VISION magazine by connected magazine

vision SUPPORTING GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK

18-24 November 2013

FEATURING John Bird Founder of The Big Issue shares his entrepreneurial journey Eileen La Voi A woman with vision Mike Greene The Secret Millionaire discusses mentoring the next generation

UPCOMING PROGRAMME 2nd - 4th Dec 2013

DEVELOPING MANAGERS

FAST AND EFFECTIVE SUPPORT FOR NEW FRONTLINE MANAGERS Promotion into management can be a significant career achievement, but can also mean a move out of operations and into the ‘frontline’. New and different responsibilities come into play, and often new managers will feel overwhelmed. Help is needed if they are to make a real contribution to the workplace. Designed specifically for those recently promoted out of an operational role, Lord Ashcroft International Business School has launched ‘Developing Managers’. The programme introduces new managers to the tools required for effective frontline management, but also underlines the holistic nature of good management, showing how discrete capabilities work together to achieve organisational goals.

THE PROGRAMME Delivered as a continuous three-day programme or as six individual half-day sessions.

“An excellent diagnostic tool, enabling new managers, and their employers to understand their strengths while highlighting areas where capacity needs to be built Dr Terri Simpkin, Programme Director, Anglia Ruskin University

• Frontline management: An overview of the new manager’s role. • Managing people: Achieving goals through teamwork • ‘Where the rubber hits the road’: Understanding, anticipating and meeting client needs. • Managing client relationships: Using basic marketing principles to explore QA in the context of client relationships. • Finance fundamentals for Frontline Managers • Strategy at the frontline

To find out more about ‘Developing Managers’, to book a place, or to enquire about bespoke programmes:

call 0845 196 5685 email laibs-info@anglia.ac.uk web www.anglia.ac.uk/laibs/ shortcourses

WELCOME TO GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK THANK YOU for taking the time to read Vision magazine, the official publication for Global Entrepreneurship Week for Cambridge and Peterborough. All of the content has been brought to you by the students from our local higher and further education partners Anglia Ruskin University, University Centre Peterborough and Peterborough Regional College. We put the spotlight on entrepreneurship in dedication to Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), which is the world’s largest campaign to promote enterprise. Each year it plays a critical role in

encouraging the next generation of entrepreneurs to consider starting up their own business. GEW this year takes place from November 18 to 24. The Entrepreneurship Week first originated as the Enterprise Week back in 2004. Since then it has gone global with 20 per cent of all adults in the UK having now heard about the initiative. So, by spreading the message of GEW, we hope to inspire and encourage the next generation of independent thinkers and business minds throughout Cambridgeshire. Thanks again and on behalf of all the contributors, enjoy!

Publisher Kirsten Corrigan Editor Lorna Hopkins Designer Alex Uglow Creative Director Jillian Boys Produced by methodcreative.co.uk Ebenezer House, Rooks Street, Cottenham, Cambridge CB24 8QZ 01954 253060 Disclaimer Views expressed in VISION are not necessarily those of Method, UCP. Peterborough Regional College or Anglia Ruskin University. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply official endorsement of the products or services concerned. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of editorial content, no responsibility can be taken for any errors and/or omissions. The editor reserves the right to make amendments without notification.

AT CRE ED B Y

STUDEN T

TEA M OF

THESTUDENTS THIS SUPPLEMENT to mark Global Entrepreneurship Week was a collaborative production between students at University Centre Peterborough (UCP) and Peterborough Regional College (PRC). The majority of the content in the publication was researched and written by students studying journalism qualifications at the two centres. Under the tutelage and guidance of experienced lecturers, BTEC Print-based Media students and journalism degree students produced articles ranging from the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy to sustainability in business. Journalism lecturer at both UCP and PRC Nick Reinis, who co-ordinated the project, said: “It was a very tight

deadline that the students had to work to but it mimicked what happens in the real world, so it was a very worthwhile, realistic project. “The students have a good grasp of enterprise and entrepreneurship from previous projects, but some of the subject matters were unfamiliar to them. This was also good because journalists are often taken outside their knowledge comfort zone.”

WHAT IS GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP W Global Entrepreneurship Week is the world’s largest campaign to promote Entrepreneurship. In the UK it is hosted by Youth Business International and this year takes place from 18-24 November.

GEW ACTIVITIES range from largescale competitions and events to intimate networking gatherings, connecting participants to potential collaborators, mentors and investors. Excitingly, it is the 10th anniversary of the event in the UK. The theme for this year’s event is “take a step forward”. Moving onward from last year’s theme “pass it on”, the campaign will be encouraging budding entrepreneurs to take a step forward in their potential ventures. GEW is more than just an awareness campaign; it is a stepping stone for

connection and collaboration, including and inciting all aspirants along the entrepreneurship field in strengthening the entrepreneurship core across the globe. Events and activities are due to take place in academic venues across the country, and University Centre Peterborough (UCP) is no exception. An initial programme of activities includes a workshop on ‘Raising the Bar’, which will be delivered by cognitive behavioural coach Kay Weijers on Wednesday November 20. It is aimed at Level three and undergraduate learners,

but schools are also welcome to attend. The same day will also see a workshop and networking event delivered by Fiona Beddowes on Authentic Leadership for small businesses and undergraduates. Meanwhile, a workshop on clean tech industries and social enterprises will be delivered by Future Business on Friday 22 November. For each of the activities, UCP welcomes engagement from businesses. For more information, e-mail UCP via ucpenquiries@anglia.ac.uk or call 0845 196 5750.

