Entrepreneurs Bootcamp 2006 News

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2006 NEWS FROM THE

ENTREPRENEURS BOOTCAMP!

BOOTCAMP IS GO!

A competition to find Plymouth's most promising would-be entrepreneurs is being launched in the city in the New Year. The competition will be the first stage in the Entrepreneurs' Bootcamp event, due to take place in March, which will see eager wannabes put through their paces by everyone from the Royal Marines to a business psychologist.

The entrepreneurs - who can be of any age or come from any background - will then experience an intensive five-day bootcamp aimed at pushing them to the limit. But the idea is that by putting themselves through such an intensive experience, they will be given a unique opportunity to tap into the business expertise of companies across the city.

Organiser Sue Windley, director of Pragmatic Performance Management, said: "The concept is about learning from the experience of other people. We're trying to give a background knowledge with an added practical element to it. We will have real people telling the participants about the good and the bad things involved in business. We will show them what to do when things go wrong so that they get to see both sides of business."

Full Article by Liz Parks, Herald Business Reporter, 16 November 2006.

ENTREPRENEURS BOOTCAMP™ COMPETITION LAUNCHED DURING NATIONAL ENTERPRISE WEEK

15th November 2006: a Bootcamp taster is being hosted by the Millfields Trust and the Wolseley Trust to provide an insight into what participants can expect during the 5-day Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ and 12-month follow-up. Plus the event will announce the date for the competition for the three Plymouth-based places sponsored by the Wolseley Community Economic Development Trust, the Millfields Community Economic Development Trust and Devonport Regeneration Community Partnership.

The Wolseley Trust Business Park exists to encourage local businesses to develop and prosper in order to benefit people from the Plymouth Wards of Ham, Stoke, Keyham and Trelawney. It is envisaged that that successful businesses on site will mean job creation for those living in these wards and preference will be shown to businesses demonstrating a commitment to local employment opportunities. WCEDT. also aims to provide tangible benefits to local community through the encouragement of community businesses on site, such as those associated with child care, security, site maintenance, cleaning and catering. Further details are available from the WCEDT website.

The Millfields Trust is a not-for-proft company set up to enable local people to contribute and manage the regeneration of local neighbourhoods, in particular the former St Peter Ward. The Trust uses its income from the letting of units as a way of generating income to be self sustaining whilst providing a comprehensive business support package aimed at giving all of its tenants a range of support services and access to advice and information. This compliments existing services which include seminars, breakfast meetings, social events and conference facilities. Further details are available from the Millfields Trust website.

The DRC Partnership’s vision is to create a thriving, vibrant community that raises aspirations, grasps opportunities and which has people queuing to join. As a suburb of Plymouth, Devonport is home to approx. 4500 people. In 1999 the government set up a ten-year £2 billion regeneration programme called New Deal for Communities (NDCs). Thirty nine of the most deprived neighbourhoods around the country were chosen to receive up to £50 million to tackle multiple deprivation over the ten-year period. Devonport was chosen to be one of these NDCs because of the many problems in the area, including high unemployment, poor health figures, below average levels of qualifications, high crime and poor physical environment, receiving an award of £48.73 million to address these issues.

The resident elected Board consulted the people of Devonport on what they thought were key problems and how they would like to see them addressed. The result is a set of local strategies covering our five theme areas: crime and community safety, environment (including buildings), health, education and employment. These strategies guide us as we now enter the “delivery” phase – the big spending phase – and push to achieve the important changes we all know Devonport needs. Further details are available from the DRPC website.

ENTREPRENEURS BOOTCAMP™ DESIGNER CHALLENGES BUSINESS SOUTH WEST

12 October 2006: Sue Windley, co-designer of the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ provided a taster of the challenges to come on the first day of Business South West 2006. Starting with the background to some of the business growth myths in the south west (see video), Sue provided an insight into the key requirements needed to win through to the Bootcamp: drive and determination, coupled with a business idea. You can download the presentation here.

The remaining sponsor/investors are being recruited to support the finalists through the Bootcamp. If your business would like to invest in the future success stories in this region, plus gain the opportunity to promote your business nationally, contact PPM Ltd or download our information & sponsorship form.

If you think you have what it takes to be a participant on the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™, we are taking details of would-be competitors in preparation for the main competition, which is scheduled for early 2007. Contact us (heading your e-mail Bootcamp Competition).

WOMEN IN BUSINESS TO GET A TASTE OF THE ENTREPRENEURS BOOTCAMP™

31st October 2006: A taster of the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ phenomenon is being given at the Business Support Network/Women in Business Conference Conference 'Together the Future is Ours' at the new Sandy Park Conference Centre, Exeter. Sue Windley, co-designer of the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ will provide a taster in one hour of what is going to be in store for the intrepid entrepreneurs when they tackle the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp.

