hwye_2010_blog

Shun negativity in 2012!

mary@cproject.co.uk (Mary Ferry) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:45:00 GMT

For young entrepreneurs, 2012 presents many challenges - or an array of exciting opportunities - depending on how you look at it. Haines Watts believes that the only way to deal with tough times is to tackle them positively, to stay ahead of the competition.

Barry Potter, a Partner at Haines Watts says, "We work with a wide range of different people across the whole spectrum of business types and sizes and the characteristics that stand out with the most successful of clients is their unfailing ability to remain positive and focused, whatever life throws at them. These traits are obvious in the young entrepreneurs we mentor – drive and determination are what make them achievers - they and their fellow business owners don't have time to be negative."

Tara Burn, winner of the Haines Watts Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2011, exemplified the energy, proactivity and diverse thinking needed to achieve in today's demanding marketplace.

Barry adds, "No one can do it all on their own - concentrate on areas where you can use your strengths and get help from others who excel in things you are weaker at. Haines Watts offers business health checks to identify what businesses need to address to ensure they are one step ahead. We can provide support in all areas, from financial planning and complying with legislation to marketing and time management for example."

Haines Watts will shortly be launching the 2012 Young Entrepreneur of the Year award. Details will be announced in the press and on the web. Watch this space!

For further information about the Haines Watts Group please visit www.hwca.com

Tara Burn wins HW Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2011

mary@cproject.co.uk (Mary Ferry) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:03:19 GMT

HW is delighted to announce that the Haines Watts Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2011 competition was won by Tara Burn, owner of Combined Counties Fire and Surrey First Aid Training Limited.

Tara (28), from Frimley, Surrey, set up Combined Counties Fire and Surrey First Aid Training Limited in 2007 to deliver training nationwide in all aspects of the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Gary Heywood, a partner at HW High Wycombe office and Chairman of the judges, said, “It was extremely close because each candidate was of such a high calibre but Tara took the title for showing true entrepreneurial flair in spotting opportunities and turning them into viable businesses - and for her commitment and energy.”

Tara said, “It was fantastic to win. The day was an amazing experience, meeting successful entrepreneurs and other young aspiring business people and exchanging ideas. Winning topped it all off and I was so pleased that my plans for business growth and development were well received and that the judges shared my passion for the concepts I am working on for the future.”

The other finalists were: Enzo Bertolone – Glitterati Hair Limited, Duncan Carter – Compass Estate Agents, Peter Higgs – PGH Pest Control & Prevention and Paul Feakins – Antropy Consulting Limited. They all gave a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style presentation on their business and were asked searching questions by the judges.

The other judges from HW were partners Peter Wright from the Reading office and Jane Wills from the Slough office. Guest judge was Nigel Botterill, owner of ‘The Best Of’ online network and other franchise and internet-based businesses. As a serial entrepreneur, Nigel was able to share his experiences with the finalists after the judging and they all received a free one-year membership of his ‘Entrepreneurs’ Circle’.

The finalists are also offered a year of free mentoring with HW Partners, who are looking forward to supporting them with advice and ideas as they progress their businesses. The runners-up received cheques for £250 and Tara collected her additional winning £500 prize money.

As well as hearing from Nigel Botterill, HW was delighted to welcome back inspirational guest speaker, Stafford Carrington. Despite being only 32 years old Stafford is a self-made millionaire and has grown Impact Business Group through recognising good opportunities, hard graft, learning from mistakes and keeping it fun.

Jane Gregory of Haines Watts said of the event, “The Haines Watts Young Entrepreneur of the Year competition 2011 has been run against a difficult economic backdrop and yet we have heard from some amazing young entrepreneurs, who are succeeding in business despite this. HW applauds their determination, talent and hard work and wishes them all many congratulations.Their talent really shines through and they are an inspiration for all of us.”

Congratulations to our Young Entrepreneur finalists!

mary@cproject.co.uk (Mary Ferry) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 09:28:48 GMT

We’re delighted to announce the finalists of the Haines Watts Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2011 competition. They are:

•   Enzo Bertolone – Glitterati Hair Limited
•   Tara Burn – Combined Counties Fire and Surrey First Aid Training Limited
•   Duncan Carter – Compass Estate Agents
•   Paul Feakins – Antropy Consulting Limited
•   Peter Higgs – PGH Pest Control & Prevention

We wish them good luck for the Finals on Wednesday 9 November - we’re looking forward to it!

Quotes in memory of one of our most prolific entrepreneurs, Steve Jobs

mary@cproject.co.uk (Nigel Botterill) — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 15:58:16 GMT

"Sometimes when you innovate, you make mistakes. It is best to admit them quickly, and get on with improving your other innovations."

