Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
01
Summer 2008
HOW TO MAKE A
MILLION QUICK!
10
HOW TO BLAG
52
Compare the UK’s top employers – from professional
services to media and technology THE RULES OF WORK
THE 30
Keep up to date with the latest graduate news
BOY’S
Learn to market yourself – from writing a winning CV
to interactive interview practice
GOT
SPECS
For exclusive content for $uccess Mag readers,
visit www.get.hobsons.co.uk/successmag
APPEAL
40 www.get.hobsons.co.uk/successmag
EDITOR’S LETTER STAFF LIST
WELCOME TO THE
RUARI PHILLIPS –
EDITOR
Ruari Phillips, 23, has written for
a number of national publications.
KATE DUNN –
STAFF WRITER
We see it as our mission and our duty, as a magazine/e-zine, Kate graduated from Warwickshire
to help you on the road to success. University in 2005 after editing the
campus newspaper. She writes for
With the aid of our knowledgeable writers, we truly hope a number of business publications.
everything you find within these pages inspires you to
become great in your chosen field. ANGUS WALKER –
POLITICS
Nothing happens in life until the first step is taken so get Angus Walker is Current Affairs
ready, strap on those seatbelts and join us… Correspondent for ITV News. He
Whether you’d like to start your own business, or it’s just a has also covered business and
good job you’re after $uccess Mag is here to help. politics during his five years there.
We are also keen to build on our already buzzing community REBECCA O’CONNOR –
of aspirational young people. So, if you’re under the age of FINANCE
thirty, and would like to appear in the “It’s All About YOU!” Rebecca O’Connor is personal
finance reporter for The Times.
section, email the following to editor@success-mag.co.uk She has been writing about money
• Name for the past two years.
• Age
SCOTT KEIGHTLEY -
• University (if applicable) DESIGNER
• Where you’re from After four years working in leading
Compare the UK’s top employers – from professional • Contact details design industry studios, Scott
• 100-word biog Keightley has built a client list
services to media and technology including Gordon Ramsay Holdings
Every profile will appear on the website and a select few and BMI (British Midland Airways).
in the magazine.
DAMIAN WATSON –
All that leaves for me to say is read the features, be inspired, WEBSITE DESIGN
Keep up to date with the latest graduate news send in your profiles, meet other people, get involved, pitch In just five years, Damian Watson’s
ideas, work hard and most important of all...have fun on your business, Greenhouse Design,
has grown into a thriving limited
journey to success!
company. He has over 100 clients.
Learn to market yourself – from writing a winning CV Kind regards,
to interactive interview practice RUARI PHILLIPS
EDITOR $UCCESS PROMOTIONS - Everywhere you
see this logo in the magazine, the page
it’s on is an advertorial feature produced
by $uccess Mag on behalf of our clients.
For exclusive content for $uccess Mag readers, Distribution - 20,000 business schools/young
For all advertising enquiries contact advertising@success-mag.co.uk enterprise societies nationwide.
visit www.get.hobsons.co.uk/successmag or, phone $ucces Mag Ltd. on 0844 357 0215 Printing courtesy of Pensord Press Ltd.
CONTENTS
SIMON SAYS 25
SPECS APPEAL 40
HOW TO BLAG 52
ENTREPRENEURIAL QUOTES 54
Coming in LESS ON YOUR CAR REPAYMENTS...
September
MORE AT THE STUDENT BAR!!
On UnLtdWorld you can connect with others, search and share resources and RETAIL GROUP BOLTON
0845 386 9731
ENFIELD
0845 386 9560
MANCHESTER
0845 386 9334
SWANSEA
01792 495 000
opportunities, find and list services and products, share answers to key questions, CANNOCK LEICESTER OLDHAM WATFORD
01543 511 300 0116 280 1000 0845 386 8728 0845 386 8507
create and join groups, promote and find events, support inspiring projects and CARDIFF LIVERPOOL ORPINGTON WIRRAL
029 2042 1000 0845 386 9491 0845 386 8165 0845 386 8437
lots more. CROYDON LONDON CITY ROMFORD WOLVERHAMPTON
0845 386 9603 0845 386 9439 0845 386 8667 01902 439 500
LONDON EAST SLOUGH
In parallel to fostering a vibrant community, UnLtdWorld aims to help build the www.renaultretail.co.uk 0845 386 9402 0845 386 8628
capacity of organisations and enhance the efficiency of relations between social The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the model shown are: Urban 39.2 (7.5), Extra Urban 61.4 (4.6), Combined 50.4 (5.6).
entrepreneurs, relevant agencies and the general public. The official C02 emission ranges from 132 to 173g/km. Price includes delivery to dealer, number plates, 17.5% VAT, 12 months’ Government road fund licence and £55
first registration fee. *First payment includes an acceptance fee of £99. †Optional final payment includes credit facility fee of £139 and option to purchase fee of £10. Finance is subject
to status. You will be liable to pay for any accidental damage to the vehicle or excess wear and tear with regard to its age and mileage. A guarantor may be required. If the agreed
mileage is exceeded a charge of 6p per mile will be made. You must be at least 18 and a UK resident (excluding the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) to apply for finance. Finance
www.unltdworld.com – the home of UK social entrepreneurs. provided by RCI Financial Services Limited, P.O. Box 493, Watford WD17 1FJ. This offer applies to vehicles ordered and registered by 30th June 2008 and is available to private and
small business customers only. All figures correct at time of going to press. Models shown for illustration purposes only. Renault Retail Group reserves the right to change, amend or
withdraw these offers at any time without advance notice. Renault Retail Group, Concord Road, Western Avenue, London, W3 0RZ. The company is registered in England: Registration
No. 2304689. *Figures may vary. **Exceeds expectations. † Qualification dependent on purchases before 30th June 2008.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP – WORTH IT?
