SSE Apprentice Simulation

The School for Social Entrepreneurs are an organisation helping early stage entrepreneurs from all over the UK set off on the right foot.

SSE approached us looking for a more powerful development experience for a group of 150 entrepreneurs. The aim: to create a learning experience that was more engaging, more meaningful – more impactful to the growth of the entrepreneurs and their ideas. The solution: an ‘Apprentice’ simulation – a hands on, ups and downs journey that challenged the entrepreneurs to dive in at the deep end, work in new teams, conceive and plan for a new enterprise and pitch their idea for investment to a group of real ‘dragons’.

We rolled the experience out at SSE’s residential event last October. 150 people were surprised by an unexpected announcement -  and a frantic 24 hours followed! Working competitively and mainly to their own devices, each team had to prepare a plan for a new business. We offered light support through playful aspects such as first-aid helpers, pit-stops and a range of ‘shop-keepers’ that offered advice in exchange for simulation credits. All teams then had to pitch their ideas at a market place at the end of the challenge

The event was a resounding success, and SSE feedback showed improvements against all objectives,  both in terms of business planning but also against key personal criteria.

Plans are already underway to develop the structure further, so look out for a bigger and better residential experience in 2010!