Fortrose Team Are European Champions
A team of young entrepreneurs from Fortrose Academy have won the European Business Game Final which was held today in Inverness. Danielle Murren, Sinead MacKintosh and Kian Rex won the prestigious award for their business idea of a road safety device that gives drivers advanced warning of possible hazards which they might encounter on the road.
Representing not only the Highlands but the whole of Scotland, Kian Rex from Culbokie and Sinead MacKintosh from Balblair had to face a panel of European judges when they gave their presentation in the Council Chamber at Glenurquhart Road. Giving them support was Principal Teacher of Business Studies at Fortrose Academy, Jacquie Ross.
When the results were announced she said: “I am extremely proud of the team and it is great to see all their hard work has been rewarded against some very stiff competition.”
The Highland Council has been coordinating Highland participation in the European Business Game for the past 15 years. Highland teams have traditionally done very well at the international finals which are hosted by a different country each year. Previous winners include teams from Golspie High School, Kingussie High School, Inverness High School, Ullapool High School as well as Fortrose Academy.
Councillor Drew Hendry, Chairman of the Council’s Planning, Environment and Development Committee said: “We are delighted to give our support to this initiative which complements our own business development activities and it was an honour for us to host the finals and welcome participants from around the world to the Highlands.
“Taking part can help to develop the young students into budding entrepreneurs and encourage them to believe in their abilities. Through the scheme the young people learn many skills that they can then go on to use and develop throughout their lives including communication and presentation skills which can boosts their self confidence.
The competition is a great way for students to share ideas with other young people from around the globe and get to know more about different cultures. I was very impressed with all the presentations and congratulate all the finalists and wish them well for their futures.”
All week the Highlands have hosted teams of young people from Italy, Denmark, The Faroe Islands, Croatia, the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic, all competing in the 2007 European Business Game.
Background:
The European Business Game originated in Ravenna Italy in 1990. The game involves final year school students establishing teams of up to five members and working together to develop an initial business idea into a 25 page business plan.
The Service works closely with organisations such as PSYBT (The Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust) to deliver the business game and often successful PSYBT businesses act as mentors offering encouragement and advice to European Business Game teams. The Business Game also complements other enterprise initiatives operating in the Highlands such as Young Enterprise Scotland and the ICT Challenge.
Taking part in the European Business Game helps students enhance their communications and presentation skills. It can provide them with a confidence building and horizon widening experience that can assist them in their transition from school to further and higher education and to the world of work.
European Business Game teams do not have to produce a physical product. The game’s ultimate goal is the development of a business plan for their product or service that will stand up to close scrutiny from an expert panel of judges drawn from the business and financial world.
The business plan has to illustrate the company’s structure, market research findings and marketing proposals as well as detailed three year financial projections including sources of finance. The teams are also encouraged to develop links with other participating countries by establishing joint venture agreements with teams in the Business Game network.