Liverpool's Great Enterprise Challenge: Microsoft inspires young entrepreneurs
A senior executive from Microsoft has shared his secrets for success with young entrepreneurs at a Liverpool school.
Five students from Alsop High School, in Walton, have set up promotional video company Pear Productions to take part in Liverpool’s Great Enterprise Challenge.
And last week James Hsu, Microsoft’s Washington DC-based vice-president of public sector sales, spoke to them via Skype video phone about his business and career.
Pear has already won hundreds of pounds of business – and has reached the top 20 of the enterprise challenge, a council-run event in which the city’s 170 schools were encouraged to set up entrepreneurial ventures.
The students are based at Alsop’s Inspire Centre – a standalone unit in Connect Business Village off Derby Road, Kirkdale, that aims to teach students about the world of work.
Antony Stagg, head of Inspire, says he is keen to invite more business leaders from the UK and abroad to talk to students through Skype.
He said: “There’s no better careers advice than if kids hear somebody talk who’s in business.
“He wouldn’t be able to get a plane to come here. It’s hard for people to take time out of their day. But with this technology we can set up 10 calls a day.
“It can give the students huge insights. We’ve been able to set up mock interviews with employers. People can give advice from the comfort of their own desks.”
Pear was set up three months ago and has produced three videos for three schools, as well as advertising posters seen at Alsop.
It recently won a £500 contract to produce short films for Alan McCarthy, founder of The Resource Development Centre and one of the world’s leading sales development consultants.
Adam Cook, 18, is the company’s managing director. He said: “It’s good to have the opportunity to put this on your CV and do things like this.
“We hope to expand outside Liverpool. And we want to spread to work with companies as well – at the moment we’re just working with local schools.”
Phil Jamieson, who has just retired as Alsop’s headteacher after 39 years at the school, said: “The team at Pear Productions, along with the staff, have put in an immense effort to move their business forward in the Great Enterprise Challenge.
“This is an excellent opportunity for us to showcase their talent in such a positive way.
“The link with Microsoft is a very special achievement for the students. I will be following their progress closely in the new year.”
Alsop’s team is one of 22 from city schools to reach the next stage of the enterprise challenge.
In January, those schools will be whittled down to 10 – and those five primary and five secondary schools will compete against each other in the final as part of the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Liverpool in March.
City council cabinet member Cllr Gary Millar, who created the challenge, said the event had attracted many “amazing entrepreneurial ideas”, including Alsop’s entry.
He added: “This school has expertly demonstrated innovation, sustainability and growth.”
‹
Back
The Capital, 39 Old Hall Street, Liverpool
L3 9PP
Telephone: +44(0)151 600 2900
Email:
info@liverpoolvision.co.uk