Math for Business Operations

Applied Accounting with Excel

UNIT06 - Lesson 9

Town Hall Debate Preparation

45 minutes
Lesson Overview

Lesson Focus

Prepare for and rehearse pricing strategy defense in debate format

Key Unit Objectives

Enduring Understandings:

  • Pricing decisions require balancing profitability with market competitiveness
  • Cost-Volume-Profit relationships govern business viability and strategic planning
  • Data-driven analysis provides objective foundation for subjective business decisions
  • Sensitivity analysis reveals business vulnerabilities and opportunities

Lesson Activities

Activity 1: Town Hall Format Overview
10 minutes

Understand debate structure and stakeholder perspectives

Details:

  • Panel composition: Economics teacher, PTA representatives, local entrepreneurs
  • Debate format: Initial presentation, cross-examination, rebuttal period
  • Stakeholder perspectives: Consumer advocate, business owner, economic analyst
  • Success criteria: Persuasive arguments, data integration, professional demeanor
Activity 2: Argumentation Strategy Workshop
15 minutes

Develop compelling arguments and anticipate counterarguments

Details:

  • Identify strongest elements of pricing analysis and recommendation
  • Anticipate likely challenges: too high, too low, insufficient data, unrealistic assumptions
  • Prepare data-driven responses using CVP model and sensitivity analysis
  • Practice transitioning between technical analysis and business communication
Effective Debate Strategies

Balance technical accuracy with persuasive communication

  • Lead with business benefit, support with technical analysis
  • Use specific numbers and scenarios to illustrate points
  • Acknowledge limitations while defending core recommendation
  • Connect to stakeholder concerns (profitability, competitiveness, market share)
Activity 3: Team Rehearsal & Refinement
15 minutes

Practice presentations and refine based on peer feedback

Details:

  • Teams practice their initial presentation within time limits
  • Rehearse responses to anticipated panel questions
  • Refine data visualizations and talking points for maximum impact
  • Assign roles for debate: lead presenter, technical expert, rebuttal specialist
  • Use PeerCritiqueForm rubric categories to structure peer feedback
Activity 4: Final Preparation & Logistics
5 minutes

Confirm readiness and review tomorrow's procedures

Details:

  • Verify all technical materials are ready and accessible
  • Review presentation order and time limits
  • Confirm understanding of debate rules and panel expectations
  • Final team confidence check and encouragement
Required Materials
  • Town hall debate format guide
  • Stakeholder perspective summaries
  • Presentation rehearsal feedback forms (PeerCritiqueForm rubric)
  • Technical setup checklists
Differentiation Strategies

For Struggling Students

  • • CVP Templates: Pre-built model structures with guided formula entry
  • • Visual Calculators: Step-by-step markup vs. margin calculation guides
  • • Peer Partnerships: Pair with students strong in Excel or business analysis
  • • Alternative Assessment: Focus presentation on business insights rather than technical details

For Advanced Students

  • • Advanced Modeling: Incorporate seasonality and demand elasticity into CVP models
  • • Leadership Roles: Facilitate peer critique sessions and support struggling teams
  • • Extended Analysis: Research actual competitor financial statements for deeper insights
  • • Presentation Enhancement: Create interactive Excel dashboards for town hall debate

For English Language Learners

  • • Business Vocabulary: Glossary of CVP and pricing terms with visual definitions
  • • Formula Explanations: Mathematical concepts explained with universal symbols
  • • Cultural Context: Discussion of pricing practices in different economic systems
  • • Collaborative Support: Mixed-language teams with peer translation assistance