WEEK? AMESSAGEFROMOURSPONSORS AN ENTREPRENEURIAL mindset is the lifeblood of the British industry. The recent economic downturn has left a somewhat grey cloud over the country and it is those people with an ambitious approach and who are willing to take measured risks that are key to helping Britain pull out of the recession. Being a supporter of Global Entrepreneurship Week is a great

opportunity to stimulate and inspire the next generation, whose ideas will be even bigger and better than we can ever comprehend. It is our aim to encourage a youthful risk-taking mentality in business and drive the confidence and self-belief in young entrepreneurs to help build a stronger future together.

WHY GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK IS IMPORTANT

LIZ KNIGHT Academic Director at UCP

GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP Week began life in the UK back in 2004 as Enterprise Week. We can no longer rely on a job for life and many students want to strike out by themselves, but lack the confidence to do so. Within UCP and PRC we aim to provide an educational experience which promotes creativity and problem-solving and gives learners the opportunity and confidence to start their own business venture. They are also encouraged to engage with social enterprise activities, so they are making a valuable contribution to their community and society.

We recognise that we all need to do more to give people opportunities - particularly the young. Often their energy, enthusiasm and originality are poorly harnessed. The week has pushed the entrepreneurial agenda to the front of our minds and ensures we celebrate previous successes and endeavour to do more. By engaging various organisations, both commercial and third sector, we can create a momentum that is sustainable.

THE PETER JONES ENTERPRISE ACADEMY The PJEA was founded in 2009 by Dragons’ Den star, Peter Jones CBE. The academy set out to be a method for cultural change by bringing “the boardroom into the classroom”.

PJEA’S AIM is to provide future entrepreneurs with the mind-set and skills to run their own businesses. Karen Beckwith, commercial and enterprise director at Peterborough Regional College, helped open the PJEA in the city in January 2013. She said: “The academy was set up to offer students the opportunity to get a better understanding of the skills and behaviours required to be successful in business. The PJEA offers a focused approach to providing enterprise and entrepreneurial skills.

OVERALL THE FUTURE IS LOOKING OPTIMISTIC AND THE ACADEMY HAS BEEN A GREAT SUCCESS ”The academy has a boardroom style classroom in order to create a business appearance. The class itself is set up with top of the range equipment, such as plasma screen TVs for pitches and meetings and a well-equipped resource and library centre.” Benefits from the course have ranged from students gaining business knowledge to developing personal qualities such as confidence in challenging their own business ideas with the real life work experience opportunities within the academy. This has been done through ‘Enterprise Wednesday’. Karen added: “Students have gone out and visited businesses or businesses have come

PETER JONES’ BIO >> 1 966 born March 18 >> 1 982 sets up his own tennis academy at 16 >> L ate 1980’s sets up a computer business >> Early 1990s business fails >> 1 998 sets up Phones International Group >> 1 999 Phones Int Group £14m turnover >> 2 000 Phones Int Group £44m turnover >> 2 005 becomes a dragon on Dragons Den >> 2 007 invests in Levi Roots’ Reggae Reggae Sauce >> 2 009 The PJEA is established

ALICEBARNARD in and helped coach and mentor the students on their own projects.” While the academy has only been open for ten months in Peterborough, its success is already apparent. One student has travelled to Dubai to begin working, even before his graduation results. Another student is now working for The Money Market. When the student was interviewed by the Chief Executive, he was very impressed with the fact she was a PJEA graduate who had developed both academic and practical skills in her learning and this was a key factor to help her achieve a position in the company. Judging from the well received feedback and successes, not only

ADAM BLYTHE studying at the PJEA

from Karen herself but also past students who have gone onto to bigger things, Karen is feeling confident about the future of the PJEA and its students. She said: “We’re already writing the prospectus for the year 14/15. In addition, we are currently in discussions about offering parttime and evening courses as well as our full programme. A short course over 12-15 weeks might interest a new market. We are eager to encourage people who might not necessarily want to come into the college daily but are still keen to participate in a unique and effective learning environment that can really develop the skills needed to build a bright career. ”

“The course is credible and provides practical business knowledge. We learn everything about running our own business. I’m looking at the fitness industry with my micro business, a fitness DVD that is aimed at the younger market.”

“THE PJEA was set up because Peter believes that entrepreneurs are made and not born,” says Alice Barnard, CEO of the Peter Jones Foundation.

DEVELOPMENT The academy has been a pioneer in this sector of education, creating the first opportunity to generate qualifications in enterprise and entrepreneurship. “We are doing something that has been untried and untested, and in a time of high youth unemployment something needed to be done to help young people,” says Alice. The courses provide students with the personal skills and confidence they need to create their own businesses, stay self-employed or go onto higher education. When asked what the students study through the academy, Alice said: “Everything they learn they apply directly to their own ventures. Fundamentally it’s about how to set up and run your own executive business. Most importantly they learn about themselves, so they develop their own confidence, stature, the way they appear and how they communicate.”

HANDS ON In regards to Peter’s involvement, Alice explains she meets him regularly to update him on the activities of the academy. Not only is he involved in meetings, he also meets the students personally during graduation. Despite running multiple businesses, he is still very hands on.

10 STEPS TO SUCCEEDING AS AN ENTREPRENEUR Local Peterborough businessman Darragh McAnthony shares from experience his 10 steps to becoming a successful entrepreneur.

COMMON SENSE

CLEAR VISION

Common sense helps you make calculated business decisions 99% of the time & serves you well in the long run.

Give yourself time. I spent 18 months working for a large real estate company to get the proper training.

SMART RECRUITING

TAKE RISKS

Good people are hard to find, so when you find them, look after them, reward them and you will see the results.

