Young Entrepreneurs Network Events
Our monthly events are the delivery mechanism for the Young Entrepreneurs Network's core benefits. The programme of events covers topics that are essential to any new business, and the insights gained from the speakers will be of direct practical importance to your business. These events will also provide an outstanding networking environment, where you can share knowledge and experience with like-minded entrepreneurs.Past and Upcoming Events
Leadership - Thursday 11th March 6.30pm
Hilton Grosvenor, Glasgow, Speaker - Azeem Ibrahim.
Members - Free
"The truth is that no one factor makes a company admirable. But if you were forced to pick one that makes the most difference, you'd pick leadership." (Warren Bennis, 1998)
Effective leadership has proven results, from the release of employees' potential to improved financial performance at the bottom line. If you need convincing that quality leadership is fundamental to the success of your business, take a look at the following research:
Hilton Grosvenor, Glasgow, Speaker - Azeem Ibrahim.
Members - Free
"The truth is that no one factor makes a company admirable. But if you were forced to pick one that makes the most difference, you'd pick leadership." (Warren Bennis, 1998)
Effective leadership has proven results, from the release of employees' potential to improved financial performance at the bottom line. If you need convincing that quality leadership is fundamental to the success of your business, take a look at the following research:
- According to the Institute for Strategic Change, the "stock price of 'well-led' companies grew by over 900% over 10 years, compared with 74% for poorly led companies".
- In research with Harvard Business School, executive search consultants Odgers, Ray & Berndtson found that the quality of leadership accounts for some 15-20% of the total variance in companies' performance.
- Ineffective leadership was found to be the cause for the removal of CEOs in 73% of cases, exceeded only by financial or ethical malpractice and mental or physical incapacity.
Taking on the Big Boys - Thursday 15th April 6.30pm
Le Monde, Edinburgh, Speaker - Robert Graham.
Members - Free
For every corporate giant that dominates a sector, there can often be smaller companies which manage to thrive alongside their larger competitor. Indeed there are many advantages to being a small, entrepreneurial business, as you could be more agile and quicker to respond to changes in the market.
This event will look at the advantages of being a small business and show you how you can play to your strengths in order to compete with larger competitors.
Le Monde, Edinburgh, Speaker - Robert Graham.
Members - Free
For every corporate giant that dominates a sector, there can often be smaller companies which manage to thrive alongside their larger competitor. Indeed there are many advantages to being a small, entrepreneurial business, as you could be more agile and quicker to respond to changes in the market.
This event will look at the advantages of being a small business and show you how you can play to your strengths in order to compete with larger competitors.
Effective Selling
It doesn't matter what business you are in, we are all selling something. You will have to develop a sales strategy and become a sales person if your business is to survive and flourish. Effective selling is not only about clinching a sale today, but also about laying the groundwork for repeat business and future success.
This event will look at how effective selling can differentiate your business and put you streets ahead of your competitors. A sales expert will impart their wisdom on the best way to develop your sales skills, and demonstrate some practical sales tips for you to take back to your business.
It doesn't matter what business you are in, we are all selling something. You will have to develop a sales strategy and become a sales person if your business is to survive and flourish. Effective selling is not only about clinching a sale today, but also about laying the groundwork for repeat business and future success.
This event will look at how effective selling can differentiate your business and put you streets ahead of your competitors. A sales expert will impart their wisdom on the best way to develop your sales skills, and demonstrate some practical sales tips for you to take back to your business.
Making Headlines - Using the Media to Benefit Your Business
"A newspaper article [about your business] will be 100 times more effective than a conventional advert, and it's FREE!" Richard Branson"
In tough times, it is all the more important for companies to use creative ways to promote themselves. Public Relations can be an extremely effective way of getting your company well known and promoting your business. It can save you a lot money and can be far more effective than conventional forms of advertising.
For small businesses, with a limited advertising budget, PR is an integral part of creating a business. This event will feature a talk from a PR expert, who will demonstrate the importance of PR in the marketing of your business and offer up valuable PR techniques for you to use for your business.
"A newspaper article [about your business] will be 100 times more effective than a conventional advert, and it's FREE!" Richard Branson"
In tough times, it is all the more important for companies to use creative ways to promote themselves. Public Relations can be an extremely effective way of getting your company well known and promoting your business. It can save you a lot money and can be far more effective than conventional forms of advertising.
For small businesses, with a limited advertising budget, PR is an integral part of creating a business. This event will feature a talk from a PR expert, who will demonstrate the importance of PR in the marketing of your business and offer up valuable PR techniques for you to use for your business.
Marketing and Effective Advertising
Each and every day, all of us are bombarded with dozens, if not hundreds of messages from marketers and advertisers. TV commercials. Roadside billboards. Internet banner adds. Shop store fronts. Information about products services and brands are coming at us from all directions. With all this endless advertising we are exposed to every day, what determines what makes it into our consciousness and what gets instantly forgotten?
This event will feature a talk from a marketing expert to advise you on critical considerations such as: what advertising medium is right for your business, how to deliver a message that speaks to the heart of your customer, and the best way to get a bang for your advertising buck.
Each and every day, all of us are bombarded with dozens, if not hundreds of messages from marketers and advertisers. TV commercials. Roadside billboards. Internet banner adds. Shop store fronts. Information about products services and brands are coming at us from all directions. With all this endless advertising we are exposed to every day, what determines what makes it into our consciousness and what gets instantly forgotten?
This event will feature a talk from a marketing expert to advise you on critical considerations such as: what advertising medium is right for your business, how to deliver a message that speaks to the heart of your customer, and the best way to get a bang for your advertising buck.
