Free and Simple Financial Literacy for Kids, Families, Educators – The National Financial Capabilty Challenge

Simple and free exercises to teach financial literacy at home and in the classroom.

The World is Flat #4: How Generation Y is Going Global

This series from the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation focuses on young leaders and their reflections on business. We start with Amber Hunnicutt, student at the George Washington University and intern for The Hot Mommas Project

#4-How Entrepreneurs Are Surviving the Financial Crisis

This is the last in our series on what specific steps entrepreneurs are taking to survive the slow economy. In this post we feature Jennifer Folsom, Director of Mom-Entum Resources (http://www.mom-entum.com/). The company matches high-performing individuals with part time work. Jennifer notes the following about their operations given the current state of the economy:

#3-How Entrepreneurs Are Surviving the Financial Crisis

Entrepreneurial skills are good ones to have, especially during a slow economy. This series focuses on the top survival tips from successful entrepreneurs on getting through the crisis. In this post we feature Marty Janis President & CEO, Atlantic Services Group (www.AtlanticServicesGroup.com). The company provides valet, transportation, garage management, and maintenance services.

#1-How Entrepreneurs are Surviving the Financial Crisis

Entrepreneurial skills are good ones to have, especially during a slow economy. This series focuses on the top survival tips from successful entrepreneurs on surviving the crisis. In this post we feature Wayne Chavez, President, Intermundo Media (www.intermundomedia.com).

The #1 Piece of Business Knowledge Entrepreneurs Wish They Knew – Part 2

This is the second part of a series fueled by a single question asked to successful entrepreneurs:

“What is the #1 piece of business information you wish you had known when you were younger?”

Today’s answer: That entrepreneurship was an option for me.

Barack and Michelle Obama: Making Education Cool

Barack and Michelle Obama were set forth as examples of what can be accomplished with a good education at a January 19 rally held by the Education Equality Project at Cardoza High School in Washington, DC. The rally turned into a who’s who of education when big names like John McCain, incoming Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Michael Bloomberg, Geoffrey Canada, Michelle Rhee, and UNCF President Michael Lomax showed up to explain why our educational system is in a state of crisis. Presenter remarks can be found at the bottom of this post.

Finding Role Models for People Young and Old

Many parents, employers, and young entrepreneurs are looking for role models for their kids, staff and themselves.  Where to start? Here is one idea:  Role Models on Paper from the new beta site: The Hot Mommas Project free case study library. Below you will find more on the project, as well as suggested exercise for parents, educators, and young entrepreneurs.

The Hot Mommas® Project produces curricula for dynamic female leaders. However, as you will see below that the cases are appropriate for both young men and women seeking role models.  On of the main reasons is the  award-winning case studies  showcase not only successful business practices, but also successful personal practices including the identification of leadership abilities and work-life balance strategies. The project is  housed at the George Washington University School of Business.  The project is popular in the social media community – hence the edgy name – and allows instructors the opportunity to connect with case protagonists on their Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other pages.

Suggested Exercise:

Need a student or young adult to tap into their potential? As  a creative extra credit assignment or family book club, have your young role model write their own mini case study (500-1500 words). Use the case study wizard at www.HotMommasProject.org beta site (About). Here is what to do:

1. Prep the student with the template at the bottom of this page.
2. Have students choose “Create a new case” at www.HotMommasProject.org (must be 18 or older).
3. Women choose “F” and men choose “M” in their profile.
4. Move through the case wizard steps, click “publish at the end.”
5. Go to “Case Library”, click “View” and send you the link as proof they have completed their case study.

Bonus: If their case study is good enough, they could be published in a top Prentice Hall textbook, other media outlets, plus receive thousands of dollars in  prizes as part of the case study competition through January 31.  See judging criteria.

For more information, click this post.

To nominate your young role model, click this post.

For virtual coaching, click here.

Here are two examples of case studies by students/young adults.

http://www.hotmommasproject.org/caseview.aspx?id=81

http://www.hotmommasproject.org/caseview.aspx?id=80

Alternative exercise:

Sign in at www.HotMommasProject.org and select 5 cases to read.  Answer the following questions:

1. Which is your favorite, and why?

2. Which person is the strongest professional role model, and why?

3. Which person is the strongest personal role model, and why?

4. Do you think it’s possible for someone to be both a personal and a professional role model? Discuss.

Start Now: 4 Reasons to Start a New Business in a Slow Economy

4 Reasons to Start a New Business in a Slow Economy plus links to tips on making money and growing in a down economy, plus classroom exercises on finance and the financial crisis.

Favorites roundup: Top 5 Free Teaching Tools for Educators, Entrepreneurs, Parents

A top 5 list of free business resources for educators, entrepreneurs, and parents.