The hands on experience gained during the practicum motivated me to learn more about entrepreneurship. After all the blood, sweat and tears given by the team members to get the business up and running, seeing real sales results and positive customer feedback made the learning process more meaningful and worthwhile.

This business practicum was an eye-opening experience for me. I had the opportunity to work with team members from different backgrounds, which broadened my perspective and exposed me to different ways of thinking and operating a business. Through this experience, I learned the importance of collaboration and understanding diverse viewpoints in achieving common business goals.

Knowledge

In terms of knowledge, I gained a deeper understanding of how a hybrid e-commerce business operates, combining both online and physical sales channels. The Business Model Canvas was especially useful, as it helped me understand entrepreneurship in a structured and practical manner. During the planning stage, I contributed ideas by placing myself in the customer’s perspective, which helped in shaping value propositions and improving overall business planning.

Skills

Beyond theoretical knowledge, this practicum helped me develop several practical skills. As Head of Operations, I improved my ability to manage operations and coordinate tasks within my unit. I also improved my customer service skills by handling customer inquiries, order confirmations and post-purchase communication.

Attitude

Reflecting on the practicum, I realised there were areas where I could have managed operations better to avoid bottlenecks. I could have been more involved during product testing stages and more proactive in anticipating operational issues. This reflection helped me understand the importance of early planning, delegation, and trust in teamwork. One key observation was how much smoother our operations became with the guidance of a dependable leader, which reinforced my understanding of the importance of good leadership in entrepreneurship.

Overall, I am very grateful for this opportunity. I gained valuable knowledge and skills that will benefit me in the future while also developing personally. Although our business did not achieve the desired profit or sales targets, I understand that the intention of this practicum was not to measure the success of our venture but to make us experience a realistic entrepreneurial environment. This experience has better prepared me to improve and adapt should I decide to pursue a business venture in the future.