Last chance to enter your enterprising idea - 29/09/2010

Organiser's of an event that pits the talents of young Hull entrepreneurs against the sharp business mind of a former BBC Apprentice have been inundated with enquires.  Over 100 young people from across the city have come forward to take part in the Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge - named after successful business guru and television star Ruth Badger.
And with the 22 October deadline fast approaching, there is still time for the next generation of Alan Sugar's and Michelle Mone's to take part in the competition, which could see one person scooping a top prize of £3,000.
Maureen Foers OBE, Yorkshire's Women's Enterprise Champion, said:
"I was amazed at the high level of interest with over 100 enquiries already. We have high hopes to find Hull's most enterprising young person and I am looking forward to hearing what the young people have to say.
"I would also like to thank Force - 7 for sponsoring a new category for the under 11's and for all their consultation work. As a result we have now increased the age level entry up to 21 years old for those who are in formal or informal education, which is great news."
There is less than four weeks left to enter their enterprising idea and business plan, which can be based on anything from a new business venture to a community project. There are different age categories for youngsters to enter, and they must live in the HU1 to HU9 postcode area or attend a Hull school.
Independent panels will asses the business plans and then draw up a shortlist for each category who will then come face-to-face with the 'badgers', including Ruth Badger herself, to pitch their idea. The winners of each category will then be invited back to compete against each other - with a chance to double their winnings as part of November's Global Entrepreneurship Week.
For more information visit www.hullbadgers.co.uk

Game Sett And Challenge

The Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge  that pits the talents of young Hull entrepreneurs against the sharp business mind of a former BBC Apprentice have been inundated with enquires. Over 100 young people from across the City have come forward to take part in the Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge - named after successful business guru and television star Ruth Badger.
And with the October 20th deadline fast approaching, there is still time for the next generation of Alan Sugar’s and Michelle Mone’s to take part in the competition, which may see one person scooping a top prize fund of £3,000 - if they win both major rounds. As part of the scheme, a panel will asses business plans to draw up a shortlist covering a number of the age categories to give every one a chance to win.

Lucky participants will move on to the next stage and pitch their ideas – which will see them come face-to-face with the ‘badgers’, including Ruth Badger. The winners of each category will then be invited back to compete against each other - with a chance to double their winnings as part of November's Global Entrepreneurship Week.
Maureen Foers OBE Yorkshire's Women's Enterprise Champion said: “I was amazed at the high level of interest with over 100 enquiries.

“We have high hopes to find Hull's most enterprising young person and I am looking forward to hearing what the young people have to say”.

She added: “I would also like to thank Force - 7 for sponsoring a new category for the under 11's and for all its consultation work.

“As a result we have now increased the age level entry up to 21 years old for those who are in formal or informal education, which is great news.”

Mrs Foers explained that judges will be looking at how entrants are going to use the prize money. Ideas may include employing people or putting something back into the local community. Successful applicants may have the most innovative idea or, with a small cash injection, make their business dream a reality.

Phil Batty Managing Director Force-7 said: “We are delighted to support the Challenge by sponsoring a new section.”

For more information, please visit www.hullbadgers.co.uk or contact 0799051021

Co-operative Group support Hull Ready

The  Co-operative Group have agreed to support the Hull Ready £5 Blossom Campaign and donated £350 in vouchers as extra prizes so we will now have backing from a retailer, banker, farmer, insurance, pharmacy, membership department etc etc etc to work with our young people in primary schools to develop their enterprising idea - The Third Way or Big Society in Action.

http://www.co-operative.co.uk/

http://www.hullready.co.uk/

Hull invites Peter Jones to see Enterprise in Action and Embedded

Following the recent article in the Daily Telegraph titled "Peter Jones claims youth enterprise schemes 'put good money after bad'.  In which Peter Jones labelled the Government's youth enterprise initiatives a waste of money and appeared to be critical of Make Your Mark and Young Enterprise in Particular, The Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership  have invited him to visit Hull to come and see how we all work together to support our enterprising young people and how they both are integral to this fitting the government’s localism agenda. There is a lot of good work going on in Yorkshire's schools in embedding an enterprise culture to name Rotherham,

Sheffield, North East Lincolnshire, Scarborough and Bradford ( three of whom were recognised as Enterprising Places  for  embedding enterprise into schools and amongst young people and communities as just  five areas supported by a range or organisations including  Young Enterprise, Make Your Mark  and the Young People's Enterprise Forum.


