Using Analytics To Grow A Business

If you only knew

One of the first things that you learn as an entrepreneur...work is no longer a 9 to 5. The second thing that you learn in a small business...you must be able to wear many hats in order for your company to survive. I am on my fourth small business now and still learning so much as I go. Each one of my businesses, I am fortunate enough to say has been a success. It's funny because my fourth business is really just a re-launch of my very first. One main change...the current business will primarily be virtual.

Game changers

Pounding the pavement, passing out flyers, making cold calls, doing face-to-face demos, business cards, expos, radio ads, TV spots and the list goes on and on. This is what growing your small business was all about. In today's game, social media simplifies and condenses a lot of the past exercises into digital or virtual post. Then, as a business owner, sit back and let the analytics do the talking.

As I look to re-launch my educational consulting business (fancy way of saying tutoring business), I am armed with some new powerful tools to track and grow this business. Analytics is changing the game and disclosing very important information to me as I attempt to take my business global. Let me share a few examples from this weeks practicum work.

I recently created a smore flyer to advertise Mind Over Tutors Online Academy.

Link to Mind Over Tutors Flyer in Smore

From this, I was able to receive analytics from my flyer that can help me grow my business. I can now answer question like.....What part of the world are people accessing my information? What social network are they using to view my flyer? Let me show you some examples below.

I have reached India and Puerto Rico! 

I can even see how long someone viewed my flyer. Super cool!

If that is not enough, the Smore team created an infographic themselves to help guide you through what all your analytics mean.

Way cool and very useful. Blogger and YouTube are some other places that I need to track how I am doing in order to grow. As you can see in the examples below, I still have some work to do in reaching outside the United States with YouTube.

Blogger

YouTube Geography

YouTube Video (watch time)

The YouTube video analytics breaks down average view duration and lets me know how I am engaging my viewers. Think about how this could be useful for educators monitoring their student activity in a flipped classroom. Sorry, I got side tracked there. So much information and so many ways to apply it to your specific needs. I love it!

My Takeaways

Even though I am super busy right now and really just trying to wrap up school, I must continue to prepare for my launch date of August 15th. This week has given me an opportunity to reflect (while on vacation) about the data that I have gathered thus far, just by some of the demos and preliminary information that is up on my site. I have learned that I am only engaging my audience for about 30% of the videos that I post on YouTube. I have also learned that growing your international audience can be directly linked to your social media exposure, if you so choose to use it that way. 

I still have lots of work to do but I really appreciate my Facebook friends, LinkedIn connections and Twitter followers that engage my post. Please feel free to share any of my information and post as it will help me to grow my audience. Taking this thing around the globe!

Evaluation of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools' Technology Plan

I took on the task of reviewing the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools (WSFCS) Technology Plan. This is near and dear to my heart given the fact that my sixteen-year old son is currently attending a WSFC school. The plan is fairly comprehensive and focuses on what the technology planning committee deems as five strategic priorities. The aforementioned technology planning committee is made up of nineteen members with varied levels of experience and roles within the school system. There are five technology leads (Directors and Supervisors), seven school administrators and seven school technology facilitators that make up the team. In short, the vision of WSFCS is “to utilize the power of technology to transform education, changing the way we teach, learn, and communicate every day.” WSFCS expresses commitment to this plan but rightfully points out that the “technology plan is comprehensive but also a work in progress.”

               

          The plan starts with a brief overview of the five strategic priorities as follows:

1. Astatewide shared services model
2. Universal access to personal teaching and learning devices
3.  Statewide access to digital teaching and learning resources, including digital textbooks
4. A statewide model of technology-enable professional development
5. 21^st Century leadership for all schools and districts

WSFCS Technology Plan

The plan further dissects each of the five strategic priorities and provides a list of aligned objectives to each of the following:

1.        Career and College Ready, Set, Go!
2.        Race to the Top Local and State Scopes of Work
3.        WSFCS District Strategic Plan
4.        NC State Technology Plan

Finally, the plan breaks down each priority into specific goals/targets, year 1 tasks, year 2 tasks, and evaluation feedback. I would say that this is pretty comprehensive for sure. Given the fact that I come from a corporate arena, I would also say that the committee has done a great job with this plan.

               Now for the former school administrator in me and an extreme advocate for the kids……here is what I really think! The plan focuses a lot on budgeting for various things such as technology services, platforms and mobile learning communities. I would have liked to have seen more focus on technology that is already available and available for free. It seems that with this plans implementation and roll out is still down the road a bit. The technology-enabled professional development and 21^st Century leadership are key priorities for sure. I just know from firsthand experience, dealing with two high schools here in Winston Salem, there is still lots of guidance and instruction needed in both of these areas.