Youth can be perceived, by some between students and local with ambiguity, to manage
potential investors or partners, as entrepreneurs. Students with an unexpected occurrences, to deal
detrimental to credibility, so it's crucial interest in enterprise should explore with chaos and change, delegating
entrepreneurs use their age to their all the options available to them at and prioritising, solving problems
advantage; see it as an opportunity their universities or even consider and making decisions. It's no easy
to demonstrate their dynamism, starting up their own clubs and feat, but the returns can be more
creativity, and tenacity. events. This is a great way to meet than worth the effort.
like-minded people who can form a
Another perk young entrepreneurs
can highlight is the fact that they are
business network that will take them IS ENTREPRENEURSHIP
generally unencumbered by family
beyond graduation. WORTH IT –
and financial responsibilities. This It’s always worthwhile checking out YES! YES! YES!
allows them to focus completely on the university in your local area to see
developing their businesses. Young what they might offer, even if you are For more information on the NCGE
people often approach problems with not a student. Graduates should look and Flying Start,
a fresh perspective, and an innovative for opportunities to join networks to please visit www.ncge.org.uk.
way of thinking, which can be just as expand their business contacts. In
strong a basis for a successful addition to programmes such as
business as years’ of experience. those offered by the NCGE, there
WORDS – LORNA COLLINS
are region-specific networks across
Fear of failure can often be a sticking Director of Flying Start, National Council for
the UK.
point, particularly for those whose Graduate Entrepreneurship
families have no history of going into The right network will provide
ENTREPRENEURS WHO OFTEN HAVE capital is difficult and can seem very
daunting from the offset. For this
reason there is a need to focus on the
experts, as well as a community of
student and graduate peers.
MARSHALL BRAIN IS THE FOUNDER OF The dictionary definition goes like this:
HOWSTUFFWORKS.COM AND HAS A An entrepreneur is a person who organises, operates, and
assumes the risk for a business venture.
DEGREE IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING Here's my definition:
FROM RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC An entrepreneur is someone who starts successful businesses.
INSTITUTE IN AMERICA. A MULTI- People are not very kind to those who start unsuccessful
businesses. The instant you are successful, however, you are
MILLIONAIRE, IT TOOK HIM JUST A a hero and they start calling you an entrepreneur.
interesting fact about setting goals. and then the second, and so on, you What I would suggest is that you stop
If you will simply take some time to immediately open yourself up to the playing video games. Even go as far
create some goals for yourself and beneficial power of luck. If you don't, as getting rid of your television! Take
then write them down, the chances then luck cannot happen to you. the music OFF your iPod…
of reaching your goals goes up by a Everyone who has ever succeeded Shell Livewire is an organisation that helps young
It’s not going to be easy, but who ever
huge amount. It is huge. Putting your has benefited from luck - sometimes entrepreneurs start up in business. Our website
said making a million was?
goals on an index card and taping lots of luck. But you have to be
has 1000s of pages of information for aspiring
them to your bathroom mirror so you
see them first thing every morning is
playing the game in order for luck
to find you. entrepreneurs. Plus; Are you bright, ambitious,
also a smart move. I don’t know why
So let's summarize... WORDS – MARSHALL BRAIN
driven by success and
this works so well, but I do know that
it does.
www.howstuffworks.com • A free online ‘Start a Business Toolkit’ looking for a career that
If you try, there is some chance of
succeeding, if you don't try there’s • A Social Network connecting young offers unlimited potential?
So what you should do is write down NEXT ISSUE entrepreneurs around the world
not. You've got to be playing the game
on a piece of paper a few goals for We look at creating the perfect business
yourself, and one of them should be,
in order to win. Those who keep trying
environment. Your second step to making • A forum to ask other entrepreneurs questions If this is you then a career in professional
eventually do succeed, that’s a fact of that million! and chat sales could be for you.
"get my business going," and tape
life. Luck favours the prepared, and it
your goals to the bathroom mirror. • Business planning tools- such as our Financial
I would do that today.
also favours the persistent. You will Please register online at www.1pgr.com
hear people say, "Nine out of 10 Action Planner
or call us on 0845 3654567.
Churchill's quote is also right on target: businesses fail so why bother?"
"Success consists of going Join now- its free! We look forward to helping you on your
Here is another way to look at that -
from failure to failure without the chance of success is 10 percent. way to a successful career.
loss of enthusiasm." You start nine businesses that fail www.shell-livewire.org
What does that mean? It means that, and then the tenth one succeeds and
whenever you stretch yourself and try you make a million bucks - those are
to do something successful, there are damn good odds. Compare that to a
going to be failures along the way, lottery, where, for example, 9,999,999
sometimes a lot of failures. All you out of every 10,000,000 tickets fail
Emerald Group Publishing
can do after a failure is get up and try and tens of millions of people play the Limited as the world’s leading
again. If you keep doing that, one of lottery even though the odds are that publisher of management
two things will happen - either you will bad. Starting a business is not as easy research would like to
succeed eventually, or you will die. as buying a lottery ticket, sure, but bring to your attention
And if you die, then you won't care keep in mind that, "Anything you Research you can use
anymore. And at your funeral people practice gets easier." Emerald journals and online collections bring rigorous and relevant
research to students, scholars and practitioners in the field of
will say; management.
The quicker you act, the quicker
"You know he never amounted to you learn. Introducing Emerald Management Xtra
A unique collection of 175 international journals covering 22 subject areas,
anything, but you sure have to give 24 of which are ranked by Thomson Scientific (ISI). For more information
So the first business you start is going about these journals please visit www.emeraldinsight.com
him credit for trying. The guy had a to be hard. You don't know anything.
lot of heart." There's nothing shabby You will make mistakes. You will try For more information please contact
Europe@emeraldinsight.com
about that. It will beat having them things that don't work. Whatever. But
call you a couch potato. the second business you start is a lot
The world’s leading
easier. And the next one is easier still.
