News & Views

Business studies courses don’t always produce the best entrepreneurs

What do flight safety information, dog treats and Ghanaian cosmetics have in common? If you said they provide inspiration for the latest crop of entrepreneurial ideas from students at a…
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What does it take to be an entrepreneur?

Well first of all, if our straw poll is anything to go by, most entrepreneurs wouldn’t describe themselves as “entrepreneurs”! In our survey the most common words business owners used…
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2014 UK local government employment “snippets”

For a number of months we have seen a steady drip feed of information on cuts in jobs at local authorities and new jobs in other private sector businesses.  To…
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The pleasures of a flower shop; other types of business are also good!

Inspiring young people about a career as an entrepreneur, is great when done by other entrepreneurs.  Red Potato works in partnership with local entrepreneurs to equip students with the skills…
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“If it is too good to be true…it probably is” International Trade Enquiries 101

On Christmas Eve, as England experienced unseasonal heavy rain and high winds, Red Potato received an enquiry from Pakistan to supply us with several containers of white potatoes.  The variety…
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What does the business value? The 3 reasons why clear values are essential for business profitability

Jay Wheeler, Red Potato.   www.red-potato.com Why would an independent business owner want to take the time-consuming, uncomfortable journey of developing, interpreting and running a business in accordance with clear…
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Something to get the sap rising

Oh dear, “weak resistance to splitting and some resistance to bruising”.  This doesn’t sound very positive.   No, this is not the obituary of a politician or the characteristics of…
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Promoting apprenticeships to SMEs: Training providers need to wake up and smell the roses

The florist said “they never send me anyone who can work out the cost of half a dozen flower stems to make a bouquet and be trusted to write a…
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Welwyn Hatfield Alliance Annual Conference 22nd November “Strengthening Partnerships”

Strengthening Parternships, preparing for change Annual Conference at the Focolare Centre, Welwyn Garden City 22nd November Full Programme details below 09.15 Registration and refreshments 09.30 Welcome 09.35 Speed dating! 09.45…
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How Local Strategic Partnerships can help stimulate (very) local economic change

Much of the economic debate is about the role of Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPS).  LEPs have the critical mass and potential access to resources to drive change and attract major investment…
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