Sue commented "We need more women entrepreneurs to have the chance to get the profile and publicity they deserve as I know there are plenty of women entrepreneurs out there. The Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ is an ideal way to raise their profile and get the “helping hand” they need to turn their vision into reality – whether they are starting up a new venture or already have existing business. I hope this taster will give women in business the encouragement to enter the Bootcamp and go for it!"

TRY OUT THE ENTREPRENEURS BOOTCAMP™ AT BUSINESS SOUTH WEST

1st October 2006: A taster of the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ phenomenon is being given at the Business South West exhibition at WestPoint, Exeter on Thursday 12th October 2006. It promises to deliver a one hour experience of what is going to be in store for the 12 intrepid entrepreneurs when they tackle the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp.

The Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ is a radically new approach to nurture and establish new entrepreneurs in business. It aims to give anyone who has demonstrated their entrepreneurial spirit the “helping hand” they need to turn their vision into reality – whether they want to start up a new company or are an employee in an existing business looking to develop an idea.

The taster event is free to attend but places are limited and need to be booked via the Business South West website www.business2businessshows.com

ENTREPRENEURS BOOTCAMP™ GEARING UP ITS PROFILE

September 2006: During autumn 2006, Investors and budding entrepreneurs will be given many opportunities to "sample before they buy" by attending a number of tasters of the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ phenomenon.

Three tasters are being presented during October and November 2006:

- 12th October at the Business South West exhibition at WestPoint, Exeter

- 31st October at the Women in Business conference, Exeter and

- 14th November during National Enterprise Week in Plymouth.

Further details on press coverage are available from Sue Windley, designer of the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™. If you would like to sponsor one of the places on the Bootcamp, download further details here.

BOOTCAMP FOR BUSINESS SOUTH WEST ENTREPRENEURS

An exciting initiative has been confirmed for Business South West 2006, which takes place at the Westpoint Arena, Exeter, on October 12 and 13. Visitors to the event will be be able to join an Entrepreneurs Bootcamp which is being staged by Pragmatic Performance Management Ltd, the business acceleration specialists behind the innovative enterprise.

The Entrepreneurs Bootcamp, which is being piloted as part of the Plymouth Business Growth initiative gives business leaders five years’ entrepreneurial experience in five days by immersing them in an intensive and demanding expert-led programme. The Business South West 2006 mini-version of Entrepreneurs Bootcamp will condense the experience even further to give visitors a one-hour taste of what is involved.

Visitors to Business South West can register for this activity by logging onto the website www.business2businessshows.com, where more information is also available about the largest and one of the longest-running business-to-business forums of its kind in the UK.

ENTREPRENEURS BOOTCAMP PILOT OPENS ITS DOORS TO DEVON & CORNWALL

July 2006: The pilot for the first ever Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ has been opened up to include competitors from across the two counties following requests to widen the geographic reach of the contestants and the sponsor/investors.

Currently sponsor/investors are still being recruited to support the 12 finalists through the Bootcamp. If your business would like to invest in the future success stories in this region, plus gain the opportunity to promote your business nationally, download the sponsorship form.

SUE'S FRESH JOBS IDEA (Evening Herald)

July 2006: A city entrepreneur is branching out with an idea which it is hoped will see new businesses and jobs created in Plymouth. Sue Windley, co-director of Pragmatic Performance Management Ltd, is organising the first ever Entrepreneurs' Bootcamp in November during National Enterprise Week. The initiative - which is being organised as a competition - aims to put Plymouth on the map as a hotbed for entrepreneurs.

Born in Surrey and having lived in Surrey, St Austell, Germany, Edinburgh and Portsmouth - to name just a few locations - why does Sue feel the need to help boost Plymouth's economic future? "Plymouth has a huge amount of potential," said the 42-year-old, who moved to Plymouth in 2001. "When you have spent time in capital cities and other cities of its size, you realise that Plymouth has such a huge spirit that is yet to be truly realised. There are more than 50 Plymouths around the world - this city helped find the world. If only we could find some of that pioneering attitude now we would leap forward." Sue said the idea for the bootcamp originated about two years ago during a conversation with her business partner, Carolyn Story. Click here for full article.

SPONSORSHIP STILL AVAILABLE FOR THE ENTREPRENEURS BOOTCAMP™

June 2006: Already a host of local businesses have declared their support for the Plymouth pilot Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ through financial sponsorship and hosting, but more sponsors are still needed to support the 12 contestants through the 5-day Bootcamp set to take place during National Enterprise Week (13-17 November 2006). Contact PPM Ltd to find out more or download sponsorship form to see current listing of the supporting businesses and investment details for the Bootcamp.

