On Saturday 3rd June my Avo Team and i had the pleasure of briefing the SAB Management Development Programme delegates on their Apprentice Challenge.The MDP is one of the most exciting leadership programmes on the SAB training calendar. The programme sees approximately 40 local and international delegates gather at the SAB Training Institute to embark on a 3 week leadership journey. Avo project manages this exciting programme.  

The Apprentice Challenge is a collaborative effort between SAB, UCT Graduate School of Business and Avocado Vision. The aim of the challenge is to see if delegates can translate their learned, theoretical knowledge into real-world entrepreneurial and original thinking.

We came up with the novel idea last year, for the 2005 MDP Programme. Syndicates raised R71 000 for the Mother of Peace Community, an AIDS orphanage in Northriding, Johannesburg. Due to its great success SAB decided to include it again in the programme and see how the 2006 delegates fair against their predesessors.

The Avo Beading Instructors showed the syndicates beading methods, through making bracelets, keyrings and necklaces. Once the syndicates techniques were sound they were left with a box full of beads, tiger tail wire, crimps, beading tools and other interesting material and an entrepreneur brief.

The entrepreneur brief was short and simple:

1. Design a creation/s.

2. Design and execute a marketing plan and strategy that will ensure that your syndicate makes the most money possible from the creation/s you have made. The syndicates will be marked on design, finance, engagement and follow through.

All proceeds made from this challenge will got to the SAB Corporate, Social Responsibilty Initiative and funds will be distributed from there. This means that every single cent goes to a worthy cause. http://www.sabreweries.co.za/sabltd/home/default