Materials: Intrust IT B2B Challenge Worksheet, Writing utensil, Ability to present corresponding PowerPoint
Instructions:
1. Introduce the activity for the day, Intrust IT B2B Challenge and that the objective of the activity is to think creatively on how businesses work together.
2. Pass out the Intrust IT B2B Challenge Worksheet, one per student, and make sure students have a pencil or pen.
3. After everyone has been given their worksheet, explain to students how businesses work together to operate. Ask students if they can think of any businesses that are Business-To-Business (B2B) rather than Business-To-Consumer (B2C). Explain/ask what is the difference between B2B and B2C using the corresponding PowerPoint.
4. After explaining the difference between B2B and B2C, ask students to think of their own business idea and the name of their business for this challenge.
- – Encourage students to think of a business that they would want to run one day that relates to their existing interests!
5. After students come up with their business and business name, have students identify and write down a minimum of 3 items or tasks their business needs to successfully operate, and their target market. Give students 10-15min to brainstorm this, assisting as needed.
- – Rule: Students CANNOT choose money, clients or customers for their items.
- – Show some examples of what these items or tasks could be on the PowerPoint
6. After a 10-15min brainstorm, explain to students they have another 15min or so to come up with as many B2B transactions as possible. To do so, have students work together around the classroom and determine amongst themselves whose businesses would work well together to meet their needs for successful operation. This can be either through mutual partnership or as a one-way transaction. Once a partnership or transaction is identified, have the student’s write down what the name of the classmate and business is and how it works together with their business.
7. At the end of the time allotted, ask students how many connections they made. The student with the most wins the challenge!
- – How did this activity make you feel? What did it make you think?
- – What, if anything, surprised you during this activity?
- – What did this activity make you realize about your classmates? Your mentors? What about yourself?
7. ***NOTE: This lesson may be done as an Icebreaker, or as a full visit. If done as an Icebreaker, take only 5 or 10 minutes to do the Step Circle activity so that your team has time for your other activity. If done as a full lesson, take time before and after the Step Circle activity to engage with the students on why lessons like this are important.
- – If your team chooses to do so, pass out the prize for the winner(s). This could be the person with the most connections, top 3, etc.
8. Finish up the lesson by sharing with the students this challenge is about teamwork, communication, and the importance of building relationships!
Tips: Encourage students to think of a business that they would want to run one day. How does this business relate to their interests? What are the needs of the community for this business?
