#entrepreneur #simd #scotland

When I started entrepreneur me I had a grand idea....
"Encouraging Ambition and Positive Attitudes for Social Change"

Social change meant alot to me, I could see we needed change and I saw entrepreneurship as a means to improve the lot of individuals and communities...

Initially I had resistance from my key customers "entrepreneurship" in schools , no thanks teachers would say, are you talking about turning all our young people into money grabbing capitalists !!!no thanks, school is not the place for that - we teach kids the important stuff (the curriculum)

Anyway The Scottish Government policy "Determined to Succeed" came along and schools bought into the message -- entrepreneurship is not only about business, learning entrepreneurial qualities like Positive Can Do Attitude, Ambition, Risk, Opportunity Spotting, Dreams/Desire, Resilience, Goals/Achievement etc matters

Well here we are 10 years on.....

- lots of young people have learned entrepreneurship from me (over 135,000 UK wide)and we have today the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation- terrible figures and tragic that here in Scotland this is happening...families living in unemployment,poverty, hopelessness, we are awash with alcohol and health issues including low mortality,we have high crime and prison numbers growing, we have the level of individual debt at a record high....

So have we failed, or have we tinkered at the edges ?

For me I put it in the failed category - it really is unacceptable that this is happening in a modern Scotland - so much still to be done and entrepreneurship is the answer

Beginning with the number 1 entrepreneur quality "Self Responsibility" - Let us remind ourselves for things to change we must change and for progress we need inspired young people and communities.

My vision is a better Scotland ....

Mountain People #attitude @frankdickcoach

There are two types of people in this world, valley people and mountain people.

Valley people seek the calm and comfortable ground of shelter, safety and security. They may talk about change but do not want to be involved in it, especially if this means breaking from the routine of what has worked okay up until now. Their concept of achievement is not losing, so playing for the draw to them is all that’s needed. Their concept of fitness is being fit to survive. They are the people you meet who sentences begin with; “I would have”, “I could have” or “I should have”. They are the almost people, who have many explanantions for not making it themselves but only one for those who have – LUCK. 

Mountain people have decided that valley life is not for them and seek to test ambition on the toughest climbs. They know that there is a rich satisfaction in reaching the top and the fight that is needed to get there. They live for the test of change and enjoy the resilience required to bounce back from the bumps and bruises that come with the mountain territory. They not only talk about change, they deliver it. They take the risk of winning because to them there is no such thing of a risk of losing. People can lose without training or practice, it comes quite naturally, so where is the risk in that? They know achievement is not always reflected in a gold medal but is always measured by the excitement of knowing just how much further their best shot takes them, when they take the risk of winning. Achievement is balanced on the finest of edges but they know that. Whatever the outcome of the contest, they are always accountable for the result. They are winners and they know it.

This has been written for mountain people, people like you. 

It is about people who succeed, who achieve, who win and who intend continuing to do so. Each of us has mountains to climb, they may not all be Mount Everest, but they are still your mountains. They can arise in our family and social life, in our business life and in our personal life. You know what yours are!

I wish you all the success you deserve, not only in climbing your next mountain but in climbing all the mountain ranges where your ambition and dreams will surely take you.

Extract from “Winning” by Frank Dick @frankdickcoach 

My work has been about encouraging Mountain people- or better yet to encourage others to join me on the mountain - certainly that's where the adventure is.....Matt

#attitude in #wishaw @Airdrie_FC

Just back from Coltness HS where I was starting Monday by giving £25 to a young person who over the last six weeks had been demonstrating a "Positive Attitude"

I met all of S5 pupils and had a giggle with them - I do like to mess with their brains, you know ask them.....

"who this morning is ready for action, fully focused on the day ahead and ready to achieve"

"who is thinking big today - forgot yesterday and is determined to succeed"

This is the first day back after holiday and well the reaction I got was like I had landed from Mars !!

Anyway, I gave £25 to Mark McRoberts who wrote a great Positive Attitude story....Mark is a goalkeeper who has not always had it easy - he has been released by clubs and keeps working hard on his game... at the moment he is playing at a good level and has plans and Ambition to go further......

Whilst there I learned from Mark that he plays with Airdrie FC (U17) - my local club and the team that many years ago I suggested could play European Football --- for me a great thought is success for Airdrie - the town and the football club.

I said to Mark that I look forward to seeing him between the sticks at Broomfield Stadium #attitudematters

           

Attitude Matters

A Primary school pupil aged about 10 drew this for me - A person with a positive attitude and and a person with a negative attitude - note the differences - I am working to stay as often as possible to be on the positive side!!

Fife,Scotland

The last two days Matt and Ena have been in Fife with two secondary schools helping with Transition - we have had brilliant events with over 350 young people attending and being entrepreneurs for the day.... lots of friendships made  ideas galore and even a little profit from the participating youngsters.

