salespeople (door to door) are employed in this category. Full Commissioned Salespeople can represent both the highest and lowest paid in the industry.
Well established Salespeople with many consistent clients can make incredible incomes in excess of $100,000 per year and even higher. Full Commissioned Salespeople just starting out can be the lowest paid, as it can take a long time to build business.

Commission with Salary

While the salary range will vary by industry and company, this payment structure allows for a base income per year with the incentive for commission based on sales made. Most Professional
Salespeople are employed in this category. Inside Salespeople, approached by potential customers by phone, internet or walk-in, attempt to convince people to buy their product or service. This includes the automotive industry, technology and retail in general. Many of these Salespeople are happy to have the incentive of adding to their income with the stability of having a consistent monthly paycheck. Incomes will have a wide range based on skill level and experience, yet not as diverse as Full Commission. In the lower level, the salary will cover the basic necessities of life. High income individuals can be paid quite well, yet those truly motivated by earning potential will be attracted to full commission.

Salaried Salespeople

These Professional Salespeople tend to be employed in highly technical fields or by employers who feel that the concept of commission and personal incentive causes Salespeople to lose their objectivity in focusing on their customers’ needs. These companies are revenue based. They find that paying Salespeople a commission causes them to potentially lose objectivity on the needs of their customers; that Commissioned Salespeople by nature, may focus on meeting targets, earn large paychecks and sometimes create a corrosive work atmosphere. Companies employing a salary-only pay plan feel they have far less turnover, as Salespeople are more comfortable working in that environment. There is less internal competition on the sales floor and the focus tends to be customer driven with education and satisfaction being vital.

No Commission? That’s blasphemy!

This is how many Professional Salespeople who have made a career in the industry feel. A recent article in the Globe and Mail, “For Some, paying sales commission’s no longer makes sense” gives you the specific reasons why some companies have abandoned commission for salary. Many companies that feel the need to pay Salespeople commissions rest their case on two ways of thinking.
1. We are a revenue based company. We want our Salespeople to be paid on sales performance.
2. If we didn’t pay commissions, we would lose our top performers to companies that do.
Frankly, it’s hard not to feel that way. In my opinion, Professional Salespeople work hard to complete sales transactions and should be paid based on their performance and work ethic. I have been working Full Commission for over 25 years, even as a Sales Manager. ( R.J. Larkin )

Why?

When my Salespeople did well, I wanted to do well as a Sales Manager. When they hurt financially, I wanted to feel the pain on my paycheck as their leader. Nothing was more motivating than being in it with my troops. ( Semper Fi ). To me, as a Professional in the Sales Industry nothing was more boring than SALARY.

I will always want a direct connection between my talent, skills, work ethic and performance to my personal monthly paycheck. Would I have left if my employer abandoned commission for salary?
Mostly definitely. Chances are I would have landed up at the competition who would have been happy to have me.

The Problem is not Compensation – It’s Culture

Your company should be looking for Full Commission Professional Salespeople who believe in integrity and ethics. High paid 100% commissioned Salespeople get their repeat business and referrals ONLY because of their great reputation. Character is what determines your company’s sales culture.

Your company needs to employ Sales Managers who reinforce this philosophy. When training commissioned Salespeople as a Sales Manager, I had a strong message to every new employee.
You’d better be thinking of renewal each time you make an initial presentation. What’s the one word you want to be known for with your clients? What do you want them to say about you when you leave the room?
When interviewing great candidates for your next sales opening, ask them if they have ever walked away from a sale. Ask for an example. You’re looking for successful Professional Salespeople who want to earn high incomes by working hard and earning the respect of their clients.

06/24/2014

The Official Campus Publishers & Printers

In 1987. “The truth was my expenses were more than my pay check back then”.

05/08/2014

FACTS!

These publications have been around FOREVER!

Businesses will ALWAYS sponsor school programs!

We’re not governed by federal or state laws causing BUBBLES!

You will NEVER EVER have a hang-up, mean or nasty call!

What BETTER leverage to get your foot in the door then the campus name!

This is NOT a one-time sale our renewal rate is over 70%!