KNOW YOUR COMPETITION “You have to be willing to lose it, to get it”. I spent my last £4,000 setting up my first business. If it had failed, then I’d have been homeless. I was willing to take that risk.

Set benchmarks against the competition. Continuously evolve your business to stay ahead.

EDUCATION & DETAIL

Be like a sponge, soaking up as much information as possible. Information is power. Always pay attention to detail. It’s the small details that matter and can sometimes create big problems long term.

BE A LEADER

Lead from the front and never be afraid to get your hands dirty.

PLAN B

MARKETING & BRANDING

BE STRATEGIC

Good entrepreneurs can react to issues, problems and think on their feet. But in some cases, if things take a turn for the worse in the economic world, have a plan B to streamline business costs, overheads and ensuring your business survives even if it means you’re being completely ruthless in this approach.

Without good marketing, your brand will not grow. Early on my mission was simple, within five years I wanted to have a brand that one in three people on the high street in the UK would recognise. I accomplished this goal, with a dynamic marketing and branding strategy. I was creative in my approach.

When wanting to become a successful entrepreneur and run a business that is making good profit you need to remember that you represent your business night and day. Top entrepreneurs sleep, eat and drink business and are always looking to create strategic opportunities, even when out socially.

FINDING THE GAP IN THE MARKET SAMANTHA HALE, the managing director of successful Peterborough-based running store Advanced Performance, struck upon a unique selling point in a saturated sports market by deciding to offer an exclusive service for runners instead of setting up a generic sports shop. Her stores are mainly notified for including in-store ‘gait analysis’, which allows customers to test running shoes (by way of treadmills) to make sure that they receive the most comfortable shoes possible. She said: “I think my case is an example that you don’t need to bring a completely original or groundbreaking idea to the market to be successful. I took an idea that would normally be included in a sports store and created a specialism store exclusively about running.”

SUCCESS IN THE MODERN MARKET HINGES ON INTRODUCING PRODUCTS THAT GIVE THE SENSE OF BEING NEW AND UNIQUE “This has allowed me to sell good numbers despite the economic slump, as running can be undertaken away from the gym and does not need other materials such as fitness equipment.” Finding the gap is not the only thing a new entrepreneur might need to succeed. As we have seen in programmes such as Dragon’s Den, an innovative idea is useless unless there is reasonable interest from the market you are trying to target. New entrepreneurs must take the time to complete extensive research to get to know the market and their needs. There are many formats an entrepreneur can use to collate market research. Face-to-face surveys, asking passers-by on the street and focus groups can be a very direct way of gauging reaction to the idea or product that you are offering.

EILEEN LA VOI AN ENTREPRENURIAL IDEA AN ENTREPRENEUR WITH A VISION Eileen La Voi is a prime example of how a business idea can be established whilst doing something as simple as watching the television. FOR EILEEN her inspiration was found when watching ‘Rogue Traders’ in January 2007. She commented: “It was a particularly nasty episode and it just made me think there is a lack of regulation when it comes to finding tradesmen to complete work because you don’t always get to see their credentials.” After research found there was a gap in the market for this service, Eileen was encouraged to start a website which enabled local residents to gain access to registered tradesmen. She spent a year putting together a comprehensive business plan for safelocaltrades.com. Eileen entered the business plan into the Best New Business idea competition in January ’08 and it won in the March ’08. From then on, with support from those involved in the competition,

it was a case of building and growing the site and finding the right contacts. When developing your business it is vital to have a unique selling point in order for it to stand out from any competitors. Eileen understood this and therefore has found success. “It’s very unique and at the start I decided I wanted to be completely different to anything else out there. My USP is focused on credibility, therefore to protect this I undertake a vetting process for tradesmen that is very stringent. Everyone who is registered on the site is interviewed face-to-face and we undertake a criminal record check to reduce any risks from rogue traders.” Asked what she thinks the key charactestics are for an entrepreneur to turn an idea into reality, Eileen said: “Self-belief and relentless

determination are two of the most important things a new entrepreneur can have when starting a new venture. “Being successful takes time, you only get out what you put in but you need to have the confidence that you can be a success at the same time.”

Eileen has said that she does all the work for safelocaltrades.com herself but uses a virtual PA company for answering the phone. She admitted that it had been “extremely hard work” but set out to do it “slowly but properly.”

EILEEN’STOP5PLACESTOSTIMULATEIDEAS

In the shower - there is something about washing my hair that make the interesting thoughts flow a little better!

trees in my distant skyline view; I find watching them moving in the wind very mesmerising, peaceful and thought provoking.

Looking out of my bedroom window - there are gigantic

Exercise class - I love my BodyPump classes, with no talking for

a whole hour; some of my greatest ideas formulate in a gym!

Driving my car - this is where I regularly have some of my best thinking sessions.

In bed with my morning tea - every day is hectic so this always helps me to think and plan the day ahead.

