BRAINSTORMING WITH DRAGONS!

Would you like to be involved in an event with the aim of inspiring young people to see that starting their own business is a worthwhile option?

Southgate College is hosting an informal event which seeks to bring selected students and active entrepreneurs together for a 'brainstorming' session. The 'Brainstorming with Dragons' event between 10am and 12 noon on Saturday 4th December (registration and refreshments from 9:30am) will be in the College theatre.

The intention is to expose the students to the energy and creativity of typical entrepreneurs as a means to promote self-sufficiency and private enterprise as genuine career alternatives.

So where to find these inspiring business owners? The organisers immediately thought of the women at the LWMB monthly events! They are keen to give young people an opportunity of meeting women in various stages of their business development.

The plan is for 10 tables of 10 - each table comprising two entrepreneurs and six students, plus a facilitator and a note-taker - and to pose one of a set of 'challenges' to each table. There will be a half-time break for refreshments, after which the challenges will be rotated. The 2 hour event will end with a wrap-up session, followed by a networking opportunity.

Students will be encouraged to take some of these ideas and run with them, and it's already been suggested that this event could be followed by dinner later in the academic year to recognise the subsequent achievements of participating students. If it's as successful as we all hope, the Department for Business Innovation & Skills (BIS) has also hinted that there may be funding available to replicate this idea at other FE colleges.

Time is of the essence so if you feel able to offer help and advice and are available on Saturday 4th December, or have any ideas/suggestions, then please contact Jo at joanne@franklyconsult.com.