I’m speaking on How to make Social Networking work for you at the British Library on Tuesday 29th. Its an open event and free to attend. To register click here.

This talk will cover topics:

“If you want to take advantage of using social networking for your business this will be a great place to start. With a presentation on how to create a network for your community and then plenty of time to meet others and business experts – this is a fantastic opportunity to get started.”

Tags: BritishLibrary, Raj, Social Network

I stumbled upon Project Brighton last month. An initiative by Rosie Sherry to provide Brighton technology companies with a platform. It allows Geeks to meet with other non-technical/technical people who might need help with their website, software, hardware…..

Rosie is solidly blogging on the site and actively adding conferences, events, jobs etc. I think the idea has legs plus Rosie is dedicated to make it work. She has reduced her other commitment and is passionate to make Brighton the place for technology.

Also there is a plan to add ProjectBrighton badges for the community to add to their website, blog, app etc. Looking forward to it Rosie!

Blogged with Flock

Tags: ProjectBrighton, Rosie Sherry

Make Your Mark is the national campaign to create an enterprise culture among young people in the UK. The organisation releases monthly newsletter, this month’s topic is importance of networking.  I was delighted to contribute to the newsletter as a guest writter:

Download the PDF:  Make your mark Connect newsletter

Just a quick reminder that Kwiqq will be exhibiting at Technology for Marketing and Advertising in Earls Court London on the 12th and 13th Feb

You can find the details in my earlier post.

Blogged with Flock

Tags: TFM&A, Technology, Marketing, Kwiqq, London

UKTI, Polecat, Make Your Mark, Microsoft, Ten and Techcrunch are arranging UK entrepreneurs to go to San Francisco. The aim is to explore new opportunities for growth with key people in the Silicon Valley.

Engaging UK entrepreneurs with the American market is certainly something which is required. I’m sure it will bring forward opportunities like sales, networking and collaboration for the entrepreneurs. There is a lot to be learnt from the Silicon Valley, what can beat a all paid for flight, internal transfers and hotel accommodation educational journey

Entrepreneurs would get the opportunity to attend the Web 2.0 Expo, meet with Silicon Valleys movers and shakers etc.

I like the fact that the business doesn’t have to have a long trading background. Instead it can demonstrate compelling early-stage fast-track potential (i.e. Business results/plans or Management track record).

Although one of the requirement is:

“Can Demonstrate some commitment to sustainable business practices (eg, positive environmental or social outputs)”

Does that imply Web Mission will give preference to Social Entrepreneurs/businesses ?

When I put this question to Jim Lawn at Polecat, his reply was

Polecat will be providing input into the UK Trade & Industry selection process from a sustainability perspective, looking at how a business can articulate its impact across the triple bottom line of People, Planet and Profit. To be clear, no preferential treatment will be given to social entrepreneurs/businesses. The businesses that go out to San Francisco will be sound 21^st Century UK web businesses looking to extend their reach into the US; as such they will also be able to articulate their intended impact on People, Planet and Profit. More than happy to talk this through further with anyone considering applying.

This is really an exciting opportunity. I’m not sure why any entrepreneur in the UK would want to miss it !

Blogged with Flock

Tags: WebMission, Silicon Valley, UK Entrepreneurs

There are few well known marketing exhibitions in London including Ad-Tech (London), Internetworld etc.

One of the upcoming marketing and advertising events next year is TFM&A organised from 12-13Feb 2008 in Earls Court 2, London.




The event claims to be :

“The UK’s only dedicated event delivering data, digital and CRM solutions for marketing, media and advertising professionals”

Find who is Exhibiting , FAQs, Sponsorship Opportunities and Highlights of 2007

This year’s highlights are:

• 40 Free Seminars in 4 themed Theatres
• Networking Bar
• Specialist Clinic
• Advertising Agency Pavilion

Kwiqq will be exhibiting too, so if you are interested in meeting with us face to face why not register now

Blogged with Flock

Tags: TFM&ATechnology for Marketing & Advertising Ad-tech internetworld kwiqq

Looking at the university enterprise societies  at Oxford, LSE and Cambridge I feel that University of Sussex has a special place, because of its emphasis on both business and social Entrepreneurship.

Social entrepreneurship is the work of a social entrepreneur. A social entrepreneur is someone who recognizes a social problem and uses entrepreneurial principles to organize, create, and manage a venture to make social change. Whereas business entrepreneurs typically measure performance in profit and return, social entrepreneurs assess their success in terms of the impact they have on society.

I think Sussex has a long way to go to truly showcase its entrepreneurial talent. US has shown its entrepreneurial flavour at several occasions: top spot at the MAD Ideas competition, actively supporting Shell Technology Enterprise programme, forming a students Enterprise society: Ilumus and Enterprise Thursday. To spread the word around, Jon Markwell Sussex University Alumni Entrepreneur is organising an event : Enterprising Engineers. You don’t have to be technical just curious about starting a business.

Venue: Medical School Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex
Date: 21st Feb 2008
Time: At 5.30pm
Fee: £0.00

[Sign Up: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/business/1-3-1-1-3.html ]

What do I get: Free Beer/Food + opportunity to learn how to make Billions

Speakers:

Ian Ozsvald - ShowMeDo.com - Online Video Tutotials
Lincoln Smith - www.iolab.co.uk - Response Time Measurement Devices
Raj Anand - www.kwiqq.com - Social Networking Software
Neil Purssey - www.firecoltd.com - Fire Safety Equipment

My Thoughts on Entrepreneurship at Sussex

I think we are not actively informing students about entrepreneurship at our uni. As a result many, including myself, whilst at university never felt that was/is a feasible option. Graduates are bombarded with corporates trying to employee them, tempting students with attractive salaries. Here is my list of advantages of being in a Job and own business (entrepreneurship)

Advantages of working for others

1. Brilliant salaries, nice way to pay off those student debts
2. 9am - 5pm limited and defined working hours

Advantages of being an Entrepreneur

1. Salaries are not very high initially but you are guaranteed satisfaction. In a year or two when you look back you are truly proud of your achievement
2. As an entrepreneur you don’t fear redundancies. There is nothing like a stable job (yes no 9-5 job is stable..one day you will be sacked ), as an entrepreneur you control your salary and ambitions.
3. Life is exciting. You’ll never feel that you are repeating a task, everyday is a learning experience.
4. Within a year or two you will learn several skills. I heard an entrepreneur say once “I feel like 1/4th Lawyer, 1/3rd designer, 1/5th Business Development expert, 1/3 Marketer after working for myself for a year”

Blogged with Flock

Tags: YoungGraduates, Sussex University, Enterprising Engineers, beer