Entrepreneurship Skills Development for Students
Entrepreneurship...It's quite a Journey
Today Gary McEwan, Chief Executive of Enterprise North East Trust, took to the stage at The Enterprise Gym and entertained the willing audience of over 30 students from Dundee University. Gary told his story of the journey he took to get where he is now, and what he has learned along this journey. He told of how he has come from a young boy who used to 'stun' bumble bees and sell them to his peers as pets, to then selling dog food for £3 a pound, and now... an Award Winning Entrepreneur. It really just shows that with a bit of zest and motivation you can turn your life around and become a true success.
It is with great thanks, and aspiration that we presented Gary with a token of thanks (see photo) for his time and for sharing his experiences. Gary gave some great advice for the teams who are currently putting together their Business Plans for the Discovery Challenge, which I'm sure will quickly be put to use. Undoubtedly an hour well spent!
Niki, 26 Feb 10
China UK Challenge
The China UK Entrepreneurship Challenge aims to encourage new business ventures between China and the United Kingdom and is intended to simulate the real-world process of entrepreneurs soliciting start-up funds from early-stage investors and venture capital firms.
The competition is divided into two challenge tracks: Innovative Business track (for existing businesses) and Tomorrow’s Leaders track (for students).
Teams will be selected to participate in this competition for more than £10,000 in prizes, together with an investment opportunity of £250,000 for the international Winners.
- Do you have an idea for a business venture involving the UK and China?
- Do you want a slice of £10,000 in cash?
- Do you want expert advice and comments on your business idea?
- Do you want to build your international network of contacts?
Then join the China UK Entrepreneurship Challenge!
Deadline for idea submission 12 March 2010.
Clocking on to Business - Business Surgery
TW 6 - Financial Planning
TW5 - Operations Planning - Tuesday 16th Feb
Discovery Challenge Round 3 - Financial Planning
This week the training workshops are all about Financial Planning. Tuesday’s training workshop will be taken by Dougie Rae of EQ Accountants, and Thursday’s will be taken by Ian Stewart of James Keiller Estates Ltd. Sign up for the session by clicking on the appropriate evening.
In this session you will prepare financial projections for your start up business, build a sales budget, operations budget, cash flow and P&L. Drinks and nibbles will follow in Braes as usual.
This is ROUND 3 OF THE DISCOVERY CHALLENGE and will account for 10% of the overall points. Good luck to all the teams!
Niki, 22 Feb 10
hear it from a SUPERcoach
Friday 26th February, 1pm - a date for the diary
Gary McEwan, Chief Executive of Enterprise North East Trust will be coming to give a supercoach session at the EGym.
Gary has a deep understanding of business at all levels gained through many years of leading businesses and advising others. As a serial entrepreneur he has developed a variety of areas of expertise including raising funding for start up and growth, developing management teams and developing commercial strategies. He is renowned for his inspirational approach and dynamism and is well connected into the business community. Gary is a keen promoter of Enterprise particularly in areas of social deprivation and with young people who have less than straightforward lives.
Gary has been awarded a number of awards including ‘The Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion’ given by HM The Queen in July 2005. He was described by Professor John Parker, Managing Director of IBP Academy who lead the Premier Adviser accreditation process as ‘one of the best business advisers…..in the world’.
Sign up here and make sure you don't miss out.
Niki, 18 Feb 10
Feedback Opportunity
There is a short survey (see link) which will take approx 5 minutes to fill out. In planning this very brief questionnaire we are hoping to collect sufficient information to help us improve The Enterprise Gym and its activities for next year. Please answer as many questions as you can - there are only 9 of them. The more feedback we get the more likely we'll be able to make changes in your favor.
Niki, 16 Feb 10
Results - OUT NOW
the Tuesday and Thursday evening sessions. If you would like further feedback then see Craig in person
or you can send him an email. Well-done to MRV and Mobile Mart who are topping the leader boards at
the moment!!
Remember we have our weekly business surgery sessions every Friday from 10am-12noon. This week
Eric Peebles will be here from Dundee City Council Economics Development Department. He’ll probably
be able to give you some helpful pointers for your business which may well score you extra points in the
next rounds. Sign up to make sure you get to speak to him.
Good luck to all teams for round 3 next week.
Niki, 15 Feb 10
Workshops this week!
Sessions this week will be taken by Anthony Ives, from SIE (Scottish Institute for
As usual this session will finish with some free nibbles and drinks in Braes.
Click here to sign up for the Tuesday workshop and here to sign up for the Thursday workshop.
Niki, 15 Feb 10