December : Intensive Marketing and Positive Financial Results
End of Year Festivities /Christmas
The Team was in regular meetings with Top Management to ensure targets as defined in the Business Plan are met.
Everyone was busy with renewed efforts so that they can fulfil the challenge of achieving the USD 22,920.
Three different teams were scheduled to market as follows:
-A team was responsible to contact top 100 companies;
-The second team was assigned the 3 and 4 star hotels;
-The third team, restaurants.
Top Management advised each team to put up their contact list and telephone the contact persons; and out of this list, select the most potential customers and send them quotations. These efforts were multiplied over the weeks, team spirit prevailed all through as team members helped each other, their motto being :
Together
Everybody
Achieves
More
After days and weeks of joint and collective efforts, the outcome was beyond expectations and as follows:
a)Marketing Outcomes Phase 2
| Target Market |
Number of companies responding positively to our marketing campaign |
| The top 100 companies in Mauritius: |
3 |
|
4 |
| Renowned Restaurants throughout the island |
8 |
| Total as at 12 December |
15 |
Top Management and the Team of Interior Design & Decoration Services had a meeting to take cognisance of the results following an aggressive and integrated marketing campaign.
Dr Rajcoomar Jhurry, the CEO/President, congratulated the Team for having achieved satisfactorily . He addressed the Team as follows:
First of all I wish to thank you all for the great results achieved in trying to maintain the challenge of our being Global Winner in last year’s School Enterprise Challenge.
You did it,and even achieved more than originally put up in the Business Plan.
I really appreciate all your work and team efforts.However, in all the works that you are going to do in connection with Chirstmas Decorations, please do not forget to abide by environmental regulations and green building policies as measures to contribute in saving our planet. The components of ISO 14001 for Environmental Management System need also to be taken into consideration. The Quality Assurance Team will monitor and guide you to ensure implementation of same.
Congratulations to you all. Of course, a Special Bonus will be allocated to all of you.
Christmas Decorations
As from the 13th December, Team of Interior Design & Decoration Services started to work on the decoration plans as per the guidance provided by Top Management.
b) Financial Outcomes for New Business generated
| A. Price per Unit | B. Quantity | Total (A x B) | |
| Income | |||
| a)Hotels | USD 133 for each 10 square meters area of on site services | 1000 square meters | USD 133 x 100=USD 13,300. |
| b)Restaurants | USD 66 for each 10 square meters area | 1000 square meters | USD 66 x 100 = USD 6,610. |
| c) Top Hundred Companies | USD 133 for each 10 square meters area | 1000 square meters | USD 133 x 100=USD 13,300. |
| Sub Total | USD 33,210. |
c)Comparative Analysis of Financial Results
| Planned | Total Achieved As at 12 December | Excess over Planned |
| USD 22,920 | USD 33,810
(USD 33,210 + USD 600)
|
USD 10,890. |
Financial Results
| A. Price per Unit | B. Quantity | Total (A x B) | |
| Income | |||
| a)Hotels | USD 133 for each 10 square meters area of on site services | 1000 square meters | USD 133 x 100=USD 13,300. |
| b)Restaurants | USD 66 for each 10 square meters area | 1000 square meters | USD 66 x 100 = USD 6,610. |
| c) Top Hundred Companies | USD 133 for each 10 square meters area | 1000 square meters | USD 133 x 100=USD 13,300. |
| d) Households | USD 50 for each 10 square metres area | USD 600. | |
| Total Income | USD 33,810. | ||
| Expenditure: | |||
| -Administrative
Expenses -Marketing -Vehicles and Transport |
USD 1000
USD 1500 USD 1500 |
For the whole project | USD 1000
USD 1500 USD 1500 |
| Decorations | USD 10000 | For the wholeproject | USD 10000 |
| Expenditure: Maintenance | |||
| Additional Tools & Equipment | USD 2000 | USD 2000 | |
| Team Expenses | |||
| Motivational fees payable to Team | USD 5,000. | ||
| Total Expenditure | USD 21,000. | ||
| Net Profit | USD 12,810. |
Notes to Financial Results:
a) There has been no need to organise a Youth Talents Show given the business generated; companies were requested to make a deposit of 30% which would cover the expenses.The administrative expenses were provided by JR School, the amount of which we refunded to the School.
b) The proposed net profits in the Business Plan were USD 7,835, the actual is USD 12,810.
c) 60% of the net profits will be ploughed back in the business for sustainability while 40% will be used to support our students purchase their school materials and uniforms for January start of classes. Thirty (30) needy students have already been identified
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013
JR School and the Team of Interior Design & Decoration Services extend their heartiest congratulations to the Team of Teach a Man to Fish / School Enterprise Challenge for all their support in helping us put up our project successfully through the innumerable documentation guidelines.
We take this opportunity to wish you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013, ALL THE BEST IN YOUR ENDEAVOURS.
CHEERS FROM JR SCHOOL TEAM , MAURITIUS!!!!!
1st Fortnight of November: Aggressive Marketing Strategies to meet Financial Objectives
As mentioned in our October blog, the USD 400 available has been invested in publicity and advertising.
The beginning of month members decided to adopt aggressive marketing strategies which will help sustain their business while making profits.
Opportunities – End of Year Festivities and Re Focusing of Target Market
With Christmas and New Year approaching, it was imperative that businesses will particularly need interior design and decoration services as is customary in Mauritius, and of course, other countries, during this festive period.
The team deemed it more appropriate to focus on corporate business rather than households.
Team members were very confident about getting more customers as per their integrated marketing efforts; and meet their financial objective of USD 18,400 out of USD 22,920.Some members even painted and redesigned one JR School classroom for Top Management to have an idea of the type of interior design they are proposing to potential clients:
Marketing
All was deeply concerned and committed to look for more business; during this first fortnight, members put up a database of most eligible companies which might need interior design and decorative services. The most appropriate were:
-The top Hundred companies in Mauritius;
-3 to 5 Stars Hotels
-Renowned Restaurants throughout the island
The list was selected on a geographical basis cutting across the island, particularly the resort zones ,restaurants and companies in Port Louis the capital city, and Ebene Cybercity, situated in the centre of the island. So that’s it. Dedicated teams were assigned their respective regions: draw a list of most eligible companies, get the contact persons and their e-mail addresses, put up professional mail proposals and fees charged, then telephone them as a matter of follow up.
2nd Fortnight of November : Outcomes and New Business
E-mail marketing and follow phone calls were done throughout the fortnight and this continued during the third week of November. Team was determined to get new business ; the aggressive approach was thus needed to be deployed in such a way as to motivate members to continue until positive and satisfactory results / outcomes are achieved.
Services will be customised to offer Christmas and End of Year decorations, which is a very big opportunity for us. Dr Rajcoomar Jhurry and all his Top Management Team heartily provided us with support, telephone facilities, even some mail addresses of JR School’s contacts and network. Dr Jhurry even personally talked with his long years contact persons together with Ms Aruna Chengelvoyen-Registrar and Mr Teerouven Guillaume, General Manager.
