Happy New Year and welcome back!
Our last session together before holidays, our Dragons’ Den, was a great experience for everyone involved. We hope you’ve all had some time to recharge because now is the time to fire up and start doing. Semester 1 was training and prep but now is the time to fly the nest.
Here is the plan of action for semester 2. This is the only notice needed for responsible business owners to plan accordingly. Please note all sessions are compulsory.
Friday 11 January 14:00 – 17:00
SEMESTER OVERVIEW
FINANCE: ACCOUNTING
RAISING FINANCE
TEAM STAND-UPS (update on progress since the Dragons’ Den + planning + set targets)
You will need your Young Enterprise login information so you can access your accounts. Bring details of transactions already made so you can get assistance recording these. Also, please identify issues (VAT, pricing, break-even calculation, stock valuation, cash flow etc.) you would like clarified during the session.
After this session, you will start developing your crowdfunding campaign on KUBacker.
Friday 18 January 14:00 – 17:00
PROFESSIONAL SELLING
After this session, you will create your online store on YE Marketplace.
From this day, you will be reporting your weekly sales once a week. Set targets for each team member so you all know what you are working towards.
Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 January 9:00 – 17:00
BRIGHT IDEAS SPRINT
Bright Ideas SPRINT is a Start Up weekend which will bring together up to 150 students from Kingston University to work with experts and coaches, creating or developing excellent ideas. To all students that have entered the Bright Ideas competition, attending the SPRINT will boost your chances of winning. Register here.
Thursday 24 January 12:30 – 17:00 Kingston Business School Atrium
KINGSTON BUSINESS SCHOOL TRADE FAIR
You need to have product on the table, ready to sell! £10 stand fee per team – paid towards prizes for the Best Stand, Best Product, Best Sales Team, Best Overall Company (3 judges will be making rounds on the day). Tables will be provided. Detailed instructions to follow.
Note: 3 trade fairs will be arranged for you, but you should look for other opportunities and places to sell.
Friday 25 January 14:00 – 17:00
BRANDING, PACKAGING & DISPLAY DESIGN
Review of the trade fair and discussion of your branding, packaging, and stand design.
Task briefing: Create your video advert by 9 Feb.
Friday 1 February 14:00 – 17:00
(DIGITAL) CUSTOMER JOURNEY
Wednesday 6 February TBC (+ awards ceremony 16:30 – 19:00)
BRIGHT IDEAS FINAL
If your Bright Ideas entry is successful, you will be invited to pitch your product or service in front of a panel of judges.
Find out more and register for the awards ceremony.
Friday 8 February 14:00 – 17:00
THE OSCARS
In-class presentation and discussion of your video adverts. The winning teams will be awarded based on peers’ judgment.
Enrichment Week Monday 11 – Friday 15 February
Draft your business report based on the examples available on Canvas.
Individual selling opportunities organised by individual teams.
Friday 22 February 14:00 – 17:00
BUSINESS REPORT SURGERY SESSION
PREPARATION FOR KINGSTON TOWN CENTRE TRADE FAIR
Saturday 23 February 9:00 – 17:00
EDEN WALK SHOPPING (KINGSTON TOWN CENTRE) TRADE FAIR
Trade Fair to be held in a high traffic area of the Kingston shopping district. It will be outdoors. £10 stand fee per team – paid towards prizes for Best Stand, Best Product, Best Sales Team, Best Overall Company (3 judges will be making rounds on the day). Tables will be provided. Detailed instructions to follow.
Friday 1 March 14:00 – 17:00
SOCIAL MEDIA AND NETWORKING REPORT SURGERY SESSION
You will need a completed draft of your Social Media & Networking Report assignment for this session. Download the template from Canvas.
Monday 4 March by 16:00 on Canvas
SUBMIT SOCIAL MEDIA AND NETWORKING REPORT (10% of module mark)
Friday 8 March 14:00 – 17:00
MOCK DRAGONS’ DEN
Final practice run. With external judges.
Thursday 14 March by 16:00 on Canvas
SUBMIT TEAM BUSINESS PRESENTATION AND REPORT (60% of module mark)
Friday 15 March 14:00 – 19:00
To be held in the afternoon and evening in the Business School. The top team chosen by a panel of external judges will be going to the National Start-up Final (typically the first part of May, date TBC). Winner of the National competition gets an all-paid trip to the European competition.
SUBMIT A HARD COPY OF YOUR BUSINESS REPORT TO JUDGES DURING YOUR PRESENTATION.
Thursday 21 March 15:00 – 19:00 (TBC) Penrhyn Road Campus
CELEBRATE ENTERPRISE CEREMONY + TRADE FAIR 3
Celebrate Enterprise is the annual event at Kingston University when we celebrate success and achievements in entrepreneurship and enterprise.
Friday 26 April by 23:59 on your blogs + on Canvas
SUBMIT FINAL BLOG POST = REFLECTIVE ESSAY ASSIGNMENT (30% of module mark)
(Plans sometimes change – if that happens, we will let you know.)
It is going to be an exciting semester – buckle up & enjoy the ride!
See you all later!
