Mr Robert Ashton, Partner
www.robertashton.co.uk
Turnpike Farm, Suton,
Wymondham
NR18 9SS
United Kingdom
Tel: 01953605000 E-mail: robert@robertashton.co.uk
Website: http://
Type of Presentation: Workshop
Aims: A new way to help the over 50s entrepreneur
Background: The over 50s often have quite different objectives for starting a business. It could be prompted redundancy, early retirement or a quest for self actualisation. They have less debt, less personal outgoings and a greater desire to 'put something back' than their younger peers.
Many enterprises started by older entrepreneurs have a strong social/community focus. They display traits and experience challenges encountered by both the for-profit and social enterprise sectors.
They need a different kind of business support.
Action: Robert Ashton has developed and delivered three times, an enterprise boot camp that combines group workshops, action learning, e-mentoring and consultancy to create a unique programme focused on the individual and collective needs of the older entrepreneur.
The programme consists of:
- pre programme 1:1 interviews
- goal setting workshop
- problem solving workshop
- next steps and celebrating success workshop
- e-mentoring over the three month term
- troubleshooting and problem solving
- network development
Like the audience, the programme covers a wide range of themes, needs and issues.
Results: At the end of the programme, participants are more focused and clearer as to what they are doing. Many have seen their business performance improve. Others have decided to change tack and one met a wealthy widower who invested in her and her venture for all the wrong reasons!
Lessons: The baby boom generation is different, they:
- need to remain economically active, but want to choose what they do
- remember the hardships of post war Britain and want to live comfortably
- have strong values and a desire to make a difference as well as a living
- are influenced by their own children are different again, economically competitive yet socially responsible
- can be demanding and think they know what they want
Scaling up and funding this programme will fill a gap in the business support market
Keywords: olderpreneur, social enterprise, over 50s, Business Boot Camp, business start-up, business growth