There NO such thing as a bad lead in our business!

This is in NO WAY like any other sales company!

This is a third party sales – the POWER being the campus!

NO restrictions on who we can sell and when we can sell them!

There are no layoffs, downsizing, budget cuts ZERO!

All our contracts with campuses are exclusives NO COMPETITION!





Careers:

Join our winning team, we offer a wide range of career positions in your local area. These national opportunities require a certain type of person with certain core values. We look for integrity, loyalty, determination, dependability, and you must be open-minded and teachable. These values, we feel are the right ingredient in a quality person who succeeds in our company culture. All positions allow for freedom and flexibility to be yourself and enjoy a better quality of life. There are no layoffs, downsizing, because we work with 2 of the strongest industries in America, Sports & Entertainment.





WHAT DOES IT TAKE?



ARE YOU PATIENT? Takes time to build something of value!

ARE YOU CREATIVE? Dare to be different and embrace all creative ideas that pass through your head!

ARE YOU FLEXIBLE? Be ready to go “off the script” and improvise!

ARE YOU A VISIONARY? When you are able to assess the “BIG PICTURE” and dictate the pace!

ARE YOU ADVENTUROUS? Ability to sustain yourself outside your comfort zone!

ARE YOU THICK-SKINNED? The quicker you learn not to take it personally, the more successful you will become!





“Can you humble yourself and allow us to guide you?”





Sales: Closer

This outside sales position requires the agent to call and meet with business owners to sponsor our publications designed for school systems in your local area. The working territory is a 5 to 90 mile radius from your home, and there are overnight travel opportunities for a select few. There is a learning curve for some, and others just take off right out of the gates. This is a perfect career position for people that have sold print media sponsorships in the past, college graduates who desire a chance to succeed and moms who need the freedom & flexibility in their everyday lives. Our average sales agents earn $65k to$ 82k their first year with us and your income can double in your second and more in your third. We offer middle management opportunities for people who would like to train and maintain groups of agents under them.

Telesales: Closer

This is a stay at home telesales position, whereas you would be assigned a contracted school systems nationwide and to call on businesses in that local area to close sponsorships on 1 or more of our campus products. This is an outbound calling position, whereas businesses in the area of a campus is a HOT lead. Simple presentation, easy concept, very high commissions structure. Earning potential for CLOSERS make up to 100k plus. You must have computer with internet, knowledge of Microsoft outlook, excel, word & adobe reader programs. Finally, phone with a unlimited nationwide calling plan.

We offer a wide range of entertainment sales opportunities.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Human Resources: Recruiter

Due to the overwhelming need for our services nationwide from campuses coast to coast. A massive hiring campaign is taking effect. We look to bring aboard no less than 100 new sales agents nationwide. Their job description is to sell ad space to local & national businesses in the area of assigned campuses.

This position is 2 – fold and includes the maintaining of current ad posts all the way to the completion of training & orientation of new hires. The position duties are conducted virtually & via – phone within our company’s online office suite from the comforts of your home.

Job Duties: Recruiter / Training & Orientation

Complete data entry as related to recruitment activities. Place job post nationwide in online job boards, social media. Organization of online human resources department filing system. Administer & obtain all new hire paperwork. Perform sourcing for candidates through online job boards, resume research, communicating job requirements via cold calls and/or emails. Coordinate and schedule candidate interviews, presentation reviews & training & orientation through company’s Microsoft Outlook Office 365 office suite. Conduct Presentation Reviews, Interviews, and Training & Orientation of new hires. Maintain documentation of activities and schedules in department database. Work directly with company’s National Sales Director to maximize the department’s presence.

This is a results driven position where there will be NO cap on your earnings!

Production: Graphics Artist

Campus Concepts is always in search of awesome creative talent. Working from the comforts of your home, you would be creating our company product lines, designing advertisements, website design, seo services and video production. A home-based computer with all necessary software is key to success.

05/06/2014

What Are the Best Tips for Sponsorship Sales?

