Think Enterprise November 2018

Think Enterprise Publication | November Edition

READ INSIDE

WE TAKE A LOOK BACK AT THE

ISBE CONFERENCE 2018 TEAM SPOTLIGHT

NAT HARDWICK

LOUISA PAU AT

OTHERBOARD

BGE ACCREDITATION

INVESTING IN INTRAPRENEURIAL SKILLS AT NATWEST

Vol. 25

THINK ENTERPRISE November Edition Vol. 25

CONTAC T US 53 Coniscliffe Road Darlington DL3 7EH 0845 467 4928 newsletter@ioee.uk ioee.uk

FOLLOW US

2 | Think Enterprise

SARAH TROUTEN, IOEE CHIEF EXECUTIVE Welcome to our November issue of Think Enterprise. We’re starting to feel festive at IOEE however the additional stress of Christmas can sometimes be overwhelming particularly when trying to lead a business. This month several of our featured articles talk about their own struggles to maintain a balanced life without (or with less) stress.

This month we spoke to Harinder, who has recently undertaken the IOEE accredited BGE programme at Natwest. Harinder tells us about her role at Natwest and why she loves supporting small businesses.

We also catch up with Louisa Pau an IOEE Professional member who tells us all about her business Otherboard.

We met and chatted with our very own Nat Hardwick who is our in-house ambassador for all things digital and creative.

Earlier this month we were delighted to be a sponsor at the ISBE Conference in Birmingham. I was delighted to be able to attend and find more about the varied and very valuable research being undertaken across the UK all ultimately designed to better support SME’s. I’d also like to say a huge congratulations to Leigh Sear who won best paper in the Entrepreneurial Practioner category at the Awards Ceremony.

It was great to see our close partner Apprenticemakers launch their online learning module this month, this is a fantastic resource which will ensure businesses are better prepared to support apprentices along their journey.

Finally, our much loved Enterprisingly Me. I hope you enjoy reading as much as I did.

Sarah x

Think Enterprise | 3

CONTENTS 6. INVESTING IN INTRAPRENEURIAL SKILLS AT NATWEST We’ve spoken to Harinder at Natwest, Harinder has recently undertaken the IOEE-Accredited Business Growth Enabler (BGE) Accrediation.

We speak about her passion to help SME’s achieve their true potential and much more. »» p.6

8. isbe 2018 conference: recapped We take a look back at this years ISBE Conference in Birmingham. We hear from Rob Edwards the man behind it all and our own Leigh Sear who’s paper won an award at the Gala Dinner award ceremony.

12. LOUISA PAU AT OTHERBOARD

»» p.8

We spoke with Louisa Pau, founder of Otherboard, a company which passes on the knowledge and experience she gained from running her own successful advertising agency.

14. SPOTLIGHT ON: nat hardwick

»» p.12

4 | Think Enterprise

This month we’ve spoken to Nathan Hardwick the Chief Digital Director at SFEDI. We give you an insight into Nathan’s background as well as some brilliant work being across the SFEDI Group including here at the IOEE.

16. enterprisingly me A monthly feature where you can follow entrepreneurial adventures. Names have been changed to protect the innocent but everything you read really happened, making for a very interesting read.

»» p.14

22. apprenticemakers launch innovative online module We’ve taken a look at the fantastic new e-learning course from Apprenticemakers providing learners with eveyrthing they need to become a sucessful mentor to their apprentices within business.

»» p.22

Think Enterprise | 5

INVESTING IN INTRAPRENEURIAL SKILLS Harinder says: “When times are tough, people need extra help running a small business, as it can often feel a lonely place. Everyone needs a trusted adviser and every business is unique – that’s why it’s so important I spend time getting to know my customers well. Helping a small business to achieve their ambition is the most rewarding part of my role.”

Harinder Kunor is the Business Growth Enabler (BGE) for NatWest Business Banking covering the Black Country area. Harinder is passionate about helping SMEs to achieve their goals.

She also supports Women in Business, regularly speaking at events to help them realise their full potential. This month we caught up with Harinder to find out about how the IOEE accredited BGE programme helps customers and employees alike and how the IOEE gives BGEs the support and credibility to succeed.

