Youth training “Breakfast with elephant and flea”

Youth training “Breakfast with elephant and flea”
24-30th of June, 2012

On 2012, the last week of June, more than thirty students from Italy, Spain, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Poland and Lithuania took part in international training “Breakfast with elephant and flea”.
During the training participants had an incredible opportunity to evaluate their place in business world and their position in international company from a side.

During the training we find out that most of new workplaces are created in the renewable energy sector in Italy (a country which imports the largest amount of electricity in the world), that Škoda factory operating in Czech Republic produces not only high quality vehicles, but also offers for new employees the opportunity to practice and to learn how to use modern automotive equipment.

During training in a simulation game „PROFAT SIM“ 30 participants imitated management of firm that produce ventilation systems trying to earn the maximum profit. Participants also experienced Forum Theatre method in analysing conflict situations arising in workplace. Teams searched for solutions to avoid unnecessary quarrels between the hotel staff and manager and hotel guests.

Special attention was given to the knowledge and skills necessary for youth wishing to start a business. During this training an expert of entrepreneurship development – Rokas Tamošiūnas, presented the biggest business accelerator organised in Baltic States “Highway accelerator”. Students became acquainted with basic principles of ensuring the success of the delivery of business ideas to investors and tested the session of business ideas presentation (pitching).

One day of training was design to create a press release presenting the main training’s ideas, goals, tasks, activities and atmosphere. Reports were evaluated and best of them were selected by the participants themselves with a help of BZNstart magazine chief editor Živilė Glaveckaitė.

Training “Breakfast with elephant and flea” is named after Charlie’s Handy book “The elephant and the flea”. The title of Project was applied from Charlie Handy book “Elephant and flea” underlining metaphor – elephants value safe but stifling life in corporation in contrast with riskier but potentially more rewarding existence of an independent flea.

The project is partially funded by the European Commission programme “Youth in Action”.

Author
Lina Sodžiutė