Doug Richard
From the Californian sunshine to your television set, Doug vaunts over 20 years’
experience in the world of business, predominantly establishing and building
technology software ventures across the UK and United States. His latest project is
the seminal School For Startups, a one-stop education for fledging entrepreneurs.
Doug will explain that, before an entrepreneur invests valuable time and
money into a business idea, there are essential questions they should ask
themselves: Who are my customers? What makes my proposition attractive? Do
I have a sustainable competitive advantage? What type of industry am I in? Do I
have the right skills and experience? Who else do I need to make this work?
What is so great about School For Startups? What’s been your greatest achievement?
Name: Doug Richard Besides me!? My greatest achievement was probably standing
The biggest challenges in business are up again after being hit by a serious business
Career Highlights: those you don’t know, or expect. Where other nightmare. A bad investment nearly ruined me,
• Started and sold Visual Software, ITAL institutions take a year or two to ‘prepare’ you for and I had to start from the beginning all over
Computers and Micrografx. business, people want to get going sooner than again.
• Won Queen’s Award for Business that. School For Startups’ prime contribution is
• Enterprise Promotion in 2006 helping young entrepreneurs to avoid mistakes What are the qualities that make you
• Original panel member on BBC’s and actually get off the ground as soon as successful?
Dragons’ Den. possible. A friend of mine said to me “Doug, I work 24/7.”
• Founded School For Startups. I said to him, I work 7/24: 7 hours a day, 24 days
So, its ultimate goal? a year. It’s a great approach to business. I don’t
The aim is to increase the number of innovative think that working hard makes you successful,
small businesses in the UK, to provide them with I really don’t – I’m living proof of it. I’m not that
“Design your path to market
world class business advice and to help them hard a worker; I’m not that constructive a person;
correctly and you will create
succeed. I’m not that good a boss; I’m not that great a
businessperson. So, if I can do it, you can do it.
a business whose growth
What’s your advice for anyone looking to
accelerates itself.”
become their own boss? What’s your seminar about at Business
No boss is easier or more difficult than yourself! Startup?
I’ll explain that, if you have a business idea and
Any tips for people starting up during the nothing else, what the first steps to take are,
Hall 1 – 10.30-11.30
recession? and how to succeed in getting a business of the
Thursday & Friday Stay lightweight. Try not to be burdened by ground. I’ll teach you how to raise money, make
Doug Richard Explains His unnecessary costs. If you don’t need to spend – money, choose the right business model and
Essential Steps To Business Success don’t! create a business that can grow quickly.
The title says it all. The Connoisseur’s
Dragon, Doug’s seminar will be underpinned What’s the importance of a good business What does the future have in store?
by his dedication to start-ups. Based on his plan? Finding innovative ways to teach and inform start-
unique experience and knowledge, he will Make no mistake about it, business is war. And ups, not only through live events, but the internet
take you through the key steps to succeed in a business’s battle plan is the course it charts to and other resources.
business. Also pioneer panellist on Dragons’ reach its key market. Design your path to market And of course, hosting the largest
Den, Doug is one of the most successful and correctly and you will create a business whose Christmas party for entrepreneurs in December.
respected entrepreneurs of his generation. growth accelerates itself.
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BUSINESS STARTUP In association with Visit us on Stand 310 and supported by Visit us on stand 304




BUSINESS STARTUP In association with Visit us on Stand 310 and supported by Visit us on stand 304