Q&A
Actively encouraging the need for young people to have exposure to enterprise education from an early age, in fact from primary school upwards, cousins, Ben and Michael Dyer have secured Theo Paphitis and Ryman as the main supporters of their project, the National Enterprise Challenge, which delivers to over 20,000 young people and over 100 schools across the UK.
THE NATIONAL ENTERPRISE CHALLENGE
You’re cousins and partners in business; how did you come together to launch The National
Enterprise Challenge? We originally entered into business together when I (Ben) was 18 and Michael was 19 having been more like brothers, growing up. While studying a foundation degree in Business Start Up at Staffordshire University, we started a company called Altogether. During the first three years, we delivered to thousands of schools all over the country. Simultaneously we ran a pub holdings company but unfortunately in 2011, we had to close it due to a drop in trade and the state of the market at the time. We decided that we would finish our degrees which is when we had the idea for The National Enterprise Challenge. To this day, even after seven years and all we have been through, we still haven’t had a major argument!
Tell us about the launch process... To launch we decided we needed a ‘face’ of the programme so we set about approaching the likes of Peter Jones and Deborah Meaden. By late summer we’d hit a brick wall and it looked like there wouldn’t be a challenge in 2012/2013. At the end of September however, I got a call from Apprentice runner up, Claire Young saying that Lord Sugar had agreed to front the programme. With no challenge written and no budget, it was going to take an enormous effort to get things off the ground. We had six months to sell and deliver the programme to at least 50 schools, arrange a National Finals in London and obtain some sort of sponsorship.
With help from friends Oli and Mj and Michael’s brother Simon, what we achieved in the first year exceeded all expectations. We sold and delivered to 58 schools and 11,000 young people, gained support from Staffordshire University and the exam board OCR and held our first ever finals where Lord Sugar and 700 other people were in attendance.
Where exactly is the ‘challenge’? We go into schools and run a full day for students, splitting the challenge into two categories; key stage 3 and key stage 4. In mixed ability teams, the students work through a real life business challenge set by either Ryman or Gandys Flip Flops. The day improves the student’s enterprise skills such as teamwork, communication and presentation. At the end of the day the students pitch their ideas to our team before a winner is selected to represent the school at the National Finals.
What do you think young people in Britain really
need to nurture their enterprising talents? To us ‘enterprise’ skills are the key skills needed to not only excel in the workplace or school but also in life; skills like teamwork, communication and leadership. The improvement of these skills will help them to become better in their studies, a better employee and possibly lead them to become an employer or entrepreneur. Young people should be given platforms to develop these skills themselves. Getting involved in teams, starting a mini business or even helping to organise community events are just some examples of things young people could do.
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How does the initiative raise money? Schools have to pay to take part in the challenge. As a not for profit organisation we aim to keep this cost as competitive as we can. In part, this is made possible by our supporters including Ryman, Stafffordshire University and OCR. The plan is to get more backing from businesses and ultimately government support.
You both come from difficult backgrounds, having been brought up in one of Britain’s ‘Worst Places to Live’ as voted in 2005; how has this propelled
your ambitions? Myself and Michael were both brought up in council houses reliant on benefits. Both of us watched whilst our friends enjoyed holidays abroad and lived in nice houses. This made us determined to achieve in our careers and ultimately get more out of life.
Stoke-On-Trent suffers from a real lack of aspiration, with most people happy to just ‘get by’. This is something which myself and Michael were not happy to do and unfortunately it is a common trait across the country.
What must a budding entrepreneur from a disadvantaged social or economic background
realise before setting up a successful business? They must stop making excuses for why they can’t do something and just do it. Business is tough; whatever you go into, there will be difficult times. Take advantage of advice and support available and tell everyone you meet about your idea; you never know who will be listening.
The only difference between someone setting up from a disadvantaged background to someone from an affluent one is the capital. Don’t let that be a stumbling block; if you have passion to start your idea you’re half way there.
What are your thoughts on the predicted talent
drain we might experience in the UK? It’s media hype; young people are amongst the most adaptable in today’s society. They are used to technology moving at a fast pace and with most jobs now reliant on technology, they will be able to carry out the roles required going forward.
We need better training and employers willing to take a chance on young people. If we can equip them with the basic skills at an early age then they will be ready for the world of work.
For schools or companies that would like to get involved in The National Enterprise Challenge, please visit
www.nationalenterprisechallenge.co.uk or call:
01782 367148.
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