I think it’s important we teach entrepreneurship skills to young people. Since 2011, I have been speaking to school pupils about ways to generate new business ideas as part of their entrepreneurship studies. Here is my core presentation which takes approx. 15 minutes to present. Even without my voice over, I hope you find it useful!

1. Gerard Harkin
Head of Innovation
3inno.com
1
Entrepreneurship in Schools
Simple Ways To Generate Ideas

2. About these slides
» I think it’s important we teach entrepreneurship
skills to young people
» Since 2011, I have been speaking to school pupils
about how to generate new business ideas, as
part of their entrepreneurship studies
» I encourage a mix of business and nonprofit ideas
» These slides take 20 minutes to present
» For information about the program, see slide 25
-Gerard Harkin
© 3inno 2017 2

3. We can trip ourselves
up thinking we need to
have a billion dollar idea

4. Some ideas are simple!
© 3inno 2017
How long did it take before a wheel was put on a suitcase?
4
www.3inno.com

5. Inspiration
5
www.3inno.com

6. Izzy Wheels
6
https://www.izzywheels.com/
Artistic wheel covers
“If you can't stand up, STAND OUT”
© 3inno 2017

7. 14/09/2017 7
“Our problem at the time is
that we couldn’t pay rent, so
we rented out the extra
bedroom.
We set up an airbed and
called it Airbed & Breakfast
Nathan Blecharczyk

8. This 11-year-old invented a test kit for lead in
drinking water that is fast, easy, and inexpensive
8
Young inventor
Gitanjali Rao
Source https://www.fastcompany.com© 3inno 2017

9. Device to clean football boots
14/09/2017 9
Teenager becomes the youngest
person to win an investment
on Dragons' Den after scooping
£20,000 for his device to clean
football boots - which he invented
aged 11

10. Hippo water roller
10
Revolutionising water transport https://www.hipporoller.org/

11. Solving food waste and food poverty
14/09/2017 11
FoodCloud's Aoibheann O'Brien (left) and Iseult Ward
https://food.cloud/

12. Owners can treat their pets
when they’re away from home
© 3inno 2017 12
www.3inno.com
https://www.petzi.com/

13. MagnoGrip magnetic wristband
They didn’t invent
wristbands or discover
magnets but they
combined both to
come up with a useful
product!
http://www.magnogrip.com/
I need one of these!

15. Guidelines for generating ideas
15

16. 1. What do you enjoy doing?
• Think about your talents
• What do you love to do?
• What are you really good at?
• What interests you?
• You might already have a
great idea…
© 3inno 2017 16

17. Moziah has sold more than $300,000
worth of men’s accessories
14/09/2017 17
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D5bUoRI720
https://mosbowsmemphis.com/

18. 2a. Find problems to solve
14/09/2017 18
The world is full of
problems waiting to be
solved. If you keep your
eyes and ears open, you’ll
be sure to find some great
ideas on how to fix them

19. 2b. Be problem investigators
» Sherlock Holmes curiosity
» Look for problems people have
» Ask questions:
» Who has the problem?
» Where does the problem occur?
» When does it occur?
» Is it a real issue or frustration for
someone?
What does your local area need more of?
Where to look

20. 3. What existing product or service
can you improve?
• What could you change in
terms of design or
performance?
• What could be added or
subtracted, increased or
reduced?
© 3inno 2017 20
Can you find a new use for an existing product?
Can you combine existing products to create something new?

21. 4. Use words that ‘spark’ new ideas
21
3. What existing
product can you
improve?
2. What problems
could you solve?
1. What do you
enjoy doing?
What if ...
I wish …
Grab a pen!
www.3inno.com© 3inno 2017

22. 5. Step into the shoes of the customer
• What questions would
they ask you?
• For example, is there a
version of your product
that’s mobile, smaller,
faster, lighter, safer,
recyclable, more
interactive …
• Use their questions to
improve your idea
© 3inno 2017 22

23. Remember to think of ideas when you
are most creative …
Initial Idea = Person + Problem + Your ‘Initial’ Solution
© 3inno 2017
23
Record your
ideas! Share and
improve
your ideas

24. “Orville Wright did not have
a pilot’s license.”
24
Gordon MacKenzie, Orbiting the Giant Hairball.

25. About the entrepreneurship program
» The students work in teams to generate ideas and select their best one
» The next step happens over eight weeks where students conduct market research,
build and test prototypes, and prepare a business case, with the help of parent
volunteers
» For more information about Brighton College’s pioneering program, click here.
» Ms. Sally Woodmansey is the teacher behind this wonderful program.
25© 3inno 2017
https://www.brightoncollege.org.uk/college/curriculum/16plus-curriculum/entrepreneurship/

26. About Gerard Harkin
26
Gerard@3inno.com
www.3inno.com
Head of Innovation
Gerard has a twenty-five-year career helping
companies create new ideas and products.
He has worked on products ranging from security to
reducing food waste, new ways to heal bones and
new coffee flavours.
He has an MBA and is the author of the book
Innovation Unplugged.
Since 2011, he has assisted the Brighton College
Entrepreneurship Programme.
Although physics was not his strongest subject at
school, he went on to study electrical engineering at
university and has fourteen technology patents.

27. info@3inno.com +44 (0) 7979 146 458 www.3inno.com
Making innovation happen
Experienced | Practical | Easy to work with