Given our restricted financial means, marketing tools used were:
-E mail campaigns
-Direct phone calls
-Face to face meetings
-Printed flyers
Our integrated marketing approach and efforts were fruitful; the following shows the outcome following our aggressive marketing campaign to offer our interior design and decoration services to targeted market segments:
Marketing Outcomes
| Target Market | Number of companies responding positively to our marketing campaign | Number of companies having confirmed |
| The top 100 companies in Mauritius; | 2 | Not yet |
3 to 5 Stars Hotels:
|
4 |
|
| Renowned Restaurants throughout the island | 5 | 2 |
| Total as at 28 November | 11 | 4 |
We are very happy with our work, in that we have been able to penetrate the target markets as above. There are many professionals on the market with high competition, and we still have managed to get confirmations.
Thanks to Dr Rajcoomar Jhurry and his Team and to all members of the INTERIOR DESIGN AND DECOATION SERVICES. Marketing continues;we want to achieve more than originally scheduled in our Business Plan.
The Challenge remains!
1st Fortnight of October : Management Meeting, Reward and Planning
The Management Team comprising Dr Rajcoomar Jhurry,Head of Project, Mr Teerouven Guillaume-General Manager Logistics and Operations, Ms Aruna Chengelvoyen, Registar , Mr Amit Namah,Quality Assurance Manager as well as the Head of IT and members of the Interior Design & Decoration
Services met during the week . The agenda was:
-Overview of the achievements till now;
-the strengths and weakness of the team;
-Forthcoming Planning and Projects;
-A.O.B
Dr Rajcoomar Jhurry, President Founder / CEO showed his commitment by chairing the meeting, all members very appreciated that he could dedicate some time despite heavy schedules with overseas partners visiting JR School.
Dr Jhurry took cognisance of the work in progress till now, the breakthrough contract with the organisation of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in September.
Revenue : USD 600 Expenditure: USD 200 Profit: USD 400
Remuneneration Package: Dr Jhurry and the Management Team discussed on a remuneration package to the Team of Interior Design & Decoration Services. They expressed satisfaction at the work of the Team and provided a group incentive reward of USD 150 to them; Mr Teerouven Guillaume said the more will be the revenue generated, the more will be the reward.
The Team was very happy of the amount which they shared among themselves.
However, though the team was very motivated to work, members still need to be more disciplined,punctual with more team spirit,Dr Jhurry remarked. They need to work according to entrepreneurship principles of leadership and commitment to be able to sustain business. Dr Jhurry thus advised Team to improve on the team’s weaknesses while betting on their strengths.
With the end of year fast approaching, sales need to improve according to Business Plan. The focus was therefore on consolidating marketing efforts. The Management Team therefore asked all members of the JR School Entrepreneurs Café to be more aggressive and prepare accordingly.
New contracts announced
The supervisors announced that they were able to obtain two new contracts as follows:
a) 200 square metres of decoration at a major four star hotel: USD 133 x 20 = USD 2,660
b) 200 square metres of decoration at an indian restaurant: USD 66 x 20 = USD 1,320.
Both Totalled USD 3,980, adding up to USD 600 for the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, this makes USD 4,520.
The Management Team insisted on the fact that sales should imperatively increase during this period so as to be in line with the Business Plan as follows:
| A. Price per Unit | B. Quantity | Total (A x B) | |
| Income | |||
| a)Hotels | USD 133 for each 10 square meters area of on site services | 1000 square meters | USD 133 x 100=USD 13,300. |
| b)Restaurants | USD 66 for each 10 square meters area | 700 square meters | USD 66 x 70 = USD 4,620. |
| c) Households | USD 50 for each 10 square meters area | 1000 square meters | USD 50 x 100=USD 5,000. |
| Total Income | USD 22,920. |
So, according to the Plan, there is need to work in view of obtain new business of USD 18,400.
2nd Fortnight of October : Sales and Marketing Strategies
The Three groups involved in operations met to discuss Sales and Marketing strategies:
-A team of 3 supervisors who will be responsible for the overseeing and effective implementation of works and services within time frame specified and according to planning;
-Two teams working on sites with 8-10 students in each team including designers,students of landscaping, interior designs and interior scaping;
-One Team of 2 Quality Assurance Coordinators.
All members discussed lengthily on the strategies to be adopted to reach their financial targets as specified in Business Plan.
Impact of Economic Recession: The arrival of tourists in Mauritius has been quite slow compared to the same period last year. Hotels and restaurants are still competing against each others with heavy advertising to entice local customers. But at the same time, one supervisor mentioned that with the end of year festivities, most particularly Christmas and New Year, hotels, restaurants and households will definitely need interior design and decoration services.
New Strategy and Advertising Budget For End of Year Festivities: The strategy, therefore, was to be more aggressive; teams need to work on their marketing campaigns taking these into consideration. Because this is the period where business will work up marvellously.
There is need to review certain marketing strategies: adopt e-marketing strategies, follow up, take appointments, try to reach the households through advertising.
With the USD 400 available, team will invest in publicity and advertising.
The Team was very confident about getting more customers as per their integrated marketing efforts; and meet their financial objective of USD 18,400.
25th August – 1st September 2012
The Team of the INTERIOR DESIGN & DECORATION SERVICES have been very busy preparing and finalising the marketing plan with the support of the Project Coordinator. Previously elements of products, pricing and marketing were already dealt with. However, members have to look at all these in a holistic approach. They all worked in-depth on the following aspects of the marketing plan so as to get all things set right;
-Purpose and Mission of INTERIOR DESIGN & DECORATION SERVICES
-Situational Analysis
-Marketing Strategy and Objectives
-Financial Strategy
-Tactical Marketing (Target Market, Products, Pricing, Services)
-Budgeting, Performance Measures and Implementation
3rd – 8th September 2012
Some Members of the Team worked on the most practical ways they will be announcing the services of INTERIOR DESIGN & DECORATION SERVICES to access the target markets directly-
a) A portfolio of past works carried out in hotels where members were posted for their internship was set up with pictures as a means of impressive potential customers as already identified. Members also sought letters of appreciation from these organisations to be associated with the portfolio of photos.
b) Members identified furniture stores, home decoration materials supplier stores and other retail stores in the area. They negotiated with their owners to display and affix the flyers/promotional materials at prominent places of these stores. In return, members agreed to also promote the stores and buy decorating materials from them.
c) Get the support of the President Founder Dr Rajcoomar Jhurry to tie up with the builders which are already working in collaboration with JR School for training purposes.This could prove to be a very good strategy as INTERIOR DESIGN & DECORATION SERVICES will definitely gain from their experience, know how and established network. Meetings were held with Dr Jhurry who put the members into contact with these professionals.He even provided us with recommendation letters to ease our initatives
Our efforts were fruitful. They graciously agreed to support. So our first attempt with them was to ask for a complete database of their customers, which could eventually use our use our services.
10th – 15th September 2012
During this week, our focus was mainly on promoting our services to these companies and individuals. The team worked hard on sending personalised mails and attachments of our services portfolios, photos and other flyers designed for that purpose.
