Business Ideas Through Creative Brainstorming
Year 7 Business Studies Mini Business Mavericks Unit Lesson 2: Identifying Opportunities
National Curriculum Links & Learning Objectives
Key Stage 3 Business Understanding: How businesses meet customer needs Identifying opportunities through market research Working creatively to generate and test ideas By the end: Understand market needs and gaps Apply brainstorming techniques effectively Collaborate and communicate ideas clearly
Starter Activity: Imagination Warm-Up
Think of a problem you face every day What invention could solve this problem? Share your creative solution with the class Remember: No idea is too unusual!
Identifying Market Needs and Gaps
Market Need: A problem that customers want solved Market Gap: An opportunity where no solution exists Examples: Busy students need healthier school snacks Elderly people struggle with technology Teenagers want eco-friendly fashion Look for patterns in what people complain about!
Individual Brainstorming Session
Generate at least 5 product ideas in 10 minutes Use colorful sticky notes for each idea Address any market need or gap you choose Think creatively - unusual ideas welcome! Focus on solving real problems for real people
Sharing Ideas & Creating Our Class Mind Map
{"left":"Share your favorite business idea\nExplain the problem it solves\nWe'll organize ideas by themes","right":"Look for connections between ideas\nDiscuss creative solutions\nConsider development potential"}
Reflection & Discussion
What made some ideas stand out from others? How did thinking about other people's needs help you? What challenges did you face during brainstorming? Which idea has the most potential and why?
Assessment & Next Steps
Write one sentence: 'What have I learned about starting a business?' Extension activity: Create a customer persona for your best idea Remember: Great businesses start with spotting problems Next lesson: We'll develop your ideas further Differentiation: Use visual prompts if needed