Vari@ is an educational practice firm that allows participants
to gain insight into the real business world as well as experience in office
work. Started on April 11, 2005, this company is specialized in the promotion
and distribution of Lanaudière’s regional products. The suppliers
act as sponsors of the practice firm and their products are sold through the
company’s Web site to other members of the Canadian Practice Firm Network
(CPFN).
To become incorporated in the Canadian Practice Firm Network, Vari@ has deposited an official request to the CPFN. The CPFN is the central office for all practice firms of the country. Its main goals are to ensure the productiveness of all PF, their development within Europen’s network and the opening of more PF through the country.
The teachers and students in Office Automation Department of the Cégep régional de Lanaudière à Joliette are the “employees” of the practice firm. As the students are part of the enterprise during only one to three years, it is their responsibility to give a solid structure to the PF, ensuring its prosperity and growth for many, many years. The teachers are the only ones who will link each generation of students, one to another.
The first Partner that Vari@ approached
is the Cannebergière Coutu, located in St. Thomas, Lanaudière.
This family farm used to harvest tobacco until recently. Due to the many changes
on Quebec’s tobacco market, it was not a good idea to stay in that field.
They decided to completely change their views and bet on something different:
the cranberries. Since then, they produce more than 3,000 tons of these small
fruits, every year. At this time, there is no enterprise of the like within
the Canadian Network and Vari@ hopes to be able to take its full place in that
area.
Vari@ is also selling various strawberry-based products, harvested and prepared at the Ferme Guy Rivest, located in Rawdon, Lanaudière. That farm was a one of a kind, being the first to obtain a license for an artisan production, delivered by La Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux du Québec. The enterprise is proud of the medals won during the Fruit Wine Contest, and also of the development of their new products that are simply delectable.
These are the goals of Vari@ for 2004-2005:
- Register the enterprise to the Canadian Practice Firm Network
- Create the organizational chart of Vari@
- Establish the inner and outer communication system
- Decide the sales strategy that will be adopted by the enterprise
- Offer the products of our Partners to other PF
- Organize a press conference
- Ensure the prosperity and the development of Vari@
The name Vari@ has been unanimously adopted by the students in 2005, after a long period of discussion, thinking and brainstorming. Varia is a latin word that is used just as much in French than English and means “diversified things”. Since Vari@ will eventually sell various products, to various enterprises, in various countries, that word was simply perfect.
To give a virtual insight to the outsiders, the last “a” of Vari@ has been replaced by a “@”. Furthermore, this symbol is universal and represents the international and commercial sides of the enterprise. To put more emphasis upon this illustration, the Earth is incorporated within the logo. Vari@ is only getting started, and it tries to take its very own place on the virtual market, by using a simple name that will stay in minds of its future allies and customers.