Since we had limited finance, this e-marketing strategy was privileged in the first instant. Eventually afterwards we will be using newspapers, radios as spelled out in our business plan.
We forwarded personalised emails to 32 companies including 10 hotels, 12 restaurants and 10 individuals. Quotations will be done according to square metres as follows and as already mentioned in our August blog:
– Hotels: Rs 4,000 or USD 135 per square metre
– Restaurants: Rs 2,000 or USD 65 per square metre
– Households/ Residentials : Rs 1,500 or USD 50 per square metre
16th – 27th September 2012
We called them to enquire whether they received our proposals and received positive feedback; at the same time we asked for appointments. We also talked about our services to staff and trainers of JR School.
Our Religious Breakthrough – A Special Package
It’s unbelievable how we got our first work. One of the trainers at JR School was going to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, a Hindu festival celebrated with great devotion across India and Mauritius. People bring home statues of Lord Ganesha, the Indian deity, and celebrate the festival by worshipping Him in a special way through prayers for 7 days. They also fast for around 10 days.
On the last day of worship the idol is taken out in a colourful and musical procession to be immersed traditionally at a beach. This is one of the most popular festivals in Mauritius. Lord Ganesh is a popular God and His blessings are invoked a t most religious ceremonies as He is believed to be the one who can remove all obstacles to success. He is the giver of fortune and can help to avoid natural calamities.
The trainer called us and asked whether we could undertake the tasks of decorating his house since he was celebrating this festival in a grand way, with relatives , neighbours and other people coming every night at his place for prayers.
We quote him a special price of USD 600 for all works and interior decorations undertaken during this one week. He was very happy with this deal. We discussed with him specific requirements, put up a buying list, went to various stores where we were promoting our services and got the materials.
The works we did were well appreciated, our supervisors went there for one hour everyday for quality control. All was done according to his and his family’s requirements and they all celebrated the festival in the way they wished.
We all went with the procession for the immersion at one of the most beautiful public beaches situated in the western coast of Mauritius, Flic en Flac.
This is how we received our first professional assignment and the trainer and family were extremely happy with our value addition services we provided that they gave us some more allowances.
We all were deeply satisfied with our performances as we reported to the Management Committee of JR School which is supporting our project; and particularly through providing their school vehicles for transportation and purchase of materials.
We are very optimistic about obtaining new contracts and assignments.
Our work continues.
25th – 31st July 2012
Now that decision has been taken to set up the INTERIOR DESIGN & DECORATION SERVICES, Dr Rajcoomar Jhurry and the Team met to decide on the products and services to be included.
-The Operational Planning & Human Resources: Three distinct groups will be involved in operations:
-A team of 3 supervisors who will be responsible for the overseeing and effective implementation of works and services within time frame specified and according to planning;
-Two teams working on sites with 8-10 students in each team including designers, students of landscaping, interior designs and interior scaping;
-One Team of 2 Quality Assurance Coordinators.
The Management Team comprising Dr Rajcoomar Jhurry, Head of Project, Mr Teerouven Guillaume-General Manager Logistics and Operations, Ms Aruna Chengelvoyen, Registar, Mr Amit Namah, Quality Assurance Manager as well as the Head of IT will be responsible for the project management from start to finish.
Dr Rajcoomar Jhurry emphasised that the whole Team will work according to the ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems and 4Rs: Reduction, Reuse, Recycling and Recovery
-The Products and Services: These will be used for marketing purposes. The following 3 distinct lines of products and services were thus being proposed following Brainstorming sessions and according to our facilities and logistics available:
1) Hotels & Restaurants Landscaping: External appearance and imaging, including designs, installation and maintenance services;
2) Residential Landscaping : Design of front yard, back yard, and road front landscape
3) Interior Scaping: Plants and Flowers decoration for both commercial and residential purposes.
1st – 14th August 2012
Marketing and Promotion
Members of the Management Team were busy preparing the marketing and promotional materials as per the services and products line decided upon. Marketing will be done essentially through email proposals, presentations at hotels, associations to target companies, hotels and other commercials.
Newspapers and radio interventions will be used to target households. While we might pay for newspapers, on local radios we have dedicated programs on household tips and decorations where we can participate and address to the audience of households. For this, we need to contact the local radios, meet and negotiate with them for us to gain air time to promote our products and services.
Pricing
However, the pricing of the services and products are of prime importance. Our research showed that potential clients were looking for more competitive prices than the market rates, which are usually quite high.
Upon discussions, and as per our previous experiences of working in 5 Star Hotels during vacations, whereby hotels provided their own materials, we decided to go within this same line. That is to be able to offer lower rates than market price and to be able to sustain competition, we have to ask both commercial and residential customers to work according to a win-win formula:
They buy the materials as per list provided by ourselves and they pay us only for the service fees.
Quotations will be done according to square metres as follows:
– Hotels: Rs 4,000 or USD 135 per square metre
– Restaurants: Rs 2,000 or USD 65 per square metre
– Households/ Residentials : Rs 1,500 or USD 50 per square metre
So, eventually, all marketing and promotional materials must be put up according to the above data.
16th – 24th August 2012
Training: The Management Team gathered all Members of the Operational Team for 3 Days awareness/training session on:
a) Entrepreneurship: Personality development, Skills and Competencies needed
b) Selling, Presentation and Negotiating Skills
c) Financial Skills
d) Marketing and Communication Skills
Members of 2011 JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café and Global Winner of the School Enterprise Challenge also gave a big helping hand during the Training.
The Management Team provided information on the pricing strategy, the marketing strategy, the target audience and follow up actions.
After these explanatory sessions, members were fully motivated to start working on operations to kick start the INTERIOR DESIGN & DECORATION SERVICES and to promote it as one of the reliable suppliers in its category.
08th – 13th July : Meeting and Brainstorming Session
Background
After enjoying our big success as Global Winner in the School Enterprise Challenge 2011, Jhurry Rya (JR) School Mauritius is back again 2012 with a new project for the 2012 competition.
Being Global Winner 2011 has added to the prestige and popularity of JR School; we have received the congratulations of one and all and our international partners have been impressed and overwhelmed by this world class performance! Thanks to the good team work of the ‘Teach a Man to Fish’ via the ‘School Enterprise Challenge’.
Dr Rajcoomar Jhurry, the CEO, gathered his team with agenda the participation in the 2012 competition. First he provided information about Teach a Man to Fish, its objectives and those of the School Enterprise Challenge 2012.
On a question put forward by Dr Jhurry, everyone answered positively that they know very well Teach a Man to Fish, the School being now used to participating in the various competitions.
The concept of Entrepreneurship was thoroughly explained to members. Members of the Team of JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café were also present to share their experiences of participating in 2011. All of them were very excited in providing motivation and supporting the new team, more so since they won the GLOBAL WINNER and are considered as the GOLDEN TEAM of JR School.
Dr Jhurry explained to the team the importance of participating again as students will have an opportunity to work on a world class project and at the same time put their knowledge, skills and competencies into practice. This, he explained further, could be very useful for their CVs and above all, their future.