Larry King's quote is amazing in publisher of
its accuracy: Right now you look at "starting a management
"Those who have succeeded business" and it looks hard, that's research
at anything and don't mention because you've never done it before.
luck are kidding themselves." You haven't practiced. Simply start
That is so true. The thing is luck can practicing and it will become trivial
only happen to you if you try eventually, just like a video game.
something. If you will just take the However, you are never going to get
first step toward starting a business, rich practicing video games.
12 $uccess Mag
THE WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE HOMES HOW HAS THE INTERNET CHANGED MONEY?
ACADEMICALLY, THE KEY TO STARTING Everyone needs good sales skills. You
might be academically brilliant but if
Develop your analytical abilities by
critiquing others. Look at TV
there that can help you develop your
marketing skills. We think we’ve got
some of the best…
YOUR OWN BUSINESS, AT SOME STAGE carefully to the answers. Good sales
people aren’t just slick presenters who
even when they are nervous inside.
So copy what they do – smile, make
Be My Interviewer specifically for
graduates. Using video clips of
YOU WILL NEED TO CONVINCE OTHERS are full of empty promises. They’re
the ones that know what their
audience want and can back up all
eye contact and ask questions to
demonstrate your interest. All of
these things relax an audience and
graduate recruiters at work, you can
see if your answers really tell the
interviewer what they are looking for.
THAT YOU CAN DO A BETTER JOB THAN of their claims with evidence.
www.success-mag.co.uk 17
ITS ALL ABOUT YOU PART ONE
Name: Sumanth Inukonda Name: Liam Rhodes Name: Sarah Lucy Smith Name: Tom Savage Name: Alistair Dean Name: Alexander Ward
Age: 28 Age: 17 Occupation: Co-founder of Age: 25 Age: 29 Age: 23
Occupation: Financial Journalist Occupation: Managing director of Green Knickers Occupation: Co-founder of Occupation: Clothes Retailer Occupation: CEO of Red
Location: London iFuse Technologies Location: London Blue Ventures Location: Brighton Tiger Design
(originally from India) Limited Location: New Zealand Location: Essex
I run a shop called Eclectic Threads
Location: London GreenKnickers is a project designing
I currently study at The London My company, Blue Ventures, is a in Brighton. Check out my interview I'm the founder, CEO and self-
and selling attractive fun underwear
School of Economics. As proprietor At the age of 15 I was named the not-for-profit organisation dedicated on this site! If you're a clothes confessed workaholic of branding,
that is ethical. All products are
of Academic Books I was involved youngest Managing Director in to facilitating projects and expedition designer or graffiti artist I'm always design and print. I started the
produced in the UK using a fair trade
with marketing text books to Libraries Britain, which generated vast that enhance global marine interested to find new products for my business in 2001 and brought Red
co-op for underprivileged women and
and Individual Academics back in amounts of media coverage. Now conservation and research. Since shop. I sell on an S.O.R. basis. If Tiger to the position it is today; one
are made using ethical organic
India. I also maintained records for 17, my business, iFuse Technologies 2002, we have run over 16 you're interested send all proposals of the leading agencies in Essex.
fabrics. I run the company alongside
the company and contacts with Limited, is branching out from web expeditions to Madagascar, Tanzania, via my website.
my business-partner Rose Red Tiger bases its activities on core
Publishers. I have recently interned hosting and enterprise education New Zealand, The Comoros and
Cleary-Southward. To contact Alistair visit - beliefs of providing solutions in a
with a TV News Broadcaster, NDTV software into MMORPG's (that's South Africa. Blue Ventures
www.eclecticthreads.co.uk professional, innovative, creative and
Profit, in New Delhi. I would like to Massively-Multiplayer Online To contact Sarah visit – co-ordinates expeditions consisting
passionate way. At the RT offices on
work as a financial news journalist. Role-Playing Games!) We're launching www.greenknickers.org of scientists and volunteers working
Mersea Island (near Colchester,
If anybody is interested to sample our enterprise product very shortly. hand-in-hand with local biologists,
Essex) I manage projects with clients
some of my work please get in touch. We are very confident that this will marine institutes, NGOs, and
such as Essex County Council, the
provide enough profit to invest in communities whose livelihoods
To contact Sumanth email - International Communications Group,
other potential money-makers. I'm depend on these ecosystems, to
S.Inukonda@lse.ac.uk Press Gazette (UK) and Hetherston
in this for a long time, not just carry out research, environmental
Food & Events.
short-term monetary gain... awareness and conservation
programmes at threatened habitats In addition to running the business
To contact Liam visit -
around the world. I'm also an independent branding
www.ifusegroup.com
consultant, writer and artist.
To contact Tom visit -
www.blueventures.org To contact Alex visit -
www.redtigerdesign.com
UNLESS YOU HAVE BEEN LIVING ON THE The bigger the deposit, the less you
have to borrow from the bank and the
lower your repayments. Banks also
MOON, YOU WILL NOT HAVE MISSED REPORTS reduce interest rates for borrowers
with bigger deposits. Aim for a deposit
OF THE UNFORTUNATE SITUATION FACING of ten per cent or more of the total
loan amount.
