Do you like smoothies? Strawberry maybe?
who dosen't?
Throughout the week, at the Innovation Academy, we decided to create a small business at school. Our product would be smoothies which would be served by us. Our idea, as an academy, would be for this small business to be driven 100% by us, the students. Generally, we would advertise the company, finance it and build it. It's success would be in our hands.
Out of the blues, Mr. Topf told us to divide ourselves into three groups. In these groups we would design and test a smoothie, which would then be analyzed by three judges. The price, its nutrition values and the time to make the smoothie would all be factors that impact the judges choice. This meant that it wasn't only about the flavor but also the presentation and the attention to detail.
We had three days.
We had three days.
As a group we reaserched about different smoothies and their nutricious values. For the task working as a team was essential, we needed to communicate throughly to pass on the information and divide roles to be more productive. While discussing recopies bananas came up very often. They are extremely healthy due to their potassium and its organic energizer. The value of bananas are not only its nutrition values, but also the fact that it grows constantly though out the season; thus, the price is rarely volatile. Then, we thought that making the smoothie sweeter would improve its taste dramatically. Without a doubt sugar is the first thing that came to my mind; however, we all know it's not the healthiest sweet source there is. Honey maybe? Sure, the problem with honey is that it's very expensive, especially because its production is mainly done one or twice a year. So I started to think like an entrepreneur and generate alternatives and that's when I thought about pollen. Pollen comes from the bees as well. This product can be eaten as peanuts which would be added on top of the smoothie.
And so, our smoothie, The Classic, was invented.
Finally the day was here, the day where the three teams completed in the smoothie challenge. All three groups had their magical blend ready to be prepared and put into test. Nevertheless, we would not let our competition get in our heads -- we wanted that first place. The other groups seemed confident about their product, just like us.
It wasn't until 10:30, after break, that the competition began. We presented our smoothie, with a rather professional and confident presentation. We listened as other groups presented; I must admit they where pretty good. I enjoyed the poem which group number three did. It was catchy, nice touch by-the-way. In addition , I saw something in common with each group. Strawberry and Bananas. All groups had these two fruits. Why? I don't clearly understand why, but I am guessing that together they make an excellent mix. However, what gave us an advantage was our secrete ingredient, pollen.
It wasn't until 10:30, after break, that the competition began. We presented our smoothie, with a rather professional and confident presentation. We listened as other groups presented; I must admit they where pretty good. I enjoyed the poem which group number three did. It was catchy, nice touch by-the-way. In addition , I saw something in common with each group. Strawberry and Bananas. All groups had these two fruits. Why? I don't clearly understand why, but I am guessing that together they make an excellent mix. However, what gave us an advantage was our secrete ingredient, pollen.
The position we finished is not as important compared to the lessons we learn. I learned the importance of beign professional and working together as a team to be efficient. A couple of days ago, I was reading a book called "The Lean Startup". Chapter 3 really stood out to me because it talked about validating learning. It consists on learning from our mistakes and successes by reflecting on which way not to go the next time you want to try something new. This is exactly what I learned from this activity.
One of the most important business lessons I learned from this activity is always produce quality over quantity. Although making hundreds of smoothie a day might be a pain, the customer will come back if you make that smoothie perfect, not fast. It might be true, spending 3-minutes making a smoothies is a long time, but it will make a long-term impact on the consumer. First impressions is what makes the consumer come again, remember! .Additionally, and specially when making smoothies -- just a tip, leave it at the blender at least 30-seconds!
One of the most important business lessons I learned from this activity is always produce quality over quantity. Although making hundreds of smoothie a day might be a pain, the customer will come back if you make that smoothie perfect, not fast. It might be true, spending 3-minutes making a smoothies is a long time, but it will make a long-term impact on the consumer. First impressions is what makes the consumer come again, remember! .Additionally, and specially when making smoothies -- just a tip, leave it at the blender at least 30-seconds!