The Stuff’n Mallows Collegiate Challenge Competition

College Instructors/Professors,

Think about incorporating the Stuff’n Mallows Challenge, Collegiate Challenge Competition sponsored by The Center for Retailing Solutions (CRS) into your Fall/Spring courses. This is the fourth annual competition and we are excited that more teams “play” each year. The first prize is $1,000 for the winning team and the second, $500.

This year Stuff’n Mallows (gourmet marshmallows, www.stuffnmallows.com) is sponsoring the competition. The Stuff’n Mallows Collegiate Challenge is designed to solve a problem for Stuff’n Mallows that entails developing a plan that will help expand their manufacturing business. The company sells to specialty food retailers and high end food markets. This is a great class assignment for marketing, retailing, entrepreneurship or small business management courses.

The competition can be incorporated into Fall 2014 and/or Spring 2015 semesters. Teams are eligible to submit their entries in the Fall (2014) or Spring (2015). Deadline for the paper submission is March 16, 2015. The competition will take place Thursday, April 9, 2015 at Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA. Each school or branch may submit up to 3 teams. Last year some of the colleges ran a local competition and then sent their top teams to the final competition. The competition will be judged on the written plan, and the presentation of the paper.

Click here to download the rules for the competition.


If you have any questions, please contact Denise T. Ogden , Ph.D., from the Center for Retailing Solutions and Penn State (dto2@psu.edu).

Sorrelli Challenge Update

Hello Marketing Faculty

Think about incorporating the Sorrelli Challenge, Collegiate Challenge Competition sponsored by The Center for Retailing Solutions (CRS) into your Spring courses.

This year Sorrelli (jewelry, www.sorrelli.com) is sponsoring the competition. The Sorrelli Collegiate Challenge is designed to solve a problem for Sorrelli that entails developing a plan that will help expand their retail business. This is a great class assignment for marketing, retailing, entrepreneurship or small business management courses.

The competition spans Fall 2013 and Spring 2014. Teams are eligible to submit their entries in the Fall (2013) or Spring (2014). Deadline for the paper submission is March 14, 2014. The competition will take place Thursday, April 3, 2014 at Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA. Each school or branch may submit up to 3 teams. Last year some of the colleges ran a local competition and then sent their top teams to the final competition. The competition will be judged on the written plan, and the presentation of the paper.

A few professors reported obstacles with students visiting the physical store. Based on this feedback, the rules were changed as follows:

As part of the competition, it is expected that each team will visit the Sorrelli Flagship Store, either formally or informally.

Addendum October 2, 2013. If the entire team can’t come to the store, one person from the team can represent the team. If travelling is an obstacle for the students, a Sorrelli representative can visit the class. Contact Rebecca Niebel to request a class visit.

There is also an update that Sorrelli wanted to share for any teams:

Update: Sorrelli is scheduled to open another store:

Sorrelli Store #2, Montclair, NJ, Tentative Grand Opening - mid-November 2013

The storefront is on a Church Street in Montclair with other retail stores including both mom-and-pop boutiques and national brands such as Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters and LuluLemon in the neighborhood. This area of Montclair is known for its high amount of foot traffic and many wonderful restaurants.

These changes are reflected in the updated case/rules (attached). The top team will get $1,000 and a ‘traveling’ trophy that will be housed at the winner’s school. The second-place team will be awarded $500.

Click here to download the rules for the competition. If you have any questions, please contact Denise T. Ogden , Ph.D., from the Center for Retailing Solutions and Penn State (dto2@psu.edu).

The Sorrelli Collegiate Challenge

The Center for Retailing Solutions (CRS) is pleased to announce the The Annual Collegiate Challenge competition, sponsored by a Pennsylvania company.  The Sorrelli Collegiate Challenge is designed to solve a problem for Sorrelli that entails developing a plan that will help expand their  retail business.  Sorrelli is a family-owned jewelry design company founded in 1983 and based in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. Sorrelli jewelry is handcrafted from genuine semi-precious stones and high-quality Austrian crystals.  This is a great class assignment for marketing, retailing, entrepreneurship or small business management courses. 

The top team will get $1,000 and a ‘traveling’ trophy that will be housed at the winner’s school.  The second-place team will be awarded $500.  Last year Kutztown University won the traveling trophy. 

The competition will span Fall 2013 and Spring 2014.  Teams are eligible to submit their entries in the Fall (2013) or Spring (2014). Deadline for the paper submission is March 14, 2014.   The competition will take place Thursday, April 3, 2014 at Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA. Each school or branch may submit up to 3 teams.  Last year some of the colleges ran a local competition and then sent their top teams to the final competition.   The competition will be judged on the written plan, and the presentation of the paper. 

If you have any questions, please contact Denise T. Ogden , Ph.D., from the Center for Retailing Solutions and Penn State (dto2@psu.edu). Click here to download the rules for the competition.

2013 Target Collegiate Challenge

AREA UNIVERSITIES DO BATTLE

They came ready and willing to tilt at windmills and tilt they did as five teams from area universities competed in the 2013 Center for Retailing Solutions (CRS) “Target Challenge”. On Tuesday, April 2, 2013, teams of student warriors from Penn State – Lehigh Valley, Penn State – Berks and Kutztown University battled for the CRS Challenge Traveling Trophy and $1,000 cash for first place. The competition was held in the Multipurpose room of the McFarland Student Union on the Kutztown University of Pennsylvania campus.

