2017 February

Engaging students is a top priority in a learning environment and I try to boost student engagement beyond the boundaries of the classroom.

For the second year, students in my classes were given the opportunity to incorporate the hashtag #TheBlondeSaladGoesToHumber into their social media posts for fun. Students were encouraged to share content about preparing for their in-class LIVE CHAT sessions discussing The Blonde Salad Harvard Business School Case Study. With no marks attached to posting using this hastag, students were still motivated to get involved and share a glimpse into their preparation for the assignment. These students went above and beyond class requirements showing their dedication and passion!

At the time of writing this piece, #TheBlondeSaladGoesToHumber has engaged an audience. In addition to the student created content across various social media platforms, the #TheBlondeSaladGoesToHumber posts have generated over 1500 likes and well over 100 comments this year! The posts even garnered attention from influential accounts such as Harvard Business School @harvardhbs, Harvard Business Review @harvard_business_review, Riccardo Pozzoli, Co-founder of The Blonde Salad @riccardopozzoli, and The Blonde Salad Crew @tbscrew to name a few. Another observation was the sense of community generated by #TheBlondeSaladGoesToHumber. My former students who had completed the assignment last year actively commented on social media, reminiscing about the case study assignment and one even added a new post this year too!

I would like to thank the students who got involved and exceeded expectations. The industry is looking for people like you, who go above and beyond requirements. You have demonstrated not only determination and character but also showed that you truly enjoy what you do.

Photographic Credits:

Arvin Ayala Instagram @xxayalaarvinxx

McKenna Baldock Instagram @mckennabaldock

Keisha Barran Instagram @keishab97

Nicole Bautista Instagram @nickibats

Jheanelle Blagrove Instagram @jayallanah

Tanie Charles-Alfred Instagram @thetaniexperience

Carolyn Gagnon Twitter ‏@carolynmgagnon

Jane Gautama Instagram @janeguatama

Stephanie Inglis Linkedin + Instagram @gorgeousdoll14

Rachel Hayward Instagram @rachel_hayward_

Nimisha Khanna Instagram @localladki

Bailey Larmour Instagram @bailey_larmour

Kate Mendonca Instagram @kate.mendonca

Jade Morrell Instagram @jadeandfashion

Luiza Neves Instagram @luizaferro

Colleen Orr Instagram @stacyann_j

Mananshi Patel Instagram @bunnie.jpg

Arianna Popat Instagram @styles.ari

Rizwana Saleh Instagram@rizwanasaleh

Henry Tran Instagram @highendhenry

Gabrielle Vanstraelen Instagram @thegabbygab

In early February, I organized LIVE CHAT sessions with my classes to discuss The Blonde Salad Harvard Business School Case Study. In small groups, students examined and discussed super-influencer Chiara Ferragani’s pathway as an entrepreneur turning her digital property, The Blonde Salad, into a multi-million dollar business.

As an extra twist to this assignment, this year some of the LIVE CHAT sessions were set up in Humber’s brand new Centre for Entrepreneurship (CfE). After a few weeks of prep, small student groups gathered in the G204 Boardroom for in-depth discussions of the case and how it relates to the current landscape of the blogging industry and fashion marketing. Chiara’s entrepreneurial spirit, always seeking out change, innovation and continuous improvement, is a huge take-away from the case. The CfE was a fitting place to think critically about the strategic decisions she has made to adapt her business in the quickly-evolving digital world.

The overall LIVE CHAT experience had numerous benefits for my students. Not only did they engage with leading-edge industry content in a unique assignment format, but they also were able to explore a great new student focused addition to Humber’s Lakeshore Campus. It was a constructive afternoon, stepping outside the classroom and exploring this destination on campus. We thank the CfE team for making this memorable experience possible!

Student Feedback:

Thanks for this unique exercise! It was a very enjoyable experience to think critically w[ith] fellow students. I’d like to add that the intimate environment allowed everyone the opportunity to speak up, this was great considering how many different cultures and personalities are part of our cohort. Your grading guideline for the case was helpful in determining areas of external research, it was clear that you were encouraging us to think from different angles and bring new ideas to the table.

– Fashion Management and Promotions Postgraduate Student

#TheBlondeSaladGoesToHumber

Archives for February 2017

Engaging Students Beyond the Classroom

Live Chats at the Centre for Entrepreneurship