Introduction

This individual assessment requires students to develop a sustainable business idea based on the course concepts of sustainability, sustainable development, and sustainable entrepreneurship. Students are required to draw on their analysis of Temu in Assessment 2 Responsible Business Report to develop an idea for a sustainable business enterprise and communicate the project proposal through a poster presentation. Students take the perspective of a sustainability entrepreneur whose objective is to raise capital funding to establish a sustainable business which relates to the business of Temu.

The business idea must address sustainability issues that are caused by or related to Temu’s business model, activities, products, and/or operations. The objective of the poster presentation is to pitch an innovative and creative business idea that addresses these sustainability issues and receive constructive feedback to further improve their business idea and poster. Students are also expected to pitch their business ideas using their poster and give constructive feedback to their peers at the Week 12 Workshop. The premise is that there is no limit to the capital funding that students can solicit or generate.

Poster Format

Students are encouraged to use Canva for ease and convenience; nevertheless, other platforms such as Google slides and PowerPoint may also be used. Handmade posters are also acceptable. The poster must be ready for presentation at the Week 12 Workshop. The poster can be developed as either (choose only 1 format):

(a) A digital poster (on computer and not on the phone),

(b) Printed on one A3 sheet or two sheets of A4 paper, or

(c) Handwritten/handmade poster, and presented at the Week 12 Workshop.

Students may use their laptop, tablet, or printed poster to present. The use of mobile phones to present the poster is not allowed. If using two pieces of A4 paper, make sure that the two pieces connect to make one cohesive poster. A digital copy of the poster must be submitted on Canvas in PDF format in Week 13.

Written Sustainable Business Rationale

Along with the poster, the student must submit a written Sustainable Business Rationale in 400-word document based on course concepts, theories, and frameworks. The rationale should:

1. Clearly describe what the business idea is,
2. Identify the sustainability issue/problem that the idea is addressing, and
3. Explain how the business idea relates to at least one course concept, theory, and/or framework.

The rationale supports the content of the poster and must thus respond to marking 1 and 2 (see the marking rubric below) and include relevant in-text citations and a reference list. The poster does not require a reference list.

Workshops and Resources

The assessment will be explained at the Week 10 Workshop. Time will be allocated at the Week 11 Workshop for students to work on their sustainable business proposal. The following resources will help you think of relevant business ideas, how to do a pitch, and how to give feedback:

• The Conversation: The Secret Behind Temu’s Rock-Bottom Prices
• Harvard Business School | How to think of business ideas: youtube.com/watch?v=Y_jJ1hsIyd0
• Simple Capitalist | How to think of business ideas: youtube.com/watch?v=cIsA1s9SwEU
• The Secret to Pitching an Idea | Ted: youtube.com/watch?v=l0hVIH3EnlQ
• Ted | How to give feedback: youtube.com/watch?v=wtl5UrrgU8c