Team members were provided with copies of ‘Students Handouts’ whereby they could read further in terms of getting more information about the ‘School Enterprise Challenge 2012’.
Choice of Project
Given last year’s great success as Global Winner, the team was even more motivated to have an altogether new experience with a new project. Dr Jhurry thus brainstormed about what could possibly be the title of the project the team will be working on.
JR School having several academies, the following ideas came up:
a) Beauty Care & Hairdressing
b) Architectural Design Services
c) Interior Design & Decoration Services
d) Sports & Fitness Activities
After thorough discussions, members of the Team finalised on ‘ INTERIOR DESIGN & DECORATION SERVICES’. This choice was motivated mostly by the fact that there is a growth in the demand of such services with the construction of new buildings, integrated resort schemes, villas, apartments etc.
JR School has a good market share in the training of professionals in this field, so very well known and most eligible to offer these services. The decision was therefore taken to conduct a research to assess feasibility of introducing JR SCHOOL INTERIOR DESIGN & DECORATION SERVICES.
Prior to that, the Team was set up comprising of Head , students of the Department of Construction & Architecture & Interior Design,, and Trainers.
15th-20th July : Research Work
Dr Rajcoomar Jhurry, Head of this Department asked team members to carry a research and field study with stakeholders such as the construction sector, the interior decoration service providers, the owners of property development companies, the financial institutions providing housing loans etc.
Team members worked over one week to personally call the above target audience and asked about the possibility of JR School introducing professional services within this segment of the construction industry.
24th July : Research Outcome and Second Meeting
Dr Jhurry, Head of Project , organised a meeting was organised on 24th July to take cognisance of the research findings.
This possibility of having an additional service provider in this field was very well received as feedback received indicated:
a) JR School being in this training sector for several decades now, it could eventually put up a Team of professionals to offer services in the Interior Design and Decoration;
b) Qualified and new blood most welcome;
c) The construction sector is growing with different types and categories of construction across the country, so the need for similar professional services are highly needed and
d) JR School’s decades of good work relations with the Construction Sector will greatly help in opening up marketing.
Jhurry Rya (JR ) School Mauritius is now on for its continuous journey on the prestigious international School Enterprise Challenge organised by Teach A Man to Fish.
Of course, the new formed Team of JR SCHOOL INTERIOR DESIGN & DECORATION SERVICES aim at being the GLOBAL WINNER 2012.
JR SCHOOL INTERIOR DESIGN & DECORATION SERVICES will include services such as Curtaining, accessories, interiors scaping , flower and floral arrangements.
Their biggest motivation is the possibility of being able to earn some revenue to support their parents in educational expenses.
A Business Plan is currently being finalised for effective implementation of the 2012 project.
1st – 4th December 2011 : Management Meeting/Preparation for End of Year Festivities
Divali festival is now over, we have been actively preparing for End of Year Festivities. The reward provided to all team members has greatly encouraged us to continue with even greater motivation.
The Management Team met under the supervision of Dr Rajcoomar Jhurry, CEO Founder of JR School who congratulated the whole team for successful participation in the Enterprise School Challenge organised by Teach A Man To Fish; this has brought the JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café to be among the most dynamic participants as well as reap rewards such as Winner of July blog, Winner of the Photo Competition, Special Mention for its November detailed blog………Everybody was very happy as despite slight difficulties which were rapidly overcome at the very beginning the Young Entrepreneurs Café has been such a big success.
NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES: JR School’s End of Year Dinner Party & Christmas Celebrations
Dr Jhurry said the last big challenge for this year was to prepare for end of year festivities; Team Members had to be ready for Christmas and End of Year Party. He further announced that Young Entrepreneurs Café has been given the responsibility of organising this year’s JR School end of year dinner party which groups its stakeholders: shareholders, ,management team, partners, trainers, part time consultants, Directors of Mauritius Qualifications Authority, Tertiary Education Commission, Registrar of Association, press members etc
So he requested all team leaders and members of the different sub teams to again give their maximum level best in view of meeting the forthcoming challenges. He promised similar rewards as the previous month with Divali.
Dr Jhurry reminded the Team that the spirit of the project was always to be kept in mind :
’ From Land to Kitchen, From Kitchen to Cooker, From Cooker to Café, From Café to Table’.
JR School and the JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café are scheduled to be on school holidays on 16 December , so all activities needed to be completed by then.
The New Challenges
As discussed in Management Meeting, the new challenges resumed as follows, cater for:
– Saturday 10 December: 100 guests for JR School’s end of year dinner party
– Wednesday 14 December: 60 persons for a women’s association end of year lunch, Athena Women Entrepreneurs Network
The Cycle of Continual Improvement: Plan-Do-Check-Act
The CEO Founder asked all Team Leaders to strictly go according to the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle of continual improvement to track all areas for improvements at the level of their respective teams and to bring fast and quick corrective or preventive actions as and whenever required.
05th – 08th December 2011 : Fresh Vegetables for Success , December Events , Marketing & Students Parties
The Garden Team has been putting more effort s so that vegetables could be readily available on time. And their efforts have not gone vain as the Young Entrepreneurs Café will be able to have their quota of vegetables needed for festivities. If its not for the Garden Team and its supply of vegetables, all food selling will not be made possible as then we would not need to buy from outside and loose on margin of profits.
During this period, the following teams worked very hard in the planning of the forthcoming major events of 10th and 14th December 2011:
-The Management Team
-Kitchen Operations Team
-Garden Operations Team
-Sales Team in the Café
On top of that with the festivities, our marketing continued with groups of students who were planning to organise lunches and get together. Now that our Young Entrepreneurs Café has won a good reputation, it was not difficult for us to get the orders from them.
The different Teams were requested to work as per the same conditions as those of the Divali festival, namely that they would be required to work late and be present everyday except emergency.
10th December 2011 : JR School’s End of Year Party.
It is with this spirit that preparations for the Party started; it is to be admitted that with100 persons to be fed at one go, stress and tension were definitely there; first time the Café received such a big order and with so many important and VIP guests!!!!
As they are used now, each and every team leader gathered their respective teams for brief standing meetings, with checklist of tasks and responsibilities in hand. All ingredients and related kitchen cooking resources needed were already purchased from the groceries according to the budget allocated.
The menu comprising of noodles, fried rice, snacks, sweets was set by the Kitchen Team Leader and approved by the Management Team. No vegetables will be bought as all would be supplied by the Garden Team.
All members of the Young Entrepreneurs Café worked full fledge on the eve and on the day of the event, that is 10th December 2011. They had to meet this huge challenge. As they had received training and coaching, now they also have some great experience and can definitely ACHIEVE!
By 5.30 p.m everything was ready. Guests started to arrive at 6.30 p.m.
All was on duty , waiting to meet the greatest challenge of their participation to the School Enterprise Challenge……The Party started, service was done in such a way that all guests were very happy and highly satisfied.
