The morning started with some energiser games – they gave us another opportunity to interact with other participants from across Europe and get to know each other better. First game was ”Stand in line” with participants standing in line according to different categories (first letter of your name, first letter of your country, height, hours of sleep last night, etc.). The second game was the Pony game with a song and dance about riding a pony near a lake!
Dragons Den
To start with, teams were asked to determine the correct order of starting up a business given a list of possible steps such as writing a business plan, creating ideas, preparing annual reports and market research. Theoutcome of this was to show that there is no one right approach in starting up a new business but a certain format would help to build a successful company.
Groups were then asked to present a business concept given only a theme and a template. Groups chose from the following industries: website, fashion, gardening, animals, recycling, environment, arts &craft, tourism, furniture-making, building & construction, children’s activities and food. Over the course of an hour and a half, each group had to prepare a presentation and a business plan in order to pitch a new product/service to a ‘Dragon’. The most successful team from each sub-group went forward to the final in front of all the European Rally participants.
Four companies made it to the final round:
Petnet.com – a website for pet-loving people
Foodinternational.com – an online delivery company who supply favourite foods from around the world
Chop Chop Chop – a vegetable cutter for children
Fluffy Enterprises – a dog carrier handbag
The companies had to impress the Dragons and at the same time entertain the large audience in the Gym. There was even a special appearance by Fred the Snake, aptly trained by James Taylor (YFCU), who could catch a Frisbee!
After a long negotiation, Rural Youth Europe Chairman Robin Swann announced the winners: Fluffy Enterprises to the applause of the whole audience. This innovative company was chosen for their unique approach identifying a gap in the market for luxury handbags for celebrities who like to transport their beloved pets with them on their shopping trips.
This exercise was a useful experience to gain an insight into the importance of presentation skills and thinking through the whole business plan from start to finish.
Study visit
In the afternoon, we went to visit rural enterprises in the Halmstad region. Participants were divided into 5 groups and visited one of the following companies:
- Ästad Manor
- Tallhöjden Hotel
- Öströö Sheep Farm
- Bingsgärde Gärd B&B
- Vildamark adventure company
At Ästad, the participants visited a farm with adventure activities, a spa and different saunas. The most interesting thing was a sauna under the water. We also had a possibility to try some of the activities such as a big swing, cube labyrinth and wheelbarrow ride.
Vildamark offers survival activities like: climbing a tree which is 16 metres high, sleeping in a shelter, paintball and many other teambuilding activities in forest, for example, a “ladder to heaven”. All of the stations were built by the owner. The company provides entertainment for all kinds of group including business groups and families.
At Bingsgärde, the owners have built a small agro tourist hotel. In this place people who want to spend their time in the country nature can rent a cosy room. Attractions of this venue include sleeping on the hay, eating traditional food, seeing traditional farm animals like cows, pony, horse, hens and chickens. The venue has a nice family atmosphere.
Öströö Sheep Farm is a modern farm with the whole chain from sheep breeding and slaughter, meat processing and shop with sheep meat, handicrafts, sheep skins and café with sheep products. The farm has 550 Gotland ewes and 12 Highland cattle. They produce lamb, sausages, pates and pies as well as home-made marinades, sauces, rusks and marmalades.
At Tallhöjden, participants were given information about the number and type of guests and the background to the hotel and conference centre. We looked at the guest cottages and the main chalet with it’s fantastic wine cellar and souvenirs from around the world. Other activities at the hotel include a paintball area, spa, sauna and wilderness challenges. We also had a nice walk through the forest and enjoyed the beautiful scenery with lakes and a waterfall.
Dancing
In
the evening we had an exciting dance lesson which was ran by Halmstad dancing team. It was great experience, everybody enjoyed themselves and learnt many new steps
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