JOHN BIRD FROM THE BOTTOM UP An extremely successful social entrepreneur, John Bird has helped address the problem of homelessness. But behind those big headlines is a darker past filled with hard-hitting struggles that the founder of The Big Issue has had to overcome. HOW DID YOU MANAGE TO TURN YOUR LIFE AROUND FOR THE GREATER GOOD? I’ve always been an opportunist. If you don’t actually have an awful lot and you don’t have good family behind you, or you don’t have any money or education, you’re going to say ‘oh what can I do’. I was on my way to more and more criminal activity, but I was very fortunate by being an opportunist. In prison I learnt to read and write along with skills such as gardening, brick laying and plumbing. Learning to read and write was so important to me, as it meant I could start expressing myself. DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO START A BUSINESS THAT WAS PUTTING SOMETHING BACK INTO SOCIETY RATHER THAN JUST PURELY FOR PROFIT? For a time I was a kind of Marxist and believed we had to get rid of capitalism and create a classless society. When I started my printing business in my thirties, I’d kind of grown up and become the rate payer and the tax payer after many years of hiding. I found that I always wanted to do more than simply be a successful printer and I was printing lots of magazines and books for other people. I really wanted to become a publisher, so I started a number of magazines and helped other people start their own magazines. So when I got the chance to start The Big Issue, it was

almost like a wish fulfilment of ten years before I reached my mid-thirties. WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR YOUR BUSINESS MODEL? I didn’t have a business model. I trained myself to be a printer by getting jobs in print. After about a year I became very good at it and I decided I didn’t want to work with other people but for myself. I bought a print machine, put it in the shed behind the house I was living in and started printing off stuff for people. I found I was making £100 a month, then £200, then £1,000, then £5,000. So I’ve never had a model and I’ve never been a businessman. What I’m good at is keeping costs down and looking at a business and saying we need to cut costs here or we need to get more out of this. HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN MAKING A PROFIT AND KEEPING A BUSINESS ETHICAL? It’s only a problem if you get upset. Any business has to deal with governments, local authorities, big businesses and small businesses. If you get your advertising from someone who says “I’ve got a £3,000 watch and I’m going to pay to advertise it in The Big Issue”, I’m going to take it. Now a lot of people would find that a bit difficult as they wouldn’t

believe that was ethical, but I don’t have those kinds of ethics. My ethics are, if I get that advertising it gives me the chance to sustain my business.

BECAUSE I’VE BEEN THROUGH IT ALL, FROM POVERTY, CRIME AND HOMELESSNESS, I SEE EVERYBODY AS INCREDIBLY ADVANTAGED The money that we got to start The Big Issue came from a multinational - The Body Shop. Anita and Gordon Roddick were multimillionaires, the money didn’t come to me from purity. I didn’t have some pure person who said to me look here’s the money to start The Big Issue. I find the whole idea of ethical capitalism difficult because if you look below the surface there’s always going to be some compromise you have to make, so I don’t get upset about that. Because I’ve been through it all, from poverty, crime and homelessness, I see everybody as incredibly advantaged and I’m going to get out of them as much as possible because it’s for the benefit of the people I work for, which are the poor.

WHAT MAKES A SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS? In recent years, the government has tried to incentivise businesses into becoming more sustainable. However, not everyone thinks enough is being done. Chris Pursehouse and Ioannis Dermitzakis, business lecturers at UCP, discuss how businesses fare when it comes to sustainability.

An engaging leader

Healthy cashflow

A sustainable building to operate in

HOW IMPORTANT IS SUSTAINABILITY? With the current economic I climate, businesses need to reinvent themselves, innovate, and they’ve got to be there for the long term. That’s what sustainability means - maintaining. One business that has reinvented C itself is Landis and Gyr. It’s built a new plant near Market Deeping, which has been built with sustainability in mind. IS SUSTAINABILITY BEING INCENTIVISED BY THE GOVERNEMENT? They’re trying to incentivise C people. I’ve just bought a new car which is exempt from road tax because of the low emissions. So it’s made me

A robust infrastructure

Invest in your people

think about that aspect of how you can reduce your cost by making a wellinformed choice. From a business perspective, I businesses will only do things that are profitable for them. If it doesn’t make sense for the bottom line then there’s no point in doing it. There are lots of things out there that are the ‘fad of the day’, which then disappear because they don’t make financial sense. HOW EASY DO YOU THINK IT IS FOR COMPANIES TO BE SUSTAINABLE? I think the bigger companies I have got the funds and the capacity to do it. For the smaller companies, sustainability is adding another cost to the bottom line. For small and medium enterprises (SMEs)

it’s very difficult and will be difficult for years to come. The Chamber of Commerce C and various business groups have given help and advice to local businesses as well as raising awareness, which is important. DOES SUSTAINABILITY ENDANGER SMALL BUSINESSES? There is funding available for I SME’s from the EU but it’s so difficult to get it that they need a specialist to go through that. A lot of the small businesses don’t have the time and don’t know where to get the funding to be able to implement a sustainability programme.

ELMS CAMBRIDGE Elms Cambridge is at the forefront of sustainability. The dealership moved to its £8.5 million premises in Cambourne in June 2011. The site is a partnership between Elms Cambridge BMW & MINI and parent company Bedfordia Group, which places sustainability high on its agenda. The iconic building showcases a range of renewable energy solutions, including energy efficient lighting which aligns with the BMW Group’s Efficient Dynamics technologies that reduce CO2 emissions while delivering an increase in performance.

LEADINGTHEWAY... WITH THE impact of businesses on the environment around them becoming more apparent, environmental sustainability has become an important factor in making corporate plans for the future. However, many businesses believe this comes at a high cost. But, actually, being eco-friendly can be as simple as flicking a switch.

A LOT OF IT COMES DOWN TO STAFF MOTIVATION: YOU NEED PROACTIVE PEOPLE Peterborough is home to more than 350 eco-friendly businesses. Among these is Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT), which works with local communities and corporations with the aim to help cut down on carbon emissions and increase profits, as well as contributing to the local community. Its mission is to lead and support the city in establishing itself as the

UK’s Environment Capital - an exemplar of how to deliver truly sustainable growth in order to improve the overall quality of life of its people, communities and environment. PECT projects in the past have included control of waste management, developing the skills needed for the future of employees and introducing The Environment Network, a lottery funded scheme that aims to bring together the environmental organisations and individuals in Peterborough so they can share knowledge, experience and ideas. By connecting different groups it aims to help the environmental sector share information, making sustainability in the area even stronger. How does it get backing? “A lot of it comes down to staff motivation; you need proactive people,” said Kim Coley from IIE (Investors in the Environment) who work in conjunction with PECT to promote environmental sustainability in businesses.

