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theconnoisseurcollection-blog · 8 years ago

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Mastery Journal Final Project Business Plan

Mastery: Personal Development and Leadership-This course taught me about the qualities of a leader and the grit it takes to become a leader. One must master the discipline of not just completing a task put pulling out all the greatness inside to excel and the very thing one loves. It will take hard work, failure and the stamina to get back up and do it again. Learning from the experience and applying this experience practically to what one knows is the right thing to do. It is definitely a hands-on experience and this class teaches the students to not just read about it but doing it.

Executive Leadership- This class was an extension of the Mastery class but delves deeper into leading a team. Enhancing the qualities, it takes to be an executive leader in one’s chosen path. Making tough decisions, using power and influence to effect change to become a leader in this competitive industry. I learned to look at the management team as an extension of myself and to trust the individuals to do the jobs they are hired to do without being a micromanager

Project and Team Management-This course was extremely important as I embark on my Mastery Journey in learning to work with teams and with individuals with different skill sets. Working in a team at my current position is both rewarding and challenging. There will be sometimes a deliverable is due and a deadline missed. This class has taught me how to handle such situations tactfully without blame and move forward in a timely manner to minimize overblown budgets.

Business Storytelling and Brand Development-This interesting course is what the consumer craves. People want to know a backstory on how their favorite product came to be, at least I do. This class certainly delved into the methods of doing so, in how to present one’s business in a positive light so that the consumer can identify with the product and be a loyal customer. I have my favorite brands I gravitate towards like Ford or Apple products because of the stories behind these products. This class was a very important piece in the brand creation arsenal.

Entertainment Business Finance-Budgeting, Finance and raising capital to funds one’s business from family members, venture capitalists or moonlighting at a second job to finance one’s dream are some of the strategies I learned in this finance class. Creating a Pro Forma financial document was super helpful to me as I was able to see my business in numbers. Again, this was an extremely important course to assist me in avoiding the pitfalls in funding my business.

Negotiation and Deal-Making-I cannot say how important this course is in knowing how to cultivate relationships with people. One can blow a deal if one is too emotional or hard to work or get along with no matter how great one believes they are. Books such as Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends & Influence People is the epitome of relationships and how important they are in business. I have read this book several times as it is the foundation of excelling in any endeavor.

Product and Artist Management-I believe this course is a core one. Sometimes and artist can be so connected to a project/product they are working on that it could be difficult to see that the project/product will not be lucrative or that the project is not a good fit at the time. This course helped me navigate and provide insight to the overall management of both the artist and the product. I learned that even I could be stubborn in my ways of wanting a certain thing to work in the way I want it to work and sometimes one just has to let it go.

Advanced Entertainment Law- This course is all about the contracts and intellectual property and how it dictates deliverables, behaviors and outcomes. One has to protect oneself in this industry as their so many stories on shows such as “Behind The Music” a VH1 show about deals gone horribly in the entertainment industry. I have since spoken to many entertainment lawyers and believe I found the right person to move forward in my business. This knowledgeable lawyer helped me streamline my thoughts and pointed out things that could have caused trouble down the line. Do not think just because you’ve read a snippet of information on the Internet that one is knowledgeable. Know that you don’t know everything and hire a professional.

Entertainment Media Publishing and Distribution- This course goes hand in hand with Advanced Entertainment Law but focuses on digital content. New laws and practices one must adhere to will enhance the overall knowledge of the practitioner. This course is he cornerstone of my business as I will be managing original content and distributing it for others to view and buy. As I make my way I am still learning and learn something new every day.

Digital Marketing-The future of where content is going. People receive their content on more devices such as their smart phones, IPads, computers more than traditional media that it makes sense to market to those individuals where they receive their content the most. This is what this course focuses on and managing an online presence. This course helped me tremendously because social media is more than just posting pictures. It is real data and if taken seriously one can affect positive change in the way their business operates. I know I will.

Business Plan Development and Final Project: Business Plan

In a nutshell, there is an adage that states: If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. These two courses are the culmination of the Entertainment Business Masters-Online. Step-by-Step the exact steps one is to take to have a successful business for years to come is written down including a mission statement of how one plans to execute their business. Since I have no direct hands-on experience about making a film but I am knowledgeable about what it takes to produce a film. My major flaw is credibility, I have to become doubly knowledgeable regarding language, equipment, and which individual is responsible for a task. My love of film is evident and that is why I am embarking on the business side of the filmmaking, and I must be skilled at both. Author John W. Cones said in his book, Business Plans for Filmmakers and I agree,

…it is possible to raise funds from one to three active investors who are knowledgeable about the film industry, … “How can individuals who are not knowledgeable about the film industry become sufficiently knowledgeable and, therefore, eligible active investors?” Cones, J. W. (2010). Business Plans for Filmmakers. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press. Pg. 113

All of my discussions with instructors, advisors and peers has helped me focus and realize the validity of my business and whether it has the potential for success. I especially enjoyed the last two courses as these courses allowed my dreams to actually come into focus.