Harinder joined NatWest retail banking almost 30 years ago in 2011, she moved into Business Banking in 2011, and was responsible for a portfolio of SMEs, supporting them with their day-to-day banking needs. Then, in April 2016, an opportunity arose to take up a newly created role, as a BGE. As a BGE, Harinder provides business advice based on her local knowledge, bringing together businesses, support organisations and influencers to find ways to support and grow the local economy.

6 | Think Enterprise

NatWest is committed to investing in people, so they have all the right skills to get close to customers, to make us simple to deal with and importantly, to be more than a provider of financial services.

Through the BGE Accreditation programme NatWest ensures that every BGE receives the same training and support to help them deliver a consistently high level of service.

Harinder says: “The programme has been incredibly beneficial and I’ve gained knowledge and skills that mean I can improve the support I offer to local businesses.

Learning I’ve undertaken has helped me see things through the eyes of an entrepreneur, or small business owner, which means that I can better understand their business goals and help them achieve their ambition. Building my digital capability has also meant that I’m equipped to educate customers on ways to save time and protect their business against such things as fraud and scams.”

NatWest BGEs deliver this through their free Boost programme, Harinder says:

“NatWest Boost helps local business owners to make the right connections, in the bank, or through a variety of partner organisations that we work with, to help their business develop. I run regular workshops and events to help businesses meet the challenges they are facing, whether that be marketing, accounting, cyber security or any other issues, and secure the knowledge to help them succeed.

“These are free events and anyone can attend if they feel that the subject matter could add value to their businesses, or even if they just see it as good networking opportunity. It’s a great way to introduce people to our key contacts both in and outside the group.

I also run 1-1 consultations, during which I provide a mentoring service and information on products and services, to help move a business in the right direction.”

in facilitating audiences.

events

with

large

“In fact, the BGE Accreditation programme has given me greater confidence in my role overall, as has having an externally recognised qualification by the IOEE. Being a part of the IOEE adds further credibility to my role with the local business owners I support. It shows that I’m committed to providing professional, relevant and informative support to my local market.”

“The Black Country has a first-class support network for start-ups and a strong community of professionals, it’s really fulfilling being able to help a small business owner tap into this infrastructure and see them grow as a result.”

Another key part of Harinder’s role as a BGE, is supporting women in business.

For instance, she’ll be giving a talk on ‘How to Perfect Your 60 Second Pitch and Make it Count’, and recently hosted a ‘Motivational Queen Masterclass’ event during Global Entrepreneurship Week in November.

Harinder says: “The BGE Accreditation programme also extends out of the workplace.

The networking and presentation elements of the programme gave me an opportunity for me to work on my personal brand and pitch too. It’s a valuable and necessary business skill today, and it helped build my confidence

Think Enterprise | 7

CONFERENCE 2018 Earlier this month we were thrilled to attend the 2018 ISBE Conference. We have worked closely with ISBE for many years and we were delighted to once again be invited to be a proud sponsor of the event. Over the two days we were able to attend many of the interesting and thought provoking sessions hosted by academics from Universities across the world.

ISBE’s Annual Conference has established itself as one of the most important events in the small business and entrepreneurship calendar, attracting delegates from academic research and teaching, and an ever-growing number from business practice, policy and support.

Rob Edwards, Head of Business Development & Marketing at ISBE had this to say looking back on this years conference “We were delighted to welcome over 320 delegates from 26 countries to the 41st conference of the Institute. The quality of papers presented at the conference continues to rise year-on-year, and we are always pleased to give our delegates an opportunity to discuss the latest academic research into small business and entrepreneurship.

8 | Think Enterprise

The Institute’s purpose is to enable excellence in small business and entrepreneurship across our research, policy, practice and learning communities, and we were lucky to attract keynote speakers from Birmingham and the wider Midlands region, drawn from leading academics, successful entrepreneurs running their own businesses, and those working in small business policy.

We are grateful to our exhibitors and sponsors, without whose support we couldn’t provide such a successful conference. We are of course especially grateful to the IOEE for supporting our Entrepreneurial Practitioner Learning track, bringing together the best academic research and the world of business.”.

This is the second year we have supported the ISBE conference, in doing this it provides invaluable insight into the latest thinking relating to our members concerns, as well as this it allows for an excellent opportunity to build relationships. We are extremely proud to have sponsored for the last two years. This year we headlined as the sponsor for Entrepreneurial Practitioner Award.

