Students praise consultancy firm’s Mindshop Excellence week

Students from West Midlands and Gloucestershire schools spent a week tackling real world business problems on a special Mindshop Excellence programme run by national audit, tax, advisory and consulting firm Crowe in its offices in Oldbury and Cheltenham.

The ten Gloucestershire students included pupils from The Crypt School, Marling School, Bournside School and Sir Thomas Rich’s School, Gloucester.

The 18 West Midlands delegates came from King Edwards, Walsall Academy, Haybridge, Sandwell Academy, Ormiston Shelfield Community Academy, Wolverhampton Gramma School, Halesowen College and Joseph Leckie Academy.

The course was facilitated by Crowe’s Business Improvement Team consisting of Jack Edmonds, Rebecca Parke, Sharon Smith, Rob Sargent and Pete Kirkham.

Crowe’s regional managing partner Ross Prince and national head of manufacturing Johnathan Dudley also contributed.

Jack Edmonds is an Accredited Facilitator for Mindshop – the international network of business and personal improvement professionals.

He said: “Rather than the usual style of work experience, the five day course involved Crowe providing the students with a live problem they need help with and coaching them through the process of coming up with solutions.”

On day one, Crowe introduced the students to the problem and taught a number of problem solving and strategic tools and techniques to assist with visioning, strategy, problem solving and implementation.

Days two to four consisted of the students applying the tools and techniques they had been taught to solve the problem, with access to the Crowe team at all stages.

On the fifth and final day, the students prepared for their presentation and presented to the team and the partnership.

The course was very well received by the students with feedback that included appreciation of all the new skills learned.

One of the students, Harley, said: “The week and the workshop has been a key experience for me.

“It’s helped to bring me out of my comfort zone and really develop both important and necessary skills needed for my career, while making friends throughout the week.

“I hope I can get the opportunity to join the team in the future as this experience really showed how great Crowe is.”

Another, Grace, said: “I am so grateful to have been part of the Mindshop Excellence week at Crowe.

“It has been jam-packed full of engaging group discussions, a challenging problem to solve as a team, insightful CV and skills workshops, personal chats and Q&As with current apprentices and team members, before finishing off with a group presentation to share our hard work.

“It’s been a fantastic opportunity to not only provide me with valuable, real-life experience, while I develop a range of soft skills including confidence, organisation and collaboration, but also a deeper understanding of the roles of audit and business solutions, aiding me in decisions for my future career.

“Overall, an absolutely fantastic experience. I cannot recommend it enough!”

Course leader Jack Edmonds added: “It’s ideal for those looking to boost their employability and gain a head start in their careers.

“The positive feedback we receive each year shows that it has enhanced personal growth, encouraging self-reflection and confidence through meaningful challenges.”