Enterprise Case Study
Business Communications Systems Department
Led by: Ms Samantha Bamford – Head of Business Studies
Year Group: 9
Time Period – October to December 2007
Project: A poster advertising a fitness gift experience voucher for a local gym
Introduction:
Working in partnership with a local businessman our students took part in a design activity. The students were given a brief to design a poster advertising fitness vouchers for a Christmas present. They were given his logo and corporate colours and they had to incorporate a Christmas design. The winning poster was going to be printed out by and displayed in a gym advertising this service.
The Mission Statement:
‘To develop and provide a high quality, competitively priced promotional and informative poster for a local community project’.
Critical Success Factors:
Listed below are examples of successes and company objectives achieved during the project, using the 14 Enterprise Skill Focus areas as guidelines:
1. Originality (creativity, innovation & improvisation to create new ideas).
The students had to come up with a design from scratch; they needed to make sure it was both professional and festive.
2. Decisions (using skill making decisions to be efficient).
The students decided all formatting needed and they linked their poster design with the vouchers.
3. Self Belief (building self confidence & self respect)
Self belief grew within the students as soon as they realised that it was a real life business. They were very excited about taking part in this activity, they all wanted to win.
4. Practical Management (using resources, organisations & time management).
We managed to do the design work within the 1 lesson, I then took all the students’ work to the owner and he selected the winning design. Impact Publications based at Kings’ School printed the winning design. Please see attached the winning poster design.
5. Motivation (using leadership & example to motivate others).
Motivational skills are very clearly highlighted in the lesson, they all wanted to win and have the poster printed out. The students really responded to working on behalf of a local business.
6. Working with others (using personal & social skills, teamwork, and task sharing)
During lessons the students were very keen to share good practice with each other, for example; when choosing a suitable background and border. Even though the pupils were working on this project as individuals, they generally shared knowledge of their ICT skills.
7. Working alone (developing self-reliance, independence, autonomy & self motivation).
The whole project was independence learning – they were putting their core ICT skills into an actual working practice.
8. Risk Management (using skills to identify analyse & recognise risk to effect progress).
The students were aware of copyright.
9. Effective Communication (presentation, literacy &verbal communication skills).
The poster was very effective and looked very professional on the notice board in the gym.
The poster was very effective and looked very professional on the notice board in the gym.
10. Flexibility (co-operation, adaptability, adjustment & compromise to improve).
N/a
11. Perseverance (using determination & commitment to complete tasks).
95 % of the class completed the task to a satisfactory level.
12. Social Responsibility (integrity, and fairness for ethical decisions).
N/A
13. Overcoming Barriers (using skills to identify and analyse possible pitfalls).
Some of the pupils found the time deadline a challenge. They spent too much time on the formatting and therefore didn’t leave themselves enough time on the poster content.
14. Achieving (using a ‘can do’ approach in setting targets for success)
N/A
Associated Costs & Pricing:
The company was very pleased with the poster and paid for the printing.
Project Evaluation:
The students were highly motivated to complete this project and it has forged a relationship between the school and the local business. The current year 9’s are now taking part in a market research project for the same business.
Possible Project Extensions:
Kings’ School is taking positive action to promote this project to external businesses and parents. An Enterprise Education leaflet details the importance of Enterprise Education and stresses the vital working partnerships with ‘real’ businesses.
Parents have also been provided with a list of products ‘Impact Publications’ can produce, namely:
· Posters (various sizes)
· Business Cards
· Banners
· Postcards
· Bookmarks