Please see photograghs from Lochgelly High and St Columbas High Dunfermline.....

And a favourite quote from a young boy aged 11 .....

Woodmill Transition Workshop

We had a really good two days last week with around 220 Primary Seven pupils fromthe primary schools associated with Woodmill High School in Dunfermline.

Silence at 9.30am when pupils didnt know each other then bedlam at 2.30pm when trading finished.

Pictured is our Enterprise Leaders from Upper School - great young people with definate Can Do attitudes....

Enterprise Leaders @ Woodmill

Aberdeenshire CPD

Aberdeenshire CPD, a set on Flickr.

Some Photograghs from out Teacher CPD DAY in Aberdeenshire

North Berwick High School

I am just back from visiting North Berwick High School, where I worked with around 160 young people making the Step Up to high school.

Our brief was simple -- use Enterprise to encourage the young people to get to know each other, practice their teamwork skills and learn about business and trade whilst having fun.

We had a great day with the young people quiet at the start and buzzing at the end of day -- lots of profit made and definitely new friendships started.

Thanks to North Berwick HS for asking us and to the young people of Law PS,Direlton PS, Aberlady PS and Gullane PS for being successful Can Do entrepreneurs.

Pictured are the profit winners along with the team that won the teamwork and quality award.

Profit Winners

Group



Teamwork and Quality Winners



Entrepreneurs in Banff

The other day I was in Banff at Banff Academy working with around 160 young people making the transition from Primary to Secondary school.



It was a brilliant day - the young people formed their business - got some start up money and started to trade - and trade and trade

They firstly went to the supply store and bought some goods......


Busy Store

They then took the raw materials back to their business and started Manufacturing.

Once the products were Quality Control checked they were ready for sale -- Time to meet the buyers..

Pleasant Buyers !!!

Once a sale had been agreed it was time to display all the products each company had made....


Lots of Goods Sold

Of course when you make a sale it's a happy time - we've got a cheque(yahoo) - Better take it to the Bank


Bankers

Lots of business done and lots of challenges overcome - and we even managed to make a profit - well done to all......

Profit Winners

And the Quality and Teamwork winners...



Teamwork and Quality Winners

Certificates for all.......

Thanks to Mr Dunn at Banff Academy and to the brilliant young 

  

Abronhill HS

Another great day for me and the young people of Abronhill HS in Cumbernauld - Over 100 attended my workshop and learned "Success" and "Attitude Matters" We had a full on energetic session with opportunities/ambition/risk taking and "spot the entrepreneur" competition.

Well done to all - please use the learnings now - go for it - pass exams - get into Uni - aim high - then it will have been worth it ------ooh and remeber to spread the love xx

Ladybank Primary

Yesterday I was at Ladybank Primary School in Fife - a lovely small village school in the middle of great Scottish countryside.

I met around 50 young people from aged 9-11 and we spent the day being entrepreneurs - start with £25 enterprise money - make some products - sell them (for a profit)
Doesn't really seem like rocket science does it....

Problems occur of course when we have quality control / teamwork/costing/fussy buyers and other work colleagues with attitude to contend with  - aaagh the challenge of business.

The youngsters got stuck into the tasks - we had fun - all made a profit.

The got an insight into themselves their preferred job role and a look at other peoples skills too - they used our new assesment tool for reflective learning.

All in all a good day..........

Attitude Matters

Today i have been with the senior school pupils at Kirkland Community High School in Methil Fife
I have been presenting my ideas about success and what is possible for the young people

Clarity of thought,combined with determination equal success.

Bellshill Academy

Many thanks to the young people of Bellshill Academy for there positive participation in my Attitude Matters workshop --- we all had fun and set ourselves up for the best year...

Airdrie Academy ...And the winner is

To be announced next Wednesday at 10am Assembly.....See you then

Entrepreneur Gets Positive

I have been reading over the weekend about Lord Harris the Chairman and entrepreneur behind Carpetright and his determination to make a difference in the lives of young people... as well as being a successful businessman Lord Harris is the sponsor of 13 school academies around London through the Harris Federation www.harrisfederation.org.uk  he believes that a good education is the best start you can give a young child - and he is supporting these schools financially and with his time.

I wanted though the draw you attention to two photograghs taken in Tottenham - one of Lord Harris's store prior to the riots and one of the store after the riots

Before

 

 

 

After

The store had 26 Flats above it - owned by a local housing corporation - they are now burnt out and wrecked -the tenants are being rehoused - Lord Harris has stated he will support the affected people with monies to get them through these tough times Telegragh Article

People often ask me why we are encouraging entrepreneurship - is it about me/me/me and I continually say "being entrepreneurial, having ideas, getting ambitious, taking action allows individuals to contribute and make a difference"

Though he probably won't need or accept it - Thank you Lord Harris

I am interested in what you would do if your store was burnt down or another personal challenge was presented to you - give up or rebuild ?


matt@entrepreneur.me.uk

Moray Entrepreneurs

On Tuesday Helen and I were at the 8 Acres Hotel in Elgin hosting our "Enterprise is the Business" challenge - we had schools from all over Moray competing as young entrepreneurs to start thier own business and trade.

