Edgeware’s Upload Young Entrepreneurs Camp
Right now I am at the Glasshouse Mountains Eco-lodge stretched out on a cosy attic bed reading Johnny Bunko: The Last Career Guide You’ll Ever Need by Daniel H. Pink and reflecting over the past day at Edgeware’s Upload Young Entrepreneurs Camp.
Upload 2009 is the maiden voyage of the camp for gutsy, high school to mid-twenty-aged, business-minded souls seeking the path before them. I am one of those people looking to surpass wasting my life away working unnecessarily for a business I have no attachment to in a job I feel nothing for.
Today started at 9am with general introductions and we soon moved on to receiving goodie bags and copies of the above manga book.
The goodie bags contained:
- the week’s schedule
- notebook and pen
- party popper for that epiphany moment
- map of Chartres Cathedral Labyrinth for that moment of despair
- specimin jar to contain items believed to personally represent the “edgie” on day one and then to be reflected on Friday
- inspirational quotes
- various bits of pieces to inspire that crafty side (a fork, wrapping paper lantern. Or box. At least I think that is what it is)
- and lastly, a copy of Edgeware’s Small Business Backpack by Ian Dover FAICD
So today we focused on value proposition, success, cash flow, risk management and more. Michael Doneman of Edgeware facilitated the most of the day with guest speaker Scott McKay visiting for the afternoon. It was a great day and more is planned in the form of a games night – theatre sports! Sounds good to me 
The Eco-lodge is a beautiful venue, I do not think the Edgeware team could have chosen a more suitable environment to inspire young minds. It should be noted also that through Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE, participants (about 15 of us) are gaining the following qualifications (one or two I believe I actually might already have as part of my Southbank Institute of Technology diploma in events management):
- (THCICS04A) Originate and develop a concept
- (THHGCS08B) Establish and conduct business relationships
- (THHGCS07B) Coordinate marketing activities
- (THHGLE19B) Develop and implement a business plan
- (THHGLE03B) Develop and implement operational plans
If anything today I have spent time getting back in touch with my goals for the next five years. We will be each leaving on Friday with both a one-page business plan and a number of artistic representations of that plan. Sounds fun? Sure will be!
January 12th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
I’d be interested in buying you a coffee upon your return if you’ll show me that business plan – I’d like to compare it with a strategic plan approach that I’ve followed in the past.
Although to be fair the approach I’ve seen tends to the strategic rather than operational side of things – with commensurate strengths and weaknesses.
Will buy coffee for look at business plan
.
Thanks: Micheal Axelsen
January 12th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
I’d love to see the business plan too! Especially the artistic one. Hope you’re doing good.
January 12th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
Would love to, Micheal! I’ve no plans for this weekend at the moment, but I’ll give you a message when I get back and we can sort something out. Will gladly share; ideas and planning rule.