http://www.robertashton.co.uk Inspiring individuals, charities, schools, housing associations, health providers, communities and Councils to achieve greater social impact in economically self sufficient ways. http://www.robertashton.co.uk/articles/booknow <span>It's that time of year again when you have the opportunity to book Robert to speak at YOUR BUSINESS conference! I am now taking bookings for Autumn and Winter 2014 so email me while you still have the chance!</span> 2014-08-13T13:45:00-00:00 http://www.robertashton.co.uk/articles/20140604 <span>Last week top photographer Esther Ling took to Turnpike Farm Business Centre to capture Robert's head quarters and of course the man himself.</span> 2014-06-04T12:11:00-00:00 http://www.robertashton.co.uk/articles/ChrisJumpsForBigC There are several very successful people in Norfolk who started their careers working for me. I&rsquo;m not the easiest boss to please and delegation is something I&rsquo;ve always found difficult... 2014-05-21T15:04:00-00:00 http://www.robertashton.co.uk/articles/20140519 <span>With his exciting new sales book on the horizon (Sales for Non-Salespeople</span><span>), Robert Ashton last week pilotted his new sales keynote presentation at City College Norwich's Start-up Lounge</span><span>...</span> 2014-05-19T10:41:00-00:00 http://www.robertashton.co.uk/articles/20140515_1 <span>This is the view from my publisher's window. It reveals a sea of opportunity. Perhaps not streets paved with gold, but something close...</span> 2014-05-15T10:18:00-00:00 http://www.robertashton.co.uk/articles/20140515 <span>Those nice people at</span><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/" target="_blank">&nbsp;St Elizabeth's Hospice</a><span>&nbsp;invited me to speak to a group of their business supporters recently. I challenged the audience to think more creatively than just tin shaking and sponsored parachute jumps...</span> 2014-05-15T09:52:00-00:00 http://www.robertashton.co.uk/articles/20140317 <span>My challenge was that as a successful social entrepreneur, innovator and business author, everyone had heard of me but few fully understood how I could help them...</span> 2014-03-17T09:32:00-00:00 http://www.robertashton.co.uk/articles/20140123 <p><span style="font-size: small;">Hello from Chris! This is my first blog post after recently joining Robert Ashton as his apprentice. My main role is to build his 'barefoot entrepreneur' brand, particularly promoting him as a speaker...</span></p> 2014-01-23T09:56:00-00:00 http://www.robertashton.co.uk/articles/20131217 2013-12-17T13:00:00-00:00 http://www.robertashton.co.uk/articles/20131113 Robert gave a highly motivational opening keynote speaker for our event, he really engaged the audience. 2013-11-13T09:48:00-00:00 http://www.robertashton.co.uk/articles/20131014 After a letter was printed in the EDP Letters section, Robert Ashton reached out and with the help of Swarm, helped to change someones life.&nbsp; 2013-10-14T13:32:00-00:00 http://www.robertashton.co.uk/articles/20131007 <span>Relate Norfolk &amp; Suffolk has appointed its first Patron, local social entrepreneur and business author Robert Ashton.</span> 2013-10-07T12:34:00-00:00 http://www.robertashton.co.uk/articles/20130918 On Wednesday 11^th&nbsp;September, Robert Ashton braved the wilds of Suffolk to speak at the Menta Trade Fair held at Ickworth Hall, now in it&rsquo;s 6^th&nbsp;year. 2013-09-18T11:12:00-00:00 http://www.robertashton.co.uk/articles/what-makes-a-good-marketing-strategy Knowing what words to use to communicate with your target audience is a very important part of what makes a good marketing strategy. In this article you'll learn what makes a winning marketing message. 2013-09-11T14:57:00-00:00 http://www.robertashton.co.uk/articles/what-is-a-marketing-strategy Marketing is the process by which your products and services move from concept to customer. Everything in this third section could be described as marketing. But let&rsquo;s pause and look at the bigger picture. A marketing strategy is much more than just promotion. It is also the process by which you work out what you are going to sell and at what price. 2013-08-28T16:52:00-00:00 http://www.robertashton.co.uk/articles/ideas-for-starting-your-own-business There is almost too much information out there to sift through when planning to attack a new market or start a new venture. You need to be selective and focused. It should rarely be necessary to buy data. Here are ten top research tips. 2013-08-15T14:11:00-00:00 http://www.robertashton.co.uk/articles/generating-your-big-idea <p>Whether you are simply too busy to think, feel that your brain is stagnating or are somewhere between the two extremes, generating the big idea is a daunting challenge. Here are ten ways to start the creative process.</p> 2013-08-02T17:00:00-00:00 http://www.robertashton.co.uk/articles/characteristics-successful-entrepreneurs-share <p>Starting and building a business is not easy. You need resilience, stamina and courage to get through the tough times we all experience. Here are ten characteristics to look for in yourself that many successful entrepreneurs share.</p> 2013-08-02T16:55:00-00:00 http://www.robertashton.co.uk/articles/how-to-start-your-own-business <p>You&rsquo;ve decided to start your own business. You have a dream and want to turn it into reality. Inevitably your business vision will not yet be crystal clear. There will be doubts, concerns and many questions. Don&rsquo;t worry, that&rsquo;s normal. Lets work together on your concerns and answer the question: how to start your own business?</p> 2013-08-01T09:11:00-00:00 http://www.robertashton.co.uk/articles/10-benefits-to-running-your-own-business <strong>People do not work for themselves to get rich</strong><span>; there&rsquo;s lots of research that disproves that common belief. Greed is rarely a motivation for taking the risk of free enterprise. Here are the real benefits:</span> 2012-06-13T14:21:00-00:00 http://www.robertashton.co.uk/articles/20110531_2 <span style="font-size: small;">Keep up to date on all of Robert's published content for The People online as part of Sam Cope's health and fitness blog.</span> 2011-05-31T13:14:00-00:00 http://www.robertashton.co.uk/articles/20110531_1 <span style="font-size: small;"></span> 2011-05-31T12:30:00-00:00 http://www.robertashton.co.uk/articles/20110531 <span style="font-size: small;"></span> 2011-05-31T12:15:00-00:00 http://www.robertashton.co.uk/articles/20100528_2 <span style="font-size: small;">Robert profiles a key player in the animal feed industry each month for Feed Compounder magazine. His column is sponsored by the technology company TekPro.</span> 2010-05-28T11:10:00-00:00 http://www.robertashton.co.uk/articles/20100528_1 2010-05-28T11:06:00-00:00