This short pragmatic course introduces learners to the concept of enterprise and entrepreneurs and underpins the knowledge needed to understand how and why entrepreneurs become successful, or indeed not. Enterprise and entrepreneurs are the driving force of any economy and this course will encourage learners to research and investigate the motivations as to why people are enterprising and risk-taking. The course will be delivered practically, allowing learners to be inspired by the many local and national entrepreneurs, thereby examining the potential entrepreneurial skills that could one day make them budding entrepreneurs.
This unit focuses on learners researching enterprises and entrepreneurs, drawing out what makes them creative and innovative, risk-taking and risk driven. It is essential to ensure that learners do not look at entrepreneurs with the proverbial ‘rose-tinted glasses’ and explore the issues and constraints that entrepreneurs face when setting up their enterprises.
The instructor aims to deliver this unit by introducing learners to local entrepreneurs, where possible. They will provide learners with the rich experiences of someone who has been through the process of setting up their own enterprise, the constraints, the issues and the desires. Often, the most inspiring of entrepreneurs can be found on anyone’s local high street – the barber, the florist or the local jeweller maker. Also, getting in touch with your local Chamber of Commerce may help build local networks with small businesses in your local area. To improve and make the course more interesting the instructor might use suitable videos from TED or clips from Dragons’ Den. Interviews, discussions, focused research activities and case studies will enhance delivery.