As well as attending paper sessions as the first day came to a close our attention turned to the evening and the Gala Dinner were the ISBE Award winners would be announced. It’s with great pride that we can say we won!

Newcastle University Business School’s Fiona Whitehurst and Paul Richter, with co-author Leigh Sear of SFEDI Solutions, won best paper in the Entrepreneurial Practitioner Learning Track. Their paper ‘Stimulating learning in micro-business owners through introducing external perspectives’ focuses on the design and impact of their innovative enterprise learning and skills development programme ‘Captured’, which matches microbusiness owners with managers from larger organisations through a series of facilitated workshops.

Leigh had this to say about his award: “It is a great pleasure to win the best paper award, particularly because it relates to entrepreneurial practitioner learning. In part, the award is a recognition of the outcomes emerging from the Captured programme which is taking a different approach to supporting enterprise learning and skills development in micro-businesses in the North East.”

Plans are already underway for next year’s conference in Newcastle, and we hope that many IOEE members will consider joining us for what promises to be a fantastic event.

For more information, visit www.isbe.org. uk/isbe-2019

Think Enterprise | 11

Leaders are not alone Otherboard provides positive and motivating one-to-one coaching and advice for business leaders. Louisa Pau is the company’s founder, creating Otherboard to pass on the knowledge and experience she gained from running her own successful advertising agency. With its roots grounded in positive psychology, Otherboard prides itself on being ‘the wise and supportive best friend’ who champions creativity. This month we chatted to Louisa to talk about how serious stress led her to new beginnings, and why it’s so important to take the loneliness out of leadership.

Louisa founded an advertising agency in 1993, sold it in 2007, and stayed in the business for several years before she left it behind and launched her new venture, Otherboard.

However, while there are many parallels in ‘going it alone’ and setting up her two successful businesses, Louisa tells us that the ideas and inspiration behind each venture were very different. Louisa says: “When I think about what drove me to make the transition from working for other people to working for myself and launching the ad agency back in the day… Well, I left a good job and a company car and a nice office and a lovely salary… so it was probably naivety! I was very idealistic and just thought, ‘if other people can do this, then so can I!’ But that idealistic can-do attitude is probably what got me through, along with my amazing business partner, because it can be a very lonely place being a leader. However, when I set up Otherboard my motivation was very different.”

In 2007, after Louisa had sold her advertising agency, everything changed. She found herself facing an unexpected health scare. She is in good

12 | Think Enterprise

health today, but the experience changed Louisa and helped to shape the future of her career.

“I realise now that I probably got so ill due to the stress I had been under, and having a health scare gave me a very different perspective on life. I now understand how important self-development is something I hadn’t made time for in my previous career - and it’s especially important in smaller businesses. In a big corporate company there are support systems in place, such as coaching and courses and mentoring, but in smaller businesses the leaders still need all of that; they’re under the same amount of stress - sometimes more as they have the weight of the company resting on their shoulders - and I feel passionately that we all have a responsibility to take the loneliness out of leadership.

“Leaving the ad agency gave me time for reflection and I found myself in a very different position to when I’d started it. I’d sold the business and had some finances behind me, and my kids were grown up so I no longer needed to factor in things like the school run. It was time for a new venture, and what I was most interested in was being able to impact other businesses that could benefit from my experience. Five years ago I set up Otherboard, and my methodology is all around positive psychology. If you focus on people’s strengths then they feel great about what they can achieve; self-development sits right next to business development.”

Otherboard delivers one-to-one and team coaching to people running creative organisations, helping senior people to deal with the sorts of issues they see every day, from developing a business strategy to managing conflict. Its service is built around a relationship with an individual - ‘it’s a bit like having your own non-exec; not someone you have to answer to, but someone you can find answers with’ – and ordinarily includes one or all of Otherboard’s three principle methods of delivery: Business Coaching, One-to-One Coaching and Workshops.

“Whatever approach we take, it’s not formulaic.

Creative organisations often don’t want to sit around in a boring board meeting; they want a more unique and visionary approach, and so I honour that. Otherboard offers structure and support to keep people focussed and on-track, but in a style that acknowledges and understands the importance of creative companies staying true to their individual approach and identity.