Successful sponsorship sales begin with an understanding of the motivations of those who buy sponsorships. This understanding provides the basis for crafting effective marketing tactics targeted to the specific prospects. It's also important to decide who will sell the sponsorships, and what sales strategy will be used to market those opportunities.
The first tip is to recognize that sponsors do not necessarily have the same motivations as advertisers. In addition to the obvious benefits of promotion and indirect marketing, sponsors may also use sponsorship opportunities to seek goodwill, to thank supporters, or as a way to push forward a community cause. Sponsorship sales materials should be crafted with each potential motivation in mind. These sponsorship sales materials should spell out specific benefits to the sponsor.
The next tip is to determine which specific individual is the most appropriate person to approach for sponsorship sales. Often, this information is available on a prospect’s website, or local news of sponsored events may also provide clues about who is the best person to contact. Approaching the true decision-maker increases the chances of closing the sale

05/06/2014

https://employers.indeed.com/candidates/refer?id=162e34e6219daf949927

05/02/2014

School-Business Partnerships That Work: Success Stories from Schools of All Sizes Schools and businesses are working together to benefit students, teachers, and entire communities. Successful partnerships can be found across the grades, in schools large and small. Included: Education Worldâs "Principal Files" principals offer ideas, tips for successful school-business partnerships. In Cincinnati, Ohio, a special business partnership with Cincinnati Bell has transformed Robert A. Taft High School into the Taft Information Technology High School. At Doctors Inlet Elementary School in Middleburg, Florida, U.S. Navy personnel from the VP-62 Squadron in Jacksonville, Florida, drop by every Thursday afternoon to assist students in grades 4 to 6 and to support the school's Math Club. Ed World's P-Files Team Click here for a list of contributors to this article. Then check out some of these other articles from our P-Files Team: * Sixty-Five Ways to Recognize Teachers All Year Long * Classroom Management: Principals Help Teachers Develop Essential Skills * 25 Ways to Motivate Teachers * There's No Sub for a Good Sub Plan! * Data Is Making a Difference in These Schools * Great Staff Meetings: Pointers from Principals * Principals Talk Tech: How Is Technology Integration Going? * Character(istics) Count! -- What Principals Look for When Hiring New Teachers In Elgin, Illinois, Books at Sunset, a small, locally owned bookstore, sponsored a special "Kids Love a Mystery Night" for every student at Harriet Gifford Elementary School who read a mystery during Kids Love a Mystery Month. At Mountain Home Junior High School in Mountain Home, Idaho, a local business supplies award certificates to students caught doing good things. At Doctors Inlet Elementary School in Middleburg, Florida, the school's newest business sponsor, BJ's Wholesale Club, sponsors faculty meeting snacks and provides incentives such as pizza or ice cream for grade levels that do something "outstanding." Those five programs illustrate a wide range of ways in which schools and businesses have combined forces to benefit students, teachers, and entire communities. Any school leader who is not taking advantage of potential business partnerships in and surrounding their community is missing a tremendous opportunity -- an opportunity most businesses are eager to pursue. PARTNERSHIPS BIG AND SMALL North Canton, Ohio, is home to the Hoover Vacuum Company. The community also is home to North Canton Hoover High School, named for the company's founder. The school is the beneficiary of gifts and donations from the company that total in the thousands of dollars each year. "Teachers at the school can apply for grants," principal Tony Pallija told Education World, "and, this year, Hoover Vacuum matched the district's contribution of more than $200,000 to create a state-of-the-art TV studio that just opened." Not every school is fortunate to have such a large company headquartered in its backyard, but that does not mean that every school cannot have partnerships that have a great impact on students. In Huntsville, Alabama, for example, principal Teri Stokes works with a handful of business partners at Weatherly Heights Elementary School. "Last year, our PTA arranged for every staff member to get a bag full of goodies -- tape, markers, paper clips, and the like -- from the local Staples store," said Stokes. "I usually call one of the other school supply stores we use to ask if they might donate some small items to give to teachers because we do so much business with the store," she added. "I don't abuse their generosity, so they are always willing. This year they helped sponsor a speaker for a two-day workshop, so I didn't ask for the small stuff." In addition, Stokes works closely with Bruno's, a local food store chain. Bruno's donates about 60 bananas for the gifted class's Banana Races. (Picture a Pinewood Derby using bananas!) The local store manager