ANYONE WHO WANTS TO BUY THEIR OWN Parents can also act as guarantors on
your mortgage, which means that they
HOME. THEY CAN’T AFFORD IT. are effectively saying to the mortgage
lender that if you don’t pay up, then
they will come to your rescue. This
House prices are almost universally
again reduces the risk to the lender of
outstripping average first time buyer
you defaulting on repayments (which
wages by almost eight times, leaving
is what they care about, obviously).
them with the prospect of
unmanageable monthly mortgage
If parental help is not an option, all is
repayments if they do decide to buy.
not lost. Mortgage lenders are
On top of that, there are rising
desperate to keep first time buyers
interest rates, which make the cost
coming onto their books, not least
of borrowing even higher. So to reach
because it stimulates demand in the
that first rung is looking almost
whole housing market, so they have
impossible. However, buying property risk of what is called negative equity – they have a dodgy reputation –
been coming up with ever more
is never going to be a bad idea and which basically means you are second only to car salesmen,
inventive ways of improving
the sooner the better. making a loss rather than a profit on perhaps, for shiftiness, there are
affordability. Sharing with friends and
your house – if your property does not plenty of legit guys out there who
If you do decide to do it, you will family is the latest to hit the headlines.
go up in value by enough to cover the you might willingly share a cup of
almost certainly require a leg-up. Some lenders, such as Britannia
extra debt you took on. Government tea with at any other time. If you do
Help comes in several forms. You building society and HSBC, will allow
schemes designed to help the cut out the middle man, be aware
might not like it, but parents are often you to share your mortgage with up
cash-strapped masses own their that most first-time buyers should
the best place to go first. This is to three other people. Because how
own homes are around, however the steer themselves towards fixed rate
because the Bank of Mum and Dad much you can borrow is calculated
waiting lists are huge. “Key workers” loans, as these offer more certainty
may have enough cash to give you on the basis of income, more incomes
such as teachers and nurses, are at a time when you are leaping into
for a deposit on your first home. means a bigger mortgage and
usually given first dibs on these the unknown.
Saving up for it yourself will take hopefully a better house. It also
schemes, so it is worth putting
years, frankly, and you could be means that between you, you should If you do buy, remember that there
your name down, but don’t hold
waiting until you are drawing your be able to rustle up a bigger deposit. are literally tons of extra costs on
your breath.
pension if things continue the way The downsides to this are, of course, top of the actual house price, like
they are. the possibility that you end up falling Some budding property magnates stamp duty, furniture and council
out with your housemates. A dispute who want to buy purely for investment tax. Also, for those with an extra
with a mate becomes more purposes are increasingly looking room, remember that you can let
complicated when you share a legally abroad to buy, in places like Bulgaria spare rooms in your property and
binding agreement for hundreds of and Poland, where property is earn up to £4,250 a year tax-free.
thousands of pounds. Also, when cheaper because housing markets
you come to sell, you will be splitting If all of the above fails…marry
in those countries are less developed.
any profit, reducing the return on someone rich!
But this is a big undertaking with
your investment. plenty of unknown risks. The better
the devil you know, as they say.
Lenders will also offer some borrowers
100 per cent or more of the property If you want a good mortgage, a broker WORDS - REBECCA O’CONNOR
value, so you don’t need a deposit. is worth it – first time around at least.
The catch is higher interest rates on This is because they can search the
this kind of loan. They also put you at whole of the market for you. While
www.success-mag.co.uk 25
SIMON SAYS
“Some see me as a bit pushy and others see me as only financial risk. Thankfully, we are
very good at what we do.”
Simon clearly loves what he does. He
also admits to enjoying the luxuries it
trivial. I try not to take anything for
granted and I still love the simple
interested in one thing; money. I don’t care. TBG is here to The influence of Simon’s role model,
brings him: the Lamborghini
Murci lago, Aston Martin DB9 and a
things; tea, a comfy sofa, friendship.”
Rupert Murdoch, is clear. Murdoch This attitude means, despite the
do a job and we do that job exceedingly well. We are not a is not known for his humility, but his
Ford GT in the drive are testament to
that. But the changes caused by
self-admitted air of arrogance cloaking
business acumen. Simon’s shoulders, he hasn’t forgotten
charity, nor are we here to sweeten people up. What we offer “He’s amazing! More than anything,
entrepreneurial success are only
superficial, he insists.
where he’s come from.
is a simple service and you can either take it or leave it.” I’m a great fan of how he keeps such
a low profile and doesn’t rely too
“I’m the same guy I always was, it’s
“Sometimes it’s very hard to believe.
I’m 28 and my business is turning
just I’ve got a bit more money now.
much on the media or publicity over huge amounts of money. I often
I’ve made it a priority not to become
stunts. The guy’s a businessman just sit back and think how far I’ve
the idiot so many people do when
at heart and he’s extremely good. come in such a short space of time.
they make money. Yeh, I’ve got a few
Pure focus and speed: nothing I’m amazed, and so are my family…”
more luxuries in my life but they
more, nothing less.”
haven’t affected me, or my attitude. What makes Simon such an
Although obviously in awe of the I’ll never be one to waste my days appealing character is his “no bull”
legendary media mogul, Simon away on a yacht.” “I like getting things demeanour and self-parodying
doesn’t seem to posess the fearsome done and the feeling achievement humour. When asked if we can take
streak for which Murdoch is famed. brings. That’s what will always drive a photograph of him next to his
But Simon’s politeness hides a me forward.” Lamborghini he smiles and suggests
ruthlessly business-like attitude, we have him smoke a cigar, and
Simon also directs his energies to
something he’s not apologising for. swim in a pool of cash. Well, why
giving something back to the
not? As he says: “I’m living the
“When doing deals I’m often not community. He recently attended
dream and I’m not planning to wake
liked,” he announces proudly. “Camp Over the Wall”, a charity that
up anytime soon.”
helps sick and disabled children.
“Some see me as a bit pushy and
others see me as only interested in “I’m not one to brag about my charity
one thing; money. I don’t care. TBG work but it’s something I like to do.
