Start Up Britain - great idea!

Yesterday I went to be part of the mentoring team at Start Up Britain. It's a great idea started by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs and supported by the Prime Minister, the Chancellor and government. It's  privately funded by sponsorship and support from multi-nationals and corporates like Dell, Microsoft, AXA and Virgin Media. 


The idea is that big businesses - together with local small business owners - offer advice or inspiration to those thinking of starting up (or who have just started) their own business. The Start Up Britain tour bus is currently roaming round the country stopping off at various cities for a few hours at a time, inviting people to network and access advisors on all sorts of useful topics like finance, business planning, IT and PR and marketing (see more on www.startupbritain.org).


So off I merrily went, ready to impart all sorts of knowledge and advice to would-be business people. I was interviewed for local radio and filmed for a YouTube channel for Start Up Britain. And as I was being asked questions about why I set up in business and what advice I could give, I inwardly reflected on the (nearly) nine years I've had my own company, the highs and lows, and everything I'd learnt on the way. 


I realised I never stop learning ... about new ways of doing things, new ways of approaching issues, quicker methods, better methods, whole areas of fresh information, innovations, endless challenges. And I decided that actually it's the newness of every day and what it brings, helping my clients achieve their goals by showing them what works, and (of course) keeping my business going through the tough times as well as the easy ones, that gives me a kick.


I met some lovely people at Start Up Britain, some I knew, some were fresh faces but all were there for the same reason - to either give something back or to learn. A rather altruistic approach to networking which was refreshing, positive and something in which I was proud to take part. 


Because the event was held in the grounds of the latest academy in the area, some of the students were also involved. They were beautifully presented in their brand new uniforms, eagerly listening to those who were offering information on different businesses as careers, and helpful in looking after their guests. A real credit to their school.


This was a fantastic example of big business, small business, successful entrepreneurs, the education system, young people and community coming together in the best possible way, no matter which part of the country - to share knowledge, offer young people the world of business as a career choice, and to show those interested in starting up a business that if they get the right advice from the start and keep it real, it can bring in some just rewards.


Start Up Britain? Of course we can.


Do you agree? Let me know.

Trouble with Twitter? Lost on LinkedIn? Fazed by Facebook?

I recently ran a Basic Introduction to Social Media training course for the PR and fund-raising team at a local charitable organisation and it was so well received, I was asked by others to do more sessions.


So if you're having trouble understanding Twitter, lost on LinkedIn, fazed by Facebook and bothered by blogging, join us for a half-day of informal, fun and interactive training on one of the following dates:


Thursday 29 September - or - Wednesday 5 October from 2 to 4.30pm
at The Steyning Centre, Fletcher's Croft, Steyning, West Sussex, BN44 3HZ.


There's plenty of free parking and even tea/coffee and buns as well!


It costs £50 per head which is payable in advance. Please quote Ref SM2 when booking, which you can do by emailing the address at the top of this blog. 


Places are limited so do book early - and the world of social media will demystify before your very eyes!