But, I didn't study medicine. I didn't study particularly hard full stop - something that I'm not proud of; you may have read my bio, at 17 I tried to abscond to America. So, no doctorate; instead, life continues to be my University - and this is my résumé for life. I was almost born to do this; I'm one modern businessman with more life experience, both good and bad, than most boardroom executives put together. I've seen both massive success and terrible failure, the best of what life has to offer and the worst of what success can do. I'm blessed with an immense motivation and pig headed determination to succeed. Early on I was reckless, incredibly tenacious and headstrong. My first commercial venture was when I was 17, straight off the back of that foiled trip to the United States. My determination and passion is today stronger than ever. The difference now is that I've learnt, and continue learning from my own life, and what I've discovered is relevant, real and every day. I aim to convey what I know, and what I believe in, to connect with and hopefully benefit others. The University of Life, as I call it, isn't just about taking knocks and rolling with the hard times - it's about spotting naturally gifted people, harnessing and nurturing tenacity and raw passion - natural commodities found in so many individuals that didn't or will not, for so many reasons, go on to College or University. In the main, what do we do? We overlook them, leaving things to chance. Seeing as most successful entrepreneurs come from a non-graduate background, maybe this is the baptism that separates the wheat from the chaff. In my opinion - it shouldn't be that way. That is after all the route I took, and I haven't done that badly, so just to quote that cliché - some of the world's greatest entrepreneurs didn't go to college. There must be valuable lessons being learnt elsewhere. [Back to top] The Princes Trust Why the Princes Trust? Because the work that it does is quite simply fantastic; many of the issues addressed by the Princes Trust are very familiar to me on a personal level. In the past, the events and fund-raising that I've been involved in have all be extremely rewarding. To bring benefit to those less fortunate is really quite a wonderful thing. In the new year (2007) I will be starting to work with the Princes Trust on projects with young people up and down the country to help them see for themselves just how special they really are. Young people growing up through troubled childhoods and circumstances tend to be fighters. It's subsequently no coincidence that many older successful individuals have also originated from those same troubled childhoods. So why are these people successful? What's the relationship? The answer is as I see it - because these successful individuals learnt very early on how to fight, how to be strong - they had no choice; they are in fact the same person - just as I was. [Link to Charities:The Princes Trust] [Back to top] Adam Adam, age 23 joined my company through a Government employment scheme called New Deal. Like so many other youngsters, Adam hasn't had the easiest of childhoods. He's never had a Dad around; his Mum has Cancer and has been in and out of hospitals battling to overcome a brain tumour. Adam, a young lad from Wolverhampton carries a heavy burden of expectation on his shoulders. Soon after joining, I took Adam to be fitted for a new suit, shirt and tie. In this instance, I felt the gesture extremely important in expressing my committment to him. A complete newcomer to any form of corporate environment, Adam was about to embark on a journey of self discovery, to form his individual identity in the workplace; and soon to establish himself as a important 'piece' in the company 'jigsaw puzzle'. Right from the outset, Adam had 'the view from the top' as it were - the bigger picture. He saw for himself how his efforts and responsibilities were actually key elements of something bigger and more powerful. Having never delegated anything that I haven't successfully completed myself - at any point within my field, I have instilled in Adam the understanding that it's vital to master the whole job - from top to bottom if you plan to be both truly successful as well as respected. Despite the ups and downs, Adam has over time grown in confidence and has seemingly transformed through his belief that he is indeed building himself a better future.[Back to top] What's New Deal? New Deal is a programme geared towards helping young people (in this case 18 to 24 Year Olds) who have been unemployed and claiming jobseeker's allowance for six months or more, to secure employment through the provision of high quality work, education, mentoring and training. Young people involved in this scheme will gain the skills and experience they need whilst at the same time adapting into the work ethos, hence enhancing their long-term employment prospects. Participants will initially enter a stage called Gateway where they'll be assigned their own New Deal Personal Adviser to help and give guidance. Normally they'll have the same Personal Adviser throughout their time on New Deal; during Gateway all participants will get:
- a placement on a 2 week Core Gateway course designed to provide all participants with job-seeking and job-keeping skills.
- access to independent careers advice and guidance.
- access to measures to improve immediate job prospects e.g. to improve job search techniques, confidence building.
- access to short essential skills courses, discussion with option providers and "tasters" of options.
- help from specialist agencies if needed.
- preparation of a New Deal Action Plan.
- referral to New Deal options. [New Deal for 18 to 24 year olds]
