MODULES
In the program we offer 12 different educational modules with topics that are relevant when starting a business! Each module includes 6 h spread over two sessions and an assignment that you do in between the two sessions.
You have the opportunity to participate in all modules if you want, but you need to attend at least 3 modules.
Evaluate and select
business ideas
Finding, analyzing, developing and communicating business models & project ideas. Using business canvas (EST)
Skills: can strategically evaluate and select business ideas, relate them to personal & team goals
Short description:
The objective of the training is for the participant to acquire the ability to come up with and recognise viable business ideas and effectively assess diverse business models in order to select a suitable one for a given idea.
The topics covered, knowledge and skills acquired during the training:
how to come up with business ideas
how to analyze the business ideas and pick the most suitable one
how to create a business idea one-pager
knowledge about different business models and understanding of how to choose the suitable one for the idea
how to develop the concept of the idea using a business model canvas
how to cooperate within a team:
communication within the team
leadership and responsibilities
systematic working style
Learning Methods
Methods used: discussion, group assignments, presenting, learning by doing
Learning Environment
The learning environment is inclusive, open, engaging and safe. No question is a silly question!
Lecturer Triinu Hansen has been active in the startup landscape since 2018. Triinu has been COO at various hardware and software startups and is currently COO at a financial technology startup.
In addition, Triinu has been a mentor to startups in various programs and mentors startups and executives in creating working business and personal systems.
Date: 2 November (part 1) 7 November (part 2)
Time: 17.00-19.00 (Sweden) 18.00-20.00 (Estonia, Latvia)
Do the math- your product price/value/finances
Skills: skills to understand the economic concepts, pricing and skills to build your budget.
Text: In this module you will learn how to find the ideal price for your product, how to calculate your product’s actual (and average) selling.
Lecturer - Kristīne Tarvida
Aim - gain knowledge and skills about the topic, become more competent. Find out first what the possible target customer is, customers' expectations, pricing strategy.
Methods- formal information (theory) and non-formal education methods, such as storytelling, debates etc.
Structure: 2h interactive session with participants, where we give them theoretical information together with real life examples. 2h - individual work (homework) - online help from lecturer, if needed. 2h - session with lecturer to discuss the outcome of homework and answer questions. Review what we learned.
Desired outcomes- knowledge about ideal price for your product and how to build your budget.
Homework for participants for future development: using free online tools, such as google sheets templates for managing finances and budget, create a template that will work for your business.
Date: 16 November (part 1) 22 November (part 2)
Time: 17.00-19.00 (Sweden) 18.00-20.00 (Estonia, Latvia)
Risk management
Skills: skills to work with risk analysis and how to minimize and manage the risks. Risk Avoidance. Risk Reduction. Risk Transfer. Risk Retention.
Lecturer - Andra Strautina
Aim - gain knowledge and skills about the topic, become more competent, develop critical thinking skills. Learn to identify, assess and control threats to an organization's capital and earnings. Risk Avoidance. Risk Reduction. Risk Transfer. Risk Retention.
Methods- formal information (theory and tasks) and non-formal education methods, such as storytelling, debates, analyzing information, creative and critical thinking skills, etc.
Structure: 2h interactive session with participants, where we give them theoretical information together with real life examples. 2h - individual work (homework) - online help from lecturer, if needed. 2h - session with lecturer to discuss the outcome of homework and answer questions. Review what we learned.
Desired outcomes- knowledge about how to manage possible future risks, evaluate them and overcome them. Created a cycle of risk review that will be used in future.
Homework for participants for future development: identify possible risks, create a cycle of risk review - Identify the risk. Analyze the risk. Evaluate or rank the risk. Treat the Risk. Monitor and review the risk.
Date: 24 November (part 1) 28 November (part 2)
Time: 17.00-19.00 (Sweden) 18.00-20.00 (Estonia, Latvia)
Market analysis
- unique selling point
Skills: Skills to analyze the market and find the strategies for sales
Lecturer: Inta Ozola.
Aim - gain knowledge and skills about the topic, become more competent, develop critical thinking skills, analyzing skills and learn strategies about market analysis and how to sell.
Methods- formal information (theory) and non-formal education methods, such as storytelling, debates etc.
Structure: 2h interactive session with participants, where we give them theoretical information together with real life examples. 2h - individual work (homework) and online help from lecturer, if needed. 2h - session with lecturer to discuss the outcome of homework and answer questions. Review what we learned.
Desired outcomes- knowledge about ideal price for your product and how to build your budget.
Homework for participants for future development: assessment of a market within a specific industry. Find out dynamics of your market, such as volume and value, potential customer segments, buying patterns, competition, and other important factors.
