Manx Telecom contract in Apprentice-style challenge St Ninian’s High School students got a taste of what it might be like to appear on The Young Apprentice TV show when they faced their own task to win a contract from Manx Telecom. It was all part of the school’s Enterprise Challenge scheme in which groups of students are given ?200 to invest in a business they create. Once they have done this, the teams are assessed by an expert panel who examine their financial competency, management skills, leadership, sales and marketing, presentation skills and teamwork. The ‘BizWhizz’ team of nine girls from Year 12 spotted that Manx Telecom had recently unveiled a new logo, so they decided to approach the company and offer to make key rings and coins for supermarket trolleys, all featuring the new design. After attending meetings to pitch their idea and prototype samples to Manx Telecom, the team also conducted market research and took part in negotiations over design and cost. In a similar style to BBC TV’s The Apprentice show, they were invited to make their pitch in the boardroom at Manx Telecom’s HQ at Isle of Man Business Park. Manx Telecom Marketing Director David Smith was in the role of Lord Sugar, and he was flanked by Marketing Communications Supervisor Gavin Smith, and Marketing Executive Marg McGee. After some tough negotiations Manx Telecom agreed to order over 1,500 supermarket trolley coins and key rings which the company will use as promotional items. David Smith said: “We were all very impressed with the presentation made by BizWhizz and delighted to award them the contract. The Enterprise Challenge project is a great way for students to learn about business in a practical way and we wanted to make the exercise as realistic as possible by challenging the team to produce the right product at the right price. They were all very professional in their approach and we wish them the best of luck in their final presentation.” There are five teams taking part in the St Ninian’s Enterprise Challenge this term. A winner will be chosen on December 9 when all of the teams make final presentations to the judging panel. Tony Roberts, Subject Leader of Business Education at St Ninian’s High School, said: “The BizWhizz team have worked very hard to secure this deal. It is a testament to their determination that such a large order has been agreed. Now it is a case of ensuring the order is delivered on time and to the required specification.” - ENDS -