Funding your Ambition
Sourcing funding is a crucial concern for all new and growing businesses. In the credit crunch environment it is important to realise that many different options exist when it comes to raising finance.
This event will highlight the various sources of finance that are available and help you realise which one is right for you and your business. The speaker will highlight the various places you can go to obtain grants, as well as other useful insights such as how to approach lending institutions and what buttons to push to impress angel investors.
Sourcing funding is a crucial concern for all new and growing businesses. In the credit crunch environment it is important to realise that many different options exist when it comes to raising finance.
This event will highlight the various sources of finance that are available and help you realise which one is right for you and your business. The speaker will highlight the various places you can go to obtain grants, as well as other useful insights such as how to approach lending institutions and what buttons to push to impress angel investors.
Managing Cash Flow - Book Keeping Made Simple
In business - Cash is King! Cash flow is one of the most important aspects of running any business - large or small. It is one of the single most important reasons why many businesses fail - regardless of how good the business is. Managing cash flow therefore is vitally important in the smooth running, survival and success of a business. If you run out of cash, you run out of time.
This event feature a talk that will highlight the importance of cash flow, and will offer you critical advice, to show how your book-keeping and cash flow management can be made simple.
In business - Cash is King! Cash flow is one of the most important aspects of running any business - large or small. It is one of the single most important reasons why many businesses fail - regardless of how good the business is. Managing cash flow therefore is vitally important in the smooth running, survival and success of a business. If you run out of cash, you run out of time.
This event feature a talk that will highlight the importance of cash flow, and will offer you critical advice, to show how your book-keeping and cash flow management can be made simple.
How to Grow Your Business and Manage Growth
If your business isn't growing, it's dying! Growing your business isn't just a worthy goal; growing your business is a necessity for your business's survival and your economic well-being.
This event will look at practical growth strategies that you can use to take your business to the next level. The speaker will explore high growth strategies such as fully penetrating the existing market; exporting; franchising; and diversifying your product. The event will also highlight the pitfalls associated with rapid expansion, and how to avoid them.
If your business isn't growing, it's dying! Growing your business isn't just a worthy goal; growing your business is a necessity for your business's survival and your economic well-being.
This event will look at practical growth strategies that you can use to take your business to the next level. The speaker will explore high growth strategies such as fully penetrating the existing market; exporting; franchising; and diversifying your product. The event will also highlight the pitfalls associated with rapid expansion, and how to avoid them.
What's Your Exit Strategy and Do You Need One?
Entrepreneurs live for the struggle of launching their businesses. But one thing they often forget is that decisions made on day one can have huge implications down the road. It's not enough to build a business worth a fortune; you have to make sure you have an exit strategy, a way to realise your investment and get the money back out.
This event will look at various different exit strategies, including selling up; franchising; management buy out; stock market flotation; or continuing to run your business for pleasure - and advise on what strategy could be right the right one for you and your business.
Entrepreneurs live for the struggle of launching their businesses. But one thing they often forget is that decisions made on day one can have huge implications down the road. It's not enough to build a business worth a fortune; you have to make sure you have an exit strategy, a way to realise your investment and get the money back out.
This event will look at various different exit strategies, including selling up; franchising; management buy out; stock market flotation; or continuing to run your business for pleasure - and advise on what strategy could be right the right one for you and your business.
Building an "A" Team
Business is fundamentally about people. Your staff are you biggest asset, and building a top team around you could make the difference between success and failure.
The event will look at the recruitment process, and advise you on the best way to make sure you employ the right people to take your business forward. The speaker will also touch on the important areas in team building such as delegation and keeping your staff motivated.
Business is fundamentally about people. Your staff are you biggest asset, and building a top team around you could make the difference between success and failure.
The event will look at the recruitment process, and advise you on the best way to make sure you employ the right people to take your business forward. The speaker will also touch on the important areas in team building such as delegation and keeping your staff motivated.
Toughing it out in the Recession
In a recession, the goal for many businesses is not to grow, but to survive. It is important to know when to ride out the storm of a downturn and prepare to make the most of the good times when they come back around.
This event will look at ways that can help your business survive the recession: exploring areas such as consolidation, improving efficiency and cutting your costs. The speaker will also advise on how you can get your business into great shape for when the economy recovers.
In a recession, the goal for many businesses is not to grow, but to survive. It is important to know when to ride out the storm of a downturn and prepare to make the most of the good times when they come back around.
This event will look at ways that can help your business survive the recession: exploring areas such as consolidation, improving efficiency and cutting your costs. The speaker will also advise on how you can get your business into great shape for when the economy recovers.
Social Entrepreneurship
The qualities of entrepreneurship such as vision, leadership, passion and commitment are as valuable to "social" enterprises as to business enterprises. You can use the skills you have developed through the creation and growth of your own business, to start a project that will have a direct social benefit to people in need.
This event will feature a talk from a renowned social entrepreneur to inspire you to use your enterprise and talent for the benefit of society at large. The process of establishing a social enterprise will be discussed, and examples of areas of society in which social entrepreneurs are greatly needed will be explored.
The qualities of entrepreneurship such as vision, leadership, passion and commitment are as valuable to "social" enterprises as to business enterprises. You can use the skills you have developed through the creation and growth of your own business, to start a project that will have a direct social benefit to people in need.
This event will feature a talk from a renowned social entrepreneur to inspire you to use your enterprise and talent for the benefit of society at large. The process of establishing a social enterprise will be discussed, and examples of areas of society in which social entrepreneurs are greatly needed will be explored.
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