JUNE 2006: BOOTCAMP FOR SOUTH WEST ENTREPRENEURS (B2B Magazine)

An exciting initiative has been confirmed for Business South West 2006, which takes place at the WestPoint Arena, Exeter, on October 12 and 13. Visitors to the event will be able to join an Entrepreneurs Bootcamp which is being staged by Pragmatic Performance Management Ltd, the business acceleration specialists behind the innovative enterprise.

Entrepreneurs Bootcamp, which is being piloted in Plymouth as part of the Plymouth Business Growth initiative in November and which recently launched in Cornwall, gives business leaders five years’ entrepreneurial experience in five days by immersing them in an intensive and demanding expert-led programme. The Business South West 2006 mini-version of the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp will condense the experience even further to give visitors a one-hour taste of what is involved. Visitors to Business South West can register for the event by logging onto the website www.business2businessshows.com where more information is also available about the largest and one of the longest-running business-to-business forums of its kind in the UK.

ENTREPRENEURS BOOTCAMP™ STOMPS INTO TAMAR SCIENCE PARK (Parklife)

May 2006: The Tamar Science Park backs the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ in the latest edition of Parklife. The TSP will be hosting the final stage of the Competition in October 2006 and some of the Bootcamp events during National Enterprise Week (13-17 November 2006). TSP Chief Executive Nigel Halford said "We fully support this groundbreaking initiative which sits so neatly with what we are doing here in providing a supporting and conducive environment for the development of innovative ideas and the creation of new business."

'ROGUE TRADER' BACKING CITY'S ENTREPRENEURS (Evening Herald Business Reporter Liz Parks)

Rogue trader Nick Leeson has joined an impressive list of people backing a competition to raise levels of entrepreneurship in Plymouth. The infamous figure behind the collapse of Barings Bank - who has since survived a six-year stint in a Singapore jail and colon cancer to become a football manager in Ireland - will be leading one day of an Entrepreneurs' Bootcamp event in the city.

The competition, which is throwing down the gauntlet to wannabe entrepreneurs in Plymouth, will form a key part of the city's Enterprise Week activities from November 13 to 20. City businesses and even the Royal Marines are also lending their support to the unique scheme, which will see 12 of the city's most talented entrepreneurs put through a grueling boot camp aimed at giving them five years'-worth of business experience in just five days. This will be followed up by 12 months of business mentoring and support aimed at giving them the best possible chance of success.

More details about the competition were revealed at a breakfast meeting held yesterday at the Future Inns hotel at Derriford. Organiser Sue Windley said the event would test the mettle of the 12 candidates chosen to take part. She said: "It's competitive, it's not politically correct, it's not friendly, it's not easy. This is about the crème de la crème of business because this is what Plymouth deserves. We deserve the best and we're going to have it."

The breakfast meeting also gave business leaders the chance to get an update on Plymouth Business Growth - the initiative which aims to drive forward Plymouth's economic growth and boost its enterprise culture. Project manager Peter Norris said: "Plymouth is changing, and it's changing very much for the better. There's a great mood of optimism and new investment in the city." The breakfast meeting also featured a talk by Goss Interactive managing director Richard George about how he built a rapidly-growing content management business that is now winning work across the UK and Europe.

Herald editor Bill Martin, chairman of the Plymouth Business Growth Enterprise Week group, gave an update on plans to celebrate the city's achievements during that week - including a showcase business event and awards dinner. And Jane Henderson, who takes up her appointment as chief executive of the South West Regional Development Agency on Monday, briefly introduced herself - and urged businesses to give her straight-talking feedback about the organisation's performance.

ENTREPRENEURS BOOTCAMP™ LAUNCHED IN PLYMOUTH

April 2006: The Plymouth Business Growth (PBG) project hosted the launch of the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ in Plymouth at a business breakfast. Peter Norris, Project Manager for the PBG project said "We have been seeking ideas that have the vision to promote the profile of Plymouth as a place inspiring ideas, enterprise, creativity, hard work and success. There are plenty of examples of leading enterprise and businesses in Plymouth, but the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ is by far the most original and innovative approach we have seen, which is why the project (along with many local businesses) are giving it our full support.”

The breakfast featured Plymouth Entrepreneur Richard George, MD of Goss Interactive, which is the UK's leading supplier of Enterprise Content Management solutions. Goss Interactive have been growing so successfully that in 2005 they won a place in the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Awards for a second consecutive year. Richard shared his ideas about what makes a business successful and why he is supporting the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ as a sponsor. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of a participant in the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™, contact PPM Ltd for further information.

ENTREPRENEURS BOOTCAMP MAKES THE CONNECTION!

