PEN Worldwide: PEN Valentine's Elevator Pitch Competition
Event Description
The Elevator Pitch Competition focused on sales pitches (90 seconds) which were directed at international customers. The Practice Enterprises had to introduce their enterprise, product portfolio and mention the competitive advantage. Check the last Elevator Recap Video.
Event Type and Format
Online Event, Practice Enterprise Competition
Type of Stakeholder
Real Company, Educational Institution
Stakeholder Role
Operational: supported as judges during the event
The collaboration goal was to find judges from the private and educational sector to evaluate the trainees’ pitches. This provided trainees with good concrete tips, constructive feedback, a realistic review of their pitches and added credibility to the competition.
The risk with external stakeholders is usually the time constraint – there were a number of ‘back up judges’ in case of no-shows. Many of the contacted business stakeholders were interested in judging but were not available during the given times on the event day.
Another risk is how the judges give feedback to the trainees. It has to be in a positive, constructive and motivating fashion, not negative or harsh.
For the stakeholder the benefits are: an opportunity for Corporate Social Rresponsibility (CSR) activities (supporting educational initiatives, volunteering) which can be added to CVs, company profiles, improve company or brand visibility at the event.
Personal branding: The visibility of senior professionals at the event can add personal branding as it is perceived positively if one gives back to the community (sharing their impressions on social media or professional networks by event organisers).
The event can be used for employer branding, as a way to promote the company to future employees (trainees) and create a pipeline for HR talent.
The benefits are multiple: Professional judges from the real business world can judge based on their expertise in a specific field (e.g. marketing, sales). It also creates a connection with for possible long-term collaboration. Business stakeholders can become ambassadors of the PE concept and raise awareness. Stakeholders can also give examples for case studies or provide products.
Getting direct feedback from experts and professionals from the real business world.
Learning about a potential workplace/ future employer.
Creating a professional network (very important for future job placement).
Demonstrating one’s talents for a future internship job.
LIBA, Lithuania: Specific Day Celebration
Event Description
An event dedicated to celebrate a specific day, for example a holiday or a day dedicated to food or fashion. An event prepared by one PE and external stakeholders (experts in the field) on one specific topic to check the trainees’ knowledge by answering a questionnaire/ taking a quiz, or solving a case study. All PE trainees and trainers are invited to take part in this type of competition.
Event Format & Type
Online, Practice Enterprise Competition
Type of Stakeholder
Real company, educational institution, Practice Enterprise trainers and trainees
Stakeholder Role
Financial: supporting with finances, prizes, etc.
Operational: supporting with judges, visitors, speakers etc.
An expert from a real-world company and one Practice Enterprise work closely together preparing the case, situation, quiz, questions, etc..
There were limited challenges as only one stakeholder is involved and the communication line is direct.
Stakeholders can use this event to promote their own company, look for potential employees or interns.
The Central Office can share this collaboration as a success story: The organiser can help the PE find stakeholders to collaborate and gain support in organizing and holding an event and smoothly collaborating with event partners.
Trainees can take the opportunity to validate their knowledge in different fields, meet other PE trainees, win prizes (offered by the event partner company or the CO) and add experience to their CV.
Fundació Inform, Spain: International Trade Fair
Event Description
Practice Enterprise Trade Fair
Event Format & Type
In-Person, Practice Enterprise Trade Fair with Competitions
Type of Stakeholder
Real companies, governmental institutions
Stakeholder Role
Operational: supporting with judges, visitors, speakers
To include real world companies in the PE world. We allow PE partners – real companies – to advertise their company/products in a special area for real exhibitors. We invite governmental institutions to give a 10-minute speech at the opening ceremony.
Requirements to follow a real company’s advertising methods and targets can raise challenges and conflicts of interest (business vs. education).
Stakeholders can use the event to recruit new employees and market their services and/or products.
The Central Office or other organisers can gain contact with external stakeholders, have contact with real world business procedures and if possible, get some funding.
Trainees get in contact with real-world companies and possible employment opportunities.
REEP, France: Trainers' Day
Event Description
PE Trainers training and networking event
Event Format & Type
Online, Trainer event (trainers training, etc.)
Type of Stakeholder
Real companies, government institutions
Stakeholder Role
Operational: supporting with judges, visitors, speakers
Real companies: Microsoft employees coming to speak and describing their own work experience.
Web agencies: Coming to describe and contribute to building a web marketing training plan.
Governmental institutions: explaining unemployment training measures.
All successful. No risks undertaken. We would love to have more external participants to not get stuck in one type of view or company organisation.
Link with real businesses needs constant and long term work and commitment.
Getting to know our network and the fact that a trained workforce is available. Marketing one’s own company and increasing interest in the company’s tools and/or services.
External input from knowledgeable professionals. More legitimacy for the trainers training program that has been built.
External input and feedback from valuable, experienced professionals.
Simulimpresa, Italy: Trainers Training
Event Description
Training session on accountability software organised by the Central Office in cooperation with Istituto tecnico economico Alberti (San Donà di Piave)
Event Format & Type
In-person, trainer event (trainers training, etc.)
Type of Stakeholder
Educational institutions
Stakeholder Role
Operational: guest speakers
Prof Baruzzo from Alberti Institute introduced his class experience in the use of accounting software and shared knowledge and know-how. A tutorial is available on the Simulimpresa website.
Promoting the use of accounting software and promoting networking and cooperation between different national PEs.
Sharing good practices, knowledge, know-how and the latest news on the topic.
The challenges from 2020-2022 allowed us to learn new approaches and methods to stay in touch and respond to trainer and PE needs. For example the organisation of a webinar on accounting, but also in many other topics (tutorials available on our website), gave us the possibility to reach even more stakeholders online allowed a constant updating and networking.
It could be useful to also involve a couple trainees per class to build a synergy between trainers and trainees for the acquisition of new skills for trainees and new working methods for trainers.
The use of a unique software for all PEs with the possibility to be constantly updated and connected from everywhere.
