Dragons are smoothies

Jul 11 2007 by Rebekah Ashby, The Journal

WHO says the North-East business community aren’t a bunch of smoothies? Law firm Eversheds, shopping centre Washington Galleries, Sunderland housing group Gentoo, supermarket Sainsbury’s and envelope manufacturer Encore Washington are offering youngsters a unique insight into the world of commerce by acting as “business dragons” as they try to break into the smoothie market.

The businesses are all supporting the Washington-based Usworth Partnership with its innovative enterprise programme to provide 10 to 11-year-old school children with a simulated business challenge.

The programme, which takes place over the course of a week, challenges groups of Year 6 students from schools to set up their own smoothie-making organisations.

The week begins with students working together to come up with an original name and conducting market research among their peers into the smoothie market.

Students are then tasked with creating a smoothie product, designing their own packaging and costing their creation.

The young entrepreneurs also have to write and perform a radio and TV advert and design a poster around their product.

At the end of the week, students present their product and business idea to an assembled group of business dragons, in the hope that they can persuade one or more of them to invest in their business.

Jill Weightman, solicitor at Eversheds’ Newcastle office and one of the business dragons, said: “I was delighted to have the chance to take part in such an innovative project which has obviously generated a lot of enthusiasm from pupils.

“The standard of the presentations was very high and it was clear to see that over the course of the week, the students had gained a huge insight into what it takes to turn a business idea into a successful business.”

Laurence Bell, director of the Usworth Partnership EiCAZ, said: “The programme offers a unique opportunity for students to experience how dynamic and enjoyable working on a real business project can be.

“The tasks are designed to place different demands on the groups and test their ability to organise the work amongst themselves and utilise the different talents within the team to achieve the best results.

“Since the programme started in March, we’ve had fantastic feedback and we’re already receiving lots of inquiries about repeating it next year.”

The programme is drawing more and more support with the HR organisation North-East Employers Network (NEEN) and Gentoo both donating money to help fund the programme.