What gives me credibility and confidence is the fact that I’ve run my own business and I can empathise. I’ve faced the challenges and endured the set-backs, and I know how hard it is.

“There can be a message out there that glorifies being busy and stressed, but I’ve always been fierce about employees leaving work on time and taking holidays. As a boss I’d say, ‘if you’re not getting your work done then you’re either inefficient or under-resourced – both of which I need to know about!’

“People are frightened of being away from their business, but I encourage them and advise them that if they take a week off here and there then they’ll be fine - and working outside and inside of the business are equally as valuable in enabling it to grow.”

for themselves as a leader. The oneto-one coaching experience is held at Burgh House, a picturesque setting near Hampstead Health, and the day makes the most of its location with a series of 12 wellstructured exercises taking place on the Heath, each embedded in positive psychology and designed to stimulate creative thinking and visioning. Louisa says: “The Vision Intensive Day provides a unique opportunity for leaders to take some high quality, accelerated thinking and visioning time for themselves. It uses a successful and proven methodology to help provide clarity around what’s next in your business and life and generates breakthrough thinking around important issues. It opens the door for creative entrepreneurs to combat the loneliness of leadership and put themselves out there to new experiences, and this is invaluable.

“It is also why I decided to become a Member of the IOEE, because I need this sense of leadership community as well as my clients, and it’s an opportunity to join a big network of established and budding entrepreneurs. After five years of helping other people’s businesses, it now feels like the right time to start scaling up and growing my own business too, and I’m looking forward to seeing who I will meet and where the IOEE membership will take me and my business in the future.”

This outside-inside approach is channelled in a literal sense through Otherboard’s Vision Intensive Day, which takes people outside and away from their business to access fresh thinking around important issues and ideas, such as identifying or refreshing their vision

Think Enterprise | 13

NAT HARDWICK dIGITAL CREATIVE DIRECTOR As part of our ongoing series of introducing key members of the IOEE team, we sat down and had a coffee (well, Nat had a couple of his signature, strong espressos) to find out what’s been going on with SFEDI Group’s Digital Director.

So Nat, how about a bit of backstory an entrepreneur, I just didn’t realise it. and how you ended up in your current I was too busy chasing fame. Spoiler: It position? somehow managed to evade me.

“Quite the question with quite the answer! I had a varied background before joining SFEDI/IOEE including acting, being lead singer in a band and member of an improvisational comedy group, but the less said abut all that the better.

Suffice to say that I’m better with computers than I am with a live audience! Joking aside, I’ve always been involved in creative and entrepreneurial endeavours. In fact, being a musician or live performer means being an entrepreneur. Bands and comedy groups are just like small businesses, particularly when you’re first starting out, you have to look after sales and marketing, branding, logistics and staff (specifically bass players!) So throughout my twenties I was being

14 | Think Enterprise

Sprinkled throughout the ‘wannabe’ years I also flexed my digital muscles and developed a few software products in the training field, a paperless NVQ portfolio system and one for Investors in People. These gave me my first touch point with SFEDI and I consulted on the first National Occupational Standards for small businesses (mine were the e-commerce standards, for any budding NOS historians out there).

Then I realised that pop stardom was not to be mine, hung up my leather trousers and started a design and development business with SFEDI as an early client. From there I was asked to join the board, a decision I’m sure the other directors regret to this day, taking me to my current position of Creative Digital Director.”

That’s quite the story as to how you ended up where you are today, so what does your current role entail?

“One of the great joys of working here is the flexibility my role offers. Rather than having a narrow focus, we’re able to pursue ideas and strategies that we “I’m responsible for all things digital. find interesting (so long as there’s an Our web presence, the development underlying business benefit). of our online campus system, digital member services, Registr8 (our custom As the team is small we have a lot of registration and certification system) ownership over what we do and it’s very and video creation. I also work closely rewarding when an idea pays off (not so with Lewis, our Marketing Executive, much when it doesn’t! (But that’s being on Social Media Marketing and ongoing an entrepreneur for you!). digital presence.”

