News
AMAZON IS MAD ABOUT ROBERT Normally we expect to see at least one of Robert's books listed in the recommendations of business books we get from Amazon, but imagine our delight when we saw not one but three of his books listed! With it's average rating of 5 out 5 stars we were very pleased to see How to Start Your Own Business For Entrepreneurs make the March list along with Instant Entrepreneur and The Entrepreneur's Book of Checklists, each with their own excellent ratings. That means that for customers interested in business, finance and law, Robert's books are 3 out of the overall 8 suggested by Amazon! THOUGHT PROVOKING TALK ON SEX IN BUSINESS GETS FIRST HEARING IN CAMBRIDGE Members of a local networking group were first to hear a controversial new talk on sex in business at an Inspired Event on February 18th near Cambridge. Business author, conference speaker and social entrepreneur Robert Ashton delivered a thought provoking talk called 'The Role of Sex in Success' to a packed audience at Cook's Barn, near Bottisham as part of a series organised by The Inspired Group. The talk was part of a series examining the work of journalist Napoleon Hill highlighting his viewpoint that we create success by using the power of our minds. This point was ably illustrated by Robert who explained how sex could be used to motivate and drive us to be more creative and determined in a business context. He said: "Sex is all around us, and you often have to use the same methods in business that you do to win a life partner and keep them. It's the same process - appealing to others, courting them, getting on and even splitting up amicably further down the line without damaging your business." He continued: "We all enjoy innuendo and if something makes you smile you often remember it well. Stiff Nipples Air Conditioning Service is a classic example and it also suggests benefit as well as being memorable! It can work the other way though and businesses need to think carefully about their branding. When Pen Island set up a domain name without using any hyphens or underscores it may have confused a few people." Ann Hawkins said: "Robert used metaphor and strong images to illustrate his points and it was an interesting insight into how basic human instincts can be used to commercial advantage." Robert also emphasised how important it is to look after clients and give them something a little unexpected now and again. "In relationships you'd send a Valentine's card, but in business it's also a great idea to show a customer how much you value them. I'm not suggesting you send your customers Valentine cards every year but think about what would be of value to them as an added extra to keep them onside." Robert was also one of the first to be interviewed by Ian McKendrick as part of the launch of The Business Hub at markandian.com, an interactive site full of content, information and discussion forums which works in collaboration with Star Radio's business broadcast on Sundays. Ian said: "It was another amazing talk from Robert and although the topic was controversial he dealt with it humorously and had the audience in fits of laughter." To listen to the interview on AudioBoo click here and hit play. For further information on Inspired Events contact Ann Hawkins on 01480 830282 or visit theinspiredgroup.com. FEBRUARY EVENTS Robert will be out and about during February attending and speaking at various events. Meet, challenge or listen to him at one of the following events. Remember that he's currently writing two books, a revised "Entrepreneur's Book of Checklists" and a practical guide to social enterprise- he needs case studies for both! 1-2 Feb, Voice 10 : The Social Enterprise Coalition's annual conference 4 Feb, Business Link Yorkshire : Robert will be talking about why social enterprise is tomorrow's business model. You can learn more about the event and book your place here 17 Feb, Inspired Group : A light hearted session will be delivered by Robert on the role of sex in success. It will be an uplifting event, rich in metaphor, peppered with polite innuendo. To book your place today click here 23 Feb, Framlingham Technology Centre : Robert will be presenting a 'Business Minded Look at Social Enterprise' with Professor Jay Mitra from Essex University. You can book your place here or you can download the booking form BBC VILLAGE SOS UPDATE The Big Lottery Fund has just issued a press release detailing Robert's involvement with the Village SOS project and more specifically describes the village project he champions. Robert stated, "For me the project looks at the whole community. I see it as turning the clock back 150 years to a time when everyone knew each other and the community was self sustaining." To read the full release, click here. ROBERT MAKES HIS EDP DEBUT That's right; Robert is now officially a columnist for the Eastern Daily Press. You can not only follow his line of thinking online but now in the business section! Robert's article "Beating the Winter Blues" adds to his continuing media success as it makes an appearance in the December issue of Psychologies magazine. We've updated Robert's "Recently Published Articles" so now you can read all his latest material published in newspapers and magazines. For Robert's articles that have been published in the EDP, click here. HARROGATE ENTERPRISE PROMOTIONS CONVENTION The HEPC took place during Global Entrepreneurship Week and over 450 delegates attended. Robert ran another successful workshop alongside other guestspeakers as part of the convention's "Business Creation and Development" programme. He combined action learning and consultancy to help focus on the needs of an "olderpreneur".
BBC VILLAGE SOS Recently Robert visited Manchester to take part in the BBC/Big Lottery Village SOS project. Imagine a room packed with an explosive mix of passionate villagers, keen to see their community projects win £400k grant, together with a similar number of experts keen to help them succeed. The six winning villages will feature in a TV documentary series in 2011. Robert is now on a shortlist to work with a fantastic food project that is emerging in Hilgay, an attractive village in West Norfolk. Within the next week he'll know if he's going to be helping them prepare their Lottery bid. He's not short of ideas, as you can imagine, but is always looking for more! If you have an interest in the development of 'field to fork' community projects, particularly if you are looking for places to pilot new initiatives, then click reply and let Robert know. His job will be to help turn a very robust idea into an appealing plan for a sustainable project and the more help he can get the more successful Hilgay can be. FOOTSEY 2009
|
