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What comes to mind when you think of the word entrepreneurship?  My guess is that most people will fit into the third camp in the poll below.  (But, we’ll see how the poll pans out.)  See, when I talk to my non self-employed friend and colleagues, there is  a collective shudder when they realise I’ve no regular pay-packet, or reliable, regular income.

It doesn’t bother me, coming from a somewhat entrepreneurial background.  And, I was always encouraged to take risks and do my own thing.  That added to the fact that I hate working for someone else.  Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later, wasn’t it?

So, what does it take?  I’ve drawn up a list of things to think about.  And, if you’d like to learn more, or work through what’s involved in setting up in business, then come along to my workshop, and we’ll work it out together.

Have you got what it takes?  (So, what does it take?)

Ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do you like working alone?
2. Can you plan and organise your time, so that things get done?
3. Would you be prepared to work over the weekend to complete a proposal for a client (sometimes)?
4. Does the prospect of being able to take  day off when you want appeal to you? 
5. Are you a finisher?
6. Does the question ‘Where do you see yourself in five years? bore/scare/panic you?
7. Would you consider yourself to be a creative person?
8. Can you see a gap in your market?
9. Have you got confidence to sell your product to those who don’t know they want it yet? 
10. Do you believe in your product?
11. Is your service gonna be better than anyone else’s?
12. Can you identify what’s different about you?
13. What resources will be available to you, once you begin?
14. Who will support you financially through the initial lean times?
15. Is there even a vague plan in place for what happens if it doesn’t work out?
16. What are your thoughts on continual professional development for you?
17. Who’s gonna design your website and marketing materials?
18. Are you ready to begin?
19. When are you going to begin?
20. Have you started on the path?  Why not?  To help you get kick-started, why not attend our So You Want to be an Entrepreneur? event.  Details below.

[polldaddy poll=1452384]

Event Details & Booking

Saturday 16 May 09, 09:30 – 16:30.

Location: Queens University Belfast.

To book a place, phone the School of Education (Open Learning) on 028 9097 3539/3323 or email openlearning.education@qub.ac.uk.  Cost £23 pp.

What is a blog?  It is a mini, personalised website.  The difference between a regular website and a blog is that the owner posts articles – blog posts – regularly to let the public know what he/she is up to.  Use it to display your interests, photos of family/friends or even promote your business.

I am are holding a two-day workshop – Welcome to the Blogosphere: Blogging for Beginners – at QUB, Belfast on Saturday 21 & 28 March.  To book a place, phone the School of Education (Open Learning) on 028 9097 3539/3323 or email openlearning.education@qub.ac.uk.

On this practical workshop, you will create a blog (with www.wordpress.com) and learn how to customise it with posts, photos, links and tools.  You will also be given access to three months’ free technical support.

This workshop is for total beginners only.  I promise – once you begin, you’ll be blogging into the wee small hours!

The BT Small Business and Franchise Show took place this weekend in the King’s Hall, Belfast to launch Northern Ireland National Enterprise Week which lasts from 17-23rd November.

We plan to be there at some events this week too.  Happy looking, learning and networking!  We’d love to hear what you thought of the events.

On Thursday 23/10/08, I will be speaking at Women on the Move’s October networking event.  To book your place, contact Joanne on 028 2565 8618 or info@womenonthemove.org.uk.  The topic?

Groundswell: Are You Ignoring the Elephant in the Room?

If you want to know more, email me.