The events industry has been challenging over the past two years - many companies are holding their budgets close to their chests and just not spending. I could spend hours explaining how to get value from your events but many people are just not listening as they have too many unknowns and it’s all too scary.  As a business owner myself I do understand those issues, at times like this you do need to cut costs but don’t throw the baby out with the bath water. I’ve been lucky - I’ve won some new clients and been able to keep my events calendar going but I’ve not been overly challenged.  However, I always work best when under pressure and so I’ve been looking at ways to get new experiences and keep every hour filled with new opportunities.

The most rewarding work I’ve been doing has been with the Young Enterprise - this charity meets my beliefs and values and allows me to use my core skills effectively.  I’ve delivered programmes in primary and secondary schools and am constantly amazed how these kids can teach me how to run my business better.  From learning how to deal with distracted 5 year olds to presenting to sixty 13 year olds the experiences have enabled me to bring new insight and skills to my business.  Hopefully my own experiences of working within corporate companies, resellers and then setting up on my own has also brought some new thinking from the pupils. All too often then only see one route to work and can’t look beyond the immediate.  I firmly believe the world is your oyster, if only you have the right attitude and the  motivation to reach for it.

I’ve just signed up for the Employability programme which is a 2 hour commitment once a month for 8 months.  
Yes, I’ll probably be preparing the evening before but surely that amount of commitment could be made by most businesses?  You’d think so and yet the Young Enterprise are still short of advisors.  What will I get out of it?  A new perspective, time out to think about the business whilst not working on it, and hopefully personal connections which will help at least one student take a more challenging career path.

What advice would I give to anyone else who wants to support charities?  Match the charity to your own believes and values - you need to put your heart and soul into it or it’ll become a drag.  Make the commitment but stick rigidly to it - some charities can demand more and more time and it’s hard to say no.  If you’re clear about what you can do, then they’ll be able to find a role that’s suitable and not demand more. Don’t think about it as a waste of time - rather like exhibitions, the more you put in, the more you get out.  Be open to new ideas and you’ll be surprised at how your knowledge grows.