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Young entrepreneurs plan museum's future
The business brains of the future went head-to-head to develop a fictional strategy for the British Commercial Vehicle Museum.
As part of UK Enterprise week, six teams of year 10 and 11 pupils from schools across the borough pitted their wits against each other to devise ideas for the future of the Leyland attraction.
Now in its fourth year the 'Schools Enterprise Challenge', organised by the Business Venture Group in partnership with South Ribble Borough Council, provides young people with the opportunity to experience the world of business and the many different considerations involved.
Each team was set a task to devise a business plan as part of which they were required to consider finance, staffing, marketing, planning, the law, competition and profitability.
Any viable ideas that the teams generated could one day be implemented at the British Commercial Museum, with the pupils themselves involved in the planning process.
Experts from South Ribble Borough Council, Business Venture Group, Sharp Marketing, the British Commercial Vehicle Museum, Barclays Bank and Clever Cloggs bookkeeping training were on hand to provide advice and support to each team.
Once each team had decided upon a strategy they had to prepare a business plan and then pitch their ideas to the panel of experts in a 'Dragon's Den' type scenario.
The experts then had to decide whether they were 'in' or 'out' in terms of supporting the proposed business strategy.
The overall winners were 'Then and Now' from Walton-le-Dale Arts College and High School who impressed the panel with their presentation skills and innovative ideas.
Ideas suggested on the day included creating a mural on the wall adjacent to King Street, introducing interactive electronic displays of working engines and having a driving simulator which would give visitors to the museum the chance to experience what it is like to drive a vehicle from the past.
'Then and Now' were presented with two trophies, one to keep and one to defend at next year's event.
The prize for best business plan went to 'British Motoring Evolution Museum' from Balshaw's High School and the prize for best logo went to 'Wheels of Time' from Lostock Hall Community High School.
Coun Cliff Hughes, cabinet member with responsibility for regeneration and planning, said: "This event was a huge success. The children who took part produced some wonderful and very creative ideas.
"I'm sure that the youngsters learnt many things that they can take away and apply in day to day life.
"It was clear from the level of enthusiasm and participation that these youngsters were enjoying the challenge and hopefully will be successful in their own future business ventures."
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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