Classroom to Boardroom: Lessons So Far
Posted: January 5th, 2011 | Author: ZoeRoss | Filed under: Business, Education, Strategy | Tags: Business, Education, startup | 18 Comments »
It’s been over one full ‘term’ since I have been working for myself, both as a freelance trainer, and primarily on on my social enterprise project DoDigital, which aims to promote creative use of technology in education, and to a lesser extent, business.
It’s been a rollercoaster of a few months and a few people have asked me for advice if they were to do something similar, so I thought I would share some of what I have learnt so far!
Freedom is a wonderful thing…once you get used to it!
At first rather predictably perhaps although I loved not having my time ruled by bells and relentless structure, I found the ‘do what-ever you want, whenever you want to’ structure I had a little overwhelming. As usual, a step-by-step approach helped, as did the advice in Peter Jones’ book about writing a 100 day action plan – it’s easy to do once you get going!
The real deal is very different from the theory!
I taught Business Studies for over 4 years; however, actually running a business is very, very different! I may have known business theories inside out, but I found that once I had actually become one of those entrepreneurs that I used to talk about in classrooms, much of the theory was almost irrelevant.
That’s why I found this article by Richard Branson so interesting and hope that he will have some influence over government educational policy! Indeed, the government has announced today that it will be re-introducing the ‘enterprise allowance’ grant to encourage people to start small businesses. Too late for me, but great for those who want to start a business as it will provide some income in those months before the business takes off (that kept me awake !).
Meetings can waste your very valuable time!
We all know this, but in my new role I initially thought I needed lots of help and guidance (I did need quite a bit!). Subsequently, I filled my first month or so with a lot of meetings with business advisors who were sometimes helpful, often not, speaking to lots of people about my business plan and reading lots (although I had spent virtually the previous 8 months reading about starting up a business). I found some advice inaccurate and conflicting, particularly around setting up a social enterprise – this is a real shame, as it’s quite straight-forward really!
Find great resources & stick with them!
Business Link will put you in touch with a local provider of business support (it took me a couple of follow-up calls to get one). Their website and helpline can help with answering the masses of little questions that come up when trying to set up a company, although I did find the masses of information on the website a little over-whelming at times! The government are making changes to Business Link, but they have promised to keep the free advice provision and update the website.
HMRC courses are also excellent, and provide free, highly useful and accurate information about the financial aspects of starting a business (a top tip from Duncan Bannatyne’s book!) and The British Library is a fabulous source of support for Entrepreneurs. Having read masses of books / blogs on the subject, there is a list of those I found most useful at the end of this post.
I was also very fortunate to receive great advice and support from some very kind people; Andrea Carr of Rising Stars, Juliet Robertson of CreativeSTAR, Debbie Inglis of Square2 and John Howarth of New Liberty, all of whom have their own businesses in the educator sector and understood where I was coming from!
So, if you do want to set up your company, do take up some of the free advice you’re offered, however, ask people who have recently, been through the process and can relate to your idea (I’m happy to help if I can!).
So many twitter folks have been a great source of support and encouragement, particularly @nellmog (graphic design superstar), @Janwebb21, @infernaldepart @mwclarkson @largerama @dajbelshaw @drdennis @tombarrett @kvnmcl @Ideas_Factory @icttoolbox @yorkie71 and all the other tweeps who have wished me well along the way!
Just Do It!
The final, and most important thing I have learnt is, rather obviously, that you really have to just get on with it! As Alan Sugar discusses in this post, it’s all down to you! Here are some quotes which epitomise the first few months in business for me (all courtesy of @greatestquotes).
“Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.” – Vincent Van Gogh
“Even a mistake may turn out to be the one thing necessary to a worthwhile achievement.” – Henry Ford
“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” – Walt Disney
“Take a deep breath, count to ten, and tackle each task one step at a time.” – Linda Shalaway
Resources:
Steve Parks: Start Your Business Week by Week – great, practical guide, written in an engaging way.
Dragons’ Den: Start Your Own Business – easy to digest and some great advice, providing the ‘brand’ doesn’t annoy you.
Duncan Bannytyne: Wake up and Change your life – very practical and easy to read / use
Peter Jones: Tycoon – some useful advice together with some superfluous waffle IMO
UK Business Forums – a wealth of information and advice ‘straight from the horse’s mouth’
Freelance Advisor – lots of great information about ‘going freelance’
Enterprise Nation – great small business support website
A great post Zoe with useful advice for anyone wishing to go into business like yourself. It must be daunting nonetheless but your enthusiasm and sheer determination has seen you through the gritty times. Many congratulations on your ‘first term’.
Thanks, Kevin – again!
Thanks for the mention it was great to have something real to work on!
I just wish I had your confidence to follow my dreams, but some great advice if ever I do
Awesome Zoe. Education needs the services of folk just like you and the information here shows that you can offer invaluable advice and assistance in this respect also
Thank you, Nick
You have been an absolute superstar and I hope to be able to repay the favour someday!
An absolutely fantastic insight into the hard work needed to take control of your goals and get things running. It is definitely food for thought and helps to break down something which is a tad daunting.
A great read Zoe. I have recently started my own business as well and have found this a very useful resource. I was not a teacher but worked in schools in IT Support. So coming at it from a slightly different angle.
Thanks
Les
Hi Zoe
I didn’t come from Education, rather from the world of communications technology in industry. I enjoyed reading your comments and have some years experience in generic selling techniques, marketing and more recently, selling services into schools.
A point worth noting is that reputation is everything, being helpful and open is paramount and going the extra mile will pay off in a good way.
In the current economic climate, consultants and technology may appear as a “cost” to a school, but as the pressure grows in schools to increase achievement, technology can be just one way to help children learn.
Door knocking and cold calling generally fails as heads and ICT lead staff are busy people and they frequently hate that type of approach. Conversely, bursars and Business Managers will become your best friend if your offer not only hits the educational nail on the head but also drives down cost… it worked for me – that’s how I got into schools.
If you do good work which helps schools in reaching their objectives and drives cost down, your name will spread and work will come to you, rather than you having to find it.
That means therefore that we consultants have to be ‘known’ and our good reputation has to spread. It’s quite viral I find. Caution though. You are only as good as your worst job – that’s what people will remember you for!
I have been fortunate that I have been trained in selling techniques (so much so that I now offer training in ‘how to sell’) but ‘people buy people’ much more than ‘people buy technology’.
Good luck… I’ll keep an eye open on your blog for your updates!
Brilliant stuff, Zoe. Really pleased that it has worked out and sharing the information has been enlightening too. Hope to see you soon!
Thanks for your comment – I was very daunted by it too, but as with so many things in life, actually once you get going, it’s fine
!
Thanks for the comment, Les. I’m glad you found it useful. We should share notes!!
Chris, thank you very much for taking the time to comment on the post and share your experiences; I really appreciate it!
Thank you, Nick
Hope to see you soon too!
Really interesting to read about your experiences Zoe, and thnks for sharing so many resources. Keep us posted on how things are devloping.
Thanks, Oliver; look forward to catching up at TMBETT!
Belatedly – congratulations Zoe. And thank you for the mention too. I’m always happy to help if you think I can! Good luck with Do Digital – not that you need it. Look forward to reading the next installment! See you on Thursday
Great post and loads of usful resources for me as I try to take blogging in schools to the next level!