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Business planning challenge brings alumni back to school

The BP Business Challenge is a component of the Young Enterprise programme, giving Year 11 students an introduction to the business planning process.

Over three days, students work in teams to create a hypothetical product, set up a company and prepare a business strategy to sell their product. They step through a process that includes research, finance, production, sales and marketing. At the end of the process, they must create a display and present a business plan.

It was great to have alumni attend to support the judging process:
  • Lyndsay Rewcastle - director of Process One Solutions (1972)
  • Ashlee McCormick - corporate sustainability co-ordinator, HSBC (2004)
  • Renee Cassin - associate director - advisory, Bank of New Zealand (2006)
We also welcomed as a guest judge Rhys Taleafa, a trustee of the Pacific Business Trust.

The judges thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Their feedback talked of being impressed with the product ideas, inspired by the teamwork, and humbled by those who had mastered their fears and were able to stand up and present their plans. The predominant themes in the products were for convenience, affordability and sustainability, for example - refillable pens, pens that also play music, shoes that can be adapted for multiple sports, and a pillow with built in music.

The winning enterprise was E World, maker of an electronic pet collar. The product is designed to encourage pet ownership, by ensuring lost animals can be easily found.

If you would like to participate in events such as this through the Alumni Connection Programme, please get in touch:
Leanne Gibson
[email protected]


 

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