Working with people who are worse WORDS - KATHERINE DUNN
is here to do a job and we do that job
exceedingly well. We are not a charity, off than you puts everything in
nor are we here to sweeten people up. perspective. Some people have awful
What we offer is a simple service and problems. When I look at what’s going
you can either take it or leave it.” on in my life it often seems terribly
1. Be good at sales. Get a job doing telesales for a few 4. Take every opportunity you can. Even when you’re not
months and see how you like it. Find a style and stick working, if you meet somebody who you feel might be
to it. There are a number of tactics you can use. Many able to help with your business – get a card and speak
see it as a numbers game, but I don’t. I personally feel with him or her. Who knows? They may be of great use
the best way to sell something is make sure the person in the future.
or company you’re approaching actually want it – that
5. Never change. If you begin turning over a nice bit of
makes things an awful lot easier.
money, don’t lose track of who you are and where you
2. Don’t rely on anybody else. If you want something come from. So many people are sucked into a fake
done, get up off your arse and do it. Get the ball rolling way of living it finally becomes their demise. Stay true
yourself and only involve others if absolutely essential. to yourself and your aims.
3. Stick to the priority of business. You are in this to make
MONEY. It has to be fun but, at the same time, making
a profit is paramount.
www.success-mag.co.uk 27
ITS ALL ABOUT YOU PART TWO
Name: Rajeeb Dey Name: Grant Lang Name: Zadi Diaz Name: Richard Price Name: Robert Parris
Age: 20 Age: 25 Occupation: CEO of Smashface Age: 26 Age: 26
Occupation: Founder of Occupation: CEO of Productions Occupation: Co-founder of Occupation: DJ/Record shop
studentvoice.co.uk www.mozzocoffee.com Location: Los Angeles liveout.co.uk owner/Promoter
Location: Oxford Location: Southampton Location: Oxford Location: St Albans
I’m co-founder and principal of
I began work on developing ESSA in November 2003 alongside my A-levels. In 2003 I started Mozzo Coffee which Smashface Productions, a new media LiveOut is the first online student I own a record shop called Manic
I first came up with the idea after hearing about secondary student unions in is a coffee cart or tuk-tuk, that uses production company based in Los property database in Oxford. Our aim Vinyl. We also have an internet radio
other European countries and thought to myself – “if they have one, why don't natural energy to serve fairtrade Angeles, California. I’m Executive is to make the process of finding a station and a number of club
we?” and since then I've been able to generate widespread support for ESSA. coffee to the community. Following on Producer of the Vloggie® award student house much quicker and promotions. I'm always interested to
ESSA now employs two full time members of staff and has offices in London from the success of the cart I'm now winning American youth culture show easier. Features of the site include: meet new DJs and MCs. The business
Bridge. I'm not new to youth politics and young people's participation issues; developing the Mozzo Community-2- JETSET, as well as RSSnews.tv, New • 90% of Oxford 's estate agents has been going for around three years
I was the figurehead of Chelmsford Borough Council's “No Vote…No Voice” Community Fund. The fund will be Mediacracy, Vidlicious and others. list with us now. we have a number of new
Campaign – to promote young people to vote in the local elections and Vice-Chair focused on providing artists with My work has been highlighted in The • 600 properties in our database enterprises about to happen and I'm
Finance of the Chelmsford Youth Council. My work with the Youth Council led me employment opportunities which in New York Times, Forbes Magazine, always open to new ideas, whatever
• Photos and Google maps of
onto winning the DfES Exceptional Community Champion 2005 Award and being turn will benefit the community. I'm CBS Evening News, Business they be. So, if any of the above
the properties
a Finalist in the Windrush Achievement Awards in 2004. I'm currently a Co-optee currently establishing an interactive Week, and The Independent, among interests you...contact me!
on the Trustees Board of the Carnegie UK Trust, as well as a Trustee of the website where individuals can vote for many other national publications • 100% free for students to use
• Flatmate-finding forum for To contact Robert email -
Phoenix Education Trust. I was also awarded a Young Leaders Award from the the artists they think should receive and programs.
students to find flatmates Management@ManicFM.com
Royal Society of Arts and a Wavemakers Award by Sir John Major. support from the fund. It will also
To contact Zadi visit -
have a 'fund tracker' that will allow Other members of the team include
To contact Rajeeb visit - www.studentvoice.co.uk www.smashface.com
people to see where money is going, Stephen Hartley, Dave Nash, Alasdair
and how their coffee purchases are Bell and Paul Doerwald.
contributing to communities here and
around the world, as well as how To contact Richard email -
artists are benefiting from Mozzo's richard@bouncewithit.com
funds. If you are an artist who would
like your work showcased or have any
ideas please give me a shout.
WHEN ALL YOU HAVE TO LIVE ON inter-rail pass, is of far more concern.
But one day, with luck, you will have
spare money and when that day does
compounding effect that makes
saving really worthwhile. There is
chair than skydiving, you might be
better off taking a cautious approach
to investing.
PROBABLY AREN’T MUCH FUN, give out comes back to you tenfold,
but with money, this concept doesn’t
work. Spend it, and it is gone forever.
six per cent interest on £106 instead
of £100.
that as you get older you should
gradually switch away from the
unpredictable investments towards
WHO ACTUALLY HAS MONEY TO Invest it, however, and that tenfold
rule might just apply.
Unfortunately, working out how much
you will receive is not always so
straightforward. Interest is further
safer ones.
CURRENTLY ENJOYING INCREASING Before you start During the placement After the placement
IT’S ONE THING TO START YOUR “It’s not the economics that thrill me.
It’s the creating things — being able
OWN BUSINESS BUT IT’S A WHOLE to look over the shoulder of a
DIFFERENT BALLGAME TO SHAKE computer programmer who’s
designing your website…
UP AN INDUSTRY. JAMES MURRAY seeing things come together,”
WELLS, 24, HAS DONE JUST THAT he tells me.