I actually wrote a comprehensive business plan and presented my efforts to people who have knowledge on the subject and it was excepted with flying colors. The entire program for me was like an apprenticeship and with my business plan was completed, the Mastery portion will be enacting the plan- my business 9 Porter Blackberry Films LLC.

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theconnoisseurcollection-blog · 8 years ago

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How to Alternatively Fund Your Business.

What types of financing opportunities are described on the websites?

What are some of the requirements and qualifications to obtain the

financing?

What other types of information are available

on the sites?

Please provide some general comments in regards to the advantages and disadvantages of using alternative financing.

There are a plethora of programs designed to engage, foster and promote businesses in disenfranchised communities and Micro Enterprise Network and Opportunity Finance Network are two of the CDFI programs that will be discussed in this post.

CDFI’s are Community Development Financial Institutions that come together to advance opportunities in hard to serve areas. These institutions are banks, faith-based organizations, corporations and government that are determined to strengthen communities by assisting individuals and communities to help themselves.

Reviewing the website ofn.org gave so many possibilities of hope, such as abandoned buildings in Michigan being refurbished to house medical clinics to serve the community or in Louisiana a couple displaced by hurricane Katrina was able to return to their revitalized home after the original foundation had been destroyed by floods.

To become a member of CDFI one must be committed to serve underprivileged communities in terms of financing, have a history in the communities they serve for at least two years, positive unrestricted net assets among other criteria. The CDFI’s is a group that shares resources and this group assist others community organizations serve the community. The CDFI’s lend their resources to the community organizations.

Information that is available on the site are webinars, events like job fairs, podcasts, publications, videos etc., resources that are relevant and to obtain knowledge.

Micro Enterprise Network (Association for Enterprise Opportunity)is also a conglomerate of organizations that work together to strengthen communities. The programs TILT Forward, DreamFund and Project CUE are all flagship programs. The TILT Forward program assists aspiring entrepreneurs and small businesses obtain funding to help them thrive. The DreamFund support small business in low-wealth communities by creating benefits to support these businesses. Additionally, Project CUE assists by connecting small business owners with lending institutions committed to serving low-wealth communities.

The advantage of becoming a member of CDFI’s is the strength in the fact that resources are pooled and available to every good standing member. As a group many opportunities/tasks will be accomplished if all work together. The disadvantage is probably the same across the board with any group working together is every entity has their own set of rules and paperwork and then there are general guidelines one has to follow to be a part of the CDFI, so in other ways there are a lot of hoops to jump through and dues to pay to recognized as part of the CDFI.

References:

http://www.aeoworks.org

http://www.ofn.org

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theconnoisseurcollection-blog · 8 years ago

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Mastery Journal-BPD Week 4

1. What was your original goal for this course? 2. How the goal was met by the course 3. Comment on how your insight, skill and outcome may have changed during the course of the program. 4. What have you learned from this course 5. How will you apply the material learned in the course personally or professionally? My original goal for this course was to craft a business plan that would allow me to do what I love, become free of the constraints of a traditional work environment and to affect my family and the world in a positive way. This course has taught me that having a business plan is imperative to success and it is hard work, but if I work it, success will follow. The assignments and feedback the professor and my fellow colleagues gave, made the course worthwhile and my goals for this course have been met. Yet my goals have grown to a level that is beyond anything I originally thought. Conversing with my professors gave insights on expansion of ideas I believed were complete and the ideas were fully realized after being honest with myself, the landscape of the marketplace and what is possible with current technology.

Prior to taking the course I could only dream of the accomplishments I experienced here and I was actually given free rein to take myself and business ideas seriously. The discussions were a platform for encouragement and constructive criticisms.

The business model I wish to create centers around entertainment and I hope to give others a platform to tell their stories, to become better filmmakers and have everyone involved make a great living doing what they love.

Being extremely detailed is one of the most important aspects of starting a business to attract investors and have an unforgettable product or service. Technical skills speak to credibility and giving the consumer what they want is normal, wowing them is expected in the age of numerous channels to receive content.

At the beginning of the program I had an idea of the changing landscape but I did not realize how rapidly new technology can consume a generation. Myspace has fallen to Facebook and now Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram are the new platforms, which gives me assurance that there will always be a new platform on the horizon.

Digital has changed the landscape of entertainment; Television is no longer king it is a supplement to the ever-expanding Internet. The whole world is online and this is where people receive, their news, watch television, shop and anything one desires or needs is online. Targeting and tracking one’s audience is integral to the success of one’s business like it or not this is now, this is the future. I learned being flexible, professional and life-long learning (mastery) is the only way one will be able to become a trend-setter, not that, that is a goal of mine but if I happen to become a trend-setter the stakes will always be high. Being a master to me does not mean being the best in the world it just means being the best person that I am called to be.

I learned that having a solid business plan will give me the confidence to pursue my dreams whole-heartedly because it is a blue print, a roadmap that if followed I will not only realize my dreams, the journey will be exciting and paved with challenges that I have anticipated because of the business plan. I will apply the principles of this course to completing my business plan because a successful business would not be a success without a business plan.

