Teens develop business skills

Youngsters given mentoring to learn to become entrepreneurs in adult life

While many of her peers enjoy a relaxing summer break, He Chuting, 16, from Foshan in South China's Guangdong province, is working hard on a business project that may benefit other people's lives.

She is among some 160 students who gathered in Shanghai for a summit for future entrepreneurs. In the past year, all of the students took programs developed and offered by Junior Achievement, a nonprofit organization that brings the real world to students through a hands-on curriculum delivered by trained classroom volunteers.

As the economy becomes increasingly globalized, China needs strong global business talent. To meet this critical requirement, JA China partners with business and education to deliver innovative entrepreneurial and economics programs in schools for all ages.

In Shanghai, students who stood out after rounds of selection processes joined a competition for an award presented by HSBC China. They visited established companies to witness how they operated and were managed. These included HSBC, GE, Dow Chemical, Timken and EMC. The experience enabled them to get closer to the real business world and be inspired by established professionals.

In the final project, during which the teams' performances were judged for the award, contestants had to present their business plans aimed at improving people's welfare while being sustainable and representing corporate social responsibility.

A plan designed by one of the 16 teams is about building a tourism company that may transform deserted mines into museums and boost employment in mining areas in North China. Another plan seeks to build up a human resources company to train migrant workers to become skilled technicians and help them find work, get full insurance and receive payment on time.

EM 19, one of the winning teams, developed a new search engine that offers virtual tourism based on 3D technology. ACE, another winning team, developed the idea for an old folks' home that offers short-term care services.

"The business plan is a big challenge. We needed to think about many aspects of it to make it profitable as well as improving the welfare of others," said Li Xueqing, a 17-year-old participant.

"It is not difficult to think of a business idea but it is indeed quite challenging to translate the ideas into projects, make them work, appeal to investors and bring real benefits to investors, shareholders, employees and their families, as well as the customers for our products and services," said Chen Huiyun, a 15-year-old participant from Shanghai.

"To become successful in the business world, you must know that whatever the business is, it must be sustainable, friendly to the environment and to society. It's not something that just sounds nice. It's something that you must bear in mind. What I believe is that sustainability is the key to success," said Chen.

Professor Lv Changjiang, deputy dean from the school of management at Fudan University, said it is important to train future entrepreneurs when there is an economic crisis spreading around the world, especially in their teenage years.

"We are very happy to cooperate with JA China in order to support the business education here," said Helen Wong, president of HSBC China and chief executive of its China operations.

"More students are taking part in this program. It helps Chinese adolescents to develop their potential and understand entrepreneurship," said Wong.

Taught by first-class business volunteers possessing first-hand business experience, the programs are preparing China's youth for their future career development and entrepreneurship while cultivating their character, creativity and leadership skills. Since its establishment in 1993, JA China has worked with more than 1.8 million students.

wuyiyao@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 09/10/2012 page22)