21st October 2021
Year 10 student Connor McKenzie will compete in the national final of the annual Plan Your Own Enterprise competition after being awarded first place in the Victorian competition, with classmate Aedan Hamilton receiving second place in the competition.
Connor’s idea for his enterprise ‘Fairway Up’ was conceived at the dinner table with his family.
“My family was discussing the need for golfers to better understand the course before they play, and I came up with the idea of using drone footage as a means of familiarising potential players with a particular course.
“When I investigated further, I realised that only the high-end courses were using this technology. This presented a business opportunity for new, specialised and affordable product lines,” he said.
Connor developed a business plan for Fairway Up, a marketing and communications business that specialises in high-quality virtual golf tours. The product uses new, innovative technology to produce a high-quality video that showcases all aspects of the golf course. The video can be accessed through the golf club’s website so that potential golfers can enjoy a virtual tour of each course hole, along with layout maps, course guides, virtual scorecards, venues, and events. Connor made a two-minute presentation to judges to be awarded the Victorian winner of the Plan Your Own Enterprise competition.
Connor explained the importance of a memorable and relevant business name for his enterprise.
“The origin of the business name ‘Fairway Up’ stems from a play on words that directly relates to a golfing metaphor.
“Fairway being the thoroughfare used on a golf course which is filmed and ‘up’ depicting the upward movement of the drone and a golf ball,” he said.
Connor said he enjoyed completing the business plan hopes to continue his business studies into Years 11 and 12 and beyond. When asked whether he thinks his plan could become a reality, he is optimistic.
“I believe my plan could become a successful business in reality. However, I need to complete my university studies prior to making firm decisions about my future.
“I think my plan was successful because of the innovation used for the business idea. I really believed that the plan was possible and could work, so it was easier for me to apply the theory to what I felt could be a successful and profitable business, and to speak about it passionately to the judges.
“I am very grateful to have the opportunity to represent Girton in the national finals,” Connor said.
Aedan’s business idea was based around renewable energy, servicing local government in the Greater Bendigo region to build and instal solar panels for the wider community.
“I have a personal interest in renewable energy and sustainability.
“I am not sure of my future career goals, but with a bit of tweaking, my ‘SolarPlex’ business plan could possibly be implemented.
“My SolarPlex business plan incorporated a legal structure, financial plans, ethical and employment considerations and marketing aspects. I think the real strengths of the business plan come from the location and the legal requirements of the business,” Aedan said.