SUSTAINABILITY MUST FORM AN IMPORTANT PART OF STRATEGY Since moving to the new premises, Elms Cambridge has seen six-figure year-on-year profit. In May 2013, dealer principal Steve Penman was recognised globally by BMW for his efforts and the dealership’s contribution to driving business growth. Steve Penman said: “We recognise as a business that sustainability must form an important part of our strategy for the future. As a selected dealer to retail BMWi we are switching to “green electricity” to ensure that the cars we power are as green as possible.”

FUTURE BUSINESS CENTRE CAMBRIDGE THE HOME FOR SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENTREPRENEURS The Future Business Centre (FBC) is more than a work-space to rent, it is a place where people can grow their ideas to make a difference in the world.

CREATING A COMMUNITY “WE WERE inspired when we heard about the Future Business Centre and its hopes to support new social and environmental enterprises. Our own values sit well with this approach and it really reinforces the great culture among Cambridge businesses to help each other succeed. We’re excited about the future talent that will develop from the Future Business Centre and are proud to be part of that journey.” Kirsten Corrigan, Brand & Strategy Director, Method.

Specialist business advice, learning and collaboration opportunities and an inspiring environment are the key ingredients for this revolutionary new community. Local businesses are making donations to the project through the ‘Wall of Support’. The Wall of Support is where everyone who has supported the FBC and its entrepreneurs is recognised and celebrated. So far this has mainly been financial support through bond investments, donations and gifts in kind, but in time will also represent the other ways businesses and individuals are working with our tenants e.g. offers of professional help, mentoring opportunities, sponsorship or discounts on local goods and services. During 2014 the Wall will be represented physically in the building, as part of the public art programme required for a new building so all support will go on being recognised by everyone associated with the Centre.

Everyone who plays a part in supporting the Centre will be featured on our wall of support. If you’d like to play a part in the Future Business Centre Cambridge please get in touch to discuss any of these options further. You can see the financial support we’ve received so far on the Wall at futurebusinesscentre.co.uk DUE TO OPEN IN LATE 2013, THE FBC HAS ALREADY HELPED SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL START-UPS AND HAS ALREADY DELIVERED: ✓1 10 start-ups nurtured with our package of business support ✓1 9 businesses registered for NIC class 2 ✓5 businesses registered for VAT ✓4 7 jobs created and sustained for 12 months or more!

THE SECRET MILLIONAIRE Star of TV’s Secret Millionaire, Mike Greene knows the value of mentoring when you’re starting out in business – so much so that he currently mentors a University Centre Peterborough (UCP) student who graduated in June. UCP GRADUATE Andrew Smith shares a personal account on the support he receives from the Peterborough businessman. “Since I began my mentoring with Mike Greene I have been tasked with writing a blog for his website. This involves meeting face-to-face with Mike once every 3-4 weeks where he runs through a series of ideas for articles that focus on specific areas including the retail sector or self-help advice/guidance. “During my meetings with Mike, I make notes on our discussions and then go away to write an engaging article. Once this is done I send the articles to Mike for a final check and then upload them to his website. “The biggest benefit about this job is that it allows me to put all the skills I’ve learnt at UCP into practice. Taking notes during my meetings with Mike allows

me to practice my shorthand editing whilst writing the articles develops my editorial skills. Fact checking allows me to develop my research skills, and writing for a website has improved my understanding of online communication.

WHY MENTOR? BY MIKE GREENE

“THE BIGGEST BENEFIT ABOUT THIS JOB IS THAT IT ALLOWS ME TO PUT ALL THE SKILLS I’VE LEARNT AT UCP INTO PRACTICE”

“I AM now a great believer in the value of mentoring and the ability it has to transform individual performance, however this wasn’t always the case. When it was first suggested to me that I should get a mentor, I thought it all sounded a bit cliché and American, but I decided to go for it anyway.

“A huge benefit of this task with Mike has been the improvement of my organisational and time management skills. Although Mike is flexible in regards to deadlines, I’ve still been responsible for making sure that content is being regularly uploaded to the website.”

PUNCTUATE EACH YEAR WITH AN EXCLAMATION MARK! “Then about 12 years ago I got a mentor who really did make a difference, challenged me and made some of the biggest changes to the way I look at business. Firstly he started me down the path of three year planning, in detail, with a one page strategy. It’s very important that it is one page because, if it isn’t, it won’t be read, if it isn’t read it won’t be acted on, and if it is not acted on you won’t achieve it. “Secondly he suggested that I should punctuate each year with something that becomes an exclamation mark in my life and defines that year. In doing so I would be taken away from my routine so I could look back and get an overview of my life. Other than me buying a lunch or dinner my mentors never charged me, and because I hadn’t paid for my mentoring, I was more than happy to give back and mentor others.” For more information on mentoring advice offered by Mike go to: www.mikegreene.co.uk.

