Blog

School Speakers – our first academic year

Monday, July 18th, 2011

School Speakers launched officially on 6th September 2010, just in time for the start of the new school year. We didn’t really expect to make much of an impact within the first few months, but we were blown away by the support we received from everyone. Before too long we had speakers all over the country inspiring students to aim higher.

A few of the many highlights such as Global Entrepreneur Week in November saw me visiting 8 schools in 5 days, reaching over 5000 students and flying the School Speakers flag nationwide! From then on it was as though a switch had been flicked and the enquiries from schools started to flood in. So much so that we launched our very own apprentice search and found the rather fabulous Emily who has turned out to be one of the best investments we have made.

We have taken part in government run initiatives, been invited to sit in round table discussions with the Department of Education, and been the driving force in enterprise schemes such as SSAT Go Global and Tenner Tycoon.

In summary, our inaugural academic year has been breath taking, inspiring, hard work and we have loved every second! We are passionate about what we do, and we encourage any school, no matter how small their budget to try our service, a service that provides motivational speakers for schools– helping teachers and inspiring students. www.schoolspeakers.co.uk 01924 277373

June 7th – The Big Apple

Tuesday, June 7th, 2011

I’m writing this blog from New York in the middle of the night with dreaded jet lag! However, it got me thinking how technology has now made working life accessible 24/7 from literally wherever you are. I am what you would call a ‘technophobe’. I have tried my best to repel from new wizzy gadgets hoping that they were a passing phase. I like using old fashioned pen and paper during meetings, it helps my thought process, and like to talk so a simple mobile phone keeps me happy. I soon realised that the new all singing all dancing ‘this will change your life’ technology wasn’t going anywhere so instead of being left behind I’ve taken the plunge and started to learn.

I think a good rule in life is stick to what you’re good at it and recruit the help of others where you need help – so that’s what I did. I was recommended http://www.carphonecompany.com/ and also ‘chatted’ to them on Twitter. They saw I was having issues with a phone provider and offered help. I like people who are proactive! I met Rob from the company and he straight away matched my needs to the right products and tariffs. He knows the market inside out, isn’t signed to certain brand so can be completely objective and on top of that a great guy to deal with. How many times have you walked into a phone shop on the High Street to be greeted by someone who grunts at you, doesn’t have a clue about their range whilst trying to persuade you to buy their monthly offer – even though it’s not right for you?! No thanks. Good accessibility is a key backbone to a growing business and I need to make sure that I get it near enough 100% right.

I’m now the proud owner of a Blackberry Bold which is brilliant for me as I spend so much time out of the office travelling, London, schools and events and it allows me to keep on top of emails. I keep in touch with friends over Blackberry Messenger and WhatsApp. For reading books, reviewing documents, working, social media, watching TV…the list goes on I use my Apple iPad. I always associated iPads with people who technology super advanced so the first couple of times I used it I felt like a fraud, yet it’s so simple to use and understand how some of the primary school children I work with have them at home! One of the great things about working with the younger generation is that they are typically streets ahead of the over 30s and if I’m ever stuck I ask a student.

Without sounding like a walking advert my life has literally changed with good IT which suits my lifestyle. If you haven’t taken the plunge yet – just do it! Saves time, hassle, stress and money. My bills are now over half what they use to be. Thank you to Rob http://www.carphonecompany.com/ for his patience and well done on your brilliant customer care.

Sunny April!

Thursday, April 28th, 2011

Aside from the fabulous summer weather we’ve experienced this month April has been brilliant as Britain’s Top Real Role Model campaign launched! All details can be found here http://britainstoprealrolemodel.co.uk/en

The campaign asked 1000 women to name a female entrepreneur and sadly nearly two thirds couldn’t think of one. So Amway, one the leading direct selling companies, is on a mission to find some of the UK’s best business talent. Real people, who are doing real work and having real success. We want to recognise and celebrate talent and illustrate good role models to the younger generation. Being a role model is not about carrying a certain handbag or your personal life!

I work with students on a regular basis and complete a role model task in schools. I have been surprised by some of their responses:

Girls – who do they look up to?

Cheryl Cole – works incredibly hard, business woman, has used her talent to platform other opportunities

Katie Price - successful self-made entrepreneur, however, most don’t know she is a business woman and cite her make up, clothes and boyfriends as the reasons they like her. They are few Jordans in this world and there is more to life than having a pair of big boobs!

Kerry Katona – most don’t know her talent (singing Atomic Kitten) – what exactly is she famous for?

Coleen Rooney – being a WAG is NOT a career

Davina McCall - wonderful role model

Fearne Cotton – talented, down to earth

Adele – delighted we have a role model who is size 14 plus – plus amazingly talented!

Lady Gaga – individuality is key, I tell students not to be sheep and follow people. We’re all different and to embrace it

Boys – their role models are typically David Beckham, Alan Carr, Eddie Izzard, Richard Branson, Alan Sugar, Simon Cowell, Phillip Green, the Dragons.

Role Models are important and are a big influence on what shapes us. I firmly believe I am the way today due to mine whilst I was growing up:

My Mum – who always taught me to have a go (you won’t know otherwise unless you try)

My Headmistress, Pat Langham – who always taught us we were the best & brightest, to have big aspirations, take a risk and do our best. Always have respect for yourself.

Oprah Winfrey – who I use to sit and watch when I was little. She’s courageous, interesting, firm but fair, looks good and has a sense of humour. Little did I know she was the richest black woman globally and most influential woman in America. She is VERY successful!

Since graduating I’ve always had a role model in every company I’ve worked in. Someone who I’ve looked at and thought ‘they’re doing well and I’d like to be like them’. For me, it was crucial to set targets of where I wanted to be and follow how other people did it. Nowadays if I’m having a CBB (can’t be bothered) moment I think of Lord Sugar – he’s over 60 years old and still going strong. His work ethic is second to none, so I think he’s double my age and if he can do it, so can I!

Please nominate yourself or someone you know as Britain’s Top Real Role Model – you could make someone’s day and great PR for them.

Apply here until June 6^th http://britainstoprealrolemodel.co.uk/en

Enterprising March!

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011

This blog is very short as I’m busy spending everyday of March with students working on International Women’s Day 8th March and Tenner Tycoon.

Tenner Tycoon www.tenner-tycoon.org is an amazing enterprise initative giving students the opportunity to start their own business, Each student is given a starter kitty of £10 and off they go! To start a business lots of people feel you need thousands of pounds of funding, to be from a certain background and be of certain age – all of which are not true!

You need:

a) an idea (this costs nothing)

b) a contact number (99% of people have a mobile phone)

c) build a free website (for example use http://www.build-your-website.co.uk/ )

d) get off your backside and start promoting & marketing your venture

I hope to show students that with hardwork, determination and not quitting their ideas can become reality – and make them money!

So far I’ve seen some brilliant Tenner Tycoon ideas: car washing, gardening, henna tattoos, nail bars, tea and cake cafes, smoothie drink bars, jewellery, tuck shops, ice cream stands…the list goes on.

Enterprising skills are crucial for our younger generation. Thinking on their feet, using their initative, working as part of a team, being flexible, dealing with challenges, leading others, numeracy & financial literacy will help students become more employable and hopefully some may one day start their own empires.

I believe that if every young person had an enterprising opportunity as part of their typical school day we would be much further forward as a society. I want them to aspire, believe in themselves, do their best and grab opportunities. The furture is at the end of their finger tips and everything is within their reach.