FACS: Chill Tie--Free Enterprise (Mktg)

Summary

This is a free-enterprise project that teaches the marketing process, using basic sewing skills.

Materials

Materials as described in the attachments.

Background for Teachers

Students love this free-enterprise experience. They will need to be taught basic sewing skills prior to this experience. Instructions for the chill ties should be given to the students to incorporate in their marketing department. The instructions are: To rehydrate this chill tie, spread the crystals evenly throughout the tie. Soak the chill tie in cold water for 20-25 minutes. After soaking, set the chill tie on a towel to drain excess water. When it is hydrated, the chill tie can be placed around the neck or forehead. It will help keep you cool an entire day. To rehydrate the chill tie, place it in cold water for about 5 minutes. Before storing the chill tie, dehydrate it completely. This will take approximately seven days.

Student Prior Knowledge

Students must know the basics of sewing prior to this experience.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students will learn how a free-enterprise system works.

Students will apply basic sewing skills to make a product.

Instructional Procedures

DAY 1

PRODUCT

1. In order for students to learn the principles of marketing, have all students be involved in a market research survey of some type. Example: Find out what the target population's concept is of a chill tie; what qualities about the tie would cause them to purchase it, what price they would be willing to pay, where they would like to obtain the tie, etc. (See sample Research Survey)
2. Modification or decisions about the product can be made from the results of the survey, i.e. color, size, etc.

DAY 2PROMOTION

1. Have the students summarize the results of their surveys on the Product Worksheet. From this worksheet they can determine the best way to promote and price their item.
2. All students should involved with this process and the results turned over to the Promotion Department.

DAY 3-6 PRODUCTION/PROMOTION

1. Assign students to various departments (See Attachment: Chill Tie Departments) and have them follow the instructions and the proper routing procedures (See Attachment: Chill Tie Routing)
2. Complete the product and the total free-enterprise experience with each department doing its job. (Suggestions for number of students in each department for a class of 30 is: Delivery -- 1; Marketing (Promotion) -- 7; Sewing -- 6; Turning -- 1; Point -- 1; Crystal -- 2; Quality Control -- 1; Tracing -- 1; Cutting -- 2; Pressing -- 3; Hand-sewing -- 2; Packaging -- 3)

DAY 7PLACE

1. Process the activity after it is over.
2. If distribution is necessary, decide how to get the item to those buying it. Utilize the 7 Sales Step Process to allow students an opportunity to role play the experience (see Maketing Definitions under teach background)
3. Review the 4 Ps and how they help make decisions about selling the chill tie. Use the worksheet The Four Ps (see attachments) to reinforce the concepts if desire.
   
   

   Bibliography

   This activity was designed by Tana Hall.