Tag Archives: University

Blog, Inclusive Entrepreneurship

Sometimes Entrepreneurs have to look back to move forward

Over the last two years I have been very fortunate to engage with some of the most amazing people who are on an adventure, to boldly go into business…. taking their first entrepreneurial steps… starting their personal business brand.

These mostly young people are the future and their local community welcomes them which is very satisfying in this time of virtual worlds, social networking and globalisation. They are generate interest wherever they go.

The first thing I must emphasise is the diversity of ideas, the amazing breath of business diversity which people have. I know its obvious but it not every day you can sit with a forest management company, a tailor and a technology business. So I thought I would share just a few:

Forest Direct, a family run businesses that manage forests, developing relationships with real people, their land, the trees that live on them. Each part of this tri-relationship takes many years to foster as traditions and the cycle of the seasons is well established. New methods and technology provides opportunities, which has helped, www.Forestdirect.webs.com

Crowd source learning from dabbler, that aims to break down the barriers between those who have knowledge and those that need it, ensuring we can learn from the most inspirational person. The internet ensures a level playing field: education and our personal development in one site. www.dabblerr.com

Squid London, a dynamic and technology advanced design company which distributes via the world’s museums. Emma-Jayne Parkes and Viviane Jaeger the two co-founders are true inspiration in the development of a fashion label.  www.squidlondon.com

SaferMinicabs which is in the early stages of launch has looked at the problems of safely booking a mini cab and how this entire process can be safer using modern mobile phones, GPS and the internet.  www.saferminicabs.com

Suits that fits has developed an amazing innovative business model which ensure more people get a share and creates social good through tailoring. The innovation within their business model, processes and quality is truly amazing.  www.asuitthatfits.com

Graduate Junction started out around two years ago serving the post graduate community and quick built a very loyal and active following.  This year they launched Linkhigher, www.linkhigher.com which is meeting the demands of both the post-graduate and the employer, who want highly knowledgeable people, as shore winner.

I have also worked with many universities and see great sparks of enlighten entrepreneurship. These come from staff, students, student societies and the local community. Again I wanted to share some great examples:

Some of the course work done in universities is amazing and one of the best examples is from Brunel University, who create “250 Innovative Ideas: made in Brunel” each year. This beautiful book, which provides a snapshot of the work done in the student’s final year projects of engineering, design and multimedia students.  This demonstrates the true ability of our graduates and how Britain still leads the world in good design. http://madeinbrunel.com

My First Million which was developed at Hertford University is one of my favourite learning tools for young people. The student watches video from the Dragon’s Den and other TV shows, once they have seen this, they decide if they want to invest. Then they see if the Dragon’s did and if a computer sim would. This creates a great learning experience and also starts to make us all aware of the learning potential of TV. http://www.myfirstmillion.tv

Some projects at Universities are about the community and the understanding we all have. The University of Plymouth created a book called “We Love Looe” which is a great children’s book which engaged and informed about the local surroundings. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-Looe-You-Will-Too/dp/1841022500

I have also looked for a less complex model of what makes an Entrepreneur, something which can be easily presented, understood and allow the student to start on their journey. This was found at the University of Huddersfield, developed by, John Thompson and Bill Bolton. The Focus, Advantage, Creativity, Ego, Team and Social aspects of the entrepreneur or the FACETS model.  http://www.efacets.co.uk

I would like to thank you all for the inspiration and encourage you to keep the flame truly ignited in your entrepreneurial brand. In developing my next venture, I will take these learning’s with me.


Blog

Developing Enterprise Skills at University

University allows a student to start one or more of three entrepreneurial paths; Intrapreneur, LifeStyle Entrepreneur and High Growth Entrepreneur.
The vast majority of you will follow the intrapreneur route, a path leading to a job and career within a chosen subject. While in this career you may become a manager and take on an entrepreneurial role within your organisation. If this is you, your time at university should prepare the student for this. You will need to develop your people and team working skills, general business and industry knowledge while taking your course.
For those with who require further study, a MBA provides the ideal opportunity to learn and develop management and business thinking.
Some of you will develop a life-style business built around your course subject or hobby which has developed through university. These people develop into the role of an entrepreneur, building friendships and confidence with time. They are not looking for fast growth, but the enjoyment of being master of their destiny or being emerged in their chosen business. The important skills to learn for this role are networking, time management and self esteem.
Some of you will have a high growth or high technology idea which can be developed through incubation, Science Park and this is the business which universities and business support agencies like, understand and what to work with. The important skills to learn for this role are financial management, managing people and powerful presenting.
The humble student society provides the opportunity for most students to run an enterprise which is focused on a particular sport or activity. These are great places to learn by doing and develop an understanding of how to behave in a business like environment. They have all the aspect of a small business, the focus, the polities, bureaucracy and of course customers who require service.
All employers want their prospective employees to have some work experience. This can be found at local businesses, student union or volunteering. The development of your professional business approach is something you should master before you start your career and should be in place when requesting interviews. Developing it after is too late.
Enterprise Activities and competitions is one way of gaining experience and being able to add it to your cv. Enter the business plan, Flux, Apprentice and Business Idol competitions which provide you with the opportunities to develop entrepreneurially.
Every student should demand the ability to learn in an environment which is safe, secure and provides the ability to reflect on the learning. This learning enables us to move forward with our understand and hopefully building on entrepreneurial success.
Finally my message is to learn by doing by putting yourself in situations whereby you have the opportunity to develop skills and have a few failures which will not be counted against you.