A great example is our recent investment You sound extremely busy Nat, so is in a video production suite to develop there a lot you’re currently working on? training and marketing videos. A larger organisation might outsource “Absolutely currently I’m working on this function but a hobby of mine is our online learning provision, both as videography and I was able to bring a direct offer and as support for our these skills to bear on the business.” network of academies. Watch this space for some exciting developments in the It’s great to see that a lot of your hobbies area in the New Year. Something big this outside of work come together to help way comes!” the business within working hours. Finally where do you see the future of SFEDI and You mentioned previously the are there any objectives you’re currently development of the IOEE Campus, I’m aiming towards? sure many of our IOEE Members know the fantastic benefits available within the “I see us being a much stronger force in campus, but incase they don’t, how does online learning, not just in and of itself your work benefit members? but also as a support resource for the great work our network of academies “My intention is to create a support and Centres of Excellence are carrying touchpoint for our members ensuring out. An upcoming partnership is going access to quality digital content. The web to be extending our offer in this area is awash with guides and tips from lots and enable those working with us to of ‘experts’ and even the odd guru! My offer a fully rounded, online and offline aim has always been for our digital offer provision that I think will be second to to be a trusted source of information none. Bold words? Absolutely! And then and learning, based on best practice and fame will finally be mine.” years of research. Our members can rely on what they learn through the IOEE to Thank you again to Nat for a very enjoyable be the best it can be.” chat and we can’t wait to share with you some of the exciting projects coming up With everything you do, you must have over the next few months! certain areas you particularly enjoy then?

Think Enterprise | 15

‘Enterprisingly Me’ is a monthly feature where you can follow my entrepreneurial adventures. Names have been changed to protect the innocent but everything you read really happened.

I hope my story inspires you to take your first steps, or if you already have, then it lets you know you’re not on your own. Starting and running a successful business isn’t about being perfect. It’s about loving what you’re doing, learning from your mistakes and keeping the faith!

This couldn’t be happening to me – I have just returned home from a long week away delivering training and attending meetings when I begin to feel extremely unwell…… pains in my chest, heart palpitations and a strange feeling of agitation comes over me. I’m so convinced that I’m having a heart attack that I go straight round to my local A and E, which is luckily walking distance from where I live, in a right state! After several tests which prove negative and an overnight stay I am discharged with a letter to see my doctor as soon as possible to discuss what has just happened.

I was convinced there was something awful happening to me and I was about to die from heart failure so how could it be nothing? OK, I’m a teensy bit overweight and drink a couple of drinks now and again and don’t walk as much as I probably should (apart from round the shops and obviously that must count) but I wouldn’t say I was particularly unhealthy. How come it’s so easy to play everything down to make yourself feel better? OK I may not being entirely honest about this description of moi but there are loads of people I know who are in much worse shape than me. But why did I feel so awful?

I looked my symptoms up on my laptop and according to Dr Google (a very pessimistic physician) it seems that what I had was an anxiety attack! Surely not? I’m not the type. I’m always in control of things and think I manage stress well and happily take responsibility for my self, my children and now my business. I’m always on a high

16 | Think Enterprise

state of alert ready for whatever life throws at me so why would I have a panic attack? Why now? Surely it was a one off – maybe I was just overtired or maybe caught a bug of some description.

First thought – I haven’t time to be ill so maybe I need to think about what I can do to lower the risk of this happening again. I feel a bit daft really and certainly won’t be going to see any doctor and I’m definitely not going to start taking medication. Surely this is something I can manage myself. For goodness sake I’ve dealt with worse things than this. At least I’ll have an idea of what it is if it ever happens again and I certainly won’t be running round to the hospital. I haven’t mentioned it to anyone as I don’t want them to think that I can’t cope and I feel fine now. There’s so much going on in the business at the moment I need to focus all my attention on the new staff and new customers but make a promise to myself to start swimming again and to eat a bit more healthily.

Why is it that foods that tend to turn into fat and stick to the wrong parts of your body look so good and taste so nice? Why are healthy people always so smug and look at you in that patronizing way when they order something healthy f rom the menu and all you fancy is fish, chips and mushy peas? My mind always goes for the healthy option but it doesn’t seem to synchronise very well with my mouth. Must try harder!