THROUGH HIS COMPANY
WWW.GLASSESDIRECT.COM
With a turnover of more than £2 They include the Startups.com good entrepreneur; he immediately designing your website…seeing things I don’t intend to give up though,
million in 2006, that figure increased entrepreneur of the year, the Livewire thought outside the box. He began come together,” he tells me. customers need this service."
to over £4 million by the end of last. young entrepreneur of the year and to question if a thin metal frame and
With the original intention of “just “I’m not passionate about glasses,”
So…how did somebody at such a Lloyds Bank enterprising Brit of two pieces of glass could really
getting a bit of pocket money”, he continues. “I’m passionate
tender age, do so much, in such the year. warrant such a high price.
James was utterly astonished when about providing a good service…
little time?
“It’s a great feeling to think I’ve done "I made hundreds of phone calls to he returned from a week’s holiday whatever the product.
“I put much of the success down to so much,” he tells me. “I try not to investigate the manufacturing price of in Tuscany to find the website had There’s no feeling
my love of creating,” James says with dwell on it and stay focused. You glasses, but all I found was a huge over a thousand hits. like it when somebody
a broad smile. “I’ve never been the can’t let it get to your head!” wall of resistance. No one was www.glassesdirect.com was receiving writes in to say how
type to stand still. I like doing things, prepared to tell me how much it cost," extraordinary attention and the money happy they are. I’ve
The rapid growth of the company is
making things happen.” he explains. began to pour in. received literally
evident from the recent £2 million
hundreds of emails
The Glasses Direct offices started life investment with Albion, well known "I finally found one man who, after a “If someone had told me three years
from satisfied
in converted barns in the Wiltshire marketing company, to promote their lot of work, eventually answered my ago that I would be running a
customers and
village of Malmesbury in 2004. brand and provide their advertising. questions. Amazingly I discovered it company selling reading glasses
hardly any
However, the rapid growth of the Other recent changes within the costs only £7 to make a pair of I would not have believed them. I
complaints.”
company meant that within three organisation have seen David glasses. Opticians were making a have no formal business training –
years it had a staff of thirty five and Magliano - the marketing brains profit of 2000%. Something had to be I just saw a gap in the market and an
phones that never seem to stop behind Easyjet and the successful done." opportunity to provide an essential
ringing, making it an oasis of buzz 2012 Olympic bid - appointed as a service at a good price. I had been
James set to work finding a
and activity. non-executive director. planning to take a post graduate
manufacturer who would supply him
diploma in Law but the surprise
To cope with the expansion the Jamie’s climb to entrepreneurial idol and finally found one. After hiring a
success of this business has meant
company recently moved its customer hood has an inspirational story. Just couple of IT experts through an ad on
my plans have altered drastically.”
services and operations to a larger site as David took on Goliath, James the university notice board, James set
Along with the success came a lot of
in Swindon, while the headquarters took on the British optical up an office in the playroom of his
animosity from high street opticians.
moved up to London to an office one industry...and won. parents’ house.
mile down the road from Marble Arch. "They're not happy about it," he says.
It was in his final year at Bristol “That was the most exciting period.
"But then I'm offering glasses for a
James sits in a large, white-walled University when he went to buy It’s not the economics that thrill me.
fraction of the price they're charging
office surrounded by what looks reading glasses and returned home It’s the creating things — being able
so it's not surprising. They’ve tried to
like endless plaques, awards and £150 lighter. As a student, this was to look over the shoulder of a
sue me but have been unsuccessful.
framed articles. a massive sum to pay and, like any computer programmer who’s
I’ve even received threatening mail!
40 $uccess Mag
SPECS APPEAL
As he sits back in his chair, arms to take a leaf out of America’s book. see my friends and I still watch TV.
behind his head, James is obviously Over there they encourage young The only difference now is I’ve got
more than happy with his current people to think differently and follow a bit more money than I had before.
situation. However, he doesn’t take what they believe in. It’s a different Things are still the same.
any of his accomplishments for story here. Kids are straight-jacketed However much money I’ve got I’m
granted and realises he only got to through the education system with always looking for a profit. That
where he is through one thing… no attention paid to character and never changes!”
hard work. personal growth. It’s the oddballs
The company has exceeded sales
who make good entrepreneurs. Think
“It’s a lot easier for kids my age to sit of 250,000 pairs of glasses to date
back to school and the ones who do
back and play their Playstation,” he and James is now working on new
well are usually the weird ones.
declares. “But I never enjoyed doing technology that allows customers to
Why? Because they think differently
any of that so I decided to work hard see what glasses actually look like on
and that should be encouraged…
and achieve something. I suppose I their face in 3D!
not ignored.”
took my life into my own hands and
"Things are really exciting at the
disciplined myself to do well. Nobody James Murray Wells seems
moment,” James grins as he reaches
gets anything out if they don’t put concerned with far more than
across the desk to pick up a giant
anything in…I had to make sacrifices just making money. Behind the
heap of mail. “I’m having the best
but it’s all worth it now!” quick-witted, straight to the point
time of my life right now and my
exterior he’s a genuinely nice guy
The number of young entrepreneurs advice is…follow your dreams.”
who enjoys helping people. Whether
in the UK is currently at an all time
it is through his business or his Next up - America!
high. James puts a lot of this down to
campaigns James obviously likes
the recent rise in schemes and trusts
changing the world for the better.
helping young people to fulfil their
dreams. After winning so many He also uses his new contacts to
WORDS – RUARI PHILLIPS
awards, he felt it important to pass lobby those in power for the fair deal
on his talents and knowledge to for entrepreneurs. Earlier this year, he
others. He works with the Government met with John Hutton, the Enterprise
promoting young enterprise and acts Minster, to grill him on the damage
as a judge for various competitions that the new capital gains tax has had
up and down the country. on entrepreneurs.
