Competitive Events

(01) Fundamental Accounting  tested/individual  (special permission)
Assessment of entry-level basic accounting principles utilizing manual procedures. Students analyze, journalize, and post transactions and prepare financial reports/statements.

(02) Advanced Accounting  tested/individual  (special permission)
Interpret and analyze sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporate, financial accounting data using manual methods.

(06) Fundamental Spreadsheet Applications (Excel)  tested/individual  (FSS/FSJ/IFS)
Create and design spreadsheet applications that include variables, reports, and formats. Students enter and format data, enter and copy formulas, and print full documents or cell contents.

(07) Advanced Spreadsheet Applications (Excel)  tested/individual  (FSS)
Develop effective solutions to business problems using many of the advanced features within the Microsoft Excel skill standards for the MOS Spreadsheet Expert Exam.

(08) Banking & Finance  tested/individual  (FSS/FSJ/IFS)
Demonstrate and apply fundamental knowledge of the banking industry. This entry-level event tests the student‘s knowledge of bank operations, bank services, loans, credit administration, and customer service.

(09) Financial Analyst Team  judged/team  (FSS/special permission)
Use analytical and problem solving skills to make decisions and recommendations using financial reports, both internal and external. The team analyzes and interprets computer reports from a business case study.

(10) Economic Research Project Individual  judged/individual  (FSS/FSJ/IFS)
One economic research topic is selected by the National Business Professionals of America and provided at the beginning of the school year. The student will conduct research on the topic and present findings in a research paper, an oral presentation, and respond to questions from a panel of judges.

TOPIC: For many years the US government has funded many initiatives and entitlements by borrowing money. As a result, the national debt has increased significantly. What will be the economic impacts of balancing the federal budget? Your research project can include but is not limited to the following: What programs or initiatives will/could be impacted by a balanced budget and why? How would the government go about creating a balanced budget? If states can operate successfully with balanced budgets, what makes it difficult for the US government to do the same? What changes were or will be necessary for a significant recovery from the economic impact?

TOPIC: The purpose of taxes is to generate revenue to allow government to provide services to citizens that they cannot easily provide on their own. If the government chose to reduce taxes by eliminating some selected services, what would be some suggestions on what services could be candidates for elimination and what would the impact be to the average citizen? Your research project can include but is not limited to the following: Services provided by the states vs. US government; Services that are currently being done by the government that could now be done by private enterprise; Services that may have been needed in the past but no longer are required in today's economy; Services that citizens no longer want.

(20) Keyboarding Production (Word) tested/individual  (IFS)
Evaluate entry-level skills in keyboarding and document production.

(21) Fundamental Word Processing Skills (Word)  tested/individual  (FSJ)
Evaluate fundamental skills in word processing and document production.

(22) Advanced Word Processing Skills (Word)  tested/individual  (FSS)
Evaluate advanced level skills in word processing and document production.

(24) Desktop Publishing (Publisher, Word)  tested/individual  (FSS/FSJ/IFS)
Evaluate knowledge and skills in using desktop publishing software to create a variety of business documents.

(31) Administrative Support Research Project Individual  judged/individual   (FSS/FSJ/IFS)
One administrative support topic is selected by National Business Professionals of America and provided at the beginning of the school year. Students will conduct research on the topic and present findings in a research paper, an oral presentation, and respond to questions from a panel of judges.

TOPIC: Research and discuss changes in technology being used in today's office compared to past years. Topics may include but are not limited to: Word Processing; HVAC; Ergonomics; Photocopying; Interoffice mail; Equipment; Telephone systems and usage; Communication Systems; Hand held devices; Telecommuting; Video Conferencing; Scheduling; Work stations/cubicles. Please do not include all of these topics in your report. These are recommended topics that are not required.

TOPIC: Students-On-The Go is a for-profit student exchange program that places students from other counties in the homes of American students for an 11-month period each school year and places American students abroad as well. The cost of the program is paid by the students and their families. Currently only students from Europe and the United States are eligible. Because of their success, Students-On-The Go would like to expand to increase volumes and profits. Your firm has been hired to provide a marketing plan for the expansion in the domestic market (United States) and a vision for future global expansion in one country of your choice. Be prepared to justify the country you have chosen from a marketing standpoint.

(61) Entrepreneurship  judged/individual   (FSS/FSJ/IFS)
Develop an operating plan and organizational structure to initiate a small business. Competitors are to assume they are presenting their business plan to potential investors at a bank with the objective of securing financing for their business venture.

(62) Small Business Management Team  judged/team   (FSS/FSJ/IFS)
The team will use strategic planning and problem-solving skills to provide solutions to the business case study provided. At State and National level, teams will be presented with an additional element to the scenario that requires revision of their final presentation.

