In a dynamic fusion of education and real-world business, our IBDP Year 12 and Year 13 Business Management students recently embarked on an enriching field trip to IKEA. Welcomed by the Baoshan IKEA team, including Sales Manager, Ms Yushu Wang and China Regional Sustainability Partner, Ms Sammie Tsou, our students gained insights into IKEA's sustainability approach with its three pillars: Healthy and Sustainable Living, Circular and Climate-positive, and Fair and Equal. The presentations were detailed and directly linked to theories in IB such as Circular Business Models and Elkington’s triple bottom line. These theories play a huge part in contributing to IB exams, assessments and extended essays.
The day unfolded with hands-on activities, including a furniture assembly experience that brought classroom learning to life. Engaging quizzes and rewarding prizes heightened the excitement, encouraging active participation. The students had the unique opportunity to pose questions directly to the IKEA team, gaining valuable insights through firsthand experiences for their Business Management studies. The staff shared their extensive knowledge with the students and taught them four different areas of IKEA’s sustainability over the course of the activity.
Lunchtime brought a taste of Swedish culture with the iconic meatballs and other delectable treats, setting the stage for an afternoon of creative exploration. The afternoon consisted of a treasure hunt created by Ms Steele.
In round one, students found and photographed examples of promotional pricing amongst the other seven types. In round two, the students learnt the strategy for IKEA naming their products as each name type corresponds to a different department, such as bookcases being named after boys’ names, as seen in the case of the famous Billy bookcase. For round three, the students were given a budget of 3500RMB and the wants and needs of a little boy named Robert. They had to conduct their research and budget accordingly to design his room. The students then collated these photos into a presentation and examples of their work can be seen below.
This immersive field trip not only deepened our students' understanding of business practices but also provided invaluable opportunities for primary research and interaction with industry professionals. It exemplifies our commitment to fostering practical business knowledge and cultivating well-rounded, informed leaders of the future.