"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower."

"We don't get a chance to do that many things, and everyone should be really excellent. Because this is our life. Life is brief, and then you die, you know? And we've all chosen to do this with our lives. So it better be damn good. It better be worth it."

"I'm convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance."

What makes an entrepreneur?

mary@cproject.co.uk (Mary Ferry) — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 11:16:22 GMT

We'd be interested to hear your thoughts but the one thing that all super successful entrepreneurs share is passion for their business.

That's what makes an entrepreneur succeed against all the odds - passion drives them to find a way around every challenge; that fire burning away inside stops them from giving up and keeps them focused on what they need to do to beat their competition and be the best.

That passion is what will ensure that all young entrepreneurs in the Thames Valley enter our competition before the deadline this Sunday 18 September!

Is the passion lacking in your business? Re-light that fire!!

'No' doesn't mean give up!

mary@cproject.co.uk (Nigel Botterill) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 10:59:47 GMT

How many times have you assumed that, because a prospect has said 'No' to your latest Special Offer or product launch, it means that they're not interested in ever doing business with you in the future? A 'no' is just a 'not at the moment thank you' - not a 'I will never, ever buy anything from you '.

To illustrate this point, consider 'X Factor' contestant Jade Richards who blew away the entire panel of judges last week with her rendition of Adele's 'Someone Like You'. Kelly Rowland and Louis Walsh were reduced to tears and Gary Barlow said he was sure that her audition would "change her life" forever.

Interestingly, Jade has auditioned for the 'X Factor' on five separate occasions and she was turned down every time ... until this time. Just imagine if Jade had taken those other four 'no's literally! Imagine if she'd never bothered to go back to the show, believing that she'd always get a 'No'. She would have missed her opportunity to wow the judges and potentially to leave her old life behind her! Luckily, Jade was made of tougher stuff and she tried again, and again, and again... and AGAIN! She finally got a YES (4 in fact!).

So next time someone says 'no' to your latest product or service and you're feeling rejected, just remember it doesn't necessarily mean they'll say no next time ... so don't stop asking! If you do you may just miss YOUR opportunity to achieve super success!

Keep with it, learn and survive

mary@cproject.co.uk (Nigel Botterill) — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 09:03:32 GMT

Brian Tracy's website has some very useful info - he's a well known, successful guru who helps entrepreneurs and business people achieve their goals and aspirations. One article highlights the fact that you can't always get better results by working harder to apply what you currently know. If you want to earn more in the future, you need to learn and apply new methods and techniques consistently.

Committing to your on-going learning and development is an essential part of becoming successful. Reading is an easy and beneficial way to learn as is surrounding yourself with the right people - learning from people who have been there and done it. Attending seminars and courses to expand your knowledge can definitely help.

So are you making time for learning - and if so, are you actively implementing what you learn?

Remember the bigger picture!

mary@cproject.co.uk (Nigel Botterill) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 13:30:52 GMT

It's easy to get bogged down in daily business tasks but if you want your business to thrive, you need to take time out and look at the bigger picture.

Find some time to step outside your business so that you can gain an overview of how it is doing. Only by stopping and concentrating on the 'big picture' will you get a clear view of your business, without being side-tracked by the issues of the day.

By taking a considered overview you will be able to spot opportunities that you have been failing to exploit and check that your business is heading down the right track.

Make sure you are in the driving seat of your business' future.

Is your business making an IMPACT?!

mary@cproject.co.uk (Nigel Botterill) — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 11:06:24 GMT

Name any world-leading business and you are also likely to know how it made its impact. Successful businesses such as Amazon, Virgin, Tesco ... have all made a massive impact to get where they are.

How did they do it?

Where did that impact come from?

Marketing a memorable message, followed up by excellent product and service makes that impact and is essential for any business. Making your impact requires thought so start thinking about it today:

What is the next big IMPACT your business is going to make?

Are you out there enough?

mary@cproject.co.uk (Nigel Botterill) — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 11:34:05 GMT

We've all driven past those sad sights of delapidated shops closed down and gone out of business. We wonder whether it's because they were situated in the wrong part of town and didn't get enough footfall, or whether they didn't research their target market well enough.

Make sure your business isn't like that - when it comes to marketing are you at the right place at the right time?

How unrelenting are you in your marketing messages? Are you getting them out there to your prospects and customers?

Unrelenting, repeated messages pull people in - wherever you are, provided you consider your medium carefully.

So many business owners give up too easily. Don't skimp and save on your marketing - it's what keeps your business in people's minds. Keep coming up with different reasons and messages why your business is a benefit for your target market.

If you want your business to grow - shout about it!