Achieving success has always been a challenging endeavor. Nowadays, simply working hard or smart isn’t sufficient. It involves adapting skills, swiftly gathering information, clearly articulating your stance, and delivering presentations that captivate.
As we progress into a digital and fast-paced future, it’s crucial to equip the next generation with the skills needed to navigate the AI-driven landscape. This starts with teaching children the fundamentals of the world, then empowering them to think creatively.
Traditional teaching methods are outdated; education needs to evolve with the times. The UAE-based Snack Troops initiative exemplifies this evolution. Led by former teacher and life coach Adam Zargar, the program promotes financial literacy and entrepreneurship among students.
The concept is straightforward: “We offer snacks—cookies and healthy bites. We’ve created two small brands,” explains Adam. Students receive free hampers as part of the challenge their school accepts. “Participants have three weeks to sell as many hampers, each containing 12 packets, as possible. The school’s profits benefit a selected charity.”
“Our year five and six students at Gems Founders participated in the challenge, selling Cookie Cubs cookies, gaining early entrepreneurial experience. Proceeds were donated to charity, giving students purpose and confidence. I highly recommend this to UAE schools. The support provided was outstanding,” says Jade Kelly, assistant head at Gems Founders School, Dubai.
Adam Zargar
The result: a dynamic group of young individuals ready to make sales pitches, manage basic finances, and handle rejection. “While secondary schools teach these skills, they’re rare at the primary level. This exercise boosts confidence, problem-solving, grit, and resilience,” Adam states.
Adam emphasizes that confidence is vital for success, and real-life experiences are invaluable. “Testimonials show shy kids becoming confident sellers, utilizing creative sales methods,” he shares.
This initiative reflects the tradition of selling treats, akin to scouts, but adapted to the UAE’s health-conscious ethos. “Healthy snacks align with UAE health goals. My kids enjoy them,” Adam notes. Schools select the products to sell.
Though students are encouraged to be proactive, they’re not left unsupported. “We provide co-created lesson plans with teachers,” Adam explains. “The program meets many top school targets, offering 12 optional lesson plans.”
Participating schools must secure Knowledge and Human Development Authority approval and choose a charity for their profits. Utilizing barcodes and apps keeps the challenge transparent and fair.
Top sellers win rewards like “hotel stays from Rove hotel” and “theme park tickets.”
“Runners-up and winning class teachers have received gift experience vouchers from Wondergifts.ae.”
Weekly prizes maintain engagement, offering healthy skewers, Pizza Express pizzas, and board games. EmiratesNBD Finwell, our lead sponsor, also offered free parent literacy workshops, significantly aiding the initiative.
Today’s success metrics are evolving; traditional models are obsolete. With Generation Alpha’s financial accessibility—94% have bank accounts, many use digital wallets, invest, and have credit cards—financial agility is crucial. Step one: learn financial literacy. Step two: embrace entrepreneurship. (In Dubai, lessons come with cookies.)