In his speech, Dr Rajcoomar Jhurry, informed guests of the participation of JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café in the Teach A Man to Fish competition and to support and encourage the endeavours of the Team, who up to now, has provided brilliant results.
At the end of the Party, guests were overwhelmed and gave a big round of applause to the Team ; they were happy on hearing that whatever vegetables were included in the menu that evening, all was supplied by the Garden Team. The fact that they were eating fresh made them even happy. NO REFRIGERATED , ONLY FRESH VEGETABLES.
13 – 14 December 2011: The Last Challenge for Year 2011
As planned, the next and last challenge for 2011 was the end of year lunch organised by the Athena Women Entrepreneurs Network.
The Young Entrepreneurs Café Team is now very well tuned to the organisation of catering services. Over the months and with different activities organised they have gained lots of experience and practice. All Four Teams gave their best for this last event of the year prior to school holidays.
Once again fresh vegetables as cultivated by the Garden Team was on menu, a very healthy one. Most preparations were completed on the 13 December and on 14 December the JR School Young Entrepreneurs was all present to prepare and serve the foods. The main menu was served with plenty of vegetables and salads.
Congratulations & Supply of Catering Services by JR School Young Entrepreneurs Cafe
Once again the Team received the congratulations of women for the tasty preparations of fried rice, noodles and some desserts. They also commended the laudable efforts undertaken during this School Enterprise Challenge and informed that henceforth, all their catering services will henceforth be effected by the Team of the JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café!!!!!!Wow…..great news to end this year and the School Challenge on a wonderful note !!!
End of School Enterprise Challenge, Sustainability of Young Entrepreneurs Cafe
As usual for review meetings , on 16 December all members of the JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café had a special meeting with the Management, chaired by Dr Rajcoomar Jhurry.
With confirmed orders for the activities and events of the Athena Women Entrepreneurs Network for 2012, The Team is fully determined of the sustainability of the project they undertook some months back. It will definitely continue with its marketing quest to sustain and improve its market share.
Dr Jhurry made a review of all activities undertaken since the very start of the project and personally congratulated each member of the Team for their wonderful and above expectations outcome and financial results. The JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café is now a flourishing business thanks to the support of JR School and its network and the Team of the School Enterprise Challenge for their invaluable tips and advices all through the project.
Financial Results & Reward
Dr Jhurry took cognisance of the Profit & Loss Account as at 16 December 2011 and together with the Management Team, decided to remunerate and reward the whole team with a total of Rs 30,000 to be shared among the 20 members instead of the budgeted Rs 25,000. Of course the amount of Rs 46,940 will be brought forward to the account of JR School Young Entrepreneur Café as starting income as at 1st January 2012.
Everybody was happy and thanked Dr Jhurry and the Management Team for their commitment towards improving the entrepreneurial spirits of students through the School Enterprise Challenge. The project has been even more successful than originally planned as per the Business Plan and the Narrative Report.
On this happy end note, Dr Jhurry wished them a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year 2012. Everybody raised their glasses and cheered up for the forthcoming 2012 challenges of the JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café!!!!!!
Hereunder the final financial outcome:
Profit & Loss Account as at 16 December 2011
| A. Price per Unit | B. Qty | C.Total As at 25.11.11(A x B) | D.Proposed Total as at 16.12.11 | E.Actual From 26.11.11 to 16.12.11 | F. Grand Total as at 16.12.11(C + E) | |
| Income | ||||||
| Salted snacks including sandwiches | Rs 15. | 1625. | Rs 24,375. | 27,375 | Rs 15 x 175 = Rs 2,625. | 27,000. |
| Salted Indian snacks sold pre-Divali festival(where many customers eat veg foods) | Rs 12. | 650. | Rs 7,800. | 7,800. | Was meant only for Divali | 7,800. |
| Sweet snacks & deserts | Rs 17. | 1150. | Rs 17,000. | 5,100. | Rs 17 x 312 = Rs 5,304 | 22,304. |
| Sweet Indian snacks – Special Divali Festival | Rs 11. | 2011. | Rs 22,121. | 22,121. | Was meant only for Divali | 22,121. |
| Fried noodles with fresh vegetables | Rs 80. | 472 | RS 37,760. | 53,760. | Rs 80 x 238 = Rs 19,040. | 56,800. |
| Fried rice with fresh vegetables | Rs 80. | 443 | Rs 35,440. | 49,440. | Rs 80 x 212 = Rs 16960 | 52,400. |
| Eco friendly Take Aways | Rs 10. | 589 | Rs 5,890. | 7,890. | Rs 10 x 125 = Rs 1,250. | 7,140. |
| Total Income for the period | RS 147,386. | RS 173,486. | Rs 195,565. | |||
| Expenditure: Infrastructure | ||||||
| Other ingredients & Spices | Rs 80 / kg | 300. | Rs 24,000. | 30,400. | Rs 80 / kg x 100 = Rs 8,000 | Rs 32,000. |
| Rental of plates, glasses, other glassware and cutlery + Transport services for two functions | Rs 20,000. | |||||
| Noodles | Rs 25 / kg | 385. | Rs 9,625. | 11,875. | Rs 25 / kg x 100 =Rs 2,500. | Rs 12,125. |
| Rice | Rs 1200 / 100 kgs | 3.5 x 100 kgs | Rs 3,500. | Rs 4,700. | Rs 1200 / 100 kgs = Rs12,000. | Rs 15,500. |
| Special ingredients for Divali festival (including sugar, wheat & flour, powdered milk, ghee, oil, sweet potatoes, potatoes, dholl, self raising powder, food colouring, divali eco-friendly bags/take aways, etc) | Rs 15,000. | Rs 15,000. | Rs 15,000. | |||
| Telephone /MobileBills | Rs 3,800. | Rs 5,800. | Rs 2,000. | Rs 5,800. | ||
| Contributions to electricity and water | Rs 7,000 | Rs 10,500. | Rs 3,500. | Rs 10,500. | ||
| Expenditure: Maintenance | ||||||
| Kitchen Equipment | Rs 4,000. | Rs 6,000. | Rs 3,700. | Rs 7,700. | ||
| Total Expenditure | Rs 66,925. | Rs 84,275. | Rs 118,625. | |||
| Gross Profits | Rs 80,461. | Rs 89,211. | Rs 76,940. | |||
| Deduct: Performance & Motivational Bonus | Rs 35,000. | Rs 60,000. | Rs 25,000 | Rs 30,000. | ||
| Net Profits for period | Rs 29,211. | Rs 46,940. |
Concluding Notes
The philosophy of the project :
’ From Land to Kitchen, From Kitchen to Cooker, From Cooker to Café, From Café to Table’
is now more than a reality thanks to the School Enterprise Challenge
organized by Teach A Man to Fish;
it is now a successful and sustainable business for the whole Team of JR School Young Entrepreneurs Cafe who has dared to venture
into this innovative entrepreneurial adventure.
A Dream come true for Dr Rajcoomar Jhurry, CEO Founder of JR School who has initiated this philosophy for the JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café .
