Global Odyssey was an engaging initiative orchestrated by the economics and business management DP faculty, designed to immerse students in the practicalities of finance and economic principles. Beyond theoretical understanding, the event’s core objective was to provide hands-on experience in business management. Students were tasked with conceptualizing, setting up, and operating their own stalls, selling items reflecting their interests. This entrepreneurial venture allowed them to navigate real-world challenges like sourcing, pricing, marketing, and customer interaction, fostering a deeper appreciation for the intricacies of running a business.
Learning Outcome 1: Identity own strengths and develop areas of growth
The event really opened doors for me and lead me to identify my strengths and areas of growth. Initially I thought selling our jewellery products is going to be a cup of tea until the day arrived and I certainly got a better idea of how things work in the real world and how running a business, selling products isn’t easy as i though it was. I noticed myself well engaged in the event, designing logos for the event, going buying products, deciding the pricing, setting up the stall, all of this was done with enthusiasm and not for the sake of doing it. Furthermore I identified one of my greatest strength is having good convincing powers, I noticed myself being able to convince students, teachers and other customers to buy the product by persuading them and fascinating them about it and Interacting with potential customers, explaining our product, and even negotiating prices brought out a confidence I didn’t know I possessed. The positive feedback from satisfied customers was incredibly rewarding and highlighted this as a genuine strength. However the event also illuminated areas ripe for development, like tracking expenses, calculating profit margins, and understanding the flow of money required a level of analytical thinking I needed to hone. Similarly, while I enjoyed interacting with customers, I realised the importance of strategic outreach and creative ways to attract attention a skill I’m now keen to develop further.
Learning Outcome 2: Demonstrates that challenges have been undertaken developing new skills
Odyssey Global was more herculean than a walk in the park since it was an intricate puzzle that required high intellect to maneuver through. Setting up a business stall was a foreign concept that were too advanced for us. At first, logistics seemed impossible, where would I get the materials? What would the design of the stall be? How do I get permits? All of these questions loomed over my head. We had to come up with solutions that required complex reasoning and imagination. Moreover, new techniques in sales and marketing had to be adopted as a result of the fast pace nature of the marketplace. Involving salespersons, fulfilling their needs and persuading them to buy our merchandise was necessary to showcase the mother of all skills; communication. There came times during the program that were tough, like those terrible sale days followed by countless unaccounted bills, but one great lesson was to build character and learn to appreciate such difficulties. Global Odyssey, in this case, operated as an abusive parent, providing endless pain while teaching the skill of self preservation that stems from strength.
Learning Outcome 4: Show perseverance and commitment in CAS experience
Balancing existing academic commitments with the demands of Global Odyssey presented a significant challenge, requiring considerable dedication and unwavering commitment to maintain motivation and ensure tasks were completed. Within our group, differing viewpoints occasionally surfaced, which, while initially challenging, ultimately fostered collaborative problem-solving and led to mutually agreeable solutions. The eleventh hour before the event brought the stark realization of outstanding work, prompting a focused division of labor amongst friends, enabling us to efficiently tackle remaining tasks and meet the deadline. This experience underscored the importance of perseverance and effective teamwork under pressure.
Learning Outcome 5: Demonstrates skills and benefits of working collaboratively
The event made me realise of how working in a group is always a better idea, and honestly the secret to success in this event was teamwork. Each individual in the group was given a position based on their strengths, and their skill which made the entire task a lot more simple, effective and easy. Working with Collaboration led to the development of fresh perspectives and ideas that improved the event. It’s crucial to communicate clearly, to listen, and to be open-minded about other people’s viewpoints and make sure each and everyone’s view points are being considerated.
