Corkscrew Thinking is a concept that focuses on teaching 'creative problem solving', 'self learning & initiative', and 'confidence in leadership'. The term was first used by Winston Churchill to find creative thinkers we believe it should be revived to create the next generation of game changers.

1. Change your thinking

2. This is what we do
“We create environments that develop
your creative problem solving,
initiative & leadership skills through
the process of business start-up.”
#corkscrewthinking

3. Corkscrew thinking
was coined by
Winston Churchill
to describe creative
problem solvers

4. What is corkscrew thinking?
Corkscrew Thinking can be thought of as three distinct skills, each with their own applications and uses. Each takes a
great deal of time, effort and experience to acquire but are also the most rarest and desirable skills to have.
Creative Problem
Solving
Creative problem solving is
about looking at the world with
curiosity and finding innovate,
useful and original solutions to
all manor of problems.
Confidence in
leadership
Without the natural leaders pf the
world we would never achieve
lasting change or have the
courage to deal with the difficult
challenges that face us.
Initiative &
Self learning
Showing initiative and taking
responsibility for one’s own
actions and self-development is
an important part of
progressing as an individual.

5. Corkscrew thinking in start-ups
Corkscrew thinking is a key aspect of creating your own business start-up.
In business, you’ll hit lots of barriers – and it’s how you overcome
those barriers that will measure how successful your company will be.
Cilia launched her own vintage fashion
range in Amsterdam, Red Cauliflower
After finding her real passion in life was designing and crafting
vintage jackets and bags, Cilia set up RedCauliflower.nl and now sells
her products from multiple stores.
Cilia sells from several shops in
the fashion quarter of Amsterdam
After getting great feedback,
she’s hoping to expand into
more shops

6. Corkscrew thinking in Employment
It’s not just for business start-ups, Corkscrew Thinking is necessary in
all roles. Corkscrew thinking is about thinking outside of the box and
not being scared to stand up for what you believe in.
Amy took one of the top area manager
positions at aldi, ireland
Amy trained as a lawyer, but soon realised the legal world wasn’t for
her. After leaving Corkscrew she snapped up one of the top jobs at
ALDI, where she’s now working in a fast track management program.
Amy was invited to be part of a
fast track management program
due of her creativity & knowledge
Upon completing the program,
she’ll have one of the top retail
management jobs in ireland

7. We like to teach corkscrew thinking through business start-up
The act of starting a business teaches you a lot of invaluable techniques. Not only does it require creative problem solving to find a viable business
opportunity, but it also takes a lot of self-learning and leadership to sell your products and build a customer base.
Creative Problem
Solving
Finding an opportunity
Confidence in
leadership
Building customers & growing
Starting a
business
Initiative &
Self learning
Teaching yourself business

8. Your next
four weeks on
the program

9. Learn how to start a business step by step
Over the next few weeks we’ll be working with you and taking you for hands on training sessions and workshops in
Week 1:
Big thinking
Week
Week one focuses on
creating your first
business idea with lots of
workshops focused on
problem solving, looking
at the future, and
being a leader.
Week 2:
SEAMLESS
Business
Week two takes the ideas
you’ve created in the first
week, and asks how
feasible are they? We’ll
look at the SEAMLESS
canvas and get you to
understand the basics
of business.
Week 3:
Kickstart Your
Business
After weeks one and two
you’ll have an business
start-up idea that’s
feasible, but how do you
launch it? Week three
gives you practical
experience in setting up
and running a business.
Week 4:
Self Brand &
Pitch
The last week focuses on
your own professionalism
and how you represent
yourself online. We’ll look at
your CV & online profiles and
you’ll also be pitching your
business idea to our
business bears.
the four stages of starting your business – 1. Idea creation 2. Feasibility 3. Launch and 4. Pitch it!

