Global Odyssey was a unique school event that brought together Economics and Business Management in a creative and interactive way. The event was designed to simulate a flea-market-style atmosphere with music, dance, games, fashion, and stalls, all centered around the theme of pink lemonade. My contribution was running a stall with my team where we sold iced tea, cake pops, and garlic bread. The process of planning, preparing, and selling was both challenging and exciting since it gave me the chance to experience the real-life application of concepts I had only studied in class. From marketing and pricing strategies to managing customers and handling sales, the event was a practical learning ground that combined fun with valuable insights into business and economics.
LO1 – Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth
The event helped me identify several of my strengths. I realized that I had a natural ability to interact with customers and make them feel welcome, which boosted our sales. I also found that I was good at managing the energy of the stall, keeping it lively and engaging for the people who visited. These strengths allowed me to contribute positively to the overall experience of the event.
At the same time, I recognized areas for growth. For example, while I was enthusiastic in attracting customers, I sometimes struggled with managing the finances at the same pace, especially when things got busy. This taught me the importance of balancing creativity and customer service with financial accuracy and organization. It made me more aware of the need to refine my multitasking and financial management skills in future projects.
LO2 – Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills
Running a stall was not without its challenges. Preparing the food items in advance required careful time management and coordination, while on the day of the event, we had to deal with fluctuating customer demand and occasional shortages of items. At times, the rush made it stressful to serve everyone quickly and efficiently.
Through these challenges, I developed new skills. I learned how to adapt quickly when items were running out and how to manage customer expectations politely. I also improved my ability to think on my feet. For instance, adjusting prices and offers to match the situation. These experiences gave me practical insights into how businesses must constantly adjust to challenges in the market, something that no classroom lesson alone could have taught me.
LO3 – Initiate and plan a CAS experience
A major part of my role was initiating and planning the stall. From choosing what products to sell to designing the layout and decorations, I had to think carefully about how to attract people and make the stall appealing. I also had to plan our pricing strategy, ensuring that it was affordable yet profitable, and coordinate with my teammates on who would take care of which responsibility.
This planning experience taught me the importance of preparation and foresight. It wasn’t enough to just sell on the day of the event. We had to anticipate potential issues, plan quantities, and ensure that we were ready for customer interaction. Initiating and planning the stall gave me a deeper appreciation of how much work goes into even the simplest business setups and how small details can make a big difference in outcomes.
LO5 – Demonstrate skills and benefits of working collaboratively
Collaboration was central to the success of our stall. Dividing responsibilities such as food preparation, managing sales, and interacting with customers helped us run smoothly without overwhelming any single person. We constantly communicated and supported one another, ensuring that the workload was shared fairly.
The benefits of this teamwork were clear. By working together, we were able to handle peak rush hours without major problems, and each of us brought unique strengths to the stall. For example, while some were great at handling customers, others were efficient in serving or managing cash. This collaboration not only made the event more manageable but also strengthened my belief that teamwork leads to greater success than working alone.
LO6 – Engagement with issues of global significance
Although the Global Odyssey event was held at school, it connected strongly to issues of global significance through our decision to donate a percentage of our earnings to charity. This act transformed the stall from being purely a business exercise into an initiative with a social impact. It made us more aware of the broader responsibility businesses have toward the communities in which they operate. By making a conscious choice to share our profits with those in need, we practiced this principle on a smaller, student level.
The act of giving also deepened our sense of empathy and consideration for people less fortunate than us. It showed me how business activities can serve as a vehicle for change, even if the scale is small. It highlighted how economic participation and charity can work hand in hand to address larger issues of inequality and social justice. The experience reminded me that every action, no matter how small, can ripple outward to contribute to global causes.
In conclusion, Global Odyssey was a memorable and enriching experience that combined fun with deep learning. By running the stall, I was able to discover strengths in customer interaction and stall management, while also identifying areas where I need growth, such as financial accuracy under pressure. I faced challenges that required quick thinking and adaptability, initiated and planned the stall from the ground up, and collaborated with my peers to create a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone. Most importantly, I connected my learning to global issues such as poverty, seeing how even small-scale initiatives can reflect broader business realities. This event brought together the theory of Economics and Business Management with the practicalities of real-world application.
