Dates for your Diary
This years dates for your diary so far are as follows:
September 2011
You need to let us know if you are participating in the programme (you don't need to actually have your business set up you just need to let us know if you will be taking part in the process). If you are late with this don't panic but do let us know so that we can let others know you will be taking part. Teachers can call to schedule an idea generation workshop for the class to kick start the ideas process.
If you have missed this date do not panic just give us a call at 086 812 4106
October 2011
This is the time to delevop your idea and to do some market research to see if your idea is viable - if you need to source products or material for your business do so now - the most frequent comment we get from students is that they wish they had started earlier!! Mentoring is available from the schools co-ordinator and business mentors from Dublin City Enterprise Board throughout the programme - so if you feel this is a good time for some help - just ask your teacher to get in touch and Serena will be happy to help.
December 2011
You should plan your market day for this busy buying period. People want presents for Christmas and if your product is suitable they will often buy from the people they know. Again if you are running behind time don't panic - you could set up a separte marketing day for early in the new year - just try to get as many people as possible to attend your market day so that you can make as many sales as possible
When you are taking part in your market day use it as a trial for the competition - get used to talking to people and explaining what you have been doing as this is good practice for writing your business plan and indeed for the judges!
JANUARY 2012
You should be starting to write up your report about your activities to date. It is so much easier if you write as you go along but if your school would like to take part in a Report Writing workshop then let us know. Students should have a workbook from the beginning of the year which allows them to fill in the detail as you go through the schools programme. If your school needs these please ask your teacher to contact us so that we can get them to you.
If you have used your workbook then much of the work of the business plan writing is already done. Just write up the process and put in the detail as outlined in the workbook so that judges can get an idea of how you went about your business and don't forget the marking scheme under innovation so that you can see how marks are awarded as you go about the task of writing the business plan.
March 2012 - Dublin City Final - Location to be decided . This is a great day and well worth visiting even if you have not been selected by your school this year. There will be a designated visitor time during the day of the Dublin City Finals and we look forward to welcoming you on the day.
April/May 2012 - National Final - Croke Park. This is a great opportunity to view the ideas that have been developed throughout the country as the 35 Enterprise Boards throughout Ireland will be represented and it is amazing to see what a wide variety of business ideas are represented on the day.