Meet the 2012 OCMC Team

It has been said that there is no I in team and that sentiment cannot be more true than with this year's Humber OCMC team. Both the competitors and the coaches have truly embraced the team spirit! For all of us TEAM actually means: Together Everyone Achieves More.

Since we are all out to achieve the best results possible it seems appropriate to introduce our Humber 2012 OCMC team:

• Tim Brilhante: International Marketing
• Olga Maracheva : International Marketing 
• Anthony Bailey: Marketing 
• Cameron Downs: Marketing
• Mike Pastyr: Market Research
• Alexander Kallaway: Market Research
• Randall Baker: Job Interview
• Aldredge Pinto: Sales Presentation
• Ashley Dann: IMC
• Aidan Sykes: IMC
• Melissa D'Alessandro: Account Management
• Jon Norgard:  Account Management/Direct Marketing 
• James Adams: Entrepreneurship/Direct Marketing
• Barbara Cresecentini: Entrepreneurship
• Malcolm Gray: Retailing
• Rachel Kennedy: Retailing
• Felix Carapaica: Quiz Bowl
• Kevin Carino : Quiz Bowl
• Chris Channell: Quiz Bowl
• Graiden Vanderveen: Quiz Bowl
• Hlina Woldeselasie: Quiz Bowl

When I asked how the team described themselves the following words came to mind:

These are just some examples of the skills and qualities that team members possess that will help us be fully prepared to achieve the best possible results on competition day. I couldn't ask for better teammates! 

-Rachel 

How to deliver constructive feedback

They say that practice makes perfect. And that cannot be truer than with OCMC. But, all the practicing in the world is not helpful if as team members we are not given feedback on what we can improve upon and what we are doing well.  Although, we need it and may not ask for it there is one thing that feedback should always be; constructive, but what is constructive feedback? It is defined as: "Communication which alerts an individual to an area in which his/her performance could improve."(en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Managing_Groups_and_Teams/Glossary)

It is important to note that constructive feedback is not criticism, but there are certain things that must be kept in mind when delivering feedback, including: 

• Reinforcing positive behavior

• Suggesting an alternate behavior 

• Being specific rather than general

• Delivering the feedback as soon as possible after the presentation or event

• Being sensitive to the presenter's feelings 

• Ensuring that the feedback is directed at the behavior that needs to be improved rather than at the presenter

The members of the OCMC team keep these general rules in mind when delivering feedback to fellow teammates during practice by using a strategy called "commend, recommend, commend." Each time that a group or individual presents we are required to give feedback. During these feedback sessions we commend an aspect of the presentation that we enjoyed or found effective, offer a specific and useful recommendation of something that can be improved upon and then acknowledge another aspect of the presentation that we thought was well done or engaging. 

 Using a "commend, recommend, commend" strategy allows the members of the OCMC team to receive feedback in a supportive rather than critical way that lets them know that it is okay to make mistakes and that their teammates are there to help. 

OCMC is BACK!!

They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder and after a long dark winter OCMC has returned with FULL FORCE for 2012! This year the team is full of returning veterans and excited rookies all looking to make an impression on the judges during the weekend of competition November 15 and 16, 2012.

The competition will be held at Centennial College and along with the regular events, the college is sure to offer a number of special events, such as the OCMC Marketplace and the Gala Dinner which I'm sure will all reflect this year's theme for the competition: INSPIRE.

There are a few major highlights to this year's competition:

1) Paperless registration: What a great way to embrace green initiatives and save some paper! There is a handy guide to the new process available on the Centennial OCMC website to help guide everyone through the registration process. It can be found by clicking on this link http://www.centennialcollege.ca/OCMC/Registration

2) Renowned marketer Tony Chapman is this year's keynote speaker. Along with his keynote address students will also have the opportunity to learn from him during a special session during the two day competition.

3) The Gala Dinner Master of Ceremonies will be CBC News Network Host Suhana Meharchand. Suhana Mehardchand brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the participating students and is not to be missed.

At this point all these amazing events seem so far away, but November will arrive sooner than we all think. Get ready for an exciting, nerve-wracking and overall rewarding experience. Welcome to OCMC 2012!

Take a look at this video to see what Centennial College has in store for OCMC 2012 participants: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh1l2ibslgU

-Rachel

It's All Over

The Ontario Colleges Marketing Competition has come to an end. Over a year in planning and many months of training all came down to two very exciting days. Students from across Ontario, representing thirteen different colleges travelled to Toronto in order to demonstrate their marketing skills through a series of competitions.

The intensity and level of energy was immense. Between the chants of “GO GREEN!” and “HAWK YEAH!” all of the colleges did an excellent job in making their voice heard! Throughout the entire competition the energy level remained at a constant high. In addition, in order to help pump students up, there were various events ranging from: a live flash mob, to a casino royale experience and everything in between.

The highlight of the event was definitely the gala dinner and awards ceremony. Everyone was dressed to impress- it was amazing to be surrounded by the top marketing students from across Ontario. From the very beginning of the evening, participants and coaches were holding their breath in anticipation for the results. Once it was all over, it was time to celebrate and relax.

Although the many cheers have already happened we are pleased to release the official results for the 2011 Ontario Colleges Marketing Competition:  

Congratulations to all participants! Your efforts are extremely appreciated. Everyone did an exceptional job representing his or her respective college!

It was a true honor for Humber College to be the host of the 32^nd annual Ontario Colleges Marketing Competition.

Overall OCMC was a great success. On the behalf of Humber College I would like to extend a sincere thank you to all of the participants, coaches, volunteers and sponsors. Without a combined effort OCMC simply would not have been possible. We look forward to experiencing what Centennial College has planned for next year!

-Tim