'You're hired'
A level business students got a taste
of the boardroom as they took part in an ‘Apprentice’-style
challenge designed to see if they’ve got what it takes to impress
in the business world.
Facing the fearsome might of Lord Sugar (aka
Head of A levels, Mel Colley) were four teams going into the second
year of their A level business course.
Students had to design a business strategy for
a well-known high-street retailer, looking at challenges in the
marketplace, business objectives and strategies incorporating
marketing, finance and HR. The teams then had to present their
ideas to their peers – and to the fearsome boardroom panel.
'Lord Sugar' with winning team
Afrazian and runners-up Fair-Traders
Winning team Afrazian impressed the judges
with their teamwork, narrowly beating runners-up Fair
Traders.
Team leader, Jessica Provencal, said: “We
visited the retailer, talked to customers and investigated the
product range. We came up with a lot of ideas and developed the
best ones into solutions. We worked really well together and were
very pleased with our final presentation.”
Business A level Lecturer Michelle Stuchbury
said: “We ran this challenge as a good introduction for students to
the second year of their A level programme.
"As well as being good fun, the competition
helped them to think about real life business situations and apply
what they have learned. It was tough to choose the winners as all
the students has done so well, but Afrazian came up with better
solutions and worked really well as a team.”