I rubbed shoulders with a few of the UK’s top entrepreneurs yesterday, including the much-friendlier-in-the-flesh Doug Richard, of Dragon’s Den fame, and the angelic looking Sahar Hashemi, who introduced us to trendy coffee bars.
They shared the trials and tribulations they faced on the road to becoming millionaires and passed on their top business tips to East Anglia’s budding entrepreneurs at the aptly named ideas exchange.
But it was the down to earth Barbara Cassani who most impressed me. She identified two key points for success – common sense and bravery. She operates very much at the grassroots level, which led to her soaring success with the budget airline Go.
I remember the confusion following her decision to step down as chairman of the London 2012 Olympic bid, handing over the lead to Seb Coe, nobody at the time could really understand why.
Last night she explained the reason. She had been to an Olympics event where she was asked by someone how she was getting on with the bid for New York; her American nationality had confused others and was proving a stumbling block. She also had the vision to realise that having a former Olympics champion spearhead the bid would make it inspirational.
Relinquishing the reins meant she missed out on the glory of her achievement, putting together a unique bid in the record time of only two years, consulting with top sportsmen and local people for what proved to be the breathtaking winning formula.
It seems an extraordinary selfless act, her sole aim was that they should be successful and she identified herself as a weak link in her role as chairman, so graciously stepped down. She practised what she preached – common sense and bravery. I was delighted to hear she was awarded an honorary CBE for her work on this.
Does that come as a surprise to you? Has Barbara been given the credit she deserves? Was it fair that Barbara missed out on the public praise and recognition, even though it was very much her project. She nobly insisted last night: “I didn’t do it for credit, I did it for winning!”.
Do you agree with her business tips? If not, what would your top tip be to becoming an entrepreneur?
Well, that is true grit and leadership. It takes a lot to realise that you may be causing a problem and having done all the hard work let someone else take the glory.
You don’t think there might have been a cynical aspect to this? I mean quitting whilst on top, knowing deep down that it might eventually turn out to be a fiasco – overdue and grossly over-budget? Just a thought…
Jim, You are very cynical and I don’t think that was the case at all. With hindsight though, it appears that not enough detail was paid to the financial side of the bid, you should never rely on promises unless they are made in writing.
What big project does meet its budget? I can never understand why so many of them are wide off the mark, ie the new Wembley football stadium, as well as hospitals and schools, etc.
Benedict, I believe it was true grit and leadership – how often do we see that today, followed by personal sacrifice?
Rare qualities indeed….
Bravery and common sense. IMHO, both are sadly lacking in Britain. More about this later!
I too attended this good event last night and was indeed impressed by Barbara. She’s certainly one dynamic lady with strong views but prepapred to listen to others, which again is so sadly missing from our present day Government. Overall 6 entrepreneurs won a slice of the million pounds on offer, but what a shame only 2 females featured in this. However very pleased that both did get some funding and the only one that was not indirectly related to IT or Science in any way was a very impressive Grandmother who invented a replacement for the bulky babies nappies to be carried around in. Well done and it just shows you can achieve success at any age too.
Liza, Thank you for mentioning the £1 million that was on offer to local entrepreurners who proved they had an outstanding businesses to support. Yes, it was a shame that women did not feature more prominently, especially with Barbara and Sarah as two excellent role modes.
Ellee, Yes I know, I was just being runcible 😉
I only hope it doesn’t turn out to be another ‘Wembly Stadium’!
Jim, I do like that word “runcible,” it seems to be a favourite of yours. As it is so unusual, I have looked up what it means in case others think you may have a terrible affliction!
“A three-pronged fork, such as a pickle fork, curved like a spoon and having a cutting edge.”
Wkipedia offers a better definition of runcible i think at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runcible_spoon
“A runcible spoon is a fictitious utensil that appears in the nonsense poetry of Edward Lear. More generally, the word “runcible” is also used of objects other than spoons in Lear’s work. It is fundamentally a nonsense word.”
Geoff, Are you suggesting that Jim talks nonsense?
She did a great job. I have doubts though the Onlypics can be completed properly. Wenbley Stadium is still under construction. Other countries have built 10 in much faster time for the World Cup.
It would be nice to see the olympics come good, hopefully the preperation will not overshadow the actual event.
Babara Cassani sounds like the type of person who should be working in politics.
Jeff, True, she would be a great MP, except politics is not quite as lucrative as being an entrepreneur.
Ellee, I agree she’s good value but I think she was right to step aside as I don’t think she would have put London over the line and she clearly thought that too. As for the financial fiasco, well Jim is right in a way – it is and will be unless something drastic is done soon.
Great blog but more like a Hello! article. It is a little odd that the highly paid “star” steals the show and there is little to say about the event. Pease let me know when you blog the event.
Philip, Are you the same person that called me yesterday who wants to go on Dragons Den?
That is not what blogging is all about, or at least not my style. If you want to read a full blown account about the event, then you buy the local newspaper. I wanted to focus on one part that interested me, along with many others who also were there, something that stood out, she was the one person everyone was talking about.
I do not read Hello myself, though I have nothing against it, but as far as I know, these issues I mentioned have not been covered by the mag. There is always a first time though! However, if you give me another call, I will fill you in.
As an adverb (rather than as an adjective), runcible is (like a point in geometry) defined axiomatically, that is, by its context. So if I’m feeling in a runcible mood, goodness knows what I might get up to.
Jim, Regardless of its definition, you seem very agreeable to me, and even when you don’t agree, it is always a pleasure to have you join in the conversation.
She seems a perceptive woman and I think she did the right thing. I couldn’t care less about any sport myself, but would point out that Wales at least managed to build its Millennium Stadium! [And I never thought I’d say anything good about it as the transport problems inflicted upon ordinary Cardiffians on “match days” don’t bear thinking about!]
WL, That stadium is a real credit to you. Even my husband and sons have travelled there for a football match, I hope to make it there one day myself too.
I once flew on Go and Barbara announced on the intercom that she was on the plane and would talk to everyone on the plane individually pretty interesting experience.
I think if a leader can step aside for the right reasons.. recognising their own limitations then it is proof of good leadership.
Sadly I have never met one who has done this. Perhaps she is the first?
Runcible.. is that point just below being naughty… eg my son will say, if I ask him was he naughty, “No not naughty dad, just runcible”
It’s a great word… eg having a few beers can be considered a runcible act..
:o)
Geoff, That’s exactly what Barbara told us she used to do, she loved surprising people on flights and would deal with complaints personally. One person stood up and said that flying on Go was his best flight experience.
Simon, perhaps your son is a chip off the old block, it sounds like he has a runcible dad! 🙂
Quote : With hindsight though, it appears that not enough detail was paid to the financial side of the bid, you should never rely on promises unless they are made in writing.
Or any promises involving this Labour government……..
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6151176.stm