I would urge people to check out the folllowing websites

http://www.rotherhamready.org.uk/

http://www.enterprising-people.co.uk/

http://www.enterprisingyorkshire.co.uk/

http://www.hullready.co.uk/

http://www.force-7.co.uk/

Smilers Book 2

Dave Garbera has signed off the proofs for Smilers Book 2 yesterday so will go into production soon. He hopes to receive copies of the book in about three to four weeks and will be ordering 500 for Global Entrepreneurship Week for delegates. Certainly shows why he was rightly identified as Hu...ll's Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2010. Cost is only £8.99, further updates will be issued later later.

the future is entrepreneurship!!

As the Hull's, UK and  Global economy continues to undergo changes  even more young people will choose to take the plunge into entrepreneurship. Changes to corporate mindsets, downsizing and other upheavals in the “safe” world of formal employment are forcing many to embrace entrepreneurship, and start their own small businesses. Add to those young people with the burning desire to “be their own boss” and you have plenty of new entrants into the wonderful, frightening, exciting and exhausting world of being a business owner. Whatever your reasons for considering entrepreneurship instead of formal employment or training, there are a few traits you will need to cultivate in order to succeed.

1. Passion

It sounds like a no brainer, but the most important factor in your success in entrepreneurship is passion for your business. We’ve all had jobs we hate, and let’s face it – it doesn’t inspire you to work incredibly hard, or give your all, does it? Don’t think just because you are working for yourself, that will change! If you’re bored to tears or just plain hate working on your business, you’re unlikely to give it the energy it needs to succeed. So find something you love doing, and you will have a solid foundation for building a successful new business venture.

 2. Plan, Plan, and Then Plan Some More

‘Those who fail to plan, plan to fail.’ That’s never been more true than when applied to entrepreneurship. You need concrete, quantifiable goals, as well as a 30, 60, 90 day strategy on how to get there. Having a plan provides a framework, something fixed to work toward, which will help keep you focused. A handy trick is to imagine your goal is already achieved, and then think back through the steps it took to get there. Get your eyes on the prize and a plan onto paper before you start trying to set up your new business.

                          3. Be Disciplined

It sounds romantic and exciting to “be the boss,” doesn’t it? Trust me – it’s not, especially at first anyway. In fact, before you get to that fancy corner office with five assistants, there is going to be a lot of blood, sweat and tears poured into your entrepreneurship dream. You need to work harder for yourself, and your business goals, than you ever would for any boss. That means an unlimited and indefinite amount of hours dedicated toward achieving your goal – keeping your nose firmly to the grindstone. Remember, luck is an accumulation of hard work.

4. Be a Cheapskate

Whether you have a big budget or not when you first venture into the game of entrepreneurship, you need to learn the value of frugality – bootstrap your way to success. Most small businesses fail to take time to break-even, let alone become profitable. Thus, when you’re starting out, finding cheaper and more innovative ways to accomplish tasks is one of the best skills you can learn. Think outside of the box and in terms of leverage. The longer you can stretch your capital, and the more you can save – the better for your business and your mental sanity.

5. Understand That You Are Always Marketing and Selling

Always Be Selling. Most of us think that marketing and sales is a task. However, when you jump into the wonderful world of entrepreneurship – more than at any other time in your life – everything is about marketing and selling. Don’t be shy to network, discover what your clients want, and broadcast to others that you want their business. Treat every moment as a selling opportunity, and you will see results:

* Carry business cards with you everywhere

* Have a thirty second pitch ready at all times

* Make a point of meeting people who are your target market – those who should buy your product/service

6. Know That Your Client Is the Most Important Person in

 Your  Business

Success or failure in entrepreneurship hinges on your ability to make your clients want to do business with you. Since repeat business is the backbone of any successful business – your client’s happiness should be priority number one. Remember the little things. Something as simple as calling a customer back can swing the balance in your favor. Always, always, always put your client first. Build relationships, and you will see your business grow right alongside them.

7. Remember That In Business, Image Is Importa

You need a professional business image, but you haven’t got the budget. Luckily though, projecting the right image is not all about flashy cars and the right business address. With the information age, you can work from your living room and still have a professional image.

All you need to do is:

* Make sure you are always well dressed and well spoken

* Have a professional looking (not necessarily expensive) website and email address

* Have professional looking business cards

The fancy business address can come later, but make sure to get the basics right first.

And….. Now for the Good News

If you’re reading this and wondering where to start on your quest for entrepreneurship, there is one good piece of news for you. Entrepreneurs are not born – they are made.

If some of these things seem beyond you, learn them. Take a course in selling if you have to. Download planning software if you need some help becoming organized. Figure out where your weaknesses are, and work on them in small bits each and every day. In the aggregate you will achieve an exponential return on your investment.

