Ollie Leggett of IE Design, was totally inspiring from how he obtained his first client, to his approach in running his business. His personal values have shaped his business ethos. When Ollie started his company he created his core values which he still works by today however he did say that it’s a daily struggle to keep to them when he has to let someone go etc. His ‘Key Values’ are non negotiable and suggested that to ‘Be true to yourself and live it’

Ollie stated that he lead not managed his company and went on to say that only 3% of us are ‘Natural Leaders’ however the good news is that you can learn to be one!!!!! He referred to a book ‘Developing the Leader within You’ by John C Maxwell.

Most of what Ollie spoke about reflected current management thinking……I really think he should write it down!

Second up was Rachel Hargrave with a totally different approach to her business. Rachel, is a partner of Phoenix Partners based in Leicestershire which she set-up 7 years ago. Organic strategy comes to mind in how Rachel approaches her business, responding to clients needs with ‘Yes we can do that to’ then finding a way! Moving from live events and film and video into different areas such as PR and graphic design has been a business strategy that has benefitted the company in the downturn as the projects and budgets have been slashed in Live Events. Rachel recognised that she has to be more structured since the early days where she was very much hands on, she now finds herself managing and moving the company forward. Something she admits seems at times rather alien to her. How she wins work is being really good a what you do – helping people to communicate their story in a variety of multi platform and cross discipline work, that is memorable and full of impact.
Alan James, a freelance producer shared with us his experience of producing a unscripted improvised live band with an orchestra and live writing composers. The Band –“The Bays” based in London.
10 years ago, a group of session musicians from well know acts came together and decided not to make records but only play live totally improvised with no rehearsals and no vocals. The four piece, The Bays, are drums, bass, keyboards and ‘science department’ – effects with a special guest each night. Alan explained the difficulties in working with an improvised band with an orchestra and how it was overcome by the use of technology.
All these speakers had qualities of passion, commitment and creativity in what they produced and how they ran their business or project. I would like to thank all of them in taking the time to come and talk. Thank you for reading…

You’ll find a new page on this website dedicated to conference materials from the recent (March 2008) Creative Enterprise conference at Birmingham City University.It includes a podcast with excerpts from most of the speakers. Be sure to check it out. 

It was largely aimed at educators but it did have a few students and some business support people amongst its delegates.  First thing to say is that a way more reflective and thoughtful digest of the conference is being put together by Charlotte Carey. Go read it. I thought it might be worth pulling together links to some of the participants as that doesn’t seem to have been done anywhere else.

Here goes:

Linda Ball gave the keynote and works at the University of the Arts London. Take a look at the Artist’s Development Toolkit she has developed and of course she’s got quite a pedigree in Art and Design employability research.

There followed four presentations from graduates of the MA Media Enterprise and the Insight Out programme at Birmingham City University. Those presenting gave an interesting glimpse of what it’s like to try to combine running a business with undertaking study whilst still having a life of sorts. The presenters were:

• Andy Hartwell from Substrackt
• Jo Hallington (some of her work here as well)
• Charlotte Bedford
• Gaelle Roche (and a case study here)

Sian Prime, formerly of NESTA gave a workshop. She helped develop the enterprise tools used in the Insight Out programme. 

Charlotte Carey presented some of her research about the MA Media Enterprise in a workshop that also had presentations by Andy and Kath Penaluna and from Antonia Walker from Bath Spa University.

 Jemima Gibbons facilitated a workshop and has blogged about it. Her speakers were: David Gibson from Queen’s University Belfast; Jacquie Green & Richard Holt from Somerset Centre for Enterprise and Terry Hunt from Birmingham City University’s School of Jewellery (which also hosted the event). Paul Long chaired a debate at the end of the day on taking the debate forward.

In all it seemed to be a useful day for delegates. I certainly feel that this is a developing area of reserch that perhaps at the moment sits a little awkwardly between not knowing if it wants to produce self-help guides for students or to engage in critical debate about the politics of enterprise. Here’s looking forward to the next conference in 2010….

If you can get to Dundee then the Scottish Institute for Enterprise is holding a one-day event that “is a unique opportunity to hear some of the most successful and inspiring entrepreneurs of our time speak about their success, what inspires them, and share some invaluable advice.”

The keynote speaker is James Caan from Dragon’s Den and there’s a quite a list of other inspiring entrepreneurs as well.

If you’re a Scottish Student it’s a mere £6 or £15 for other students.

Date: 10am – 4.30 pm, Wednesday 12th March 2008

Venue: Caird Hall, Dundee

Contact: Evelyn Hynan

Further details from their website.

The conference will be held on Wednesday 12th March at Birmingham City University’s School of Jewellery.

For all enquiries please contact Kate Beresford on 0115 9655603 or register your interest for the conference here www.enterprise.ac.uk.

Delegate Fees:
Members of Enterprise Educators UK – £45
Non-members – £90
Students – £10