Member Article

Kirklees College Business Students make an Impact

Course leaders for the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy at Kirklees College know ‘you only get one chance to make a first impression’ and are making sure new enterprise and entrepreneurship recruits make a positive impact from day one.

As part of their induction, students will attend two sessions covering the importance of First impressions and Impact. Huddersfield based, Positive Impact specialist Deborah Ogden will take them through their paces establishing their own personal brand, identifying the message they want to convey and how their presentation, non-verbal clues and body language communicate this. She will share tools to improve their presence and gravitas – vital skills in a commercial world where we continually look to influence people, ‘pitch’ ideas, apply for jobs or win business.

This is just one example of how the full time BTEC courses in enterprise and entrepreneurship will be delivered unlike any other course at the college in order to nurture young people’s business ambitions. Students on the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy will benefit from 50% of their time being mentored by an employer, and 50% of their time learning about business planning, budgeting, marketing, product development and much more in college.

The students will be led by Business Enterprise Manager, Lydia Butterworth who commented; ‘We want the students to be equipped for the business world from day one. The courses will provide them with a skill set which will ensure they have the best possible chance to fulfill their ambitions. It’s crucial to learn from the start that however good their ‘product’ is, people buy people and the ability to influence and communicate with clarity are a key to success.’

Deborah Ogden of Positive Impact commented ‘I’m delighted to share these life skills at such an early stage in these young people’s careers. Often I’m working with company board members who recognise the importance of impact and after many years in business are still getting to grips with their gravitas and presence. These students will leave college with a business qualification backed up by essential presentation and communication skills.’

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Deborah Ogden Ltd .