SE4D - Redefining Success

The Business & Tourism department at MSVU is a community of people, experiences, opinions and voices. Our blog will reflect that community with the inclusion of guest bloggers who have stories to share of value to our community.
 
Today, Melissa Gerrow talks about the exciting Student Enterprise Conference coming up this weekend. Melissa is a 4th year BBA student currently completing a Co-op placement within the Department of Business & Tourism. She plays a crucial role helping to organize events including the Caritas Day food drive and this semester's Career Week. 

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Social Enterprise for a Day - Defining a new form of success! 

The Social Enterprise for a Day Conference is right around the corner and I couldn’t be more excited! 

MSVU’s Department of Business and Tourism, along with CEED and the Norman Newman Centre for Entrepreneurship at Dalhousie, have collaborated to create a hands-on, multi-day event to teach students about social enterprise.

On Friday, Feb 3rd and Saturday, Feb 4th, students from Mount Saint Vincent University, Dalhousie University, the Nova Scotia Community College, and some Halifax Regional Municipal High Schools will all be focused on redefining what it means for business enterprises to achieve success. What a fantastic opportunity for networking! Student teams will engage in an intense, but friendly weekend competition. Their goal – to create the best possible social enterprise, one that works on multiple levels: financially, environmentally, and one that invests socially in their region. 

Think Kevin O'Leary meets David Suzuki meets Muhammad Yunus!

Why is social enterprise important? An entrepreneur’s success is generally measured financially, by dollars and return on investment. But social entrepreneurs take a ‘big picture’ perspective, looking at how the outcomes of their ventures improve communities. They consider how a business idea can play a positive role on society and make our world a better place. 

As a business student, it is easy to get lost in the numbers and the rat race of getting ahead of the competition, in earning more revenue or making greater profits. Perhaps this focus is short sighted and we complain about issues within our community when, as potential future entrepreneurs, we could be doing something about them. 

Sometimes the best ideas come from the sources closest to us.  Take our Friday night conference keynote speaker, Mr. Ben Barry as an example. He was only 14 years old when he started his modeling agency in his parents basement, all because a friend of his was told she was “too big” to be a model.

Challenging this barrier, Mr. Barry took matters into his own hands. He began sending out her photos, building a business around the images of real women. That is how the successful Ben Barry Agency developed to now have a client list that includes: Holt Renfrew, The Gap, Macys, and Armani. Mr. Barry has won a laundry list of awards including, the CIBC Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award and the Governor General’s Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case for his leadership in advancing the equality of Canadian women. He has also been the spotlight of many conversations around business and social matters, including interviews with Fashion Television, CNN, and Oprah Winfrey. 

I am ready to be inspired by Mr. Barry’s journey. It’s not every day I get to meet a successful business and fashion icon- not to mention meet someone who is been on the Oprah Winfrey Show!  

“The best part about being successful is you can carry forth your ethics and values and let them make an impact on the world you live in. And when you see their impact taking effect, that’s what’s incredible and that’s a cool job.” 

–Ben Barry, speaking on the Oprah Winfrey Show

Mr Barry will kick off Social Enterprise for a Day Conference this Friday night. After that, the students will be divided into groups to compete against each other for the best social enterprise idea. Putting our heads together on Friday night, we are bound to come up with some great ideas. On Saturday, we get to hit the streets of Halifax, putting our social enterprise concepts into action! At the end of the day, we meet back at Mount Saint Vincent University for the judging and a debriefing.

This weekend will be exciting and energizing. I know there will be lots to learn. I know that I’ll meet some great people, and I’m positive that everyone will have a lot of fun.

This conference is an event that you don’t want to miss!

Want to follow along with all the action? Look up #SE4D on Twitter for all the action. 

Submitted by Melissa Gerrow

BBA Co-op

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Do you have a story you would like to share with the B&T community? We would love to hear from you: students, faculty, alumni or any community stakeholders connected to the program. Drop us an email with your idea!

Guest Post: The Value of Caritas Day

The Business & Tourism department at MSVU is a community of people, experiences, opinions and voices. Our blog will reflect that community with the inclusion of guest bloggers who have stories to share of value to our community.
 