A MATTER OF NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL PRIDE FOR
JR SCHOOL MAURITIUS.
MERRY XMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR
JR School Mauritius and Members of the JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café take this opportunity to heartily thank the Team of the Teach a Man to Fish / School Enterprise Challenge for putting up such brilliant entrepreneurial project for students and take this opportunity to wish you ALL THE VERY BEST IN ALL YOUR ENDEAVOURS!
THANK YOU, WE ALL RAISE A SPECIAL TOAST TO YOU……..CHEERS, JINGLE BELLS, MERRY XMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR TO THE WHOLE FAMILY OF TEACH A MAN TO FISH / SCHOOL ENTERPRISE CHALLENGE………
21st October : Order Receiving Deadline-The Surprise
Though the order receiving deadline had elapsed since 21st October, we continued to receive orders of sweets for Divali Festival from 22nd to 24th October. Not only that , the real challenge was still to come ….!!!!!!!!! The Management Committee met urgently to discuss on the possible actions to take in view of the excess orders received…The order of sweets has considerably increased to the 710 sweets officially received on the 21st October.
New Product Development (Indian Sweets and Snacks) and Opportunities
Orders came for other traditional sweets consumed during Diwali! Now there was need to prepare for these additional Indian sweets. The Team Leader-Kitchen said we cannot not possibly refuse these orders, as this represented a big opportunity for us to get additional revenues. So the decision was to go ahead with the preparation of special Indian sweets and snacks, as they were very easy to prepare.
The Challenge
The real challenge was therefore to be able to fulfil the orders in a very planned manner. The Management Committee met urgently on Sunday 23 October early morning. The following decisions were taken:
-Fulfil all the orders received in a most professional and efficient manner
-The Kitchen Team Leader to urgently prepare the list of additional ingredients needed for the additional sweets and to buy them before 10.00 am on Monday 24 October;
-All members involved in the JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café to be present without exception to meet with the orders and the excess one received;
-All will work overtime as delivery time will start as from 12.00 on Tuesday 24 October and will obtain remuneration accordingly ;
-JR School will provide for transport facilities do drop members after they finish at 9.00 p.m
-Another batch of cultivation of vegetables to be scheduled as soon as Divali is over to meet with December sales.
24 – 25 October 2011: Divali Festival and normal orders Preparation Phase
As convened, all additional ingredients needed to prepare the sweets as well as eco friendly take aways were purchased well before 10.00 a.m. The kitchen was very busy with team members, all with their respective tasks and responsibilities. Some were required to prepare doughs, others ingredients including food colouring, still others to get all sweet decorations ready.
All cookers were serviced and maintained during the week end so they be ready for cooking.
Soon, different types of Indian sweets and snacks were ready . All worked hard till late evening and by that time, many orders were packed, waiting for their customers to come the following day to pick them up.
All were very tired and exhausted but satisfied with the fact the spirit of teamwork and cooperation had prevailed all through the day.
The real challenge the past days was to fulfil normal orders, such as noodles, fried rice etc. But one week before Divali, the festival of lights, people of Indian origins eat vegetable foods.
This resulted in the fact that sales of our existing vegetable products increased: during lunch time the restaurant was always full with customers, most of which of Indian origin, buying vegetable foods. Luckily, the Garden Team had enough of vegetables in their garden so supply of same was not difficult. But soon and for December sales, there was urgent need to plant further vegetables.
Work at the JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café was exhausting during that period but motivation and encouragement from Management and other Team Leaders were of great contribution. Dr Rajcoomar Jhurry, Founder/CEO, came in person to encourage the Team. They had taken this Challenge and their was need to go the extra mile to get extra revenues and profits. Sustainability of the business is important with such endeavours, stressful but challenging and highly remunerative.
Eve of Divali Festival and Fire Crackers
On 25th October as from noon, customers started to pour in for their orders; while they received their orders, they were also provided with one packet of fire crackers free from JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café. As a means of promotion and technique to get repeat customers.
On the other hand, additional Indian sweets were also prepared for sales for other customers who did not order. The majority of customers buying during Divali festival were: Students, Trainers, Management & Staff, customers from nearby companies ,etc.Sales and on site orders delivery were effected till 8.00 p.m.
Wow what a a great and pleasant experience of the whole Team! Never they would have thought Divali festival would represent such a big opportunity for them…….Sales went up at different levels within the existing portfolio of products while a variety of Indian sweets and savouries were also added…
That 25th October night, the eve of Divali, everybody went home highly exhausted and tired but very happy and satisfied that the difficult challenge had been met and fulfilled, even beyond expectations…….Hip hip hurray!!!!!!
Outcome of Divali Festival Sales & Reward
Divali was celebrated on the 26 October 2011 and Public Holiday in Mauritius. The very next day, that is on the 27 October , all the Team Leaders met to take cognisance of the total sales and financial outcome.
On the 28 October, all members of the JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café had a special meeting with the Management, chaired by Dr Rajcoomar Jhurry. The satisfaction was visible on their faces; great planning, great decisions and superb outcome, both at sales and at financial levels. Above all a great teamwork. Dr Jhurry decided to remunerate and reward the whole team with a total of Rs 35,000 to be shared among the 20 members . Special Divali Cheers!!!!!
Hereunder the final financial outcome:
Divali Accounts as at 27 October 2011
| A. Price per Unit | B. Quantity | Total (A x B) | ||
| Income | ||||
| Salted snacks including sandwiches | Rs 15. | 825. | Rs 12,375. | |
| Salted Indian snacks sold pre-Divali festival(where many customers eat veg foods) | Rs 12. | 650. | Rs 7,800. | |
| Sweet snacks | Rs 17. | 710. | Rs 12,070. | |
| Sweet Indian snacks – Special Divali Festival | Rs 11. | 2011. | Rs 22,121. | |
| Fried noodles with fresh vegetables | Rs 80. | 157 | RS 12,560. | |
| Fried rice with fresh vegetables | Rs 80. | 128 | Rs 10,240. | |
| Take Aways | Rs 10. | 430 | Rs 4.300. | |
| Total Income for the period | RS 81,466. | |||
| Expenditure: Infrastructure | ||||
| Other ingredients – Spices | Rs 80 / kg | 25. | Rs 2,000. | |
| Noodles | Rs 25 / kg | 150. | Rs 3,750. | |
| Rice | Rs 1200 / 100 kgs | 2x 100 kgs | Rs 2,400. | |
| Special ingredients for Divali festival (including sugar, wheat & flour, powdered milk, ghee, oil, sweet potatoes, potatoes, dholl, self raising powder, food colouring, divali eco-friendly bags/take aways, etc) | Rs 15,000. | |||
| Telephone / Mobile Bills | Rs 2,000. | |||
| Contributions to electricity and water | Rs 5,000 | |||
| Expenditure: Maintenance | ||||
| Kitchen Equipment | Rs 2,000. | |||
| Total Expenditure | Rs 32,150. | |||
| Gross Profits for the period | Rs 49,316. | |||
| Deduct: Performance & Motivational Bonus for the Team | Rs 35,000. | |||
| Net Profits for the Period | Rs 14,916. |
The Festival of Lights being now over, time was very decisive in terms of planning for December sales. At the meeting of the Managing Committee, it was decided to cultivate more vegetables in the garden .
