/ Author: SPF

Managing Director Pierre Blampied channeled his inner dragon in round two of Dragons Den at Guernsey College of Further Education yesterday.

In teams, the fourteen students studying Business Studies proposed a theoretical business plan which would decide if their business would survive or fail within a twelve month cash flow situation.

The students taking part in the Dragons Den inspired event were taught by lecturer Peter McCook who is the Programme Leader for IT & Computing at GCFE. “It was very well received by the students, they were really prepared for it”.

The students proposed their own business plans for enterprises including: Hollie’s Hampers, Treat Me, Robert’s Health Store and Nostalgic.

Hollie Reed created a theoretical business plan called Hollie’s Hampers, a business where she would put a personal touch on home made hampers. “We chose something that we really enjoy”. Occassion hampers would include birthdays, weddings and gifts for both men and women. Reflecting on the event, Hollie said; “It was scary but a really good experience”.

Above picture: Jade, Hollie, Kamil and Laura

Laura Lazdane and Kamil Kozioł created a business proposal for an online clothing retailer for 1990s fashion, Nostalgic. Laura said, “the dragons were really nice” and when reflecting, they said this would be a business structure they would like to look at in the future. “It was fun, the dragons really liked our ideas!”

Pierre, alongside the other dragons, was asked to answer several questions when hearing the students’ business proposals. These included, ‘How well did the team present the initial business idea?’, ‘Did the team identify their target market?’ and ‘In principle, would you support this business proposal?’

Pierre said; “The three teams presenting to my team of Dragons all produced an excellent marketing document which was well thought through.”

“The three businesses which were presented to my panel were a beauty salon, a shop selling vegan products and an online clothes business for 18 to 25 year olds. Each business had various strengths and weaknesses such as offering incentive and loyalty schemes, excellent logo and good knowledge of use of social media such as Instagram.”

“The students had not done this before and came across very well, not showing signs of nerves. They were a credit to Guernsey College of Further Education.”

Alongside Pierre on the panel of Dragons were:
Michael Adkins, Partner & Advocate from Collas Crill.
Linda Boucher-Harris, Director, Treasury, from Rothschild Private Wealth, Rothschild Bank International Limited.
Frances Browning, ISO & Projects Office from Guernsey Recycling Group.
Matt Cox, Operations Director from Guernsey Recycling Group.
David Chamberlain, States Veterinary Officer, Agriculture, Countryside & Land Management Services (ACLMS) from States of Guernsey.
Jo Le Poidevin, Executive Director from Lloyds Bank Foundation

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