Type: High School

Recommended for grades 9-12

Students in the Company Program develop their 7 key entrepreneurial skills through learning by doing activities that involve a real entrepreneurial experience in developing a pilot company. The activities take place under the guidance of a teacher and a JA volunteer (entrepreneur or experienced business specialist).

Also known across Europe as Mini Enterprise, the program is recognized by the European Commission as a model of good practice in entrepreneurship education.

Students who take part in this program can take the European Certificate of Entrepreneurial Skills (ESP) exam free of charge, thus gaining recognition of their entrepreneurial skills at European level.

OBJECTIVES

1. Development of the ability to understand economic principles and decision-making in the market economy
2. Development of teamwork skills and relational behaviours, balanced for the market economic system
3. Development of critical economic thinking and attitudes conducive to decision-making and accountability

EDUCATIONAL CONTENT

The materials (complete classroom set) are provided for free by Junior Achievement Romania:

1. teacher's guide
2. student's workbook
3. company files (department files, sheets, forms, tables)

SKILLS DEVELOPED

By taking part in Company Program, students develop the 7 key entrepreneurial skills:

• Creativity
• Team spirit
• Perseverance
• Self-confidence
• Initiative
• Accountability
• Risk-taking
• Understanding and managing resources

ACTIVITY LIST

1. Introduction. The company
   Students use brainstorming to develop and define company goals, which they evaluate against a set of criteria.
2. Setting responsibilities in a company
   Students list the qualities of leaders, department leaders and compare leadership positions in different areas to identify similarities and differences.
3. Evaluating product or service ideas
   Students list the characteristics of successful products or services, create a simple market research strategy and develop market research tools.
4. Selecting a product or service
   Learners trace the demand curve for product or service options and analyze the results of market research and the final decision regarding the development path.
5. Developing a preliminary business plan
   Students work in teams to develop a business plan, explaining its purpose and concepts.
6. Coordinating a board meeting
   Students lead a meeting and complete the business plan.
7. Running and managing a pilot company
   Students execute the marketing campaign. They make and sell the product or provide the service, keeping records of the business. They analyze the economic indicators of the pilot company.
8. Closing operations
   Students work together to close out the company, describing the main components of the company's balance sheet and income statement. They draft a letter to shareholders for the assessment of the pilot company's performance.

"While taking part in the JA Company program, my students learned to trust their ideas, work as a team, develop a business plan, ask questions, do research and, most importantly, speak in public. In addition, because of its involvement in Junior Achievement programs and projects over the years, our school is now well-recognized in the community and enjoys the support of the local authorities." – Dorina Mormocea, teacher, National College of Computer Science, Piatra Neamt