Action based learning – a new Alchemy World approach

From pure academic learning to action based training: Alchemy World (AW) has recently developed a new strategy for its entrepreneurship centres. In collaboration with Mr. Stephen Whaley – Executive Director of WestFocus Entrepreneurship Centre (Westminster University, London) – the Alchemy World Executive team has worked out a new approach with regards to the education process. Action learning, workshops and a creativity- and innovation-oriented education are the key-points of AW’s new methodology.

In the past the AW education, which includes business-, IT- and English-training, was held in a traditional, academic way. This was a more “passive” learning method, based in classrooms, which didn’t directly connect the students to the planning of their future businesses. Although the results regarding the students’ knowledge of the different subjects were satisfactory, the AW management also felt that the level of self-confidence was still too low. Traditionally, the Ethiopians are very quiet and unassuming people. It is not in their nature to speak aloud or to show a certain assertiveness when it comes to solving problems. But in order to become successful business leaders – eventually with international customers - the young entrepreneurs must get the chance to develop their social skills.

Our new action learning process focuses on:

- Improved communication skills

- Leadership development

- The formation of creative and collaborative problem solving skills

- Public speaking

- Improved self-confidence and greater awareness

In June 2009, after two months of discussions and planning, AW and Mr. Whaley have started to put the new methodology into practice. Two Business Incubation Workshops have been organized in Bahir Dar (17-19 June) and Harar (22-24 June). In the spirit of the new approach, which also includes taking more ownership and less input by the NGO management, the teachers of the schools have been invited to plan and conduct the events. This way they became at the same time the champions and facilitators of the workshops. Through this process what were seen as “teachers” and “students” became “tutors” and “participants” respectively. The events were held in local hotels to make a clear cut from the traditional “classroom learning”.

Some of the key points of our workshops are:

- The participants present themselves, their families and hobbies, in front of the class. Through social skills development they are better equipped to speak with a strong a firm voice. The idea is to strengthen the self-awareness and self-confidence of the future entrepreneurs.

- A networking game in which each participant extracts answers to specific questions from another participant. The goal of the exercise is to improve the networking and communication skills.

- The marketplace game™ (courtesy of University of Westminster). The class is divided in teams, each team develops a sales strategy for a new restaurant booking system. Each group then tries to sell its ideas to another team which functions as a critical buyer. The game focuses on teamwork and the development of sales strategies and problem solving skills. It can then be reversed to simulate procurement, challenges and decision-making.

- Successful local entrepreneurs are invited to talk about their businesses and to explain how they have set up their companies, which were the problems they encountered and how they solved them. The participants have the chance to interact with the entrepreneurs and to ask questions. This way they can benefit from the experience of local business-people and overcome their shyness when interacting with strangers.

- The participants work in teams and develop business ideas. This exercise focuses on the improvement of creativity, teamwork and problem solving skills.

As a next step all participants start a research on a specific topic related to their business idea. Recurring workshops are planned for the future.