“We need more enterprise in this “I’m just a normal bloke at the end
country,” he says. “The UK needs of the day. I still go to the pub, I still
1. Start small. So many invest too much too early. Watch 4. Use the press. Get your name out there by ringing
it grow and use money sensibly. Only spend money on magazines, entering young-entrepreneur competitions
what’s absolutely necessary. and putting out publicity material. Bring your product
to the people. Don’t wait for them to come to you…
2. Just do it! Too many people talk about doing
something but actually getting up and making it 5. Work hard. It’s simple. The harder you work, the more
happen is a whole other story. Once the ball’s rolling, likely your business will be a success.
you’ll see everything come together. It’s that initial
surge of energy which is the most difficult – but
very worthwhile.
42 $uccess Mag
CHA CHING CHINA
TO FUEL ITS EXPANSION. The bridge will cut two hours off the
journey time between the nearest
port and the city of Shanghai, China's
about to hit the streets to try to sell
his possessions like a junky in search
of another hit.
gleaming super business city, where
It's a country of huge gains and huge
investors can see the growth of the
divisions. The people are keen to get
economy towering before their eyes.
stuck in but I wonder what would
Shanghai is known as the "24 hour
happen if the labour force demanded
building site". The bridge is costing
more rights or if the power supply
almost a billion pounds and 70
prices went up? Coal and oil won't last
percent of that money is from private
forever. That could send everything
investors who seek profits in tolls and
in the wrong direction and they do say
lower transport costs.
what goes up must come down...
www.success-mag.co.uk 45
ITS ALL ABOUT YOU PART THREE
RIGHT? GOOD. SO, THAT LEAVES YOU even know what the position they‘ve
applied for entails. You must always
be sure you’ve thoroughly researched
Make sure you present your CV with
thoughtful use of italics, capitals and
fonts; get your money’s worth out of
are no spelling mistakes, the grammar
is correct and everything you have
written looks good and reads well.
WITH NO EXCUSES FOR WASTING the position you are applying for.
This might mean talking to friends
Word. Imagine reading a book with
no chapters. Enough said!
Imagine having all your work binned
because the person reading the
THEM HALF-HEARTED CV’S AND direct to find out exactly what sort
of person they are looking for. Going
into anything blindfolded is asking
someone tell a story when they were
clearly unsure of how it was meant
wounds spring to mind.
9. Chase it up
JOB APPLICATIONS.
to finish? Did you cringe? CV’s are
for trouble.
exactly the same in that everything One of the most unused tactics in the
you include MUST add up. If a battle for employment is persistence.
2. Identify your skills potential employer sees you have tried
When it comes to doing it right, To really make an impression on a
You may have a First from university, to cover something up by changing a potential employer, make sure you get
Peter Belk of, recruitment agency,
or you may have years and years of date here, or leaving out an exam in touch with them before they have
www.graduate-fasttrack.com knows
experience, but this won’t matter if result there, they’ll smell a rat. There’s a chance to get in touch with you,
all too well how it should be done.
you can’t demonstrate which parts a fine line between dishonesty and whether by phone or email. Not only
Every day he trawls through hundreds
of what you’ve learnt are applicable tailoring the truth. are you demonstrating that you are
of CVs looking for the perfect
applicant and he’s here to tell you to the job you’re applying for. For really serious about the job, but you
how it SHOULD be done... instance, if you are applying for a 6. Less is more are also going to leave a lasting
project management position in impression on their memory. This is
Put yourself in the recruiter’s shoes:
marketing, mention group projects invaluable in gaining an upper hand
it’s half past ten in the evening, you
you’ve carried out during your over your competitors.
haven’t seen your wife for 3 days and
education, and highlight the fact that
you’ve still got thirty CVs to look at.
you have bolstered your interpersonal 10. Prepare for battle!
The last thing you want to do is digest
and time management skills. Be
a document weighing as much as the Assuming that you’ve managed to
relevant; think laterally on this one...
Sunday Telegraph and detailing every catch the eye of a potential employer,
bit of work experience someone’s it is likely that you’ll be on the
3. Order! done since their paper round back in receiving end of a telephone interview,
The importance of making a CV ’89. Keep it short and concise – 2 or better still a face to face. Make
quickly digestible cannot be sides of A4 should be ample. sure you are prepared for the sorts of
overstated. Make sure you put questions they will ask. Usually these
whatever is most relevant to the job 7. The cover letter will include questions about the
in hand at the beginning. This company itself, your skills, your
Every application you make should be
might be education, experience, experience and your ambitions. Make
backed up by a one-page letter,
extra-curricular achievement or even sure you have answers ready. If you
addressed to the appropriate
volunteer work. If you can make sure don’t know the answer, remember
individual (it might be worth calling
a recruiter is instantly engaged in that it’s not what you say, but how you
the company in question to find out
what you’ve got to say, they are say it – confidence is key!
their name). This letter should
much more likely to read on, and
demonstrate your suitability for the
half the battle is won.
vacancy, and highlight the most
important areas of your CV. Again it is WORDS – PETER BELK
important to target the employer, and
to really sell the key points of your CV.
Remember, do not waffle.
www.success-mag.co.uk 49
A DEGREE IS NOT ENOUGH UNLTD – THE FOUNDATION FOR SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS
Social entrepreneurs have never been It’s people who are important to
so widely talked about as they are UnLtd; which is why it only offers
today. Where as in normal business, support to individuals and does not
profit is pretty much all that matters, support organisations.
social entrepreneurs see more than
There is something every student focussing less on a degree, and more Historically, the best opportunities As someone who has seen (first hand)
just capital as their priority. Yes,
needs to know. Academic on what you have done.” have only been open to top-tier the effect UnLtd can have; it’s
running a successful operation is
achievement is not the great divider student talent and may not even be fantastic to witness the organisation
However, while the list of possible important – but equally so, to them,
it once was. While leaving university widely available. By becoming a bring so much positive change.