Today's guest blogger is Jessica Skinner, a 2nd year BBA student. Jessica currently is the Co-President of the Business & Tourism Society at MSVU. They are planning a series of upcoming events this spring; you can follow all of their news on Twitter at @MSVUBTSociety.

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Caritas Day - Being Part of Something Big

When Mount students hear “Caritas Day” most think of the free day off, or the annual ski trip associated with the day. This was not the case for me, or the almost 200 students and faculty members that spent their day volunteering and giving back to the community.

Wednesday morning, I arrived at Vinnie’s bright and early, my head still in a bit of a fog due to the early hour. However, as I walked in, I was immediately taken aback by the amount of students that had come to participate! When I was greeted with fresh fruit, croissants, muffins and delicious warm coffee, I knew right away that the day would be memorable.

This is my second year participating in the Caritas Day activities put on by the MSVU Business & Tourism Department - it certainly will not be my last. Caritas Day is a day for Mount students to give back to the community, as per Mount tradition, and to reflect on our own personal lives while doing so.

After enjoying breakfast and engaging in lighthearted chatter, I was excited to see what we would be doing. Everyone broke into groups and either participated in a food drive, workshop, or working with the Sisters of Charity to make meals for a local homeless shelter. I knew that I wanted to go door-to-door for the food drive and was happy when I was picked to go. After we were given maps and assigned team leaders, we were off!

Going door-to-door is a very humbling experience. Going out into the community and talking with residents as well as collecting items for our on campus food bank was so much fun. The compassion and generosity was contagious and my spirits were lifted as our bags became filled. New friends were made and eyes were opened, especially when I realized that a lot of the people we were speaking with were probably in just as much need as those we were collecting for. The warm smiles that greeted us made me feel so proud of my school as well as my community.

When I arrived back at Vinnie’s, my heart filled with even more pride when I saw how much food we collected for our students in need. I was so proud of my fellow students as well as the university I attend. We are given such an amazing learning opportunity at the Mount and should cherish it.

I feel incredibly blessed to live where I do, and to have everything available to me when I need it. From day to day, we seem to forget that there are people in our classes, our schools, and communities that need help.

I wish that Caritas Day were more than just one day a year. I wish that more students took the time to volunteer and to appreciate what they have, as well as to contribute to a greater cause of giving back. I vaguely remember this feeling from last year, and wish that I had held on to it longer. I resolve that this year, I will do more. I will volunteer more, and I will reflect more often. I won’t take anything that I have for granted and I will give back to my community. 

As a Mount student and a Caritas Day volunteer, I truly am becoming part of something BIG!

Submitted by Jessica Skinner

BBA Co-op

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Do you have a story you would like to share with the B&T community? We would love to hear from you: students, faculty, alumni or any community stakeholders connected to the program. Drop us an email with your idea!

Caritas Day 2012

This Wednesday, we are once again celebrating Caritas Day at the Mount. 

The annual day of giving was established by the Sisters of Charity in response to the incredible community response and support after the campus fire in 1951. ‘Caritas’ aptly means providing selfless love & compassion for one’s neighbours; it is a day to break from our classes and give back to our community in both intent and action.

Last year, over 60 students and faculty from the Business & Tourism department volunteered their time and effort in service. We made sandwiches & cookies for local homeless shelters. As well, we ran a food drive that filled our own on-campus food bank.

This year, we’re back at it again! Here’s the PLAN:

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.—Free Breakfast at Vinnie’s Pub in Rosaria Student Centre

10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.—Volunteer Activities (more info below)

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.—Free Pizza Lunch at Vinnie’s Pub in Rosaria Student Centre

Half of the volunteers will complete a door-to-door food drive in the area in support of the Mount Students Union Food Bank which assists Mount students in need. The second half of the volunteers will visit the Sisters of Charity Centre and volunteer with the Sisters and staff to prepare food for a local Halifax homeless shelter or participate in a workshop on volunteerism.

If you cannot participate in this event, we ask that you please drop off a non-perishable food item to the MSVU Food Resource Center (Rosaria—Information Desk) during the week of January 23-27.

For more information or to RSVP to this event please email us at business@msvu.ca.