Date: 30 November (part 1) 5 December (part 2)
Time: 17.00-19.00 (Sweden) 18.00-20.00 (Estonia, Latvia)
See part 1 here
See part 2 here
Future vision- vision board- short and long goals
Skills: Skills to vision the future and to set efficient goals
Lecturer - Andra Štāle (youth worker, project manager, founder of NGO).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andra-%C5%A1t%C4%81le-49ba9462/
Aim - gain knowledge and skills about the topic. A vision defines the optimal desired future state; it tells of what you would like to achieve over a longer time. Vision can be a personal “why” or the organization's internal purpose of existence.
Methods- formal information (theory) and non-formal education methods, such as storytelling, debates, vision board created by learning to use digital tools, etc.
Structure: 2h interactive session with participants, where we give them theoretical information together with real life examples. 2h - individual work (homework) - online help from lecturer, if needed. 2h - session with lecturer to discuss the outcome of homework and answer questions. Review what we learned.
Desired outcomes- knowledge about creating future vision - professionally and personally. Created a vision board. Tools of future development.
Homework for participants for future development: A vision statement describes the future aspirations of the organization. It defines the dream, the long-term goal, and the unconditional direction where the organization is heading. Develop your future vision.
Date: 7 December (part 1) 12 December (part 2)
Time: 17.00-19.00 (Sweden) 18.00-20.00 (Estonia, Latvia)
Design in product/service development
Skills: understands the role and importance of design in the whole product cycle: development, production, sale and consumption stages of products and services
Aim The course aims to introduce the foundations of the product and service design process and to provide the students with primary methods, tools and skills to develop competitive products and services which are driven by the user needs.
Key topics covered:
Definition and value of design
Introduction to service and product design
Design thinking and design process (Double Diamond)
User-centred design, user experience analysis and mapping of user groups
Primary methods and tools used in the design process (analysis, synthesis, development and evaluation)
Trends in product and service development: sustainability, agile and minimum viable solutions
Learning Methods
Methods used: lecture, discussion, individual assignment, peer coaching, learning by doing.
Learning Environment
The learning environment is inclusive, diverse, open, engaging and psychologically safe.
Lecturers:
Ruth-Helene Melioranski is a strategic service designer with more than 20 years of experience in developing products, services and design strategies, focusing on how design can tackle societal challenges.
Currently she is the Dean of Design at the Estonian Academy of Arts. Before her deanship, she developed the Design & Technology Futures MSc and supervised student teams with their design-driven innovation projects at Tallinn University of Technology. She was the founding head of the Estonian Design Centre and leader of the Estonian Design Year 2006.
Geroli Peedu is a senior service designer. For the last 15 years, she has been working in the technology sector developing digital services for governments, finance, telecom, healthcare and industrial sectors. Her main focus is on digital user experiences.
Currently she is a freelance design consultant and lecturer. Previously she was a Chief Design Officer at Nordic Institute for Interoperability Solutions providing strategic direction in the areas of user experience and service design for developing data exchange layer X-Road and Lead Service Designer at Proekspert, a digital business transformation consultancy.
Date: 11 January (part 1) 16 January (part 2)
Time: 17.00-19.00 (Sweden) 18.00-20.00 (Estonia, Latvia)
Digital marketing
Skills: How to choose tools, where to be seen, skills to creative efficient contents
In this module, you will discover how to leverage the potential of efficient content development to attain your objectives and advance even further. Explore the theories and transform them into tangible strategies that you can apply to your content development efforts.
Speaker: Candyce Costa
Candyce Costa is a skilled professional who specializes in digital marketing, social media, and PR in the web2/web3 space with prior experience working with prominent companies such as Microsoft, Xbox, and Xerox. Apart from her professional expertise, Candyce is an active Crypto and NFT investor with a passion for virtual spaces, where she strives to initiate conversations on web3, metaverse, NFTs and all their related aspects. Additionally, she is the founder of Female Tech Leaders Magazine/Community, aimed at bringing together women in tech and web3 and NFTLab to provide people with education on web3 and metaverse through engaging content and online events.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/candycecosta/
Date: 18 January (part 1) 23 January (part 2)
Time: 17.00-19.00 (Sweden) 18.00-20.00 (Estonia, Latvia)
Teams and Communication
Skills: communications skills, team process, skills to build a team
In this module you will learn the skills of teamwork and group development. How can you use the power of effective teamwork to reach your goals and go further? Dive into the theories and turn them into practical actions in your team.
Speaker: Josefine Arenius
Josefine is one of three founders of the work collective We Are Mountain. They help individuals and companies to understand culture- and generation- differences. She is the author of the book “When you lead” about leadership and group development. Josefine is from Sweden and loves to mentor entrepreneurs and future leaders.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/josefine-arenius-3163434a/
Date: 25 January (part 1) 30 January (part 2)
Time: 17.00-19.00 (Sweden) 18.00-20.00 (Estonia, Latvia)
Me as a leader - self-evaluation and stress management
Skills: developing self-management skills and self-analysis skills
The aim of the training workshop:
The objective of the training workshop is to provide tools to develop self-analysis and self-management skills.
