The Cheekiest Bird gets the worm!

Another post shocker...yep, but then I did make a promise that my next post would cover cheekyness so here goes.

A tip for anyone with a business or more likely starting a business.  Be Cheeky!

Now that is certainly not to be the case with your lovely customers, but certainly with anyone you even have a glimmer may be able to help your business.  By this I mean that gut feeling you get when you're in a conversation or even listening to someone speaking.  Don't be afraid, steal yourself and even if you've never done before spring into action....and ask a simple question - Can you help me?

I call this my Dr Pepper moment, after all what is the worst that can happen.  Example I hear you cry, well here goes.  In my 4th week of running Happy Sweet Shop (http://www.happysweetshop.co.uk/) I was listening to Chris Evans on BBC Radio 2 and he was auctioning places for his BBC Children in Need Dine and Disco event.  Top places and I so wanted to be able to bid, but sadly no way I could.  But a thought occured to me, wouldn't it be great to get some good coverage from BBC Radio and help Children in Need at the same time.

And so without a moments thought I dropped a quick email to the show along the lines of 'You are missing something from your event, some retro sweets for all the guests would be excellent!!..etc etc.  And sure enough within a couple of days I was in contact with Chris' brilliant PA and the event got the sweets and we got some BBC coverage.  This has lead onto other things this year and culminated in us being a partner for the BBC Children in Need 2009 appeal.  That and some fab contacts and more importantly a very good case study of what we can do.  You shouldn't underestimate the power of being able to legitimately link yourself to strong brands - but remember it has to be legit. Never make claims you can't back up.

But always go with that cheeky gut instinct when it comes to promoting yourself and your company.

Much later and careers advice!

It's been a while. It won't happen again!
I guess that's what happens when you are running businesses especially in such a troubled time. I saw a programme this morning featuring a 16 year old who's career choice is to be an entreprenuer. Now let me start by saying that this is fantastic, anyone who wants to run their own business should be commended and encouraged. However, the next few minutes pained me some what. He was making this decision as a vocation weighing up whether he should go to uni or start a business (incidentally he didn't know what business he wanted, just that it could make him rich - materially rich). For me this is painful and I'll tell you a couple of reason why.

Here is a guy who has ambition and his only role models are those entrepreneurs that didn't get a choice, they had to start a business to survive. Which leads me onto the next reason, being an entrepreneur wasn't a 'career choice' as it seems to be. Now I wouldn't have had the 'inspiration' to start my business if it wasn't for the more accessible approach to entreprenuer that the recent media age has created. However, I also believe that such a 'careers advisor' type of choice is itself wrong. Certainly without the explanation of all the pitfalls of starting a business.

I think more people, especially youngsters like this chap, but anyone of any age should be encouraged to take the leap if they feel ready. And that is really my point....feel ready.

We all make our own way, we all control our own happiness and for that reason we all get that feeling at different stages. With perhaps different role models out there in media 'entrepreneur' land more young chaps like this would listen to their happiness (or heart) and take the approach to starting their business when they feel ready - not when the careers advisor needs to take notes.