even serves as one of the race judges. The teachers at Weatherly Heights also are involved in some non-business partnerships. "Two local churches that have students at our school have 'adopted' us," explained Stokes. "One group provides goodies about once a month for the teacher lounges and they have a special fund to help pay for field trips for kids who can't afford them. A group of retired educators at another church also does special things for the teachers, especially in January, which can be such a blah month." GREAT THINGS FROM SMALL PARTNERSHIPS Principal Joe Corcoran told Education World of the unique partnership between his school, Harriet Gifford Elementary, and Books at Sunset, a nearby bookstore. A teacher arranged that partnership as part of her master's degree coursework. "The store owner, whose children attended our school years ago, was looking to reconnect with us," said Corcoran. "The store is within walking distance to our school, so several classes have taken walking field trips there. While at the store, students participate in interactive literature activities." Corcoran explained how the bookstore and school have teamed up for many other events: At last year's "Kids Love a Mystery Night" at the store, the bookstore's owner arranged to have the local high school's drama class act out short mini mysteries for the students. Students played an interactive role in the skits and had to solve the mystery based on the clues. The bookstore displays students' Young Author stories. It is a real thrill for students to take their parents to the bookstore to see their books on display. During Black History Month, the school paid for an appearance at the bookstore by author Glennette Tilley Turner (Running for Our Lives, Take a Walk in Their Shoes) and the bookstore arranged for the drama students to return to act out skits about famous African-Americans. The bookstore rented out a movie theatre to host a discussion about the movie and book Holes. Families attended the private screening and discussion. "Keeping a partnership requires a lot of communicating," admitted Corcoran, adding, "We have set up a partnership committee among our faculty to ensure this happens." Teachers at Harriet Gifford are also involved in a unique partnership with a church. "Wesley United Methodist Church has adopted our school for a local mission, due to the high number (59 percent) of low-income families who attend our school," said Corcoran. "The church is in the same neighborhood as the school. Ladies of the church prepare and serve meals to our families during our monthly family nights. "Due to church-state issues, they do not preach or recruit families to come to their church," said Corcoran, "but these ladies can make some great dinners and they get joy knowing they are assisting families in need. "Last year at our back-to-school picnic we recognized our appreciation by presenting an award to the church's pastor," said Corcoran. "These are two unique partnerships that add to the school experience of our students," added Corcoran. "It goes to show that you can do some great things with small partnerships and dedicated people." PARTNERSHIPS ARE BIG AT SMALL SCHOOLS TOO No school is too small to take advantage of business partnerships, according to Nancy Jenkins, principal of the 450-student Guin Foss Elementary School in Santa Ana, California. Guin Foss has a handful of community partners. "Mimi's, a local restaurant, provides award certificates for students," Jenkins told Education World, "and, whenever we ask, it offers up to three dozen of its awesome muffins for parent or staff meetings -- at no cost to the school. "We also have partnerships with Target, Office Depot, Albertsons, and Vons," said Jenkins. "When a customer mentions our school, a small percentage of the purchase is sent to us." "Many small local businesses offer certificates for meals, ice cream donations, or small prizes when they are approached by me or one of our school's parent-helpers," added Jenkins. Jill Massa is principal of Warden Elementary School in Warden, Washington. Creating partnerships with businesses can be difficult in small communities such as Warden, where there is only one grocery store, said Massa. However, she noted, schools in small communities should not hesitate to expand their search for business partners to businesses in surrounding communities that are supported by residents of their town. That is a lesson she learned when she was contacted by the Costco store in a nearby town. Costco invited her to send a volunteer to a backpack-stuffing event. "Volunteers stuffed backpacks with lots of goodies," explained Massa, "and schools that sent volunteers got to take away a few of the stuffed backpacks for their neediest students. "As principals, we need to reach out to businesses -- including those businesses that are part of our larger communities -- to see what kinds of programs they might have available or what opportunities for partnering might be created," added Massa. AND DON'T FORGET THE TEACHERS! At Sunny Hollow Elementary School in New Hope, Minnesota, principal Kathy House has arranged with several businesses -- including a Valley Pastries, a local bakery, a TCBY