First you must find the money. Then it's a lot of hard work and

decision-making, says ANTONY McCAFFERTY TONNER

SETTING up a successful Enterprise Group in school is not an easy

task. We found this to be true in August of last year. Starting off with

17 members and an Advisor, we were to go through a process of hard work,

decision-making and new experiences.

When the group formed, we had to decide on a name and elect the people

most suitable for each job. We called ourselves BEG -- Business

Enterprise Group.

I was elected as Chairperson.

Deciding on a product for the group was fun. We toyed with the idea of

several things, issuing questionnaires as part of our market research

and finally agreed on a range of ethnic jewellery.

In order to make our product we had to raise capital. So we produced a

Business Plan to show prospective investors.

We approached a bank for an enterprise grant. Our presentation was a

nerve-wracking experience but overall their representative was impressed

with the group's professional attitude. We received a grant and they set

up a business account for us.

Our next step was to meet the School Finance Committee. I chose three

competent members from Finance, Sales and Marketing to present our

business plan. The school was impressed and lent us the rest of the

money we needed.

During the production of the jewellery, quieter members of the group

contributed well. Every member had a job to do, one that suited his or

her abilities.

Sales were slow to start but advertising advice from SEGA helped to

boost our sales and we finished with a formidable profit. Our success

was the result of tapping into the skills of each member of the group.

Our chosen charity, CHAS, will be receiving a donation of #160.

I found the enterprise activity to be a valuable source of personal

and social development. As chairperson, I learned the difficulties

involved in getting everyone to co-operate together in the enterprise.

All those involved were given the opportunity to identify their

strengths and weaknesses. The new skills an talents found by our members

proves the importance of this kind of education.

-- The writer is in his fifth year at St Andrew's Academy, Paisley.