Archive: Nov 2010

Rugby Legend Stops for Hitchhiker
We gather critical information in the first 7 seconds The car stops. You open the vehicle’s passenger door and eye the driver. In those first 7 seconds you’re tuning into one thing… A short conversation ensues about direction and destination. But the verbal exchange masks the important stuff. Because… Read More

Startup Business Bootstrapping
Entrepreneurial, independent and self-reliant? Why not consider startup business bootstrapping your venture Failure has a wonderful capacity to reveal opportunities that otherwise remain hidden. Disastrous 'A' Level results in 1984  forced me to take a gap year. Whilst I envied friends destined for university, part of me delighted in the chance to step off the education treadmill... Read More

Startup businesses must focus
Startup businesses must focus Startup businesses must focus in order to succeed. From an early point in my self-employment journey I regularly used these 4 questions to help my venture stay on track. Where have I come from? Where am I now? Where do I want to go? How do I get there? Read More

Achieving business competitive advantage
Watford Gap Service Station on the M1 is the only place where I have encountered real competition for a lift. Hitchhiking north from London one sunny Sunday afternoon, I was dropped off at the services only to find myself staring at a long queue of hitchhikers all desperate to travel my way. Buggar! Read More

Succeed with a Market Focused Strategy
Succeed with a market focused strategy Businesses that have learnt how to succeed with a market focused strategy are far more likely to survive and thrive. Unfortunately, far too many small businesses adopt a product focused strategy and fail to understand the market(s) being served. Market Research is considered a distraction rather than the guiding light. And this is a key reason why so many businesses fail early... Read More

Killer Business Plans
Killer business plans. Do we get what we wish for? Killer business plans were definitely not on my mind in 1983. But my hitchhiking career was about to start. The decision to thumb a lift that cold, blue-sky October morning was pure instinct. In fact, if it had been planned, it probably would never have happened. Stood alone at the Keswick bus station not long after sunrise, I discovered a coach journey home (Nottingham) would cost me a shed-load (£12). Aged 17, that was nearly 20 pints of beer... Read More

Winning Entrepreneurial Mindset
Think like an entrepreneur and create that winning entrepreneurial mindset? Creating a successful start-up business requires a winning entrepreneurial mindset and appropriate attitude of mind. It’s not so much a skill but a way of thinking. Since childhood I've been curious. Discovering ideas, creating opportunities and doing new things has always been important. And the wiring of my brain means I enjoy travel and meeting people... Read More