ice cream shop, and McDonald's -- to provide coupons for teacher treats. House hands out the coupons to teachers who have gone above-and-beyond. "Giving a coupon for a free cookie is a nice private way of saying thank you," said House, noting that these special arrangements are a win-win for the school and the local bakery. "The cookie coupon is a win for the bakery because it gets 'free' advertising and most people will buy something in addition to the cookie." House also described a unique partnership that involved workers at a local company as tutors via e-mail. Students e-mailed writing samples and the workers provided feedback. PRINCIPALS DON'T HAVE TO DO ALL THE DOOR-KNOCKING In many communities, principals have written letters, made phone calls, and knocked on doors to forge links to the local business community. But many principals have passed this role on to local organizations or the school parent-teacher association. Principal Larry Anderson has a full plate as principal of Gunther School in North Bellmore, New York; his schedule has not allowed a lot of time for developing substantial business alliances. "However," Anderson told Education World, "I've encouraged my PTA to do so, and it has hooked up with local companies to underwrite some school activities." One of the most successful of those was a promotion at a local Burger King restaurant. The school earned a percentage of the gross receipts on a special night. "The kids collected receipts from customers as they passed through the line and, at the end of the evening, the PTA got a sizeable check," explained Anderson, adding, "This activity was by far the greatest fund-raiser I have witnessed. The PTA is happy and the local Burger King proprietor is thrilled with the good will that is great for its reputation in the neighborhood." At Cedar Heights Junior High School in Port Orchard, Washington, principal Patricia Green considers herself fortunate that the local Kiwanis Club has taken a leadership role in hooking up the school with a few dozen businesses. Many local business leaders are Kiwanis members, who have taken an active role in sponsoring and advising the school's community service club. Green works closely with Kiwanis leaders. Green reports that many businesses open their doors to Cedar Heights' classes and to students who participate in the school's job shadow program. "In addition," she explained, "the local Wal-Mart store sponsors teacher projects and gives a special annual donation to a teacher or classroom. Fred Meyer, another local store, supports a mini grant program for teachers. Both stores are always receptive to requests for classroom supplies, lesson materials, and mentors." Other partnerships involve a local bank, a landscaping company, and the state's ecology management division. Teachers at Cedar Heights have received special training in how to reach out to businesses, Green said. "Some businesses approach us, but most become willing partners when we approach them with a reasonable request to become involved. "We make certain that all of our business partners and other businesses throughout our community regularly receive information about our school," added Green. At Central Fairmount School in Cincinnati, Ohio, assistant principal Bonita Henderson shared a handful of ways in which businesses -- large businesses such as Cincinnati Bell, Proctor & Gamble, General Motors, and countless small businesses such as stores, banks, and law firms -- are actively involved. Partners sponsor transporting busloads of students to arts performances, presenting mock trials, providing copying and printing, setting up student banks within the schools, and many more things, said Henderson. "Our business partners are very active and supportive of our schools," added Henderson. Central Fairmount's special partner is Sara Lee. The staff at Central Fairmount can turn to Sara Lee for any special need they have. "They do whatever we request of them. That might be reading to students, being on a school committee, providing food for meetings or incentives for students" said Henderson. At Central Fairmount, the words "Nobody doesn't like Sara Lee" ring especially true. BUSINESSES EYE THE WORKFORCE OF THE FUTURE In Reseda, California, principal Allan Weiner makes a conscious effort to get businesses involved at Cleveland High School. "We have partnerships with Boeing, Wolfgang Puck, Sony, and others," he reported. "Most business people want to get involved because high school students are their future workforce," Weiner told Education World. To that end, Weiner and his staff have worked to develop a number of programs that aim to interest students in those companies' jobs, including one program with Boeing. "Boeing has an aging workforce and is eager to create working relationships with schools," said Weiner. "We have a job shadow program that started five years ago. Each week, students are picked up by a van paid for by Boeing. They are taken to the plant where they shadow a team that is headed by a mentor. The mentor works hard to build a desire in these youngsters to stay in school and continue their education. "Cleveland High is also home to a number of academies that we have created