Read, Laugh & Learn with Enterprise Iain – Agony Uncle

My Coke Head Ex Boss was my Start Up Inspiration

This might sound like an urban myth, but it is true. Somebody really did tell me that the inspiration for starting a business was their ‘coke-head’ boss.

I think it was in 2004 and I was running one of my ‘Enterprise Island Challenges’. I had designed the challenge as a way to attract people who were considering launching their own business, but had never done anything about it.

How to Get Your USP

"Can you explain what a unique selling point is? I am driven to despair by this question which my business advisor keeps asking. “You need a USP” she says. “How do I find a USP?” I say. Actually I had to ask her what she meant by USP in the first place. I am now convinced that my business will fail unless I find this elusive unique selling point. Do I really need it?"

If you are thinking the same then you need to read my full blog.

Do What You Love, Not What You Loathe

From 1997 to 2012 I designed and delivered a set of programmes all across Britain for people that had always wanted to start a business but never had the confidence to do so.

Looking back on that experience I realised there was one common theme. Everyone that took part wanted to start their business because they wanted a better life. Simple.

The Two Great Lies about Business Start Ups

There are two great lies told about starting a business. The first lie is that you must have a business plan before starting a business. The second great lie is that most people really want to start their own business – they don’t.  But is that really the case????

My Life is Playing Second Fiddle to My Business

What’s good for you is not necessarily good for your business. And vice versa. Why make yourself ill doing something that does not make you happy.

That’s my Enterprise Agony Uncle topic today.

Me, The Tie And The (Un)Wise Business Advice

It was one of those glitzy business awards events that took place in the late 1980s. Naturally, this being the latter part of the eighties, there were quite a few shoulder pads and plenty of big hair-dos circulating around the room - and that was just the men.

Marketing Tips from the 18th Century

What could a slightly obscure 18th century portrait artist, Jean Etienne Liotard, tell us 21st century sophisticates about marketing that we cannot find in Harvard style management books? And why do I believe it is more valuable to go and visit an art gallery than it is to buy one of those aforementioned (expensive) marketing tomes?

I Hate My Partner for Starting Her Own Business

Dear Enterprise Iain

Last year my partner lost her job and also her confidence. It was part of a company restructuring and came as a dreadful shock to her and her other colleagues. I thought she would start looking around for something similar as she is a lawyer – but instead, she took some time off to think about what she wanted to do (which I quite understood). A few months ago, she started her own business and this is causing me concern.

How Kylie Saved My Business

It was early 1987 and two momentous things happened; firstly, my new start business got underway making carrot cake and additive free frozen food. Secondly, the BBC showings of Australian tea-time soap-opera ‘Neighbours’ had just started to take off.

So - how did Kylie Minogue save my business?  Read my full blog.

Start Up Thought for the Day

So, what links an enterprising mindset, starting your own business and a set of lectures on historiography back in 1978?

One phrase.  "What is history?''

To find out what I mean - read my full blog!