This is Millbank Primary School who won our trophy for manufacturing the Best Quality Products






We also had lots of profit on the day with all teams managing to turn the £25 start up capital into more.





We look forward to seeing you in November 2010

Enterprise is the Business

Teacher Evaluations 2008

Very well organised and enjoyable day. Chance for children to be truly independent in a positive and motivating way!
Daviot Primary, Aberdeenshire Council

Excellent workshop, very useful for future teaching the kids to think outside the box. Should be more workshops available like it. Wish we had it in my day.
New Deer Primary (parent helper), Aberdeenshire Council

Excellent experience for pupils and CPD for Teachers
Fenwick Primary, East Ayrshire Council

Another wonderful day, the pupils loved it! They enjoyed the element of competition
Mearns Primary, East Renfrewshire Council

Fab experience for all! Active learning at its best! Thank you to all who organised it!
East Craigs Primary, Edinburgh Council

Have been to this in the past and found it really valuable. Children loved the experience and very worthwhile especially incorporating the ‘Curriculum for Excellence’
Lorne Primary, Edinburgh Council

A fantastic day – very well organised and stimulating for all pupils – will def come back next year
Head of Muir Primary, Falkirk Council

Children learn such a lot in a fun, enterprising way!
St Andrew’s Primary, Falkirk Council

Well done to all the organisers! A brilliant experience that all the children really enjoyed. Very relevant to CFE!!
Leuchars Primary, Fife Council

Good course prompting the children to explore lots of different skills
Strathmiglo Primary, Fife Council

Very impressed by the quality and inventiveness of the items made. Pupils were all engaged in the process
Oakwood Primary, Glasgow City Council

A truly fantastic, fun and action-packed day! Both the children and & thoroughly enjoyed ourselves developing our enterprise skills. Thanks you! Keep up the good work.
King’s Oak Primary, Inverclyde Council

This is my third year at enterprise day and it gets better every year, well done, enjoyed our day
Mosstodloch Primary, Moray Council

Absolutely electric, loads of enthusiasm and excitement, a great day
St Sylvesters Primary, Moray Council

Children learned a lot, day was well organised and fun was had by all
Cumbrae Primary, North Ayrshire Council

Pupils challenged and enjoyed the experience. Thank you
Rochsolloch Primary, North Lanarkshire Council

All children were very engaged & motivated. Thank you
St Thomas’s Primary, North Lanarkshire Council

This is the third year our school has attended this and I feel it is the best so far. The children were enthusiastic and hardworking and got a lot of out the day. I enjoyed it too!
Newmains Primary, Renfrewshire Council

A fantastic opportunity for the children to work together as a team, independent of teacher support. The children’s enthusiasm was great to see
Edenside Primary, Scottish Borders Council

Brilliant day, a lot of fun had whilst actively learning
Kingsland Primary, Scottish Borders Council

Excellent day, kids got a lot from it, pace, challenge maintained well through the day. Thank you!
Kirkfieldbank Primary, South Lanarkshire Council

Children obviously enjoyed the whole enterprise experience. Had an insight to business world and worked as a team very rewarding.
Townhill Primary, South Lanarkshire Council

Pictured are Mossneuk Primary pupils with their winning highest profit trophy at 'Enterprise is the Business' on the 10th September 2008.

Here are our highest profit winners from 'Enterprise is the Business' held on the 9th September 2008. Pictured are pupils who took part, Helen who presented the course and Cllr Mary Smith - Chair of the Education Committee with SLC, who came to present the trophies.

St Andrew's & St Bride's High School - 'Who Wants To Be An Entrepreneur'

On the 16th June 2008 pupils from St Andrews and St Bride's High School S5 and S6 pupils attended 'Who wants to be an entrepreneur' with Matt. They were all competing against each other for the prize of £20. Pictured are the winners from the competition.

Inverkeithing High School - 'Who Wants To Be An Entrepreneur'

Pupils from Inverkeithing High School attended 'Who wants to be an entrepreneur' with Matt Stewart on Tuesday 17th June 2008. Pictured are the winners from the poster competition and their winning £20.

Peebles High - 'Who wants to be an entrepreneur'

Pictured are Matt and pupils from Peebles High. On Friday 6th June Matt presented 'Who wants to be an entrepreneur' to S5, S6 pupils. This was the winning poster and their prize of £20.

Hermitage Academy - Helensburgh

Pupils from Hermitage Academy - Helensburgh came along to 'Who wants to be an entrepreneur' on the 9th June 2008. All pupils had a great and enthusiastic day. Pictured are poster winners with their winning £20.