April 2006: Plymouth businesses were given an insight as to how they can invest directly into future businesses in the city. Sue Windley, designer of the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp addressed the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce & Industry Connect audience today about the plans for a pilot Entrepreneurs Bootcamp in Plymouth. She provided brief details about this private sector initiative that is being back by the Plymouth Business Growth project and offered potential investors the opportunity to play a part in developing new entrepreneurs.

SOUTH WEST'S LEADING IP PRACTITIONER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ENTREPRENEURS BOOTCAMP™

March 2006: Noel Akers, one of Europe's leading practitioners of intellectual property (IP) law, is to participate in the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ to ensure participants' innovative ideas get protected. He is generously donating his time to be available throughout the competition stages as well as the 5-day immersion event, so that even if people do not win through to the final 12, they will have the chance to learn the basics about safe-guarding their intellectual property rights.

Noel said "There's certainly no shortage of innovation and good ideas down here and the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ is an excellent way to get new ideas off the ground. And innovative ideas need to be properly protected - which is our kind of expertise comes in. I am delighted to be involved in the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™, to play my part helping these new businesses get the launch and support they deserve."

EVENING HERALD BACKS THE ENTREPRENEURS BOOTCAMP™ IN PLYMOUTH

March 2006: The Evening Herald, the voice of Plymouth lends their support to the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ competition and event. Bill Martin, editor of the Evening Herald said: "This is just what Plymouth needs. The Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ will allow anybody with the guts and determination to succeed to have a shot at launching their business idea. We want more opportunities like this for the business people in this city to showcase their fantastic ideas and opportunities." The Evening Herald will feature articles and interviews about the people taking part in the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ competition, well as providing the latest news on what is happening with all aspects of the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™.

THE HUB LOVES A CHALLENGE!
March 2006: We recently managed to do up the Velcro on our shoes in 12 seconds flat – the Guinness Book of Records was mightily impressed, and so is everyone we tell. We also like to create little challenges for you, our beloved Hubbers. So here’s your chance to get involved in a new and exciting project that will eclipse the Apprentice and Dragons’ Den, oh and we’re hosting the launch of this to the world as well! At our next event on Thursday March 30 taking place at Fowey Hall Hotel at, er, Fowey, Sue Windley from Pragmatic Performance Management will tell us about……..the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp.

Ready for launch in the spring of 2006, the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ is a radically new approach to nurturing and establishing new entrepreneurs in business. Presented in two different elements, she will show that anyone with an entrepreneurial spirit can be given a “helping hand” to turn their vision into reality. The first element is total immersion: experiential learning of what it feels like to establish, run, survive disasters and grow a successful business – and be tutored by those who have been there and done it already. But this way is not easy – only the fittest and most innovative will survive. The second element is to have the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ phenomenon at a time and place to suit you: the Bootcamp in a Box™. A multi-sensory learning experience that will let you develop into a successful entrepreneur at your pace – plus a whole host of practical tips, tools and activities to get your business established. So book your free place now for this great opportunity and we look forward to speaking to you at Fowey Hall starting at 6.30pm.

BOOTCAMP FOR BUSINESS (Chamber Link magazine)

Ready for launch in the spring of 2006, the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ programme is a radically new approach to nurturing and establishing new entrepreneurs in business. It will ensure anyone with an entrepreneurial spirit can be given a “helping hand” to turn their vision into reality. It is not a training course, but a total immersion in what it feels like to establish, run, survive disasters and grow a successful business – and be mentored by those who have been there and done it already. But this way is not easy – only the fittest and most innovative will survive.

The first Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ will be piloted in Plymouth as part of the Plymouth Business Growth initiative. Sue Windley, designer of the Bootcamp leads the Entrepreneurship Action Team, which is a group of businesses who donate their energy, time and effort to projects, events and activities to grow a sustainable entrepreneurial culture in the city. She says: “It constantly amazes me just how many innovative and entrepreneurial businesses are working in Plymouth, but the key problem is that people just don’t get to hear about them. At least the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ will give people the opportunity to see what is happening in the city as well as the chance for 12 lucky entrepreneurs to be given all the support they need to kick start their venture.” The Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ comprises three stages. Firstly, participants will have to win a place in a tough competition. But by surviving “five years’ entrepreneurial experience in five days”, they can gain the ultimate prize: 12 months’ practical support from experienced entrepreneurs and business specialists to set up, establish and accelerate their idea into a high growth business. If you feel you have what it takes to enter, contact info@entrepreneursbootcamp.co.uk for more information.

TOUGH TEST FOR TOP BUSINESS BRAINS

November 2005: Articles by Liz Parks, Evening Herald Business Reporter. During National Enterprise Week 2005, two articles about the Bootcamp were published. Download 14 November Tough test for top business brains and 15 November Bootnecks launch business Bootcamp.

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