 

               I do not want to be overly critical because WSFCS has taken a very positive step here with their commitment to this strategic technology plan. My only caution to them is to seek resources and information that is readily available and most of all, resources that are free. I believe some of this strategic plan would have been better served to focus on things like specific system-wide technology tools. Then, developing a plan to train, implement and evaluate those tools. Much like what learning should be for our kids. Focus needs to be on the process not the outcome. If we train our school “how to” then the “what it is or what it becomes” takes care of itself.

               Focusing on strategic priority number 2, Universal access to personal teaching and learning devices, I put together a quick meta-analysis spreadsheet that you should take a look at.

Literature review of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

               Based on my analysis of the WSFCS technology plan and the literature review link above, I have a couple of things that I would highlight as points of concern for them. Be careful about moving forward with a full head of steam without getting your key stakeholders to embrace your plan. Primarily, schools will often seek to convince the state, their local school board, administrators and teachers. What about your parents and students? My literature review clearly shows the need to include parents and students as part of your key stakeholders.

               Finally, developing a plan that focuses on safety, security and training for its users is paramount. I know the three seem very different but I believe that each is very dependent on the success of the other. A good technology plan should highlight safety and security when talking about any type of universal access as it relates to computing. Training at every level, users (students, parents and teachers), administrators, and IT/technology facilitators, all should be properly trained in order for any technology plan to be successful. Again, I often see parents and students being left out in the WSFCS plan. With a few modifications and considerations, I think WSFCS can spearhead technology usage and growth within North Carolina. You may want to consider adding some parents and students to your technology planning committee.

Take time to rest. It's not going anywhere.

Educators work so hard

The one thing any educator will tell you is that we do not do this for the money. If you find one that does, give me their number.....we need to talk. Educators are always looking to find ways to best deliver material to their students. Even those educators that have somewhat given up, still put in effort to bring students their daily routines. Now, my philosophy is, if you are going to put forward any effort at all....why not make that effort produce the most positive and influential outcomes that you can. This is with anything in life. 

I would like to share with you a couple of examples that I found this past week as I focused on building my PLN (Personal Learning Network). I knew that I had a vacation coming up so I wanted to focus on some connectedness activities based on some things that I want to do over my vacation. Enjoy these examples of educators putting in that extra work.

First up, Claire Tamayo. Visit her YouTube page and like the videos if you think she is doing a great job. I have to admit, I was not sure that I was on board until I started to consider her audience. Watch the second YouTube video below and see how her students are orderly and on task. She has found a model that works for her and her students are getting much out of it. What are her EOG scores? I really don't care. She has her students on task, working in teams and challenging them to think on a higher level. 

Democracy Is Gonna Work

Ancient Roman Rap

If this approach is not your flavor, that's OK. Find what works for you. More importantly, find what works for your students. If you are going to put forward any effort, why not make it count?

My second example is one that you may already be familiar with. I spent some time reaching out and connecting with staff at Ron Clark Academy. This staff are using so many cool tools and engaging the students that they are serving. This approach may not work for all kids. The key is to place children in environments that they can be successful. How on earth could that ever look the same? 

Welcome to the Ron Clark Academy

Did you hear what the kids said about the school? In the video below, think about classroom space like Hope King's.

My Classroom Tour at the Ron Clark Academy 2015

Did you hear Hope say that she brought the chair from home because she is never there. She is always at work. How many educators feel that way, particularly those teachers in small private or charter schools. Educators work hard!

All work and no play.....take time to rest

As I was taking time to work through this weeks blog, I came across another great peace of advice.

Purposeful Rest

Twitter motivation

Sometimes we get so caught up in the moment that we forget to slow down and take a break. I believe that teachers can be some of the worse offenders of this. My thought today is...why? Given the technology that is available, all of the materials and tools that are already developed, why do we not share and glean necessary materials from others that would allow ourselves a moment to just take a purposeful rest. 

I cannot answer that question fully this week, as I am on vacation and have decided that I need to take a purposeful rest. I will not totally turn away from the things that are on my calendar, but I will most definitely work in some moments of peace and tranquility. I hope that you enjoy the videos and links that I have shared from this weeks work for my practicum. I sure have.

Building a business in education.Good Luck!

Up against the wall

Anyone looking to build a business in education, I say to you good luck! I have been at this for some time now and I still love it just as much as I did twenty plus years ago. The only difference today is that I am no longer checking my 8oo number voicemail and calling students and parents to schedule hour long sessions at the Public Library, University study rooms, and anywhere else that I could keep my overhead down. Today's tutoring consist of Skype, Hangouts, E-lecta live and so many other virtual options. So one would think that my job has gotten easier, right? I am sad to say that the times of folk looking for a good quality tutor have gone cold. The big business of the Public Educational system has taken over and it continues to fight hard to monopolize all educational services. Money for non-profits and small businesses are very scarce. Parents are not willing to pay for services when they can get them for free. Regardless the quality of those services.