CEDAR:

ENTERPRISE AND ENTREPRENEURS Based in Cambridge at Anglia Ruskin University, CEDAR blends theory and practice in the unique CEDAR way to create knowledge, improve understanding and challenge thinking in the area of enterprise and entrepreneurial management. CEDAR WORKS with many people who have business ideas, helping them to realise their dream of starting a business venture. This is achieved through highly innovative academic programmes, cutting

edge research and ground breaking student enterprise initiatives and international project work. The dynamic and diverse CEDAR team in close collaboration with leading academics, expert

practitioner teachers and world-class entrepreneurs has just become the first university enterprise centre in the UK to be named as a Centre for Excellence by the Institute for Enterprise

and Entrepreneurs (IOEE). Peter Taylor, CEO and joint founder of TTP and Chair of CEDAR states: ‘In 10 years time we want a $1bn Cambridge company to say “We did it the CEDAR way.”

WHAT DOES CEDAR DO? ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES The BA (Hons) Enterprise and Entrepreneurial Management Degree is in its fifth year. It is a highly innovative undergraduate course that combines theory with practice, by embedding the experiences of enterprising people in the design, development and delivery of the degree programme. The degree engages students to develop a mindset for dealing with unpredictability and uncertainty, as they improve their business acumen with learning by doing projects and placements. Students gain hands on experience with worldclass entrepreneurs from fast growing start-ups to global corporates, offering the chance to work on real-world commercial challenges.

ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES

RESEARCH

ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT

RESEARCH CEDAR’s research is a key part of its academic role aiming to contribute significantly to the wider academic community. CEDAR staff regularly present at leading national and international academic conferences and publish widely. The ABSA project to promote entrepreneurship in South Africa provides many research opportunities for CEDAR.

ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT CEDAR is helping to drive the student enterprise agenda across Anglia Ruskin University through initiatives like The Big Pitch, an annual business planning competition, ideas generation contest The Little Pitch, and student mentoring through the StartupLab. ‘Bridge International’ is a five-year project to promote entrepreneurship within South Africa. CEDAR is collaborating with Stellenbosch University, a VC and training company to develop international trading capacity for 30 entrepreneurs.

A FOCUS ON THE CEDAR WAY

PROF LESTER LLOYD-REASON Director of CEDAR

HAVING STARTED his career in the private sector working in finance in the City, Lester has led numerous international enterprise initiatives including advising the OECD on a 44-country study into enterprise internationalisation. Lester established CEDAR on 1st August 2010. Since this time CEDAR has grown to a staff of 12 and an annual turnover in excess of £700,000.

LIANNE MILLER Deputy Director of CEDAR

To find out more about CEDAR visit: anglia.ac.uk/cedar or follow CEDAR on twitter

LIANNE TAKES operational responsibility for the wide range of CEDAR’s activities, undertakes research and teaches on the academic programmes. Lianne has run her own skin care business and uses this experience to blend theory and practice in the classroom. Together with CEDAR’s Entrepreneurs in Residence network, Lianne is able to underpin the students learning in an experiential way. @CEDARenterprise

BRANDING & COMMUNICATION

Launching into the business world is an exciting time for anyone. Your unique business notion, however, could fall flat if there is no substance behind your proposed idea. Creating a brand is a good place to start. KIRSTEN CORRIGAN, founder of Cambridge-based Method, a brand and communications agency set up in 2008, works with existing businesses and ones yet to launch. Kirsten, who lists Red Bull as one of Method’s clients, understands the preconceived thoughts that brands are only for the big-time businesses. She said: “I think smaller businesses get scared. “We see an awful lot of things like, ‘oh we’ll get our friend’s son’s nephew’s uncle to build a website for us’ or ‘we’ll use Word Art to design the brochure’. We are able to bring that bigger brand thinking to smaller businesses.”

who you are targeting and how you target them. Kirsten said: “People tend to have an instinct to try to be accessible to everyone, when actually all you end up doing is diluting the message, resulting in no-one thinking you’re for them. It takes a lot of conviction and courage to focus on a niche market.” Equipped with a unique business idea and a strong understanding of your brand, the next step would be to market yourselves through communication channels, with social media as a key element. However, Kirsten is keen to point out that this form of marketing may not be right for everyone.

BY GIVING THE BRAND PERSONALITY IT’S EASY TO COMMUNICATE ONE MESSAGE THROUGHOUT THE COMPANY Kirsten is a big believer in how branding can create long-term success. “It’s almost like you turn the brand into a person and you say to yourself ‘would a person wear that?’ Or ‘would this person say that?’ “By giving the brand a personality it is easy to communicate that one message throughout the company. It helps everybody in the business to be consistent: the way they talk to customers, the way they carry themselves, the way that the promotional activities are conducted. “I think what makes the big brands successful is that they know exactly who their audience is and who they want to align with.” However, while the brand is being built, it is also important to remember

KIRSTEN CORRIGAN Method

“We see the good, the bad and the ugly. I believe you should only set it up if you’re going to stick with it. There’s nothing worse than getting people excited through your twitter feed, then it becoming dormant. Also, you’ve got to generate content in the first place to go out on social media.” It is also important not to forget the more traditional forms of advertising. “I personally think you need a good mix of both. Clearly online is massively important but nothing beats opening a magazine and seeing a great full page advert. It’s about recognising that you want to get an emotional connection, because that’s why people buy into a brand.”

THE LIFE OF AN ENTREPRENEUR Negotiating football business and overseas investments is all in a day’s work for Darragh MacAnthony.

