Business Talk October 3rd 2016
Today, as the title suggests, we were kindly given a talk about the Student Enterprise programme by Serena who is the head of this programme for Wicklow, Kildare and a few other counties. It is quite clear our speaker is an experienced women in this area, and her knowledge on the topic was clearly delivered in her talk. Serena commenced the talk with a bit on her background, explaining to us who she is and what she does. Then we received an introduction to the Student Enterprise programme. As I am a Business and Economics student this programme is very relevant to me and interests me a lot. After understanding what exactly this programme entails she showed us the products that have won the programme (well actually it is a competition as well!) in the previous years. I must say I was pleasantly surprised with the simplicity of the products that have won the Student Enterprise nationally! What I mean to say is the people who won did not invent some new amazing product that would change the world, they simply found an area in society that needed improvement and with very little cost and work they improved this area. For example last year’s winner created “Headphone Helpers”. It seems such an obvious thing, yet incredibly useful! Most teenagers and young adults in Ireland today adore music and are very sporty. Almost all schools make it obligatory to participate in sports therefore the target market for this product is extremely large. This idea may seem strangely basic to win a competition but it is the way he packaged and promoted his product that helped Luke Byrne win the competition.
Today, as the title suggests, we were kindly given a talk about the Student Enterprise programme by Serena who is the head of this programme for Wicklow, Kildare and a few other counties. It is quite clear our speaker is an experienced women in this area, and her knowledge on the topic was clearly delivered in her talk. Serena commenced the talk with a bit on her background, explaining to us who she is and what she does. Then we received an introduction to the Student Enterprise programme. As I am a Business and Economics student this programme is very relevant to me and interests me a lot. After understanding what exactly this programme entails she showed us the products that have won the programme (well actually it is a competition as well!) in the previous years. I must say I was pleasantly surprised with the simplicity of the products that have won the Student Enterprise nationally! What I mean to say is the people who won did not invent some new amazing product that would change the world, they simply found an area in society that needed improvement and with very little cost and work they improved this area. For example last year’s winner created “Headphone Helpers”. It seems such an obvious thing, yet incredibly useful! Most teenagers and young adults in Ireland today adore music and are very sporty. Almost all schools make it obligatory to participate in sports therefore the target market for this product is extremely large. This idea may seem strangely basic to win a competition but it is the way he packaged and promoted his product that helped Luke Byrne win the competition.
Following this we were all given a paper clip along with 5 minutes to think of as many other uses this paper clip could have. First we were completely lost, but as we began brainstorming the possibilities rained down on us. A feew of the alternative uses for paper clips we thought of as a group were: a key holder, tweezers, a clip, a bag closer, a sim card remover and many more! This proved that when thinking of a product for the student enterprise programme we need to be creative and open to all suggestions. The more ideas the better! Lastly we were informed on vital information about the programme, namely the ‘do’s and don’ts’.
I found this talk very useful and interesting. I left the Halla Nua that afternoon with my mind open and inspired to improve my mini company product. I also now better understand how the student enterprise works and am no longer intimidated by the concept of it. As I have seen what it takes to compete and possibly win this competition I believe there is a chance I could do it! Immediately after the talk, when I arrived home I got out my notebook and wrote down ways to improve my mini company which is called “Sophie’s Little Candle Shop” and how I should promote and sell my product.
I found this talk very useful and interesting. I left the Halla Nua that afternoon with my mind open and inspired to improve my mini company product. I also now better understand how the student enterprise works and am no longer intimidated by the concept of it. As I have seen what it takes to compete and possibly win this competition I believe there is a chance I could do it! Immediately after the talk, when I arrived home I got out my notebook and wrote down ways to improve my mini company which is called “Sophie’s Little Candle Shop” and how I should promote and sell my product.