Here I am

I am not bitter and will never quit this endeavor that I have embarked upon. I am completing my second week of my practicum and continue to gain steam, resurrecting Mind Over Tutors. This practicum is a perfect culmination of many things for me.

1. Completing graduate school with a degree in something that I love
2. An opportunity to serve the community
3. Operating a business that I would do for free
4. Able to talk, share, and mentor

Although the landscape has changed and people care less and less about education (actions not words), I hold tremendous hope that technology will allow us to reinvigorate a community of people to strive for excellence again. It has to come from the community being served, not from those that want it for that specific community. 

My contributions this week

This has been an incredibly busy week. As I work to meet my August 15th deadline, I find myself up until 2am, working through new material for my virtual streams. Here are some samples from the week.

I took on two podcasts this week. I know that they are not great yet, but I have to start somewhere. I have no fear! Take a moment to listen and share with me your thoughts.

In doing the podcasts, I thought.....some people are visual learners and may need more. Therefore, I created YouTube videos to go along with my podcasts, just in case.

Mind Over Tutors will also be designing supplemental educational courses that will be accessible through our website. I posted a link for users to join and enjoy a free demo for an Algebra 2 course.

Sign up for demo Algebra 2 course

Like I said, this has been a busy week. I hope that if nothing else, you can see my passion and motivation for education. 

As I am discovering, the most difficult part of any business is building a client base and network. I spent lots of time on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube this week. I even created a series of 5 Vines videos for another class this week that was advertising for Mind Over Tutors. Check that out as well.

Watch the Vine in TV mode

OK.....to wrap this all up, I would like to share with you Smore! This is another powerful and awesome tool that would great for students. I was able to design a very professional flyer with lots of details and information about the business.

Whew! I am tired.

Is it all worth it?

I think so. 

My Graduate School Practicum experience

EDU 670 – Practicum in Online Teaching and Instructional Design – Week 1 Reflection

Finally

Well….the time has finally come! I have reached the practicum of my Master of Science degree in Online Teaching and Instructional Design. It blows my mind that I took my first class January 2015 and now, here I am. It is time to culminate and condense all the things that I have learned into one final graduate school experience. If you know me, then you know that I am up for the challenge.

A quick look back

As I met with my supervising instructor to start the week, I realized that this will be a highly anticipated yet emotional end to this program for me. The last time I attempted to go back to school was 2000 timeframe. My son had just been born and I was motivated to go back to school and make a better future for my family. Newborn! Yes, the X-Ray Diffraction and Crystallography course ate my lunch.

This time, things have been totally different. Years of experience and dealing closely with my children’s education, I found a graduate program that I see as cutting edge and something that I am not only passionate about, more importantly, it is something that I am good at. God had a different plan for me and I am so happy that I was obedient to follow and I am eager to share this final graduate school experience with you.

Week 1 Reflection

Week 1 has gotten off to a great start. As I mentioned before, the week started with a synchronous meeting with my supervisor to talk through guidelines and purpose of the practicum. As always, Dr. Linton made sure that I was clear on my assignment and answered any questions that I had.

Here is a brief look at week 1……I submitted my practicum description using blendspace. Awesome tool!

I also created a Facebook event to market the official launch of my company website.

https://www.facebook.com/events/521431138043734/

Yes I have been busy, but this is so much fun! As a student, having the ability to create and share work by means other than just words, is empowering.

I have a second course this summer where I needed to create Personal Learning Plan. This was an excellent opportunity for me to share and put my skills to use. So, I created this YouTube video and posted to my Mind Over Tutors website. This is an instructional type video of work that I completed in Prezi. So much cool stuff! Students of any age will love it.

To wrap up my week 1 activities I figured that I needed practice driving folks to my Facebook page and website. What better way than to start with friends.

What do you think?

All in all I feel that this has been a very productive week 1. I was very excited to get off to a good start and do everything I can to be ready August 15, 2016. I did not have any bad technology experience this week, which is very positive. I really see my skill level increasing at a very rapid pace with each project. I cannot even began to tell you how many new cool tools that I have been exposed to in the last year and a half. I believe that everything is making sense to me and I am excited to share with all of you.

Conclusion

I expressed to my supervising instructor that I was going to share my reflections on my blog. I want this experience to be shared and I am hopeful that you will find something of use here. That is the whole point of Mind Over Tutors Online Academy. As I go forward, I will continue to post my weekly reflections here. This way, everyone can see not only the tools but most important, the application and implementation of the tools. Please feel free to post your comments. I love this work!

www.mindovertutors.com

http://mindovertutors.podbean.com/