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November 10, 2005
Next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs will know their marketing.
First let me get the bragging over with: my daughter was just elected president of her high school’s DECA program (Go Polars!). Of course, she’s got an unfair advantage – her old man. (This is a smiley-free zone.) Anyway, what a great program! DECA is basically regular high school and college curriculum that’s all about marketing, management and entrepreneurship; plus it’s competitive, like mock trial or the debate team. They’re writing and delivering speeches, creating ad campaigns, developing PR plans and pitching products. They take it very seriously. It’s like having your kid in another sport. Okay . . . it’s more like a cult.
Kids these days! Many of the top students are in DECA, even if their aspirations are med school or engineering. They already know that a surgeon or a rocketeer will do even better and go farther if they know how to present and market their stuff. You’ll actually see football jocks co-mingling with chemistry geeks and high-fiving each other. (Someone could get hurt!) For us PR types, it will mean a new generation of communications- and marketing-savvy management.
And they’re not just aiming for that all-inclusive-A. They put their hearts into it. The Minnesota awards event is like a young entrepreneurs rock fest. You’ve never seen so many young adults dressed in suits and dresses cheering for their team members and schools. Makes our local PRSA awards event look pretty tame.
Now, as a word-welder with a single E degree (English), I’m all for liberal arts, but man I wish my high school had DECA when I was there. Parents, if your kids aren’t already there, consider encouraging them to get into the program . . . and then get involved yourselves. Agencies and businesses should consider supporting the local or national programs; it’s a good way to meet tomorrow’s elite. These are kids who know how to compete, think on their feet and work with a hybrid team of schmoozers, geeks and geniuses. Sound like business?
Bob Brin
Posted by Bob Brin at November 10, 2005 11:38 AM