TOPIC: Three mid-level managers have recently been laid off from their positions at a major high-end retailer, due to downsizing. They have decided to branch out on their own and open a small fashion accessories boutique for men and women called About You! They wish to develop their business in Chicago, IL. They are not sure what products to offer in their boutique and are asking your consulting firm to develop a product line for the store opening and products to include for future expansion. The mid-level managers have set up an appointment to meet with the Small Business Administration (SBA) to seek assistance and financing in opening this business venture. Each mid-level manager has $50,000 in severance monies and savings they plan to use. The former managers will need to request a loan from the SBA to move forward with their business. For their meeting with the SBA, they were asked to develop the following ideas/items: Anticipated Budget; Anticipated Needs-Employees, Equipment, Supplies, etc.; Anticipated Revenue and Costs; Promotional Mix; Need for Business of This Type; Identity of Target Market; Determine the Loan Amount to Request from the SBA; As a team of consultants, your job is to provide the entrepreneurs the needed information assisting them during their presentation to the SBA. Use your creativity and expertise to provide as much information and guidance as possible: Where will the business be located? What type of competition will they encounter? Research current retail trends in their market. Analyze the shopping patterns of their target market. Recommend strategies for online sales. Develop an anticipated budget for the first year, including such things as salaries, rent, supplies, advertising, etc. What are some of the ways About You can grow its business in the next year? In the next five years? What are your recommendations for items to include making About You a unique and special men's and women's boutique? What can these entrepreneurs do to convince the SBA to assist their business venture by providing a loan?

TOPIC: Develop a flyer and logo promoting the Business Professionals of America National Leadership Conference in Orlando, FL, May 8-12, 2013.

(64) Interview Skills  judged/individual   (FSJ/IFS)
Assess proficiency in job search and interview situations.

(65) Advanced Interview Skills  judged/individual   (FSS)
Assess advanced proficiency in job search, interview situations, and portfolio development.

(66) Extemporaneous Speech  judged/individual   (FSS/FSJ/IFS)
Demonstrate communication skills in arranging, organizing, and effectively presenting information orally without prior knowledge of the topic.

TOPIC: The contestant will draw two different business topics and will select either one. The topics may deal with Business Professionals of America, office situations, the business world, etc. The contestant will be provided ten minutes to develop the topic. Notes will be made on the note card provided by the event proctor. No materials or previously prepared notes will be allowed into the preparation or presentation room with the contestant. The length of the speech will be 3-5 minutes.

TOPIC: The contestant will be given a human resource management scenario. The scenario may deal with office situations, workplace issues, legal matters, etc. The contestant will be provided 30 minutes to develop the presentation. Notes will be made on the note card provided by the event proctor. Only the Human Resources Manual, along with one note card for notetaking, may be used in the preparation and presentation rooms. The contestant will speak before a panel of judges and a timekeeper.

(68) Prepared Speech  judged/individual   (FSS/FSJ/IFS)
Demonstrate communication skills in securing, arranging, organizing, and presenting information orally.

TOPIC: Each contestant is to select a topic related to business, entrepreneurship, or Business Professionals of America, and develop a 5-7 minute oral presentation.

TOPIC: Your school is planning to recognize one club or extra circular activity to highlight at an upcoming assembly as a model of what students do outside the classroom. The school's administration will review a presentation to be made by each organization and will select accordingly. You are to develop a presentation using both print and broadcast media that highlights BPA and the activities you and you chapter experience. You should provide an overview of BPA in general and then highlight one activity in BPA to use as a detailed example of a BPA's value. Some things to consider: BPA has many components; Ways that BPA is valuable to students preparing for business; Include both print and broadcast media in your presentation.

(70) Presentation Management Team  judged/team   (FSS/FSJ/IFS)
Assess use of current desktop technologies and software to prepare and deliver an effective multimedia presentation.

TOPIC: Many colleges and professional certification programs have recently been offering their courses on-line as a means to both increase enrollment and to make it more convenient for students to be able to take classes at times that fit into their schedules. Create a multi-media presentation that encourages school administration to develop a pilot of on-line classes within your school. You should include but are not limited to: The benefits to students and staff in the flexibility of class scheduling; The benefits to administration of the cost of course development and execution (actual teaching); The benefits of tailoring courses to specific student requirements or expectations; The disadvantages of students not being in a traditional classroom setting and how these disadvantages could be overcome; Recommendations on what class(s) would be candidates for the pilot.

There are also several "Open Events" that you may consider taking to test your skills. However, these events will not qualify you for State/Nationals. Please ask your advisor for more information.