Pimp My Plimsolls - 18th October 2010

The ‘Pimp My Plimsolls’ task involved real life investigations and active enquiry with all the students forming innovative design teams, interacting with each other for ideas, based in a large shoe manufacturer and competing against each other to come up with the best idea for a new brand of plimsolls.

Laura Johnson, Salford BEP facilitator said: “Even though we gave the students a fun theme to work on, the whole point of the Young Enterprise scheme is to engage them and to develop their enterprise skills.”

Students formed groups of five and took on roles as Marketing Manager, Design Manager, Researcher, Brand Manager and Financial Manager. Each had personal tasks to complete towards the grand finale of the day - the group business pitch. 

Local design business iFlourish directors Rob Lenihan and Frankie O’Brien joined Salford City Academy to add a real world element to the day. They viewed the pitches and acted as the shoe manufacturers’ Managing Directors looking for the most enterprising new brand. They also gave them advice on marketing and design ideas that the students had come up with from their group work.  This also gave the students an understanding of the work the two directors were involved in on a day to day basis.

Julie Larkinson, Salford City Academy’s Director of Work Related Learning said: “The day has been a great success; the students have been extremely motivated and organised to complete their personal tasks and to pull together as a team for their business pitch. The input from the iFlourish team has been invaluable and we thank them for the time they’ve spent with us.”

Throughout the day Rob Lenihan and Frankie O’Brien also held individual business meetings with Marketing Managers, Design Managers and Researchers to highlight the importance of the roles, help drive the students’ business decisions and to improve their skills in problem solving, communication, budgeting, teamwork, initiative and creativity.

Rob Leinhan said: “Today has gone really well; many of the students wanted to head straight into the shoe design but the themed task was all about helping them understand the whole product design process from research, costings and marketing. We’ve spotted some real bright sparks today with some great ideas.”

Frankie O’Brien added: “We’ve seen some real talent and creativity today which many of the students just aren’t aware will stand them in good stead when they go out into the real world to work.”

The ‘Pimp My Plimsoll’ winners won £50 Trafford Centre vouchers for their team.