All Recent Articles
Filter by division:

DECA Direct Magazine: Next Level Leadership
A new school year brings new chances to elevate your leadership to the next level. Discover fresh ideas to enhance your chapter and become a leader worth following in your school, community and beyond.

The Next Level is Inclusion
It has never been more important for emerging leaders to be characterized by teamwork, innovation, competency and integrity. Fortunately, those are the valued characteristics of DECA’s student leaders. What if this moment needs you and the unique values that drive your leadership?

Top Tips for Socially-distant Membership Recruitment
Building your chapter’s membership is one of the most important ways to set it up for success in the new school year. But what are the best ways to recruit within the “new normal” of more virtual interactions and less in-person activities? Learn how to recruit new members the socially-distant way with these top tips.

The Power of the Diamond
Throughout your DECA career, you’ll wear the blazer, throw up a DECA diamond symbol and add lots of blue to your wardrobe. You will also undoubtedly hear DECA’s core values and mission statement more times than you can count. But have you ever stopped to think about what they really mean?

Cultivate Your Chapter’s Culture
2020 is a year that has changed all of our lives. If your DECA chapter has experienced a decline in recent months, struggling to cope with virtual meetings and maintain engagement, your chapter culture may need a boost.

Discover Your DECA Leadership Style
There are hundreds of assessments to help you pinpoint your leadership traits, but the only one you need to take your leadership to the next level is the DECA Leadership Style Quiz.

Influence with Informal Leadership
While you may not have an official leadership title, you still have the ability to help take your chapter to the #NextLevel with your informal leadership influence. Read on to learn more about informal leadership and how you can use it to make this year a success for you and your chapter.

5 Tips for Your Freshman Year
Entering high school can be a nerve-wracking experience, but remember you're not alone! To help calm your nerves and ensure you start off on the right foot, follow these five tips for your freshman year.

DECA Members Raise $7,000 Through the MDA Muscle Corp Program
DECA members raised over $7,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) this summer through the pilot MDA Muscle Corp Program. Twenty-one DECA members successfully completed the program and earned 40 hours of community service.

Mountain View High School Virtual Recruitment
Like for many chapters, this year’s DECA kickoff meeting was unique for Mountain View High School in Georgia. Even though the meeting was held through Zoom, the chapter still found a way to make it one of their best meetings yet.

How to Raise Your Membership to the #NextLevel
As we enter a new year, it's time to get excited about membership recruitment! We know this year is going to look different, so here are some tips for taking your recruitment efforts to the #NextLevel!

Watch Now: The 2020-2021 #NextLevel Membership Video
This is not just another year. This is the year we push our limits and set our sights higher than ever before. No matter what your dreams and goals for the future, propel yourself to the #NextLevel with DECA.

Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs
Successful entrepreneurs are self-aware individuals who cultivate these traits, allowing them to navigate the challenges and uncertainties of the entrepreneurial journey with resilience and determination.

Using Generative AI to Power Student Entrepreneurship
This article provides an overview of how Generative AI technologies like ChatGPT can be leveraged by student entrepreneurs while offering a balanced guide for navigating the entrepreneurial landscape with AI.

Case Study of the Week: Increasing Sales by Adding New Services
Step into the role of the general manager at Madison Foods, a local grocery store in a city with 50,000 people. The owner of the store wants you to determine a new service to offer that will lead to increased sales.

From DECA Advisor to Chick-fil-A Owner-Operator
Vince Merrell found ways to encourage youth throughout his career as a DECA advisor and a Chick-fil-A Owner-Operator in Las Vegas, Nevada. In this article, discover how Merrell's path to Chick-fil-A was surprising and unexpected.

Engage: An Exciting Journey of Discovery and Growth
At Collegiate DECA Engage, we delved into the heart of what makes us great, both individually and as a community. It wasn't just about attending an event but about being part of an experience.

A Look Back on Collegiate DECA Engage in Kansas City
200 Collegiate DECA members attended the 2023 Engage Conference in Kansas City, MO on November 2-4, 2023.

Case Study of the Week: Creating an Employee Volunteer Program
Step into the role of the director of human resources for Platter Group, a large global media, marketing and corporate communications company. The president of Platter Group has asked you to create an employee volunteer program.

Giving Back to DECA
I recently had the privilege of attending the MO DECA Fall Leadership Conference. This experience was particularly special as it allowed me to impart valuable knowledge in various domains critical for their future success.

Cracking the Code on Black Friday Marketing Strategies
One of the biggest holiday sales is coming up, but what makes it such a big event and even an American tradition? The key is all in how it’s marketed. Explore some of the top marketing strategies for Black Friday and explore how you can apply them to your brand.

Entrepreneurship Advice From DECA Members
Entrepreneurship is a lifelong goal for some people, and DECA members work to tackle that and make their dreams a reality. Look at what some members are doing to reach their goals!

Elevate Your DECA Journey: Mastering the Art of LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a powerful tool for DECA members to elevate their professional journey. By following these best practices and networking strategies, you'll be well on your way to success within DECA and beyond.

Workplace Skills for Success
Unlock your path to success in the dynamic job market by discovering 7 emerging workplace skills you need to stay ahead of the competition. This article guides you to becoming the ideal candidate in a rapidly evolving professional landscape.