Ms Exploring business issues

 Exploring Business Issues provides members with the opportunity to research a business topic and present their findings and solutions. This competitive event consists of a presentation component.

Event Overview

Division: Middle School
Event Type: Team of 1, 2 or 3 members
Event Category: Presentation
Event Elements: Presentation with a Topic
Presentation Time: 3-minute set-up time, 7-minute presentation time, 3-minute question & answer time
NACE Connections: Career & Self-Development, Communication, Critical Thinking, Leadership, Professionalism, Teamwork, Technology

Equipment Provided by Competitors: Technology and presentation items

Equipment Provided by FBLA: Table

2023-2024 Topic

The traditional work environment is changing as technology provides employees with the ability to work from anywhere, including from their homes. More Americans are working from home, for longer periods of time. Employees are looking to push companies to break down the long-established structures and policies that traditionally have influenced workdays.

Include answers to the following questions during your presentation:

·         How does this trend positively affect businesses?
·         How does this trend negatively affect businesses?
·         Examples of trends to discuss include collaboration, environmental impact, productivity, etc. (additional points/topics can be added)

District

Check with your District Leader for district-specific competition information.

State

Eligibility

·         FBLA membership dues are paid by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on December 1 of the current school year.
·         Members may compete in an event at the State Leadership Conference (SLC) more than once if they have not previously placed in the top ten of that event at the National Leadership Conference (NLC). If a member places in the top ten of an event at NLC, they are no longer eligible to compete in that event.
·         Members must be registered for the SLC and pay the state conference registration fee in order to participate in competitive events.
·         Members must stay in an official FBLA hotel in order to compete.
·         Each district may be represented by participant(s) based on the Florida FBLA scaled quota system found on the Florida FBLA website.
·         Each competitor can only compete in one individual/team event and one chapter event (Annual Activities, Community Service Project).
·         Each competitor must compete in all parts of an event for award eligibility.
·         Only competitors are allowed to plan, research, prepare, and set up their presentations.
·         If competitors are late for a presentation time, they may be disqualified or placed later in the schedule.  The decision is solely up to the judges.
·         Participants must adhere to the Florida FBLA dress code established by the Florida Board of Directors or they will not be permitted participate in the competitive event.

Recognition

·         The number of competitors will determine the number of winners. The maximum number of winners for each competitive event is 5.

Event Administration

·         This event has two parts: preliminary presentation and final presentation

·         Preliminary Presentation Information

o   Equipment Set-up Time: 3 minutes
o   Presentation Time: 7 minutes (one-minute warning)
o   Question & Answer Time: 3 minutes
o   Internet Access: Not provided
o   The presentation is judged at the SLC. Preliminary presentations may be open to conference attendees if space allows.
o   Competitors/teams are randomly assigned to sections.
o   Competitors present directly from a laptop/device. Screens and projectors are not allowed for use, and competitors are not allowed to bring their own. Power will not be available.
o   Competitors can present with and bring any of the following technology into the presentation as long as it fits on a small table or is held by the competitors:

§  Laptop
§  Tablet
§  Mobile phone
§  External monitor that is approximately the size of a laptop monitor

o   Materials, visual aids, and samples related to the project may be used during the presentation; however, no items may be left with the judges or audience.
o   When the equipment set-up time has elapsed, the timer will automatically start the presentation time.
o   If performing as a team, all team members are expected to actively participate in the presentation.
o   No animals (except authorized service animals) will be allowed for use in any competitive event.
o   Facts and data must be cited and secured from quality sources.

·         Final Presentation Information

o   The above presentation guidelines will be in effect for the final presentation.
o   An equal number of competitors/teams from each section in the preliminary round will advance to the final round. If there are fewer than 15 teams, the final round may be eliminated.

Scoring

·         The preliminary presentation score will determine the finalists.
·         The final presentation score will determine the winners.
·         Judges must break ties. All judges’ decisions are final.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

·         FBLA meets the criteria specified in the Americans with Disabilities Act for all competitors with accommodations submitted through the conference registration system by the registration deadline.

Recording of Presentations

·         No unauthorized audio or video recording devices will be allowed in any competitive event.
·         Competitors in the events should be aware FBLA reserves the right to record any presentation for use in study or training materials.

Penalty Points

·         Competitors may be disqualified if they violate the Competitive Event Guidelines or the Honor Code.

Electronic Devices

·         All electronic devices such as cell phones and watches of any type must not be brought to the testing site.

National

Be sure to see National guidelines at https://www.fbla.org/divisions/fbla-middle-level/competitive-events/