Excellence Program

The Mindshop Excellence Program involves groups of 4 - 6 students from years 10 or 11 in a week of work experience for an organisation solving a strategic problem.  The students are trained in business skills that can also be applied to their school and home lives.  They then apply these skills to work through processes that solve the host organisation's strategic issue.

Mindshop Excellence is a registered charity, and is the community service program adopted by Success From Within.  The Excellence programs train young people in business and personal improvement tools and processes, and provide them with an opportunity to apply these skills in a work environment.

For more information on the Mindshop Excellence Program, please click here.

So far we have conducted two Excellence Programs in Dubbo:

Host Organisation - Dubbo Chamber of Commerce & Industry

In 2000, five Year 10 students from Dubbo High School were given the project of evaluating the Chamber's performance, and discover ways to increase value to its members.

After receiving their initial training on the first day, the students then created and conducted a survey on the members of the Chamber.  They evaluated the results, and formed recommendations which were put forward in both a report and a formal (and very professional) presentation to the Dubbo Chamber of Commerce & Industry, at which members of the school, the Chamber, their families and the public were present.

The survey results have proven to be invaluable in the establishemnt of the strategic plan for the Dubbo Chamber of Commerc & Industry, and many of the group's recommendations have been adopted.  As a result of the adoption of these recommendations the membership numbers of the Chamber has increased by about 7.5% in the first twelve months.

Host Organisation - Western Regional Cuisine

In 2003, ten Years 11 and 12 students from the Dubbo Christian School and the Dubbo Senior Campus were hosted by Western Regional Cuisine, and organisation formed two years prior with the purpose of increasing the local awareness of food and wine produced in western NSW.

The students were asked to evaluate the performance of Western Regional Cuisine by surveying its members, the general public, and the local businesses involved in the hospitality and food processing and distribution industries.  Based on the survey results, they were then required to come up with recommendations as to strategies that could be put in place as part of the strategic plan for Western Regional Cuisine.

At the end of the week the students presented their findings in a formal presentation attended by members of Western Regional Cuisine, their schools, their families, Department of State & Regional Development, and the public.

The evaluation will be used by the Board in developing its ongoing strategic plan for the next 3-5 years, and will also form an essential part of meeting project evaluation requirements established by the Department of State & Regional Development, who provided the initial funding for the Executive Officer of Western Regional Cuisine.

If you think you would like to participate in an Excellence Program as a student, school or host organisation please contact us to email your interest.