‘differentiators’ may be lengthy, one is having a positive impact on society.
with a good degree is a pre-requisite Bright Futures member, students Entrepreneurs can do amazing things;
of the primary ways to elevate yourself They recognise a social problem and
in today’s graduate employment can ensure they stay ahead of the especially when their skills are aimed
above the competition (and grab the use entrepreneurship principles to
market, a degree alone may not be competition and give themselves the GREEN KNICKERS PROMOTION towards good causes – the sky literally
attention of employers) remains the organise, create, and manage a
enough to secure that dream best chance of a decent entry point www.greenknickers.org is the limit!
completion of a relevant internship venture to make social change.
graduate job. into the highly competitive graduate
or work-experience placement be UnLtd's social entrepreneurs are real
marketplace. Indeed, becoming a UnLtd is Britain’s top foundation for
The brutal truth…. Of the 300,000- that for a few weeks or a full year. visionaries - people who want to
Bright Futures member may also help Social Entrepreneurs. A charitable
plus graduates in the UK every year, Work experience can often prove change the world. That doesn't mean
students differentiate themselves in organisation, it was founded on the The projects that these people set up
59% achieve a 2.1 or better - that’s invaluable for students applying for they necessarily develop complex,
other ways; society membership is, belief that the energies of individual are varied, but they all have one thing
180,000 graduates with top degree graduate jobs, to the extent that global solutions to large-scale issues;
in itself, an indicator that a student is social entrepreneurs can be a in common: they are changing things
classifications, all competing for a many business and management often, social entrepreneurs simply
proactive, and is keen to develop their powerful source of renewal in society. for the better. Unltd realises there
small handful of top graduate jobs. degree courses require students to take problems in their own
employability. This, coupled with the The organisation’s aim is to support are thousands of people who have
Indeed, with widening participation complete a compulsory placement communities and make a
opportunity to gain knowledge, social entrepreneurs in the UK to set the ideas and the vision to make a
in higher education and increased prior to graduation. commitment to tackle them. This
develop skills and interact directly up and run successful projects; it real difference. It also realises many
‘internationalism’ among graduate may lead to something bigger, or it
Research by the University of with potential employers, prior to does this by providing cash grants need encouragement and support,
applicants this figure is likely to may not; what makes true social
Manchester Careers Service shows leaving university, makes Bright and a complete package of support contact with others and access to
increase heavily year-on-year. As entrepreneurs is that they have the
that an average of 70% of summer Futures the perfect training ground and networking opportunities, tailored training to help them grow and
a result, companies are no longer will to make a difference, the vision
or year-long work experience for ambitious students. to the individual's specific needs. therefore give their projects the
able to screen applicants – and to know how to go about it, and
placements led to a graduate job offer. best chance of success.
trim numbers down to manageable To join or even start a Society They have given a kick-start to have the determination to make that
levels – based on degree How to choose the right career… at your University go to hundreds of ambitious and There are two levels of award vision happen.
classifications alone. However, much like degree programs, www.bright-futures.org.uk socially-minded people in the UK. Unltd offers:
Do you have an idea? Do you
some placement opportunities will be or call us 0870 900 6900 In fact, $uccess Mag got its legs from
How to stand out… But just how, Level 1: Awards of between have what it takes?
more rewarding than the others - the an offshoot of UnLtd known as The
then, do employers distinguish £500 and £5,000 Visit www.unltd.org.uk to fill out
challenge for students is to find a Big Boost.
between applicants with the same an application…
placement that is both appropriate to Level 2: Awards of between
degree classification? Expert graduate Other examples of successful social
their chosen profession and that will £10,000 and £20,000
employment consultant – and projects who UnLtd have funded
sufficiently develop their skills. Bright
Director of student society Bright include The Calma Project, Sense Level 1 Awards are designed to help
Futures may provide the answer. WORDS – RUARI PHILLIPS
Futures – Simon Reichwald has Magazine and Green Knickers to make new ideas become real
Formerly known as the Student
some suggestions; name just a few. Visit the website projects. On average UnLtd gives out
Industrial Society, founded in 1977,
and you can see for yourself what a 1,000 Level 1 Awards each year
“Increasingly, employers want to see Bright Futures is a student society
massive impact UnLtd are having on across the UK. These are aimed at
evidence of what candidates have operating in 27 Universities across the
the UK. Not only that, those who see individuals, or informal groups of
achieved outside of the education UK, that allows proactive students to
their ideas through get a huge level of people, who have an idea and want
system. This means extra-curricular engage with the UK’s most dynamic
satisfaction from what they do. Not help getting it off the ground. The
activities such as volunteering, travel graduate recruiters. Student members
only are they making money but they money is to help with the running
and Duke of Edinburgh awards, as can gain first-hand access to some
are also putting something valuable costs of the project.
well as other achievements such as of the most valuable and prestigious
back into their community.
CRAC Insight to Management internship and year long placement Level 2 Awards support people whose
courses, winning the Global opportunities in the country, (as well Through its network of six offices ideas are already developed to pay for
Management Challenge, or even as graduate careers) within large around the UK, UnLtd is supporting the living expenses of Award Winners
Grade 5 on the Flute have all multinational organisations including hundreds of exceptional individuals to help them devote more time to their
assumed increased importance for Deloitte, Reckitt Benckiser, Tesco, each year, from a wide variety of projects. These Awards are given
undergraduates. Employers are Cap Gemini and RBS. backgrounds, ethnicities and ages. out once in the Spring and once in
the Autumn.
SAID TO BE SOME OF THE MOST There’s no such thing as a free lunch. market, then you must embrace it! If or you’ll have the phone slammed
It’s true, I’ve checked. You may get a you’re trying to get something for free down/email binned on you in
free buffet every now and then but not from a well-established, traditional a second!
54 $uccess Mag