Provide knowledge and understanding about Fixed and Growth Mindset theory based on psychologist Carol S. Dweck work on motivation and mindset.
Provide skills and toolbox to practice growth mindset in everyday life.
Understanding/Inspiration how to change things when change is hard.
Learning methods
Methods used: discussion, individual and group assignments, peer coaching, learning by doing.
Learning environment
The learning environment is inclusive, diverse, open, engaging and psychologically safe.
Merle Liisu Lindma background
Merle Liisu Lindma's academic path and career have been multifaceted. She graduated from Tallinn University with a master’s degree in physics and mathematics and from EBS master's program. She has worked as a manager in various companies such as GSK, Tallinna Vesi, Swedbank and as a strategic HR Business Partner in Microsoft for C-level managers of M365Core product.
More information available at LinkedIn profile here.
Date: 1 February (part 1) 6 February (part 2)
Time: 17.00-19.00 (Sweden) 18.00-20.00 (Estonia, Latvia)
Storytelling: "Mastering the Art of Brand Storytelling."
Skills: how to deliver the message, communicate with a wider audience. How to share your story
Workshop: What is the mind? What is projection? Prepare to embark on an extraordinary voyage, where you will be navigated through a meticulously curated curriculum that intertwines theory, practical exercises, and real-world examples of storytelling methods. Together, we will unravel the enigmatic art of narrative, unveiling its unparalleled power to metamorphose your brand from a mere entity into a mesmerizing persona.
Learning methods: The interactive Lecture-Discussion method ensures that you are not just a passive recipient of information but an active contributor to the learning process.
Learning environment: I prioritize and cultivate a space that is characterized by diversity, openness, engagement, and psychological safety. I celebrate the unique perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences that each individual brings to the table. Open dialogue, active participation, and collaborative interactions are encouraged, fostering an environment where everyone's voice is heard and honored.
Speaker: Johanna Nurm:
Hi, I'm Jo! I'm a branding maestro and production virtuoso. With over a decade of running my own brand and showcasing my collections at the prestigious Paris Fashion Week, I've mastered the art of creating compelling brand stories and crafting powerful visual identities. After closing the curtains on my brand, I've embarked on a mission to help other brands tell meaningful stories. Armed with an unparalleled understanding of what makes hearts race and heads turn, my passion is to elevate brands to legendary status.
Date: 8 February (part 1) 13 February (part 2)
Time: 17.00-19.00 (Sweden) 18.00-20.00 (Estonia, Latvia)
Pitch
Skills: How to pitch, presentations techniques.
Text: In this module you will learn what your pitch means (sales pitch). What is in a pitch, what is called a pitch? Pitch in a business and what is a pitch in a project? Good examples, best practices and pitch making for your project. And of course - feedback from the lecturer.
Speaker: Viktorija Martinsone
Aim - gain knowledge and skills about the topic. How to pitch ideas in 6 simple steps.
Methods- formal information (theory) and non-formal education methods, such as storytelling, debates,
Structure: 2h interactive session with participants, where we give them theoretical information together with real life examples. 2h - individual work (homework) - online help from lecturer, if needed. 2h - session with lecturer to discuss the outcome of homework and answer questions. Review what we learned.
Desired outcomes- knowledge about creating pitch and why it's necessary. Learned how to make pitch successful. Tools of future development.
Homework for participants for future development: Find good examples, best practices and pitch making for a project/business. Learn from it.
Date: 7 March (part 1) 12 March (part 2)
Time: 17.00-19.00 (Sweden) 18.00-20.00 (Estonia, Latvia)
Register here: https://forms.gle/MCnMKxE1PpN5cdXL9
Love Sales
Skills: sales techniques, sales channels
The undeniable truth is that without effective sales, a business cannot thrive. But here's the twist: we'll show you how to sell without actually selling. During this interactive course, we'll delve into the art of relationship-building and unveil the power of seemingly mundane activities like awkward mingles and daycare pickups. We'll discover how everyday experiences can become secret weapons for success in authentic sales and creating genuine connections that drive sustainable business growth.
SPEAKER: Caroline Mariole
Caroline is an entrepreneur based in Dubai with a strong portfolio of successful ventures and projects spanning over the last 20 years. She has a passion for client servicing and works with government entities and luxury brands.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-mariole-3718933/
Date: 14 March (part 1) 19 March (part 2)
Time: 17.00-19.00 (Sweden) 18.00-20.00 (Estonia, Latvia)