KEYINFO >> 1 976 born Dublin, March 24 >> 2 000 forms MRI >> 2 006 creates television channel Overseas Property TV >> 2 006 buys Peterborough United >> 2 007 appeares on The Sunday Times Rich List >> 2 009 Peterborough United promoted to the Championship >> 2 012 MacAnthony Media is founded

THE DUBLIN-BORN, Floridabased entrepreneur, worth an estimated £68 million is the owner of League One football club Peterborough United and founder of MacAnthony Media, responsible for publications such as Twentyfour7 Football, one of the leading monthly football magazines in the UK. Darragh entered the world of international business at a relatively young age and worked long hours to get to where he is today. “When I first went into business on my own at 22 years old, I worked 7am to 10pm. I actually travelled to property exhibitions 48 weekends out of 52 and rarely had a day off for six years until I got married and had children.” No one can doubt Darragh’s work ethic and drive to succeed. He added:

“I was driven by success, wanting to be the best and, of course, making plenty of money. I appreciate money isn’t always the motivator for a lot of people, but for me I want to give my family the best things in life and enjoy my life when I finally retire, so I was motivated to ensure I could give my family all these things.” Darragh now works

I PLAY HARD & WORK HARD. IT’S ABOUT BALANCE IN LIFE & ENJOYING THE WEALTH YOU CREATE Monday to Saturday, though on Saturday, football is the only thing on Darragh`s mind.

DARRAGH MACANTHONY

“I watch my football team from my work office and focus on football for the day as even though it’s a hobby and interest, it’s a big part of my business life. Football for me nowadays is work and enjoyable work.” However, he accepts he is so busy it can be hard to fit in time with his family. So, that is why Darragh makes sure he makes the most of the time he gets with his wife and two children. He said: “I take my family on long two and three week vacations every summer and have mini-breaks during the year as well. Being an entrepreneur isn’t just about work and making money.” Darragh is a believer of working hard and playing hard. “It’s also about balance in life and enjoying the wealth you create.”

THE CAMBRIDGE SATCHEL COMPANY Five years ago, Julie Deane was working with her mum at her kitchen table. She only had ÂŁ600 to start her business but by leveraging the opportunities of online communications, has turned it into a multi-million pound venture. KEY INFO >> F ounded in 2008 >> I dea came from wanting a satchel for her child

JULIE DEANE founded The Cambridge Satchel Company (CSC) to provide private school fees for her daughter, who was being bullied. The journey started by developing a number of ideas for companies that could be started with a small budget, one of which was the satchel company.

>> 1 00 employees >> O ver ÂŁ10 million turnover >> C SC story used on Google Chrome advert

DEANE ENGAGED WITH HER CUSTOMERS ASKING THEM TO SEND IN PHOTOS AND TESTIMONIALS Deane spent hours scouring the internet to make sure there was a gap in the market. Determined that her venture was unique, she found a supplier to create a prototype. With her product in the making, she then set out to build a website. Knowing very little about web building, she used the internet to

find an appropriate course and within three days Deane had created a basic website. Deane put herself on every free online listing available, from the Yellow Pages to blogs. As the satchels began to sell, she engaged with her customers, asking them to send in photos and to write a testimonial for the site. A few of her early customers shared their reviews on fashion blogs, which opened up a world of opportunity for the growing business. Over the years, Deane has worked closely with fashion bloggers and prominent fashionistas. CSC has built strong relationships with the online community, even asking for input on what colour satchels the company should make next. These relationships have enabled the brand to skirt traditional advertising. Now a fully-fledged fashion necessity, CSC has grown thanks to social media, word of mouth, blogs and Google Chrome!

AN INDIE REVOLUTION

THE IMPORTANCE OF ONLINECOMMUNICATION Social media is making a bigger impact on our everyday lives, with people now able to share their opinions and talk to friends at the push of a button. ONLINE COMMUNICATION is becoming our way of life, and that is why so many businesses are using social media sites to promote and start up their businesses. With competition growing across all sectors of the business world, it is becoming more and more difficult to stay on - or reach the - top.

WE’VE HAD SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGNS, ENGAGEMENT IS INCREASING DAY BY DAY But while some see social media as an irritation or an unnecessary medium, digital pioneers are leading the way in terms of consumer

relations, customer service and good old-fashioned public relations. One such business is The Cambridge Building Society, an organisation that, according to PR officer Suzanne Pattinson, believes in using Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to show that they are “not just a faceless organisation”. She said: “We want to be able to connect with our customers through various communication channels. We are seeing more and more people wanting to engage with us online, at a time and place that suits their needs. The Cambridge uses social media sites to engage with customers (existing and new), charities, local businesses, staff and mortgage brokers to keep them up to date on the things that are happening.

RACHEL PARKIN is a perfect example of someone who has taken full advantage of social media, setting up Peterborough Local Indie Retailers, a group of independent businesses in the city who have come together to promote their businesses via the website and social media. She said: “Advances in social media made it possible and it all started with twitter. I’d been following a lot of national conversations on twitter and it felt to me as if there was a groundswell of public opinion on the demise of the high street that we could build on.” The Peterborough Local Indie Retailers’ website became very active through bringing traffic from social media. Why? Simply, it connects people. Behind every business is a person, so having access to that personal relationship brings about real connections”. They are also always looking to the next big thing in social media and video is proving to be the most successful. Suzanne added: “We believe that video content is a great way to get messages out to our new and existing customers. “We launched a campaign based on customer case studies which showcase what our customers think about us and if they would recommend us to a friend or family member - this naturally lent itself to video.” And the success of their work is evident. Suzanne said: “We have had some successful campaigns using social media and level of engagement is increasing day by day. We are confident in time we will continue to have success in this area.”

Communication is our strength. We listen. We understand. We deliver. Founded more than 30 years ago, we understand the needs of both growing and established companies. Trust us to be your recruitment partner.