So once again, the Team Leader of the Garden Team and his members were requested to urgently provide for more cultivation to meet with December forthcoming end of year party , Christmas and related sales.
03 – 08 November 2011 – Garden Team
The processes of cleaning and preparing the soil for cultivation have started again as per our July blog. We have obtained seedlings and plants from the Agricultural Research & Extension Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture which has graciously provided these to us without any charges, knowing that we are working on the School Challenge.
The fact that we are on for second cultivation and crop means that our business is a sustainable one. Till now we have been overwhelmed with the brilliant results we have achieved.
Month of November at the Young Entrepreneurs Cafe
On a parallel side, sales at the JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café are still doing great but of course on a decreased way as compared to the vibrant Divali sales. We are now preparing for Christmas celebrations and End of Year Festivities. We have already achieved beyond expectations and hope to finish Year 2011 in a highly successful entrepreneurial spirit! The JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café look forward to these forthcoming challenges.
27th – 30th September – : Sales Planning
The Team of JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café comprising of the following, has been working on the end of September sale:
-The Management Team.
-Kitchen Operations Team
-Garden Operations Team
-Sales Team in the Café
With the end of the month, sales need to improve during this week. The focus was therefore on consolidating marketing efforts. The Management Team therefore asked all members of the JR School Entrepreneurs Café to be more aggressive and prepare accordingly.
The Management Team insisted on the fact that sales should imperatively increase during this end of month period.
Other items such as eco-friendly paper bags and take aways should be made available in view of the sales plan.
Marketing Efforts : Administrative and Academic Staff
The Sales Team proposed to intensify their marketing efforts particularly with JR School administrative and academic staff while maintaining those of students. Mainly because of the end of month payment of salaries. They should be directly targeted and encourage them to buy their lunches at JR School Entrepreneurs Café.
Marketing Opportunity and Efforts : Diwali (Festival of Lights) Celebrations
Diwali , the festival of lights is celebrated at national level in Mauritius and due on 26 October 2011
Dr Rajcoomar Jhurry, President / Founder – CEO proposed that extensive marketing be targeted towards preparing sweets for sale during the festive period as much sweets are consumed during that period; however taking into consideration that sweets should be made in line with dietary issues. Mr Rakesh Golaub, Director, Academy of Hospitality and also member of the Management Team proposed he will instruct the Kitchen Team accordingly on the best ways to prepare sweet but healthy dishes.
The sales plan for October 2011 included:
-Intensive marketing with Administrative & Academic Staff of JR School;
-Sales of sweets, noodles and rice for the period of Diwali, Festival of Lights.
27th – 30th September – : E-Marketing Campaign
With the logistic support of Management , The Sales Team therefore concentrated their marketing efforts on sending emails via the intranet system of JR School; targets were Administrative & Academic Staff and they were encouraged to help support the ‘ Teach A Man to Fish’ project through the ‘JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café’.
On the other hand, promotional activities also included direct selling and verbal promotions in classes. The Sales Team was very satisfied with their e-campaign and directly selling promotions and expect to boost sales as planned.
28th September – 08th October : Sales of Food
All teams were very confident about getting more customers as per their integrated marketing efforts.
Effectively the JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café started to receive its end of September customers; very positive outcome! Customers started to pour in on the 28th and everybody very motivated to do their respective tasks in serving them. The skills of the different team, particularly the Garden, Kitchen and Sales Teams were put to test as sales went up marvellously well.
The JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café was full of customers on the following days through to 08th October 2011. All customers were given a warm welcome and personalised service. Many of those used to go to our competitors, came to lunch and buy food in our JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café.
The outcome of sales and marketing efforts for the period 28th September -08th October was as follows:
| A. Price per Unit | B. Quantity | Total (A x B) | |
| Income | |||
| Salted snacks including sandwiches | Rs 15. | 150. | Rs 2,250. |
| Sweet snacks | Rs 17. | 95. | Rs 1,615. |
| Fried noodles with fresh vegetables | Rs 80. | 90. | RS 7,200. |
| Fried rice with fresh vegetables | Rs 80. | 93. | Rs 7,440. |
| Take Aways | Rs 10. | 57 | Rs 570. |
The Team of JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café was very proud; the Management Team was there to support and help them keep in track with the Business Plan. The most important was to maintain the team spirit and work in the same directions, with the same objectives in mind; that of succeeding in becoming brilliant young entrepreneurs through the ‘ Teach a Man To Fish’ School Challenge.
Cheers to The Team of JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café! And to that of ‘ Teach a Man To Fish’!!!.
10th – 15th October: The 2nd Phase of Market Planning-Diwali Festival
The JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café continued its operations , of course, with customers reduced during this period of the month. Normally for every business, sales are more concentrated during end of month. Such is also the case for JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café.
The whole team now is aware of this reality; however we all know that more sales emphasis should be laid during end of month; Prior to that a great marketing campaign should take place to entice customers.
Diwali – The Festival of Lights : Dual Purpose Marketing
With Diwali – The Festival of Lights rapidly approaching on the 26 October 2011, The whole team of JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café focus is now on maximising sales during that period. This festival is celebrated on a national level and in particular by the Hindu community. During this Diwali, lots of sweets are consumed and shared among friends and relatives. It’s a great festival of sharing.
The different teams again were called for a meeting by the Management Team and on agenda the ‘ how ‘ of optimising sales during this period. The JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café therefore wants to take advantage of this opportunity by selling more sweets and vegetable dishes.
Vegetables are most needed during that period as hindus consume more vegetarian meals during this festive period.
So this festival will be an opportunity to sell both more sweets and vegetable foods as per the financial plan included in the JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café.
The Garden Team
The Team was requested to make appropriate efforts to support the kitchen team in supplying fresh vegetables. The Team leader of the Garden Team reassured that there was going to be enough vegetables to serve until mid November. However# there is need to cultivate a fresh batch of vegetables so as to be ready for December
The Kitchen Team has already put a list of various varieties of Indian sweets to be sold during the special festive period.
The Sales Team has already planned its marketing strategies including the same used during the end of September campaign, namely e-marketing and direct selling. Flyers announcing the variety of sweets, promotion to customers, etc will be distributed. The order system will be in person, by telephone, fax and mail. Orders will be received up to Friday 21 October to allow for effective planning .
Sales with thus be done in the JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café and via an order system. Dr Rajcoomar Jhurry stressed on the fact that all should be done in the most professional manner and with the same spirit of improved customer service.
At the JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café, sales went on normal during this period of 10th to 15th October 2011.
17th – 22nd October: The Market Implementation Plan-Diwali Festival
While sales was going on at a reduced pace during this period, all teams were busy fine tuning their implementation plan to maximise sales during this particular period. Those students whose expertise were more on the preparation of sweets were briefed and called upon not to absent themselves during that period.
Each member of the Kitchen Team should be ready to and prepared to work on tight schedules.
21st October : Order Receiving Deadline
By 22nd October therefore, the whole Team met to take cognisance of the orders received. The results was most promising!!! It pays to do aggressive marketing either through emails or directly; it pays to receive great orders with promotional incentives such as complimentary decorative sweet boxes made up of recycled paper.
All to all, 710 pieces of sweets were received as order. That was well beyond expectations as The Team aimed to sell 500 pieces. Its really great to work in team and obtain the input of one and all in JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café! Now the real challenge starts!!!
The Kitchen Team and the Garden Team were requested to amend their planning to fit in the new order of 710 pieces …….
The entrepreneur skills of the different teams, their trainings received up to now, the competencies with which these orders have to be dealt with, are the GREAT CHALLENGES of the JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café.
In view of the festival taking place on 26 October, The Teams have been requested to work on Sunday as well.
A motivational bonus will be offered to them as per the sales proceeds .
23rd August – : Preparation of ‘ Green & Healthy ‘ Food – Morning
The kitchen team was all present, very motivated and happy that for the first time in their lives, they were going to form part in a very exciting adventure! Prior to entering the School Enterprise Award, they were very used to eating junk and fast foods, such are used the present generations. Mostly chicken, beef, pork, etc. Vegetables, quite rare.
With this competition and the Ministry of Agriculture putting emphasis on ‘consuming green and fresh’, the team of the JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café feels different in that they are now forming part of a national campaign which invites the general public to eat healthy and most particularly in regards to the growing rates of diabetes, blood pressure, cardiac in Mauritius. The Government therefore encourages such initiatives for its population to eat healthy.
With the harvest of fresh vegetables, we intend to add a healthy flavour to our dishes and promote ‘eating green and healthy’.
All vegetables were nicely kept in hygienic places meeting the norms of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP); however, the Quality Assurance Manager of the JR School was requested, and he happily agreed to our request of verification and validation of vegetables to be used in the noodles and rice prior to consumption.
Being a Member of the Management Team, Mr Rakesh Golaub, Director, Academy of Hospitality expertise was sought to finalise all cooking and serving procedures; he also gave his approval for vegetables and food to be cooked as they strictly meet the requirements of the HACCP Quality Management Systems.
On the other hand, some members were busy preparing the setting to welcome the first customers to lunch.
Others were involved in preparing the take-aways and recycled paper bags to be made ready for the take away service, as per our ‘ Go Green Policy’.
23rd August – : Menu
No stone was left unturned to welcome the first customers of the JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café.
The main menu with prices with was set and displayed in the Cafe
23rd August-: The Kitchen Operations Team
The kitchen was very animated with members of the Kitchen Operations Team of the JR School Entrepreneurs Café,; each and everyone was busy with his / her own tasks as provided to them by the Team Leader/Chef.
23rd August – : Dr Rajcoomar Jhurry , CEO / Founder of JR School as Chief Guest
On the other hand, some members were busy preparing the setting to welcome the first customers to lunch. Among them would be Dr Rajcoomar Jhurry, CEO / Founder and Mr Teerooven Guillaume, General Manager of JR School.
Both have provided their support and facilities for the implementation of JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café
23rd August-: The D-Day of 1st Lunch
Wow! The D-Day of 1st Lunch for the JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café …..and the Sales Team was there, waiting to welcome their first customers……
Around noon, first two customers showed off ; The order was for two plates of fried noodles with vegetables plus drinks. The team members were afraid that the first day might turn very poor in sales…..Despite their efforts in communications? What happened? Except for the two, nobody was there…..There faces turned serious.
Oops!!!! Dr Rajcoomar Jhurry and Mr Teerooven Guillaume coming to the Café…….and after them other students were following….
By the end of the day, the Café had welcomed 18 customers, including students, trainers, Dr Jhurry, Mr Guillaume and other staff. But the whole team was very satisfied with their first day sales. They all had worked very hard and earned the congratulations of the Team Leader as well as Dr Rajcoomar Jhurry for their entrepreneurial initiative and efforts in implementing this project.
Dr Jhurry quoted Zig Ziglar while addressing the JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café :
You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win,
and expect to win.
‘Teach a Man to Fish’ initiative had indeed taught them the different phases of putting this specific project into practice. What an experience for all them!
That was only the beginning……………………..
24th August – 31st August -: Freshness in the Plate & Communication Campaign
The JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café was operating brilliantly and with the same motivation and vibrancy. Dr Rajcoomar Jhurry and the Management Team encouraged them to persevere in their initiatives.
Everyday, fresh vegetables were brought to the kitchen and with such freshness in the plates, consumers definitely started to increase gradually despite competition from fast food units, street hawkers and nearby restaurants. The strong determination of team members kept motivation level high.
One week after its official opening, JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café had officially registered sales of 65 plates of fried noodles / rice , 35 sandwiches, 90 salted snacks with fresh vegetables cultivated by the Garden Team.
September 1st – 10th September -: Risks, Communication Campaign & Sales
The crew of the JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café have to uphold their own challenge; Rome was not built in one day, and the Café will not get many customers in its opening phase. When one is Entrepreneur, taking risks is part of the game and the game is already on.
To win without risk is to triumph without glory – Corneille
Communications strategies focused on distributing flyers and pamphlets to potential customers with menu / prices. The Sales Team went for direct selling by explaining their project to the students and other target customers, why they were doing this project a competition from Teach a Man To Fish, UK- the importance and benefits of eating fresh vegetables,etc.
On the other hand, Thanks to the personal efforts of the Sales Team, who have continuously and relentlessly, persevered in the communications initiatives, the JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café started to benefit from an increase in customers.
September 12th – September 26 : Sales Outcome for September and Review
During the two weeks, emphasis was laid on the outcomes of the efforts of the whole Team of JR School Young Entrepreneurs Café:
– The Management Team.
– Kitchen Operations Team
– Garden Operations Team
– Sales Team in the Café
Focus was on reviewing the strategies of sales , customer service and communications. Were these effective? How could the team meet with the targets as spelled out in the Financial Plan? What are their strengths and weaknesses? And how are these to be addressed?
However, the outcome was satisfactory. One month after its opening, the Café is becoming more popular, thanks to the aggressive sales strategies adopted by the Sales Team.
| Price per Unit | Quantity | Total (A x B) | |
| Income | |||
| Salted snacks including sandwiches | Rs 15 | 300 | Rs 4,500 |
| Sweet snacks | Rs 17 | 100 | Rs 1,700 |
| Fried noodles with fresh vegetables | Rs 80 | 135 | RS 10,800 |
| Fried rice with fresh vegetables | Rs 80 | 129 | Rs 10,320 |
| Take Aways | Rs 10 | 45 | Rs 450 |
The challenge to sell according to the targets set in the section 10 –Financial Plan is still there. The saying goes ‘ Where there is a will, there is way’. And the team is ready to take this challenge, till the end.
Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success – Henry Ford
Jhurry Rya School (JR School) Ltd 