The winning team of ‘Best Idea’ with GoGet representatives Jonathon Englert and Josh Brydges.

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By taking part in solving a real-world problem in the two-day Business Innovation Challenge, a group of high-performing Year 10 students experienced the dynamics of what it is like working competitively, in a team, and at the Macquarie University Incubator, in front of the user company.

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For two days last week, on 30 November and 1 December, 41 students from a number of high schools in the Sydney area were welcomed by the Faculty of Business and Economics (FBE) to the Macquarie University Incubator to learn how to apply innovative thinking to business problems.

The problem presented to the students was about the allocation of parking spots and, specifically, the challenges faced when private cars were taking up carshare spaces. Students were granted a budget of $1000 to factor into their solutions.

With an introduction to the challenge by Jonathan Englert and Joshua Brydges from GoGet, sponsors of the event, students were then coached through the problem-solving process by Dr Robert Kay and Dr Chris Goldspink from Incept Labs, also external partners.

Taking to the challenge with much enthusiasm, the students considered several factors – including social, technological, environmental, economic, and political – before discussing potential ideas and evaluating them against stakeholder roles, financial impact and business needs. They also discussed the feasibility of their ideas with the GoGet team members.

The potential solutions students presented included: bollards and parking locks, social media campaigns, integrated alarm systems and damage detection, as well as changing social behaviour, culture and community awareness building. Prizes were awarded for the best ideas, best pitch presentation and best group work, while stand-out individuals who demonstrated leadership skills were given a round of applause.

The exercise not only gave students a taste of what it would be like to study here at Macquarie University but showed them that collaboration is increasingly important in the workplace, as well as how this kind of learning offers a vital experience for young students who will need to stay relevant in a landscape being quickly redefined by technological advances.

The Business Innovation Challenge is the first of its kind delivered by FBE and is the result of a business collaboration between a  business partner, across teams within the University, including Macquarie International, Corporate Engagement, Future Students and the Events Team. For more information please visit the faculty website.