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ttglive.com
the big idea 2009
Dare to win!
Seize this opportunity,
says investor Jane Dyson
Win £100,000 investment
WIN
Last week TTG launched The Big Idea
2009, offering an amazing chance for a
A fearless attitude will be key for potential entrepreneurs second year running to win a £100,000 invest-
hoping to win £100,000 in TTG’s Big Idea, according to The
ment from four experienced travel investors.
Network managing director Jane Dyson. By Rupert Murray
With investment now so difficult to come by,
this is a chance of a lifetime for one entrepre-
neur to transform an idea into a business.
All finalists will pitch to the four
W
HO dares, wins – that’s Jane set to work from her dining room table at home. investors and be invited to the TTG
Dyson’s message to anyone who Within a month she discovered she was preg- Travel Awards in September to
has a big idea. “Don’t wait for nant again. And as the business began to take hear who has won the prize.
the right time, the right time off, late payments crippled her cashflow and Entry deadline: August 3.
doesn’t exist,” she says. her bank manager was ready to pull the plug.
The Big Idea’s first female investor says if “He looked at me, said I could stop fluttering
she had been a little more sensible and a little my eyelashes and told me if I didn’t pay up by
less “crazy” she might not be the successful the end of the week I was finished,” she recalls. IAN SCOTT
entrepreneur she is today. And The Network Refusing to be discouraged, Dyson revved UK & Ireland director,
founder says she doesn’t worry, ever. It’s an her metaphorical motorcycle, put her home on Dubai Tourism and
attitude that has seen her through obstacles that the line and accelerated into the unknown. Commerce Marketing
would have given Evel Knievel sweaty palms. Her gamble paid off. The Network became
“I was always confident that nothing was the UK’s largest travel specialist field marketing DUBAI thrives on big ideas
insurmountable, that company, and Dyson and creates hot debate
I could cope with any won a raft of business and opinion. As the tourist
situation,” she says. awards; this year she office reflecting this
“And my overriding was named one of inspirational destination,
thought was always: Britain’s 100 most Dubai Tourism and Com-
what’s the worst that entrepreneurial merce Marketing (DTCM)
could happen?” women. creates equally innovative
Free of the worry Not bad for a marketing initiatives for the travel trade.
gene, Dyson was able Bradford girl who Our website dubaiupdate.co.uk has
to ignore doubters took her first job at recently been overhauled and features a trade
and turn a blind eye Intasun aged 18 on a resources section to help agents. This one-stop
to anything that salary of £2,400 and shop includes useful destination information,
appeared likely to the promise of free online ordering of promotional material, pre
quash her big idea fish and chips on and post-fam trip information, as well as
from the start. Fridays. Facebook groups for agents to keep in touch.
With a young child “I would have loved Our events have also been overhauled to
in tow she left a com- to win The Big Idea – make them more fun and effective.
fortable travel career this is a no-lose Working with key operators, we are hosting
that had seen her rise situation for would- dinners to inspire some 600 agents this year
to general manager be entrepreneurs and to increase their sales to Dubai.
of the Travelworld I urge anyone with an We hope that by demonstrating that
chain. Instead, she idea to grasp this innovation and change are possible, we may
borrowed £1,000 and unique opportunity.” inspire you to enter your Big Idea!
Sign up at dubaiexpert.co.uk for compre-
For rules and entry form go to ttgbigidea.com
hensive training or dubaiupdate.co.uk
for a monthly e-newsletter.
26.06.2009 09
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