Everyone has the capacity for entrepreneurship in some respect, if you want it bad enough (and you can), success will undoubtedly find you. Get ready for 2010 Global Entrepreneurship Week - Hull from 15- 19 November 2010 check http://www.youthenterprise-hull.co.uk/  or http://www.youthenterprise.co.uk/ for info. Many thanks to my colleagues in Ghana for developing these ideas with us.

Changes to the Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge

The Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge named in honour of Ruth Badger International Business Guru and former BBC apprentice runner up has had 53 enquiries from young people seeking a share of £5,000 in prize money about the programme at the same time the organisers have decided following consultation with young people to introduce a new category for under 11's who are involved in Hull Ready enterprise programme thanks to sponsorship from Force-7 and have increased the entry age to 21 and under for those in formal or informal education that live in the City of Hull.


The winners of each section will get the chance to double their winnings during Global Entrepreneurship Week facing a panel chaired by Ruth Badger herself and representatives from Hull's business community. Further information about the competition is available from www.hullbadgers.co.uk. The competition closes on 22nd October

Maureen Foers OBE Chair of Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership said

"We are really pleased that we have had over 50 enquiries from young people about this competition clearly showing why Hull is an enterprising place, we are particularly pleased that we are able to have another prize of £500 ring fenced for the under 11's thanks to the support of Force-7

Phil Batty Managing Director of Force-7 said

"Force-7 were one of the first companies to get involved in Hull Ready's £5 Blossom Campaign and over the last year have been highly impressed how enterprising our primary school pupils so we decided to offer a prize of £500 for this section. We are also pleased that we have persuaded the organisers to increase the top age of entry to 21 so come on young people in Hull show how enterprising you are."

Further information

The Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge is a Dragons' Den style competition is for enterprising young people aged 21 or under, with the support of five organisations - Hull Training, The John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank, Force-7, HWS Hosting and GH Events. The Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge is named in honour of Ruth Badger, former BBC Apprentice Finalist and successful entrepreneur.

It is open to young people aged 21 or under, and has three age ranges - under 16's, 16-18 year olds and 19 to 21 year olds (up to 21 if you are in formal/informal education or training), individuals or groups may apply. You must be living in Hull and have an enterprising idea such as a new business idea, a co-operative, a community enterprise project or an enterprising school/college project.

rize money for the winners of each section is as follows:

Under 11: £500
16 and under section: £750

16-18 year old section: £1000

19 year old to 21 year olds section (up to 21 if you are in formal/informal education or training): £1500

Xuro Computers

The John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank are pleased to be supporting former Malet Lambert pupil and member of  two highly successful Young Enterprise Companies in Hull Oliver Wilson and his colleagues of Xuro Computers as they develop their enterprising idea aged only 16 - 17 so young people can with the right support become successful entreprenurs if we support them.





Oliver Wilson Chief Executive Xuro
"As a group of young people taking our first steps into the business world it is really useful to have access to support from the Council's youth enterprise service and a grant from the John Cracknell youth enterprise bank"
"the youth enterprise service really supports and encourage young people like ourselves a xuro to develop our own ideas and gives us extra confidence to take the next steps"
"we are also pleased that we are encouraged to work with other young entrepreneurs who are giving us practical advice and support many of whom w met in Global Entrepreneurship Week"

Top Tips for Young Entrepreneurs

Anyone who’s tried to do something new knows that sometimes you need a bit of help and adice. Here are a few practical tips for young people who want to develop their own  business ideas.
1) Start young, don't be afraid of getting into business at any age
2) Ask for help when you need it, it's not a sign of weakness.
3) Network, mingle and talk about yourself and your business at every opportunity.
4) Practise your handshake, a firm and confident handshake is essential. And remember to smile!
5) Always carry a business card, or leaflet. Anywhere you go there could be potential clients - be prepared, practise if needed.
6) Give back; help those who have helped you.
7) Get family and friends involved, they are more than willing to do a bit of 'word of mouth' marketing.
8) If possible, get involved in Young Enterprise and any enterprise activities offered by your school or local council.
9) Get involved in any local community, town, city events etc – you never know who you are going to meet.
10) Find time to relax and develop interests outside your business.
 
http://www.youthenterprise.co.uk/

Andy Newton Lee actor who played the part of Robbie Flynn in Channel 4's weeknight soap Hollyoaks as well as playing roles in Coronation Street, Casualty, Doctors and Where the Heart Is and now is an entrepreneur in business in America is to join us in Global Entrepreneurship Week in Hull on Monday 15th November joining motivational speaker Miles Hilton Barber at the Guildhall Hull