Inspirational role models to emulate
AS entrepreneurs, we’re always searching for improvement and it’s a proven fact that those who look to develop their own skills (and the skills of their people) will succeed.
In fact, 80% of businesses don’t get to year five but 80% of businesses that seek to develop skills do.
But how often do you get the opportunity to reflect? To learn? To set your mind free and capture your visions and dreams, let them become goals and take your first bold steps?
Even if you do it once a day, once a week or once a month, the Entrepreneurs’ Forum’s sixth annual conference presents a unique opportunity to be inspired by the power of six speakers whose experiences will strike a chord and stimulate your thinking (even if it’s just ‘stealing’ a few ideas and applying them to your own situation).
And add to that the opportunity to mix with 300 of your peers, run your ideas past them and, simply by being there, make your own public commitment to be bold.
Not only is the conference a celebration of entrepreneurship, it captures the essence of what the Entrepreneurs’ Forum is all about – and multiplies it.
At a time when day-to-day commitments begin to dominate and external pressures mount, sharing experience and knowledge throughout the membership becomes even more critical.
Confidence and optimism continue to dominate the Entrepreneurs’ Forum and the entrepreneurial spirit is in rude health across the North East.
According to recent figures, enterprising activity in the region has grown from 4.3 to 4.7% of the adult population, against the UK average which fell from 5.8 to 5.6% over the same period.
The North East is now ahead of the game with the number of female entrepreneurs above the UK average at 48% compared to 46% and business stock growing ahead of the national average at 2.4%.
The gap between the North East and London (the UK’s most entrepreneurial region) has also fallen from 3.8% to 1.7%.
So , it’s now more important than ever that we capture this positive spirit and spread its influence as far and wide as we can.
There are no right or wrong answers – put 20 entrepreneurs in one room and you’ll get 20 different views.
But with the incredible line-up put together by Carole and her team at the Forum, including Lord Karan Bilimoria of Cobra Beer fame, current Scottish Entrepreneur of the Year, Martin Lightbody, Julie Meyer, founder of First Tuesday, the largest global network of entrepreneurs, serial entrepreneur Matthew Riley, BOSC Entrepreneur Challenge winner 2007, Dragon’s Den star Richard Farleigh and the inimitable Guy Browning back by popular demand as conference host, you can guarantee inspiration.
By Tom Maxfield, chairman of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum
