inspiring Digital Enterprise Award There are almost 1 million job vacancies for people who have digital skills in the UK. Whether you want to set up your own business or go to work for someone else - it is critical you gain digital and enterprise (business) skills, as these will make you more employable!

inspiring Digital Enterprise Award Your mission today is to create a new digital business idea, then enter a national competition that could see your business come to life! Watch this video: Did you know?

Aim and Outcomes Aim Your aim is to develop a digital business idea in teams of 2-4. The iDEA project defines a digital business as one that 'incorporates technology within their products or services or uses technology in a transformative way to improve their business.' Outcomes a)You will have registered on the iDEA national programme to see your business come to life. b)You will have submitted a business canvas (see next slide). (worksheet with 5 questions) c) You will have submitted a digital story of your business idea. (e.g. A video or powerpoint)

Introducing the Discovery Canvas

Module 1 Digital Business Awareness Activity 1a) Give examples of successful digital businesses. Activity 1b) Why are they successful? What makes people want to use the service? Activity 1c) What are the key characteristics of a digital entrepreneur?

Module 1 Digital Business Awareness Some examples of recent digital businesses for inspiration, if needed: Digital crowdfunding: Virtual shopping: App for tracking physical activity: Augmented reality motorcycle helmets: Internet news:

Top tips on being an entrepreneur from successful ones: Richard Branson (2:04) David Abrahamovitch (2:00) Jamal Edwards (:45) and learn Jamal’s story here (1:31) Module 1 Digital Business Awareness

Generating an idea! More often than not, businesses develop solutions to problems. This can include social trends such as: Increase in number of older people Rapid spread of information -- and misinformation -- online Rapidly rising world population Increase in connections between people online Module 2 (1 hour) Generating an idea

Activity 2 It can also include personal influence: daily life at home, college, school, or work Routine Tasks community, economy, culture, education, health, relationships, retail Social and Economic gaps in existing products and services, communication, social media issues Digital and technological sustainability, climate change, pollution, natural disasters Environmental Module 2 Generating an idea

Module 2 Generating an idea Activity 2a) Choose 3 problems you feel strongly about. Activity 2b) Respond to your 3 problems and discuss possible solutions Having reviewed the social trends and personal influences, now complete the following activities:

An appSoftware Cloud computing HardwareSocial Media Mobile Technologies Online Service Once you have chosen an idea you would like to develop, you should explore the potential technology behind the solution and identify what type you would like to use, such as: Activity 2c) Does the technology already exist? If so, is it relatively easy to develop and use? If not, is it a feasible option to develop? Activity 2d) Why is that type of technology relevant and valuable to this idea? Activity 2e) How would you describe the technology you plan to use? Can it be done easily? Think about... Module 2 Generating an idea

Testing your business idea – is it unique? It is very important to ensure that a business idea offers something valuable and improves what already exists. While business ideas do not necessarily have to be brand new, they do need to address gaps, solve problems or improve upon what a competitor offers. Activity 3a) Check whether the business idea already exists (see next slide for more details) Activity 3b) Understand existing competition and assess the possibility of competing with that business Activity 3c) Identify and write down the innovative and new features of your business idea Module 3 Creating a unique business idea

To help conduct an Internet search about the business idea, you can brainstorm a list of terms that describe your idea and Google search combinations of those terms. Module 3 Creating a unique business idea

A business name is one of the most important elements of a business’ identity, so it should be chosen carefully. Once a name is chosen, you should check the name to ensure that it does not copy another business name. A business name should be: Easy to spell Memorable Short and simple Positive Activity 3d) Choosing a name for your business Emphasise the right things Describes a product or servcie Original

Module 4 The ideal customer What is their age, gender, and location? What is their occupation and income? What do they look like? (what clothes do they wear, hair style, body type) What are their identifying traits? (hobbies, food, education, and holidays) What do they like about your product or service? How does it connect with them? What is their typical online activity? What might prevent them from buying it? Where can large numbers of this customer type online and in life? What is their use of print, broadcast and social media? Activity 4a) Think about who is likely to be your best customer and describe them as follows:

‘Marketing’ involves the promotion and selling of a business product or service and should be carefully considered at the beginning of any business. Without a good marketing strategy, no one will know about your brilliant idea! Module 4 The ideal customer Activity 4b) How will you reach your customer? Print, online, face to face?

Module 5 Creating your digital story Activity 5a) Choose your digital story tool You can either tell their digital story by a 6 slide PowerPoint or a 2 minute video pitch. Video Pitch This can be live pitching, as in the style of Dragon's Den, or you can create a short film about the user journey of your idea. You can use video editing software such as Windows Movie Maker. Presentation This can be the use of slides with potential to add visuals, sound, animation, and text. You can use Microsoft PowerPoint, Prezii ( or Slidesharehttp://prezi.com (

If you are creating a video, you must work together to develop a story for your idea. In addition to being compelling and keeping the audience interested, your digital story also has to put forward a convincing case for the business idea, demonstrating its value to its intended audience. This is often called a 'pitch,' which is essentially a verbal or digital description of a business plan. Module 5 Creating your digital story Activity 5b) Creating your digital story Here are some links to help get you thinking about what makes a good pitch: 6 elevator pitches for the 21st Century - Elevator pitch - The Art of the Digital Pitch -

Submitting your idea Now to submit your digital business idea and see where it takes you! 1.Sign up at 2.Select ‘join as applicant’ and type your school/college into the box and press search. Select your centre when it appears, and fill out the details required. 3.Go to the Competition page and click on Start Discovery Now 4.“ Take” the Discovery badge 5.Add an evidence page 6.Add team members 7.Upload canvas and digital story 8.Submit evidence

Click here for the guide to submitting your evidence on the iDEA website Submitting your idea Please remember! You must nominate one person in your team to upload the evidence. You do not need to all upload your canvas and video/PowerPoint. Good Luck!