based upon what we perceive to be the needs of society in the next 20 years," explained Weiner. "I think the best way to get industries and businesses interested in your school is to have courses that support those industries. Advertise that fact and they will come seeking you." Cleveland High's academies include a manufacturing academy focused on metal working skills sought by hundreds of local firms; representatives of those companies come to the school and work with the students. An art academy and a media academy focus on skills related to the entertainment industry, which employs one out of every six workers in the area. "I have several hospitals interested in becoming involved in a health services academy we are starting," added Weiner. "I think every high school would do well to have programs that support the health industry since there is and will always be the need for many workers in this sector." BUT WHAT DO SCHOOLS HAVE TO OFFER BUSINESSES IN RETURN? Principals and PTOs get very creative in the ways they approach businesses. "We solicit by word of mouth, through parents who work for businesses, and through the Chamber of Commerce," said Larry Davis, who is principal at Doctors Inlet Elementary School in Middleburg, Florida. "We approach new businesses as they come into our area, too. We use a form letter that states our commitment to each other. The letter includes a checklist that indicates what the business might be able to do for the school and what we might do for the business." Schools can help and promote businesses in many ways, Davis said. "We can prepare displays of student artwork or writing, invite business personnel to special activities, promote their business through our newsletters or Web site, and shine the spotlight on partnerships at parent-family functions. We have used our communication board in front of the school to thank community businesses for special donations." "Some businesses," Davis explained, "have a permanent display area set aside [in their company] where we advertise upcoming events, display student work, post our character traits for the month, post our "book of the month" or "student of the month" information" Teri Stokes makes an extra effort to say thank you to Weatherly Heights' business partners. "I think it is important for businesses to know they will get something out of our partnership too -- such as recognition in the weekly newsletter, which in our case, is seen by parents of 550 students," said Stokes. "That newsletter is also sent to city council members, school board members, the mayor, and the superintendent, so the business gets known by a wider community than just our parents. When we have large events such as our Fall Festival, the names of businesses that have donated items are posted in the school lobby too. "I have found that most businesses like for you to be specific with what you want," said Stokes. "When we have a specific need I usually post it in our newsletter because I have found parents to be our greatest resource. They will often go to their employers and ask for donations. "We have an ongoing aluminum can recycling project, and many of the businesses where parents are employed save cans for us," added Stokes. Dr. Les Potter, principal at Silver Sands Middle School Port Orange, Florida, has been known to approach potential business partners, but "I think it is very important for a principal to be able to offer something concrete in return to business partners," said Potter. "A partnership cannot be a one-way street with the school always asking. You might have a clear idea of what you can offer them, or you can ask the business partner what they might want in return. I have had partners ask for our choral groups to sing on special occasions and for our "Brain Brawl" club to compete with the partner's best brains in a fun competition" JUST GO OUT AND ASK! "Business partnerships are waiting in the community -- the businesses just need to be asked to help in specific ways," said Patricia Green. "The biggest factor in getting businesses involved is the asking," agreed Allan Weiner. "The worst that can happen is that they say no. Usually businesses are eager to help, and then the work begins." "The best way to go about securing a business partner is to look at the needs of the school and to try to match those needs to what businesses can offer," said Les Potter. "You might need several partners to achieve your goals." "I find that when I take a minute or two to introduce myself to the manager of a local business, and ask if there is any way they might join me in helping the children of the community, they usually can offer something," added Nancy Jenkins. "Most businesses would love to get involved if we would just reach out to them," said Tony Pallija. "The problem is that most of us don't have an avenue for getting together." "Sometimes principals just have to walk around the block and say hello," Pallija added. "They might be surprised to find how many people are out there to help." - See more at: http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/admin/admin323.shtml .5ZEZqKXn.dtBSVNXa.dpuf

School-Business Partnerships That Work: Success Stories from Schools of All Sizes