Also: Don’t forget to sign up on the top, right hand side of this blog and have all the updates land right in your mailbox!  You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.  

Guest Post: Scottish Experience

The Business & Tourism department at MSVU is a community of people, experiences, opinions and voices. Our blog will reflect that community with the inclusion of guest bloggers who have stories to share of value to our community.
 
Today's guest blogger is Lauren AuCoin, a second year BBA student. Lauren had the opportunity to spend her fall semester studying in Scotland as part of the European Union Mobility Program. She is a 2011 Fame Award of Excellence Recipient, earning the Stephen Phillips Passion for Hospitality Bursary from the Hotel Association of Canada.

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My Scottish Experience

Four weeks prior to my unexpected departure, I was given the unique opportunity to study abroad in Scotland for one semester. With considerable financial assistance provided, this European Union Mobility Program focused on sustainable tourism with a transatlantic perspective.

I spent ten weeks studying at Scottish Agriculture College (SAC) in the west of Scotland, concentrating on rural business development within Great Britain’s tourism industry. SAC’s hands-on learning approach allows students to acquire skills and concepts with an emphasis on experience opposed to a curriculum solely comprised of classroom lectures. This educational experience provided me with knowledge of the role of tourism in international settings, specifically areas of Europe. As well, I gained a greater appreciation for the importance of business diversification in rural areas that are primarily used for agricultural purposes.

In the circumstance of any foreign exchange, I had to adapt to a country with a set of values, behaviours and language that varied from my own. I believe it is these instances in life that not only contribute to a well-rounded academic breadth, but also teach us about our character in situations outside our regular comfort zone.

When not studying in Ayr, I was fortunate to travel throughout Europe. Reaching five other European countries, I experienced a taste of diversity within cultures, customs and standards of communication. From skiing in the Swiss Alps to drinking my first Guinness in Dublin to walking through five million Christmas lights in Sweden, these adventures allowed me to gain a deeper appreciation of variation among cultures while observing the importance of tourism internationally.

Being a student and optimistic young employee of the tourism industry, I believe that travelling and seeing the world is significant to this field in particular to gain a better insight into our world’s diversity. This program allowed me to challenge myself in various aspects of both my education and self as an individual. As a business and tourism student, this prospect has introduced me to a greater comprehension of the tourism and travel industry on an international level. Although I am unsure of where my career will lead me, I am confident that this opportunity has opened doors to new ways of thinking and learning and has led to a greater understanding of how I can positively impact the future of tourism.

Submitted by Lauren AuCoin

BBA

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Do you have a story you would like to share with the B&T community? We would love to hear from you: students, faculty, alumni or any community stakeholders connected to the program. Drop us an email with your idea!

Time to look ahead!

With the holiday break behind us and a new semester well underway, this is a great time to pause and look ahead. 

Every January leads to a refreshed check-list, new resolutions and personal goals. For some, this semester may be a time to focus on being a more engaged Mount student or community member. For others, including graduates, securing employment for the summer and after convocation is top of mind. 

So what are you planning to accomplish this semester? Whatever the goal – the faculty and staff in the Business and Tourism department want to see you succeed, so what would we recommend? 

1. One Hour – Spend one hour to decide what you want to do this semester. Map out your goals by starting with your class schedule. Identify times where you can focus on the things you want to do both inside and outside of class. 
2. ‘Save the Date’ for activities and events that you want to get involved with. We’re planning a number of events you’ll want to be part of: Caritas Day event on January 25; Social Enterprise for a Day on Feb 3-4 and Career Week from March 5^th to 9^th  are just three examples.
3. Stay on Track – Do this by touching base with key people in your areas of focus such as your academic advisor, mentor or faculty member.

This semester will fly by fast, so it’s important that you take a little time now to avoid the crunch time when things get hectic. Stay tuned to the Business and Tourism department here, through Twitter (@MSVU_Business and @MSVU_Tourism) and Facebook (Mount Busi Tourism). Of course, you can always just drop by our office if you have questions or want to chat! 

We wish you the best of luck this semester, and look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events!

Dr. Peter Mombourquette
Chair of the Department of Business and Tourism