Kutztown proved too much for the other contenders as the team Direct Hit Marketing Solutions took home the trophy. Members of the team, Lillian Daly, Chris Rossi and Shane Puhlman under the guidance of Dr. James R. (Doc) Ogden generated an award-winning plan to help reduce retail shrinkage for the Target Corporation. Amy Lauricella, a senior field campus recruiter for Target, in conjunction with CRS Board Members Dr. Denise T. Ogden (Penn State – Lehigh Valley) and Jennifer Seagraves (a Target Representative on the CRS Board) developed an in-depth case study in regard to store shrinkage. The universities were provided the case study and the students developed wonderful plans that addressed this critical issue. Ms. Lauricella commented “…the cases the students created were amazing and in-line with some of the initiatives Target Corporation has undertaken to address the issue”.

One of the winning team members was asked why he got involved in the competition. His reply, “Doc Ogden asked me, and when Doc asks, you answer”. The second place award of $500.00 went to the Kutztown University team “Bullseye” made up of two students; Alyssa Graham and George Markert. The Penn State – Lehigh Valley teams TEAM PSULV and K.E.T. Consulting were made up of Steven Salloum, Tim Padilla, Corey Graffin and Colin Coleman (TEAM PSULV) and Ken Jancowicz, Elias Rabeh, and Tiffany Miller (K.E.T. Consulting). Penn State – Berks brought students Allison Wennell, Jace Mickley and Tia Miller (The Bulls Eye Experience). Penn State- Berks was guided by faculty members Professors Ada Leung and Jim SHankweiler; Penn State – Lehigh Valley was coached by Dr. Denise T. Ogden and the two KU teams were under the guidance of Dr. J.R. (Doc) Ogden.

We’re thrilled to have such great companies sponsoring the event. We’re always looking for new sponsors as well. For information about the Center and the competition, please visit the website www.centerforretailingsolutions.org

Background: 

The Target Collegiate Challenge is designed to solve a problem for Target Stores that deals with reducing shortages in electronics and entertainment. The top team will get $1,000 and a ‘traveling’ trophy that will be housed at the winner’s school. The second team will be awarded $125/person. Everyone participating will get a certificate.

The competition will span Fall 2012 and Spring 2013. Teams are eligible to submit their entries in the Fall or Spring. Deadline for the paper submission is March 15. The competition will take place April 2, 2013 at Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA. Each school or branch may submit up to 3 teams. Last year some of the colleges ran a local competition and then sent their top teams to the final competition. This is a great class or club (e.g. SIFE, Business Clubs) project! The competition will be judged on the written plan, and the presentation of the paper.

The details of the Challenge are available through this link. We think presenting students with real business problems and having them develop solutions to those problems will help them bridge the gap between academics and the business world.

2013 Events

Mel & El: Bridesmaids Meets Glee

Mel & El combine comedy and music to create a unique show sure to please. The award-­winning duo has appeared at Gotham Comedy Club in New York City. The Village Voice lauds, “We haven’t had so much fun since seventh-­grade sleepovers.” Join these real-­life best friends for a night of laughs as they perform their hit stage show at Kutztown University's Alumni Auditorium located in the McFarland Student Union Building.Visit Mel and El's website to see upcoming event dates and preview some of their hilarious videos.  www.melandel.com

March 26 @ 7:30 p.m.
and
May 1 @ 7:30 p.m.

Turnip Stampede

Turnip Stampede is based out of Syracuse, NY. The band consists of John McConnell on rhythm guitar/vocals, Max McKee on bass/vocals, Adam Fisher on lead guitar/vocals, and Kinyatta King on the drums. The four come together to form an idiosyncratic mixture, combining everything from jazz, funk, blues, and rock. The band creates creates creating an uplifting atmosphere of sound and feel that moves the mind and body of all who listen. Come join the band as they play songs from their newest album Can You Hear What This Looks Like? Close your eyes and listen as the Turnip Stampede creates a beautiful tapestry in your mind.

Event info: 7pm at MSU at Kutztown University on March 30th.

Hosted by CRS and AAF of Kutztown.

Opening Minds© Productions and TDOG© Entertainment In association with The Center for Retailing Solutions at Kutztown University

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PRESENT

Ghost in the House©

STARRING ERNIE HUDSON

 

Friday, February 8th, 2013 at 8 p.m. at the Tompkins College Center at Cedar Crest College

Synopsis: “Ghost in the House” is a 90-minute one-man narrative play about America’s first African-American Heavy Weight Champion. Join Ernie Hudson as he portrays an elderly Jack Johnson looking back on his life, specifically the impact of racism on his career. The play is a collaboration between Ernie Hudson and director Frank Megna.

Consumer trust is hard won, and easily lost

Consumer trust is something that every business owner strives for because it is a surefire way to ensure their loyalty to your business. However, trust is not something that is easy to establish, and it can be lost in the blink of an eye. Customers need to believe three things about a company for them to fully trust it. They need to believe that: the company has their best interest in mind, the business can and will deliver its promises, and the business is honest and authentic.

Many businesses worry too much about whether or not they have the customer’s trust. What they should be doing instead is focusing all their energy in delivering the best products and/or services possible. There is no better way to gain trust, than to put forth high quality goods and services that the consumer expects. Unfortunately, mistakes are made from time to time. The right thing to do, though, is not to conceal the errors, but own up to the mistakes. If you try to hide your mistakes, then that only gives consumers another reason to mistrust your business. Once you have the trust of the customers, you have to focus on maintaining that trust by continuing to deliver the best products and/or services you can. Don’t think that once you have their trust, that consumers will stay with trust you forever.  Trust needs to be maintained to keep the relationship between the consumers and the business strong.

You can read more in the article on Entreprenuer.com.