Socialising with SEN and SIFE UK

6th June 2008 - it was a nice day...not only the weather seemed to be not so British, but also we were socialising with SEN (Student Entrepreneurs Network) and SIFE UK (Students in Free Enterprise) - two fantastic student oragnisations Mario and I are part of.

When you have a look on today's student typical day in life, you won't probably find much more than partying, writing assignments and sometimes revising for the exams. Sad? Maybe it is. That's why I appreciate so much a participation in SEN and SIFE.

me, Mario and Oana waiting for our dinner

And this social event we had, was a great opportunity to spend some time together, to discuss projects we've done so far and to decide on what we gonna be doing in the following year.
There are some interesting projects for the local community in Salford, like help for the St. Sebastian Community Centre that needs us to help them enhance their activities' base and basically, traffic :)

Speaking about the Social Event, we were kindly hosted by our friend - Lisa Tse from Sweet Mandarin Restaurant and I need to admit - great food and atmosphere that we were part of made that evening!

Tom fascinated by his Chinese meal

Louise

Mario with his sweet and sour sauce
and our new participants of SIFE

smiling Becky

How do boats and rafting fit to Chinese culture?

10th May's morning welcomed us with a warm but cloudy weather, and nothing could change our positive moods. It was day of a big fight, big emotions and unusual event - a day of Two Cities Boat Race between Manchester and Salford.

click in banner to get more info

Even though you may wonder whether or not Salford and Manchester are in fact one city or two, the fact is that the competition between those two can reach extreme!

Salford Uni team in action

This time, students representing two universities - Manchester Uni and Salford Uni - gave the spectators a wonderful race to watch and support.

emotions are taking role

Thousands of Salford and Manchester citizens were there with us as well to support their teams but most importantly to prove that ....Salford rules.

Manchester's representative was unbeaten

Apparently, Manchester team won once again, but we had no doubts who to support as we felt real Salford citizens (mostly because of our University).

M&M watching the race

The most spectacular race was the Dragon Boat Race based on a traditional Chinese craft, where a team counts up to 16 people plus a drummer who is responsible for supporting and warming up the crew for the fight. Dragon Boat is even more fun, as anyone can take part in the race. Whether you are a student, a 80-year old man or a kid you can easily jump into the boat and ...paddle for fun!

Go! Go! Salford!

extremely competitive race

a responsibility of a drummer

Even though I didn't take part in it, it was amazing to observe and support our friend, Anas from Student Entrepreneurs Network team. Well done for him!

girls supporting Manchester Team

Aga and me having fun

a bit of warm support

Salford Quays bridge

Enterprising with Flux 2008

Doing what you love for life and making money on that - man, that's the idea worth trying to carry out!

Fascinated by this simple, but incredibly complex to fulfill idea, we decided to gain some knowledge about 'how to be your own boss'. Most importantly, however, we wanted to practice it a bit and meet people who will be open to share with us their ideas and experience.

Flux500 competition was first initiative we took part in with Mario and our Friends from Salford University. Divided into two teams we were suppose to set up an imaginative company and successfully run it till achieving our goal. However, it was not as simple as it sounds...

The business for my team was to have a company that produces a decorative composter, that helps to turn the natural wastage into high quality compost. To make it easier and more competitive at the same time, we were suppose to compete with other groups, but we could also use some help of successful businessmen and women.

They helped us a lot with some Financial, Ethical, HR, Marketing and Strategic aspects of the business, however, it was us who finally pitched in front of everyone and were trying to 'get money' to set up a business.

Long story short, our team managed to get to final part of competition and we got second place, being beaten by the Manchester Metropolitan Uni.

Apart from good fun it was useful experience, as we managed to meet a lot of business related people and got some advice on how to operate in the real business environment.

Our Green Team thinking intensively and discussing fiercely

Finally pitching in front of experts and other Universities

me, Thomas, Leor, Mario, Ismael - future businessmen (and woman) :)

Tom during his Elevator Pitch discussing our business
with Gordon Brown's incarnation (one of the Experts)

Green and Blue - Salford Teams leaving the business competition to celebrate in a pub

Stand!

Sometimes you feel like doing something not only for yourself.

Sometimes you just want to help others ...and the Uni is great place to do so.

Students' Elections are good opportunity to take things with your hands and to change someone's lives and yours as well.

Sometimes you just feel that working for your community is right thing.
Than, just STAND and be involved!

Be Enterprising

Have you ever though seriously about your future? I'm pretty sure you have. I mean, who wouldn't do that especially nowadays, when the competition in the job market is high?!

Well, students of Salford University (means - us), decided to do something already for our future.

As a members of two organisations, Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) and the Student Entrepreneurs Network (SEN), we will take part in a series of workshops. Why? Because, we want to develop our business knowledge and skills. After all, does every one of us know, for example, how to write a successful business plan?

The Student Enterprise Academy will run for us a series of workshops on a variety of business orientated topics, from how to market your business to how to find funding.
Maybe it could be perceived by someone only as another series of workshops which no one really wants to attend. Even though, we believe, it will be beneficial for us in the future.
After all, it is us, who can make a big difference for our future.

More information about the SEN and SIFE: www.ae.salford.ac.uk/student

This text is based on my article which was printed in 'Student Direct', Salford Students' Newspaper (2007, issue 8).

* to be not so serious, I also bear in mind that quote:

My son is now an 'entrepreneur'. That's what you're called when you don't have a job.

Ted Turner, broadcasting entrepreneur

Networking is working! SIFE WEEKEND

Nearly 250 students from more than 20 universities and business executives from the biggest companies in England came together to SIFE Leadership Weekend in Grantham. During these 3 amazing days we were:

• building teams
• networking (a lot!)
• competing against other teams
• listening to the lectures on Business Ethics, PR and Quality & Sustainability
• playing Business Game
• having a great Party :)
• winning money for our future SIFE projects
  
• and lots more....

But there is something more in that - if only you have an opportunity, take every chance that life brings you! Thanks to SIFE and our University, we had the chance to know new people and do something for our future.
I am now really looking forward the next months when we actually will build our SIFE team and, hopefully, will start some project which will change someone's life..

Mario, me, Humphrey and Sergio

Singing by the Campfire

SIFE Salford playing football

Tired and happy - winning football team

Networking is working!

How to get to the top of this ladder?

Maersk Team knew how!

Public Relations lectures

Happy three friends: Thomas, Mario and me

SIFE UK Reps

SIFE Salford Uni

Amanda - our Uni Advisor and great party type!

Asan, Thomas, M&M, Humphrey and Oana

It's party time!

with Jill from Manchester Uni

Mancio & Mancia

Maersk Team ready to start the final challenge

Team working...

...is working - Maersk Team with its rain and wind resistant shelter

and we all fit to this shelter!

Mario's Team ASDA with their great shelter

Jen, Jill, Sarah, Adan and me

Winning shelter!

with Sarah (London) and Jill (Manchester)

Maersk Team - mission completed!

Waiting for announcing the results...guess what - we WON!
Each of us earned 100 pounds for our SIFE Team for next project

In our way to home, we got stuck in...

...Doncaster

and finally at Man Piccadilly