I
recently enrolled on the Opening doors Business and Administration program at
City College Brighton, to gain and develop relevant, transferable skills that I
can use in my professional career. As part of the course we took part in a
social enterprise project, were we had the exciting task of working as a team to
Brand, Market and Sell products made by the wonderful students at The Pallet
Project. The project helps 16 – 19 year olds gain technical skills in product design and
manufacturing as they recycle old pallets into new pieces of furniture from beds
and chairs to window boxes and coat racks.
We worked to a
brief taking into consideration the people and the purpose behind the
project. Our first task was
to create a Brand name and Logo. Inspiration was taken from the look and feel of
the existing Pallet Project website (<www.theccbpalletproject.webs.com), ensuring the branding showed continuity
across all marketing channels.
On the day of
the sale, displaying the products in an eye catching way was top of our agenda.
It was a unanimous decision to ensure the products were dressed to impress. We
were working with a small budget, so some students on the course brought in
items from home such as books and cushions, others brought flowers for maximum
visual impact. As they say its all in the details!
For two
afternoons the class was separated into small teams to man the stall and sell,
sell, sell! Our objective, along with making money of course, was to inform and
promote what The Pallet Project is all about and help explain exactly where the
customers money is spent. Part of the profits go to the charity Trades 4 Aid
which helps people in Gambia and part helps to fund students to go out to Gambia
to use there skills in a positive way. In the past funds
raised for the project have helped construct a library, provide improved
sanitisation and re-painted a school.
Overall the
project was a great success, allowing us students on the Business and
Administration program to develop invaluable life skills whilst supporting two
great causes The Pallet Project and Trades 4 Aid!