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THE RISE OF SOCIAL ENTERPRISE The Government is placing great faith in social enterprise and is actively encouraging people to start a business with a social benefit. At the Third Sector Finance Conference in September, it was clear that there is plenty of support out there to help kick-start new social enterprise ventures. AN ANNUAL conference on ‘third sector finance’ was held at Anglia Ruskin University’s Chelmsford campus last month. During the event UCP caught up with key note speaker, Nick O’Donohoe on how his organisation, Big Society Capital is supporting social enterprise.

SOCIAL INVESTMENT IS PROVIDING ESSENTIAL, REPAYABLE CAPITAL TO SOCIAL ORGANISATIONS Big Society Capital (BSC), was established in 2011 by the government with funding from unclaimed UK bank accounts. It was set up to encourage greater social investment; the name given to lending or investing money to achieve a social, as well as a financial, return. Mr O’Donohoe, who worked for 15 years at JP Morgan as European Head of Cash Equities and as Global Head of Research, said social investment is providing

repayable capital to social organisations. “A very easy example to understand is a swimming pool in Newcastle wants to put in solar panels because that will lower the cost of the energy bills and obviously they’re environmentally friendly but they need to borrow £50,000 to do that.” “A normal bank would not do that because they’re a community organisation with no assets and no operating history. Whereas a social investment firm would make that sort of loan.” Asked to summarise the role of BSC, Mr O’Donohoe said; “From the investor’s side, we want to make sure their money is making a positive social impact.” Mr O’Donohoe said that it’s “relatively early days” at BSC after launching 18 months ago. “What we are doing is corner stoning new investment funds that make money available to social entrepreneurs and social enterprises, so hopefully there’ll be more opportunities for social entrepreneurs to attract investment and start-up their enterprise.”

SUPPORTING SMEs Speaking at the conference, Jo Ransom of Social Enterprise East of England explained what her organisation is doing to support individuals and small businesses.

“WE DO everything we can. We have sponsorship, a website and an e-magazine that keeps entrepreneurs up to date with the latest information. We do not just run workshops but ask ‘right, what is needed?’ For example, one organisation needs support around their financial expertise and their financial planning, so we brought in an organisation that has the required expertise. Asked what it takes to be an entrepreneur, she replied: “You have to be willing to take risks. I think you have to learn from failure. In Britain, we don’t necessarily learn from failure, instead we hide from it. “In the United States, entrepreneurship programs do not have a stigma to failure; they say you have to learn from that. In my opinion, we need to embrace failure, learn from our mistakes and be willing to take risks.”

A SMARTER WAY TO WORK? FUNDING SCHEME COULD HELP YOU GROW SOMETHING SPECIAL... THE LOW Carbon KEEP (Knowledge-East of EnglandPartners) is a three-way partnership between a company, a university or college and a graduate. The funding aims to support collaboration between SMEs and universities in the UK, to carry out collaborative projects. Funded by the European Regional Development

Fund (ERDF), the grant will cover 40 per cent of eligible project costs as well as fund up to 40 per cent of the costs of purchasing capital items. The programme enables businesses to improve their competitiveness and profitability by working with a specialist academic and having their project managed by an experienced graduate. In addition to

WHAT CAN LOW CARBON KEEP DO FOR MY COMPANY? ✓ Access highly qualified graduates to spearhead new projects ✓ Access experts who can help to take your business forward ✓ Develop new products and services ✓ Develop innovative solutions to help your business grow

the transfer of expertise, the programme provides a very cost effective way for businesses to expand and hire new employees, as the grant will effectively reduce the costs of employment by 40 per cent. Typical Low Carbon KEEP projects run for 4-18 months, however the benefits of such collaborations far outlast the length of the project.

WHAT ARE THE KEY BENEFITS? ✓ SMEs who have participated in the programme say: ✓ Substantial cost savings – companies are reporting at least 20 per cent cost reductions in the first year alone ✓ Increased profitability ✓ Product and service improvements ✓ Staff up-skilling

GRADUATE STEPS UP MEET JOE Knox who is working with QualitySolicitors FJG and the University of Essex as part of his project. “Having graduated recently, I was daunted by the prospect of coming into a law firm to manage a project, but also raring to go. Since starting, the project has helped me develop my project management skills immeasurably, as well as introducing me to business strategy and process reengineering. The involvement of the Higher Education Partner provides a great opportunity to continue learning for those who are unwilling to relinquish their studies altogether.”

To find out more visit www.anglia.ac.uk/lowcarbon lowcarbon@anglia.ac.uk carole.randall@anglia.ac.uk Tel. 0845 196 4310/5818 @LowCarbonKEEP

18-24 November 2013

HOW TO GET INVOLVED... For more information on Global Entrepreneurship Week 2013, all of the events taking place during the week and a series of free resources on the campaign, visit gew.org.uk You can also get in touch with GEW on twitter via @gewuk or on Facebook at /globalentrepreneurshipweekuk

For more information about University Centre Peterborough and the courses on offer please visit peterborough.ac.uk/ucp or alternatively email ucpenquiries@anglia.ac.uk or call 0845 1965750. @UCPeterborough

For more information about Peterborough Regional College and the courses on offer please visit peterborough.ac.uk or alternatively email info@peterborough.ac.uk or call 0845 8728722. @prclatest

For more information about Anglia Ruskin University and the courses on offer please visit anglia.ac.uk or alternatively email answers@anglia.ac.uk or call 01245 686868. @AngliaRuskin

For more information on the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy, visit pjea.org.uk or for more on the Peter Jones Foundation, visit peterjonesfoundation.org @PJEA_org