Tips &
Suggestions
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ENSC300:
Tips & Suggestions |
These are various tips and suggestions designed to make the life of the hard working Engineering student more pleasurable:
There is one main website with links to various external articles and information (the most frequent links are to a general "business basics" website maintained by Mike at http://www.sfu.ca/~mvolker/biz/.)
Pages are updated often. If you can't find a link that you are looking for here, please report it to me ASAP at mike@risktaker.com.
TIP: Use the Virtual U conference feature for raising questions on topics you read about.
NB: The assignments are cumulative. It is imperative that teams complete these as scheduled. Ask now**, if you have any questions - don't wait until the end! The project will be graded at the end of the term.
(**Note: the Instructor and the T.A. are available to you as advisors...but to encourage a discipline of keeping your work current, they will only answer questions on current assignments.)
Your team should comprise members who do not know each other well. It is good to learn to work in a new team with unfamiliar people. Choose a simple high-tech gadget type of product (invent something!). Don't make it too complex! It must be a product, not a service. It should be a "real" product which has a clearly identifiable market (i.e. user/buyer) and which has some unique (better than something already available) features. Electronic gadgets serve this purpose well. Applications software would also be acceptable.
SUGGESTION: Since the group assignments are optional, you will need to impose on yourselves a certain degree of discipline so that you actually submit assignments from time to time for feedback. If you do not do this, you may regret it later - because you will run out of time towards the end of the course to make updates and adjustments. Besides, you don't need the extra stress!
ASSIGNMENTS
Only one individual assignment will be given out during the course. This will not be onerous. You may do additional assignments if you wish - this will undoubtedly count in your favor - not only grade-wise but also because of your own personal self-actualization and enlightenment.
All project and assignment submissions must adhere to a proper business style - i.e. no chicken scratch on loose leaf pages. Instead, a printed memo format with appropriate headings (same as used in business), dates, etc. is expected. Late submissions will absolutely not be accepted after the fact. However, prior arrangements (by notification and confirmation at least 2 days prior to due date) may be made in exceptional circumstances. Submission instructions will be found in the on-line syllabus.
In the past, I have given sample questions to help students prepare for the tests. What I found puzzling is this: very few students ask me anything relating to these sample questions. I suspect that either they knew all the answers and had no questions or perhaps were reluctant to ask for fear of pestering me. May I remind you: This is your course. Please do not hesitate to take advantage of the resources available to you. With email and phone technology, there should be to problem with communications - at least not technically. Although I will not "give" you my answers to the sample questions, I will be delighted in assisting you in obtaining answers to your questions. Don't be shy!
1. to give you an incentive to read the Report on Business regularly
2. to ensure strong attendance and participation
Email is normally the best way to keep in touch. Please use mike@risktaker.com to contact me. If you send emails, avoid attachments. Links to your website would be preferable. Ask your questions directly in the email message. If you'd like a complete assignment reviewed, let's discuss it together. (i.e. please don't give me a bunch of pages for general review - ask for specific guidance). But - in any case - don't hesitate to phone me if you don't hear back within 48 hours (the lines are open - Sorry no "800" calls!).
Carpe Diem!