Community Fellows Blog Posts

In the heart of East San Jose, Veggielution stands as a beacon of hope for impoverished residents. As a fellow in this non-profit organization, my journey involves navigating the intersection of my business education with the unique challenges and opportunities presented by Veggielution’s mission. 

Data analysis is integral in the day-to-day at Veggielution, as it serves as a tool for measuring and maximizing social impact. Utilizing data to evaluate program effectiveness ensures that resources are directed towards initiatives that create enduring positive change. For example, the Direct Food Assistance grant- sponsored by Santa Clara County- serves the purpose of providing fresh and organic produce and protein for qualified poor residents in East San Jose. Veggielution staff who are in charge of this program prepare produce boxes for pick-up, and deliver those to disabled residents. Budget constraints are a reality, so the strategic application of my business and Excel knowledge became instrumental. Our goal is to increment the number of qualified residents on the waitlist, with the ambitious aim of reaching 500 boxes per week by August 2024. Drawing on the insights garnered from courses at SCU, I leveraged spreadsheets as a dynamic analytical tool to project and analyze the necessary increments from November 2023 to July 2024. The process involved a meticulous examination of historical data, calculating the cost per produce box, and assessing the total expenditure from previous months. I also implemented a dynamic table in Excel, keeping a real-time record of weekly expenses dedicated to purchasing produce and protein. This allowed for a more nuanced understanding of the evolving financial landscape, ensuring adaptability in the face of unforeseen challenges. Utilizing my business acumen, I strategically distributed the budget, incrementally increasing the number of qualified residents. The goal was not just to meet immediate needs but to ensure a smooth and sustainable expansion over the specified period. In the intricate dance of budget allocation, I considered every variable, playing with numbers to find the optimal distribution that maximized impact within the given constraints. The resulting template, a product of meticulous calculation and strategic planning, was handed over to my supervisor. This template not only presented a snapshot of the current situation but also provided a playground for adjustments, empowering my supervisor to make informed decisions based on real data.

My insight in business marketing not only played a crucial role in contributing to cross-departmental meetings but also proved pivotal in enhancing the interactivity of our website. During cross-departmental meetings, my business marketing insights emerged as a key element in formulating comprehensive strategies. In order to attract more donors and residents to learn more about Veggielution and its functions, I suggested to my colleagues to optimize our web page and make it more interactive. In the realm of improving website interactivity, I applied creative and strategic perspectives from business marketing and set larger corporation’s web pages as a role model. I analyzed their interactivity and design and shared them with my colleagues. For starters, I recommended a clearer and more appealing navigation to enhance the user experience. Then, I suggested the incorporation of interactive elements such as animation, surveys, or live chat to facilitate user participation and interaction. These improvements not only made the website more attractive but also increased user engagement, bringing more interaction and feedback to the company. By integrating business marketing insight into the website improvement process, I not only elevated the user experience but also created a more valuable online presence for the company. In the digital era, incorporating the wisdom of business marketing into website design is a crucial step in attracting users and enhancing brand influence.