The good news is that economy experts are predicting that SMEs will be the driving force behind the next economic upturn in the UK.
In fact a month ago, I was at an event where James Caan, one of the most successful Entrepreneurs and Investors in the UK, famously known as one of the Dragon’s Den on BBC TV channel said that all the indicators are showing that the way to get the country out of the recession will come from Entrepreneurs.
The public sector is cutting jobs, so is the Corporate. They are cutting costs, outsourcing, offshoring, whatever! We are living in a world were local businesses are globally connected with unprecedented opportunities. This is now the right time to get in business or to persist if you are already in it but find it challenging to navigate this downturn. The history has shown that some of the biggest fortunes have been built during though times.
However the statistics also show that an awful lot of businesses fail every single year. In fact 1 out 2 businesses fail within 2 years. There is something that I have noticed throughout my entrepreneurial journey: as Entrepreneurs we are very good at focussing on own products and services, on the needs of others but tend to forget to take care of ourselves in the process.
What could we do to avoid or at least reduce business failure? My own answer is NEC, Nucleus Entrepreneurs Club!
Many entrepreneurs are quite isolated! They do not meet with other like-minded people except at networking events where everybody is trying to sell something to others. There is no rich exchange between them and people leave often disenchanted or with the illusion of some connection which fails to materialise during the next few weeks or months. And the vicious circle keeps going on and on with more networking events, more illusion of connection and then more disillusion when there is no follow up.
I do believe that the world has come to a point where we know that we need to be doing business differently than the way it has been done in the past. All our old institutions are crumbling, the paradigm of competition that we used to operate in is dead and this is a wake up call to design a new way of doing business. We need to stop thinking in term of competition and embrace the spirit of collaboration and interdependence. We need to shift our focus from ‘I take the biggest share of the pie’ to ‘win-win’ solutions. This is the only way a relationship can truly last whether it is a business relation, a friendship or a marriage!
The 21st century business is ‘Social’: there is the social media, the social capitalism, the social entrepreneurship, etc. What about a social environment for Entrepreneurs? A place where Entrepreneurs meet with a sense of community, to share and collaborate in a relaxed atmosphere. To take some time off for themselves! This is the mission of NEC who provides just this creative and supportive environment in Central London.
The more cynical people might say : ‘well this is all great but what if I share my ideas and someone steal them?’
My answer: It’s all about the Execution of that idea not the idea itself that makes a difference!
Hundred, thousands or millions great ideas are generated all the time but unless someone applies it with their unique ability to make it real it won’t make any difference. So, forget about competition! We are living in an era of micro-niches which means in a very specialised market place and two individuals can not have the same offering. We have our unique identities, background & stories, our unique skills, our very own passion. So we can create a unique relationship with our marketplace…as long as we know who our clients are.
Have you heard about this one: ‘people buy people’? Welcome to the new world of business.
Dave Stewart, the creator of American Idol, co-author of 'The Business Playground' emphasises the role of collaboration when he says 'For business to be truly creative they need to embrace the spirit of collaboration'.
So where are you today? Do you meet regularly with a group of like minded people who have your best interests in mind to unleash your creative power in a supportive environment?
If the answer is No, you are invited to come to the next NEC mastermind meeting the 22nd June and see what such a group can do for you and your business.
For more info go to www.nucleusofchange.com/nec 