The takeaways in this course are:

1. Have a solid business plan;

2. Always be professional

3. Persevere

4. Pursue your dreams with fervor

5. Find out what you are called to be, be in love with what you are called to be and it will never feel like work

Write those things on your heart and you will be successful.

Pamela James

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theconnoisseurcollection-blog · 8 years ago

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MASTERY PDL TIMELINE DIGITAL MARKETING

Lynda.com Approved Course Assignment Tumblr Post Week 2 Digital Marketing

1. Discuss your original goal for this course

· My original goal for this course is to learn everything about Digital Marketing and apply the concepts to my work and business model. Since Digital Marketing has overtaken traditional media I see becoming proficient in Digital Marketing as a necessary tool to be relevant and make a living. I see this first hand in my position as a Media Operations Supervisor whereas the business model is changing. Traditional Media is becoming second and placed on the backburner.

· SEO has become so important that one can back up all their claims with data and Digital Marketing delivers on this and then some. Digital Marketing is intuitive it interacts with the consumer on their own level and meets consumers where they live; and consumers live online.

2. Three Key takeaways from the Lynda course:

There are so many things I learned from the Lynda.com course Content Marketing Fundamentals but the three things that stood out the most were:

· Content Types and what each type does and how it helps drive traffic. Blogs are short and are regularly updated and this mainly consists of trends and point of view pieces depending on the type of business

· Cheat Sheets are short downloadable best practices and tips with very little design

· Definitive guides are usually huge pieces of content that can be split up to make several pieces of other types of content but usually takes more time to create.

There are many other types of content but those are the ones that resonated with me as I am drawn to these types whenever I browse the web as I look for entertaining informative and short pieces of information that I can incorporate in my daily life.

3. How you will apply the material learned in the Lynda course personally and or professionally.

I enjoyed the course thoroughly because of all the information but also the detailed examples Dayna Rotham gave. Each time she introduced a concept she gave a very detailed example demonstrating exactly how to do the task. In my possession, I have the raw materials needed to produce high quality content for my business model, I just did not realize the content could be utilized in such a fashion. For instance, I have a blog that I have not updated in several months that I will revitalize, and an equivalent to the definitive guide she mentioned that could be chopped up to create several other pieces of content. Ms. Rotham also stressed the importance of an editorial calendar to keep content fresh and to have an overview of what content needs to be produced and when and most importantly to stay organized. She states, the editorial calendar increases visibility because content is always being written in a timely fashion so one never misses a beat.

For the business idea I have in mind the editorial calendar is a gem, as this tool will bolster traffic, keep me on track, banish procrastination and keep momentum going as my business grows. Content Marketing Fundamentals will be a course that I will review again and again as there is so much information that one is bound to learn something each time to apply to their own content marketing right away.

References: Lynda.com Course Content Marketing Fundamentals

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theconnoisseurcollection-blog · 8 years ago

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MASTERY JOURNEY-TIMELINE

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LinkedIn-Pamela James

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My Logo---The Connoisseur Collection

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theconnoisseurcollection-blog · 8 years ago

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My Feedly Must Reads

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theconnoisseurcollection-blog · 8 years ago

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All Things Movie Related!

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theconnoisseurcollection-blog · 8 years ago

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Peace and Serenity. The path less traveled but a bridge is built to let you know your journey is doable.

This image is from: https://revivehope.wordpress.com/2013/05/10/videos-inspirational/

#path

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theconnoisseurcollection-blog · 8 years ago

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For my Mastery Journey I plan to blaze a trail and create a new genre of film and how the film is sourced and garnered. There are millions of stories being told every day on mobile devices. Those stories are being uploaded to video sharing sites and shared millions of times per day, every hour ever minute. I would like to create a film company entirely sourced from mobile devices. I would like to develop those stories into full-length feature films. Essentially, everyone on the planet could potentially become a filmmaker (if they wanted to) and their stories must be superb to be considered.

Initially, when Facebook was created it was primarily for college students on college campuses. This would actually be my first step as well like a testing ground of sorts. I would then open the criteria to anyone of age with a mobile device with a great story to tell. Once a story from a mobile device is in acquisition it will then be developed and an entire script would be written from the idea.

Over the course of my program I know there will be many roads and branches to this endeavor and I hope to explore the most viable paths. I hope to learn to choose the right people to associate with to turn this project idea into reality that the world will appreciate and enjoy. Just as YouTube is one of the most visited and utilized sites on the planet, I desire this project to be such a force as well. I hope to help people to tell stories that have not been seen, to open the possibility flood gates. There is more to a great movie experience than the typical rom-com, horror, drama genres although great I believe there are possibilities and a market for so much more.

Every time I watch a funny YouTube video or something that has gone viral, I wonder how those people arrived at that point. I always want to see more of their story. The fact the video goes viral or the person makes rounds on the daytime talk shows proves people want to see more.

I believe if I cannot be an actress, director, keygrip or foley artist I can certainly produce and help others to realize their dreams of becoming a filmmaker one mobile device at a time.

#trailblazers #unstoppable

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