University of Essex & School for Startups to Jump Start UK Small Business in Colchester

Oct. 20, 2009 - PRLog -- Doug Richard, Dragons' Den investor, serial entrepreneur and founder of School for Startups (S4S), will lecture small businesses and startups on 13 November 2009 at a free one day "Six Rules for Startups" event in Colchester. The course, a £95 value, will be delivered free through the University of Essex with funding from the Government’s Economic Challenge Investment Fund (ECIF). Entrepreneurs can reserve a seat at www.schoolforstartups.co.uk.

(London, England) -- Doug Richard, Dragons' Den investor and serial entrepreneur will deliver his "Six Rules for Startups" course to new entrepreneurs and small business owners on 13 November 2009 at  The Weston Homes Community Stadium,  Essex. 

Attendees will receive practical instruction in how to develop great products and services, identify paying customers efficiently, market their offerings well at very low cost, effectively eliminate their competition, and build a great team. 

The Six Rules for Startups course has a normal value of £95, but will be offered free to anyone living or working in Essex or Suffolk via the University of Essex under a program funded by the Economic Challenge Investment Fund (ECIF). Seating is limited.  To sign up, visit www.schoolforstartups.co.uk.

"As I've stated more than once, I intend to make everyone in the UK an Entrepreneur." said Doug Richard, speaking about the event.  "Our research shows that the toughest thing for most entrepreneurs is just getting started.  They don't know how to start a good business from the ground up. Our training addresses that issue directly.  Those who attend this event will leave with a very solid understanding of exactly how to build a profitable business fast.  Those entrepreneurs with existing businesses struggling in the new economy will master low-cost or no-cost marketing techniques that will increase their profit while reducing their cost."

Students who attended the very successful October 10 "Six Rules for Startups" event, also hosted by the University of Essex, said:

"I like Doug’s clear specific manner of assisting the audience’s questions and answers. He enabled me to see things clearer without the fluff. A great presenter with warm charisma. I have to add looks much younger and more handsome than on TV. Thanks for a great day." --  Amanda Jane Dowsett

"An excellent course, extremely well presented and very down to earth.  A most enjoyable day." -- Ian Kettlewell

"Great course, enjoyable and information was well presented and genuinely helpful." -- Oliver Williams

"I really enjoyed the style of presentation and the opportunity for interaction." -- Iain Allan

"I thought the presentation was great just wanted to say thank you very much. It has helped me clarify a lot." -- Abilene Leach

"Please keep this fantastic school going. The most practical, useful advice I have ever received. The Doug Richards' combo of clever communication skills and entrepreneurial knowledge is very, very impressive..."  -- Stephen Neale

Dr Janice Pittis, Director of the Research and Enterprise Office for the University of Essex says "Responding rapidly to the needs of employers and individuals (including graduates) during the economic downturn, the University of Essex has rolled out a programme of skills-related training across Essex and Suffolk. We are developing new online resources to help people maximise their skills and increase both profitability and employability. The programme runs until the end of September 2010 with funding from the Government’s Economic Challenge Investment Fund (ECIF)."

About the University of Essex
The University of Essex is one of the UK's leading academic institutions. Founded in 1964 when it opened its doors to a cohort of just 122 students at Wivenhoe Park in Colchester, the University has grown in both reputation and size, developing a worldwide reputation for top quality teaching and research.

About Doug Richard:
Doug Richard, an original Dragons' Den investor, and successful serial entrepreneur, received an honorary Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion for his work promoting, developing and helping entrepreneurs in May 2006. In May 2008 Richard published his investigation into the British government's support of small businesses, The Richard Report.  For more information on Doug Richard, visit School for Startups at  www.schoolforstartups.co.uk. You can follow Richard on Twitter at @s4startups, @s4tv and @DouglasRichard.

Contact:
Nicola Coleman
School for Startups
+44 (0) 7702 313 226
http://www.schoolforstartups.co.uk
info@www.schoolforstartups.co.uk

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School for Startups was started by Doug Richard in 2008 to provide accelerated instruction to entrepreneurs. Visit our site at www.schoolforstartups.co.uk. Follow us on Twitter @s4startups.