Your GEC Business Plan

You must qualify for the Meter Corps or Audit Corps by putting together a simple business plan and passing an on-line exam. This page outlines the components of your GEC Business Plan and the requisite exam skills.

First you must register and set up your e-Folio with Global Challenge, then:

1. Obtain written permissions and support from a parent or guardian, and mentor, after a thorough review of the GEC program. Download the Parent Permission Form and fax a copy of signed form to the GEC program partners at 888.888.8888. Scan a copy of the document and post it to your e-Folio. Have your Mentor sign and fax the Mentor Commitment Form. Scan and post it to your e-Foilo.

2. Study and practice. Review the science, technology, engineering and mathematics concerning standby power and inefficient appliances. You must study and then demonstrate how to use the Kill-A-Watt and Watts up? devices to meter and monitor consumer appliances. Finally, you must complete an on-line exam at ...

3. Assess your personal resources (financial and time) to commit to this project. Determine a fee-for-service that you will charge consumers per audit. Determine the number of consumers that will be required to repay your micro-loan of $150 or $350 dollars. (For example, you could set a fee of $20 - $30 dollars per hour, or per audit.)

4. Develop a Cash-flow Projection to determine the amount of time required to repay your micro-loan. Indicate the number of audits required, timeline and fee structure. If you are working in a group, the fee structure should be consistent across the group.

5. Outline your plan to get customers. Visit prospective customers for your metering and/or auditing services. Obtain written commitments – we call this a forward commitment – and a customer evaluation of your presentation. Scan copies of the forward commitments with the completed Consumer Pre-Program Evaluation to your e-Folio for each customer interviewed.

6. Obtain the cooperation of a credit-worthy micro-loan guarantor. You must convince them that you are a good investment to offset their perceived risk. Have the guarantor fax the signed GEC Guarantor Form. Scan and post it to your e-Folio.

7. Submit your plan for approval. GEC program staff will review your application materials and approve your application or ask you to improve the plan until it can be approved. You will have an opportunity to resubmit your application to remedy any deficiencies indicated by GEC staff.