I’m pleased to say that the new staff additions, well the

ones that stayed, are working out really well and the business is definitely moving in the right direction.

further but it looks like it could be a fantastic opportunity to broaden our offer.

We have been approached by someone who has an idea for a new training programme and wants us to work with him to develop a suite of qualifications in an area we have never been involved in before. The best way forward would be to work in partnership but obviously this brings its own challenges particularly with me and my ‘only child syndrome’. Growing up on my own tends to make me a teensy bit bossy – or so I’ve been told.

This will also help us to create a template that can be used when entering into any type of working relationship in the future. It will be a good learning experience for all of us as long as its managed correctly. What I wouldn’t want to do is invest lots of time and effort into this to find that its not working. I feel the more time we can invest up front in getting the process right the easier it will be to manage. Well that’s the theory anyway!

The idea of working with someone in partnership sounds great in principle but the reality is often something different. I’ve seen other people get into working relationships they find difficult to manage and then difficult to get out of so I must say I’m a little wary of this opportunity which I wouldn’t want to become a challenge.

Wish us luck.

Me x

Things I need to think about before agreeing to explore the opportunity further: • • • • •

Do we share the same values particularly in the area of quality?

Are there clear boundaries to our working partnership?

Have we agreed the purpose and perceived outcomes for our partnership relationship?

Are we clear as to the expectations of each party in terms of both input and output? and most importantly …

Do we trust each other?

Trust, to me, is such an important part of any relationship whether that is in business or personally and I’ve found that most problems or challenges can be overcome if both parties trust each other. So with this in mind I have set up a meeting with them to explore things a little

Think Enterprise | 17

The Passport to Enterprise and Employment range of qualifications support individuals through the development aof the knowledge and skills realating to personal enterprise development and how this can support in playing a part in the community and the wider society.

3 KEY AREAS PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT EMPLOYABILITY KNOW HOW SELF EMPLOYMENT ESSENTIALS It also supports individuals to explore either how to search for sustainable employment through the development of the knowledge and skills to be a productive member of staff or to explore whether self-employment is a valid option as a career pathway and what would be involved in taking this forward.

Whether supporting learners develop their personal and social needs, helping an individual find sustainable employment or supporting the next generation of budding entrepreneurs, the Passport to Enterprise and Employment qualifications offer a fully flexible solution to meet all your needs.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE & how to become an academy

All learners receive complimentary membership of IOEE upon completing their qualification.

IOEE membership provides access to a wealth of enterprise knowledge and support including access to: • • • • •

The IOEE virtual enterprise campus A range of online tools, resources and webinars Our monthly publication ‘Think Enterprise’ Mentor support Answers to enterprise questions from other members and IOEE resident experts.

JOIN THE IOEE GET ACCESS TO E-LE GROW YOUR BUSINE FIND A MENTOR. SHOW OFF YOUR ENT SEARCH IOEE MEMBERSHIP 20 | Think Enterprise

EARNING COURSES. ESS.

TERPRISE ABILITY. Think Enterprise | 21

New e-Learning just launched! Click here for more information

Our innovative e-Learning course is now online!

For those unable to host an Apprenticemakers workshop we’ve put together a fantastic new e-learning course, which will give you everything you need to become a successful mentor to apprentices within your business.

The Support Your Apprentices Need This e-learning module provides an introduction to mentoring for those taking on a mentoring role to support apprentices. It is interactive and thoughtprovoking and develops an individual’s skills and abilities in order to become a successful apprentice mentor. The workshop also supports individuals looking to develop their wider people management skills.

We have developed a module containing simple, step-by-step bite-sized lessons that your learners can access at their convenience.

Individuals can purchase this course now and get instant access. You’ll also get an Apprenticemakers Certificate of Completion and one years free Studying Membership of the IOEE

As used by:

THINK ENTERPRISE November Edition Vol. 25

CONTAC T US 53 Coniscliffe Road Darlington DL3 7EH 0845 467 4928 newsletter@ioee.uk ioee.uk

Think Enterprise | 23

Would you like to share your latest Enterprising news?

We have advertising opportunities in IOEE’s Think Enterprise.

To discuss this please contact the Marketing Team at newsletter@ioee.uk

@TheIOEE Phone: +44 (0)845 467 4928 Email: info@ioee.uk Web: ioee.uk