In July 2024, the Sydney School of Entrepreneurship (SSE) had the privilege of hosting a group of young Korean students in collaboration with KNK Global, a Korean-based organisation dedicated to providing young people with opportunities to learn and explore business and life beyond their local and national boundaries. This event served as both an educational opportunity and a form of cultural exchange, providing the visitors with insights into entrepreneurship through a uniquely Australian lens.
The workshop itself, designed by SSE’s dedicated education team, aimed to introduce the students to the fundamental concepts of entrepreneurship. “Concepts, activities, and pitching skills were all part of the agenda,” explained Educational Design Manager, Cherie Karlsson.
“The students seemed to really love the experience; it felt like a wonderful experience for them, both as individuals and as a group.” Karlsson emphasised how the workshop offered students an insider’s perspective into entrepreneurship, blending learning with cultural immersion.
Exploring entrepreneurship
The workshop kicked off with a session on "What is entrepreneurship?" Students delved into the core entrepreneurial traits, such as fostering creativity, being action-oriented, and cultivating resilience. A highlight of this session was the activity called ‘On the Spectrum,’ which encouraged discussion about key entrepreneurial concepts through physical engagement.
Understanding the different types of entrepreneurs was another vital theme. The students explored various entrepreneurial pathways, including:
- Small Business Entrepreneurs: Individuals who sell goods and services through various outlets.
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Social Entrepreneurs: Those who aim to serve the greater good, improving communities or offering environmentally friendly products.
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Innovative Entrepreneurs: Problem-solvers who find workable solutions to make processes easier.
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Intrapreneurs: Employees of large companies who use their entrepreneurial skills to find growth opportunities.
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Scalable Startups: Entrepreneurs expecting rapid growth and needing the capacity to expand quickly.
The concept was further extended to include 'mumpreneurs', solopreneurs, and acquisition entrepreneurs, highlighting the diverse spectrum of entrepreneurial journeys.
Problem-solution mapping and workshopping
One of the core activities was problem-statement and problem-solution workshopping. Participants learned that identifying a problem is the first step in entrepreneurship. They engaged in exercises to understand:
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Who is affected by the problem?
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How severe is the problem?
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What are the root causes?
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What are the consequences of not solving it?
This understanding laid the foundation for creating meaningful and innovative solutions.
Customer persona and pitching
Understanding the customer is crucial for any entrepreneur. The workshop included sessions on building customer personas, helping students identify and understand their target audience.
Pitching skills were also a significant part of the workshop. Students received tips and tricks on effective pitching, including stance, eye contact, hand movements, and voice modulation. These skills are essential for capturing the audience's attention and delivering a compelling business idea.
Ms. Chul NamGung from KNK Global shared her thoughts on the workshop: "The SSE workshop was designed to teach our aspiring student entrepreneurs about the essence of entrepreneurship and how to deliver a pitch effectively. The workshop used various games to engage the students, making the experience enjoyable.
“This approach was highly satisfactory as it encouraged active participation. Additionally, the pitching feedback session that followed was very beneficial to the students. The panellists provided enthusiastic feedback, helping students refine their business ideas.
“It was especially helpful that they mentioned not only the content but also how to capture the audience's attention through pitching techniques and attitudes."
On reflection, the collaboration underscores the value of international educational exchanges! Education transcends borders. By bringing together students and educators/facilitators from different cultural backgrounds, programs like this serve to foster a global entrepreneurial mindset, preparing young minds to navigate and contribute to what is now a truly global socioeconomic landscape.
