Day 03 – Business Development

By /

Morning Session:

  • Energizer: Rock-Paper-Scissors Train
    • The day started off with a lively energizer: a Rock-Paper-Scissors Train Game. In this competitive and engaging activity, participants played against each other, and each time someone lost, they joined the winner’s “train” to cheer them on. The game continued until two large teams were left, creating a fun and enthusiastic atmosphere that set a positive tone for the day.
  • Workshop 1: Self-Discovery through Ikigai
    • The first workshop focused on the Japanese concept of Ikigai, which means “reason for being.” Participants explored this idea to better understand their passions, strengths, and values, and how these elements intersect. The activity aimed to help them uncover their personal motivations and find clarity on what drives them.
    • In teams, participants used this insight to brainstorm business ideas that aligned with their Ikigai, resulting in 8 unique concepts. Examples included a mushroom-based business and a HESSA-themed subscription service called “Hessa Premium.” This session not only encouraged self-discovery but also helped teams identify how their personal strengths could contribute to the project’s objectives.

May be an image of 5 people, people studying and chess

Afternoon Session:

  • Workshop 2: Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
    • Building on the morning’s brainstorming, participants developed their business ideas into Minimum Viable Products (MVPs). They answered key questions such as:
      • What problem does it solve?
      • Who is the target market?
      • What is the product’s unique value?
    • This workshop emphasized the importance of focusing on core features, allowing participants to refine their ideas into a form that could be tested and improved through feedback.

May be an image of 5 people and picnic

  • Workshop 3: SWOT Analysis
    • Participants then performed a SWOT Analysis on their MVPs, identifying the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats of each business concept. This exercise helped them gain a deeper understanding of both internal and external factors that could impact their ideas. Teams learned how to leverage their strengths, address weaknesses, and consider external opportunities and threats.

May be an image of 6 people and text

Evening Activity:

  • Cypriot Cultural Night
    • The day ended with a Cypriot Cultural Night that focused on creativity and marketing. The Cypriot team organized a playful activity where participants created the worst possible products or services—such as terrible-smelling perfumes or restaurants with rude service—and then had to creatively “sell” them.
    • After presenting their humorous ideas, the twist was revealed: participants had to switch teams and rebrand the “bad” products, turning them into appealing ones using clever marketing strategies.
    • This activity showcased participants’ creativity and flexibility in a fun, low-stakes environment, and set the stage for the Cypriot cultural presentation, where participants learned about the country’s history, cuisine, and traditional dances. The evening ended on a high note with positive feedback for the delicious desserts and cultural engagement.

May be an image of 7 people and text

General Daily Evaluation

Overall Satisfaction:

  • Participants expressed a range of emotions. Most felt the day was fun and creative, enjoying the practical workshops and interactive activities. The Cypriot evening was a major highlight for many, with participants praising the team’s creativity and presentation. Some, however, found parts of the day to be long and wished for more varied activities.

Highlights of the Day:

  • The standout moments included:
    • The Rock-Paper-Scissors Train Game energizer, which helped participants feel more connected.
    • The Cypriot Cultural Night, where participants had the opportunity to be creative and laugh together.
    • The SWOT Analysis session, which many found to be practical and eye-opening.

Challenges:

  • The main challenge was a lack of clarity in some of the workshop instructions, which led to confusion and reduced engagement. A few participants felt that they did not fully understand the tasks and had to ask for clarifications multiple times.
  • There was also mention of fatigue among participants, as some found the sessions to be long without sufficient breaks.

Suggestions for Improvement:

  • Many suggested including longer breaks to avoid burnout and maintain focus during sessions.
  • There was a request for more interactive and energizing activities to break up long workshop blocks.
  • Some participants suggested rotating seating arrangements during meals to encourage mingling and interaction between different national teams.

Other Observations:

  • Participants reported feeling increasingly comfortable and engaged as the project progressed. They appreciated the emphasis on creativity and self-discovery during the workshops.
  • There was a notable improvement in team chemistry, as groups felt more cohesive and confident in working together.