Entrepreneur Brand Accelerator

Course details

Being good at what you do is no longer enough in the new economy.

Despite a lifetime of hard work, small business owners, consultants and 'corporate escapees' often find themselves underpaid, undervalued and under recognised.

Each speaker delivers a potent 40 minute talk separated into different lectures, to arm you with simple and proven methods for becoming highly valued, highly paid and recession proof no matter what your industry of expertise.

Section 1) The art of the perfect pitch, taught by Mike Harris and Marcelo Bravo.

Do you have a compelling answer if we asked you 'What do you do'?

In today's market, being remarkable is essential. If you don't have an amazing pitch, regardless of how great your product or service is, you will always struggle

Mike Harris is one of the few people in the world to have grown more than one Multi- £B business. He was founding CEO of internet-only bank Egg, where he took it from concept to  £B public company in 2 years. He was founding CEO of world's first telephone-only bank Firstdirect which later sold to HSBC and between 1991-1995 was CEO of Mercury Communications where he created a new consumer business which later sold to NTL (now Virgin Media) for  £2.5bn.

Mike is the author of Find Your Lightbulb and speaks on innovation for some of the UK's largest businesses. In 2005 he co-founded Garlik, the UK's leading supplier of software/services to protect from online crime and identity theft, before selling to Experian in 2011.

Marcelo Bravo specialises in ventures in science and technology, typically with some chemistry at the heart.

Marcelo has founded or co-founded four companies since he immigrated to the UK 12 years ago. He has taken two of these companies public in the past four years, one in advanced materials, the other in pharmaceutical technology, both operating internationally and raising over  £15m in funding. One of his companies went into administration. The lessons from his successes and, more importantly, from his failures, have shaped his approach to business.

Section 2) Publish your ideas, taught by Mindy Gibbins-Klein

Talented but stuck on a treadmill?

Whether via a blog, articles or even a book, getting your ideas out there is very powerful. And it's not as hard as you may think. Once you have a clear framework, you will find it easy to start filling in the gaps.

With so many ways to broadcast yourself (YouTube, Twitter, Blogs, Podcasts, Books, eBooks), now is the greatest time ever to showcase your expertise.

Mindy Gibbins-Klein has helped over 300 people become published authors and she will show you how attainable it is to write and publish your book.

As a published author, potential customers are pre-sold before seeing you. Your rates go up, opportunities multiply and you are seen as an expert in your field. The years ahead are set to be very kind to people who are "experts (as a global market has now opened up).

Section 3) Productise your value, taught by Nic Rixon

Experiencing sales burnout?

Until you turn your soft skills and talents into tangible products, you will always have to show up to earn a living.

As a successful entrepreneur with a group of companies in manufacturing, property, training and commercial design, Nic Rixon knows about the challenges of growing a successful business and managing people.

Nic is one of the Founding Partners of Shirlaws Business Coaching and has been responsible for driving the growth of the business. He has worked with British Aerospace, Sony Pictures, Credit Suisse, HSBC, Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Direct Selling Association and Oxford University. Nic has also been invited to delivery keynote presentations at numerous Business Schools in Europe and Spain on business strategy.

Section 4) Raise your profile, taught by Penny Power

Feeling invisible?

Traditional media is expensive and social media can be complicated and time consuming. In a time where everyone is making noise about their business, standing out is tough - and it's going to get tougher.

Author of "Know Me, Like Me, Follow Me, Penny Power is a true pioneer in Social Networking and New Media. Penny Power's ambition is for all businesses and individuals to have digital skills. This vision started in 1998 when Penny founded the online networking community Ecademy.

Since then, Penny has become involved in many start-ups and digital initiatives such as 'Frontier', a Digital Coaching company for business executives and 'Digital Youth Academy', which introduces innovative Born Digital Youths to inspiring businesses. Penny now sits on a number of advisory boards including BIS, Surrey Connects, NACUE, The Gazelle Group and she works globally with the UK Trade & Investment to promote UK excellence internationally.

Section 5) Develop winning partnerships, taught by Steve Bolton and Julia Langkraehr

If you stop, will your business stop?

For the founders of most service businesses, they ARE the business. They sell, deliver and service by day, and do admin by night. The ultimate goal is to package your value so others can leverage it.

Steve Bolton is an inspirational, unconventional and highly successful entrepreneur, who has become one of the UK's leading experts in turning novice property investors into millionaires in record time.

From inauspicious beginnings, leaving school at 16 with no qualifications, Steve made his first million by the age of 30, then only just survived bankruptcy when his construction and training businesses were left in tatters by the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He rebuilt his fortune on the solid foundation of property and presently has multi-million pound, cash positive UK and high-growth international investment portfolios.

Julia Langkraehr is a multi award-winning businesswoman who has built a hugely successful retail business with operations in the UK, Germany and Russia.

Julia successfully merged with her largest competitor in 2010, becoming part of the AIM listed company Space and People PLC. Company revenue last year topped  £30 million, with a net revenue growth of 22%! Julia is also a business trainer and facilitator who has worked with over 750 entrepreneurs in 17 countries, across Europe, Middle East, Africa and China. Her focus is to create "game-changing partnerships.

Additionally, Julia serves several boards and charities with a focus on helping women and girls to develop entrepreneurial skills.