1. Connecting to External Events
Best Practice Description
The best practice “Connecting to External Events” means the idea of using existig popular events with a wide reach such (Vocational Skills Week, Global Entrepreneruship Week, EU Day of Languages etc.) to promote a newly organized smaller scale event. This can then be promoted via the connection to the already establishe event, gain some additional visibility and promote it to new audiences.
Event Organizer
PEN Worldwide (international Coordination Center)
Event Type Example
Social Media Competition – PEN Entrepreneurship Week 2021/ 2022
Adaptability
This best practice can be used in anyt type of online, blended or in-person event organized.
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.
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 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.
2. Chill Zone for Trainees
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 Organizer
COFEP (Belgian Central Office)
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.
3. Mystery Shopping
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.
Coffee Room/ World Cafe for Trainers
Event Description
PE Trainers training and networking event
Event Organizer
Fundacio Inform (Spanish Central Office)
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.