In the first session, students explore their ‘Why’. They dive deeper into understanding the UK business landscape and conduct numerous self-reflection exercises to determine their vision, values and personal strengths.

In Week Two of the workshop we focus on the product or service's value proposition. Students will identify the problem addressed, assess the target audience, and use the Lean Business Canvas for strategic planning. The session teaches students how to effectively craft a customer value proposition as well as a positioning statement for strategic market placement.

Week three of the workshop focuses on understanding the target market and business opportunities. Students delve into analysing competitors' offerings, comparing different revenue models, and determining revenue generation. Practical skills include creating customer personas, mapping customer journeys, gathering evidence of product/service demand, and exploring potential resources, including grants and loans.

Week 4 of the workshop concentrates on formulating a go-to-market plan, validating processes and achieving business traction. Students develop a plan to reach initial customers without spending large budgets, including tools on how to assess their customer willingness to pay, product-market fit and market validation. Additionally, students will identify and evaluate milestones and learn to differentriate between loans, grants, and investment for effective funding strategies.

In week 5, students learn about different, less evident competitors and identify similar competing ventures. They conduct a comprehensive competitive analysis which leads to a better understanding of their own business sustainability. The session delves into profitability, business growth, strategic funding, and continuous entrepreneurial skill development. Students leave knowing where to seeking guidance and assistance for their next steps in their entrepreneurial journey.

In week 6, students will present their pitch deck, to their peers, business tutors and externals. The deck will showcase how far they have moved their business idea from Week 1, what they will do next and what support they need for the next step. Other students are asked to provide constructive feedback and discuss potential ways to overcome hurdles. I will also provide my professional opinion and advice on next steps.