10. The big
finale
Corkscrew pitch night
Pitch your business
idea to our
business bears
Your
5 minutes
of fame

11. Pitch for monopoly
money
The idea with the most investment at
the end of the night, wins!
A bit of
friendly
competition

12. You’ll Also be
working with
real clients
You’ll be working on real time business
projects given by our project partners, all
social enterprises and charities,
during which you’ll have direct,
1 to 1 contact with someone
in the organisation.
Learn new
skills
Consulting
experience
Project
management
experience
Great for
CVs & Resumes

13. Some of our project partners
You’ll be working on real time business projects given by our project partners – all social enterprises and charities – during which you’ll have
direct, 1 to 1 contact with someone in the organisation. Not only does it look good on your CV, but it’s also great professional experience.
Give me tap
Project Partner
"Corkscrew put together an awesome
campaign for us and helped us increase
revenue and fan reach. Thanks again!"
- Edwin Broni Mensah, Founder
The Big Issue Foundation
Project Partner
"The work Corkscrew participants did
for us continues to help us today and I
can't wait to work with them again.”
- Charles Howgego, Editor
Global Vision International
Project Partner
"The Start-Up Internship participants
did a great job and their work will be a
key factor in our continuing progress”
- Andy Woods-Ballard, Director

14. In summary, let’s take a look at all of the amazing things you’ll be learning on your journey here with Corkscrew. We’ll encourage
you to do a lot of things you don’t often get to do and we encourage you to get as much out of it as you can.
Start your
own business
Improve Your
CV/Resume
Become a
leader
Make international
connections
You’ll get out what you put in
Why
corkscrew?
Learn new skills Build your confidence

15. Each participant Becomes part of the Corkscrew community
We’re lucky to have quite a tight knit community at Corkscrew, full of enthusiastic, bright and like-minded people from all
over the world, learning and supporting each other – not to mention grabbing some beers on the weekend!

16. “leadership and learning are indispensable to each other”
– John F. Kennedy
Leadership is a crucial part of the program and as we go through the next four weeks, we encourage you to come out of
your comfort zone a little and try things you haven’t tried before. Push yourself to be the one making sure the work gets
done on time with interesting and valuable results – and make sure no-one gets left behind on the way!

17. Clean
the cups
Don’t expect people to look after
you, show humility. It’s impossible
to have stratospheric success
without having your feet planted
firmly on the ground.
No. 1

18. No. 2
No Divas
Keep moving in the same direction, no one
is bigger than the team. Work together
as a collective and you will achieve far
greater rewards and results.

19. No. 3
Champions
do extra
The philosophy simply means finding
incremental ways to do more, in sport
may be called marginal gains. A focus
on continual improvement, the
creation of a continual learning
environment.

20. No. 4
Don’t fear
failure
Keep calm in difficult situations and
don’t let a ‘red head’ get the better of
you. Breath and except the situation
and focus on solutions not stress.
Frustration and failure are all
part of business and life.

21. No. 5
Evolve to do
something
better
Just as in nature business leaders must look
to evolve from those before them, to be
better than those that they replace.
Learn from your peers, family,
colleagues and strive to be better.

22. Leaders
Create
Leaders
True leaders inspire others to raise their
games, to constantly evolve and them
themselves become leaders of
others. This is the sign of
a true leader.
No. 6

23. Tom Brushwood
Corkscrew Mentor
A graphic designer with
expertise spanning marketing,
communication and design.
Founder of Corkscrew.
Neil Finnie
Corkscrew Mentor
A serial entrepreneur and a
specialist in business, social
enterprise and the travel industry.
Founder of Corkscrew.
Meet the corkscrew team
Welcome to the Corkscrew family. These are the mentors and partners that will be working with you over
the next four weeks, led by Corkscrew mentors Neil and Tom.
Richard Walton
South African Partner
An old school entrepreneur
with over 15 years of
experience in the travel
industry. Founder of GVI.
Andreu Gual Falco
Spainish Partner
Social innovation specialist with
experience in service design and
trade consultancy. Special interest
in the role of technology.

24. Change your thinking at:
www.corkscrew.io