Story From Disabled Entrepreneurs

Positive Signs is hosting a Deaf Awareness event at Barking Enterprise Centre on Friday May 11^th from 10am – 5pm and we would like to invite you to join us any time during the day. While you are there enter the free business card draw and you could win a free Deaf Awareness workshop in your workplace or a bottle of champagne.

We will be hosting a mix of Deaf-led businesses, service/product providers who offer accessibility to the Deaf community and training & education providers and are inviting local employers, companies, organisations and students interested in apprenticeships to drop in throughout the day.

If you know of any deaf led businesses or deaf service/product providers in the Barking area do please tell them about the event or send us their details so that we can invite them to join in.

If you have any questions please email office@positivesignslondon.com text Sally on  07737 479053 or call Trish on 07734 747854.

We really hope you can join us and help to make this an informative, fun and successful event.

Story From Disabled Entrepreneurs

Story From Disabled Entrepreneurs

We are looking to grow our speaker network! These are exciting times for us, as demand for this part of our service is growing by the day.

A huge part of Disabled Entrepreneurs is our network of schools, colleges and universities. Regularly, we will go into educational establishments (areas we regularly cover include Hull, Leeds, Bradford, Middlesbrough and London) and talk about our experiences in business, and how we’ve developed as professionals. It’s not about blowin’ our individual trumpets – it’s about influencing people as much as possible, passing on individual knowledge (relating to students’ experiences where appropriate) and inspiring those around us. We’ve all got a story that can inspire, so why not share it, and make a real difference?

We are lucky enough to have the opportunity to speak and be heard, and now we’d like you to join us.

Our website now has around 500 clicks per day, and fortunately a good chunk of that figure comes from various schools around the country looking for us to come in and work with them, which is nice! We’re getting loads of requests but our two main speakers (Dom Smith [of Soundsphere magazine] and Shane Bratby [of Mobility Buy] can’t handle all of them – often, we get requests for two or more speakers).

We need YOU to help us.

If you’re interested, please e-mail us (with as much information as possible about your working background) at de@disabledentrepreneurs.co.uk.

It costs just £50 for the year to join our speaker page.

Thank you very much, as ever, for your time and support.

Team DE

Story From Disabled Entrepreneurs

Story From Disabled Entrepreneurs

The National Diversity Awards 2012 will dedicate one night to rewarding those who work at the core of our nation – commending positive role models and community organisations that confront society’s prejudice head on.

The prestigious British Award ceremony caught up with a few of The UK’s most diverse celebrities that have come out in force to show support for the event.

Named the second most influential gay person in Britain back in 2007, and one of the world’s most significant tweeters to date- Stephen Fry said about the awards, “The UK is becoming more and more diverse. It is valuable that a national event is being held to celebrate our differences.”

“Even now in today’s modern society we are still tackling issues of prejudice and discrimination” Fry went on to say – “It is important to come together and focus on those who have demonstrated an outstanding work ethic in order to enhance equality, diversity and inclusion. I am sure The National Diversity Awards will have nothing but a positive outcome for years to come, I wish the event every success.”

Following the buzz around the awards was British Soul and R&B singer, songwriter and Record Producer, Beverley Knight: “Britain is brilliantly diverse. We are every kind of people. I love the idea that there is an awards ceremony that celebrates our differences and their positive effect on all our lives”. Beverley commented – “Sadly I won’t be there as I will be on my honeymoon, but I know the National Diversity Awards will be a great night.”

Boisterous British actor, Brian Blessed, known for his hearty, king-sized portrayals on film and television, was also keen to show his support:

“We have so many excellent role models and charities in Britain that go unnoticed. Equality and inclusion is always on the agenda and it is great to see an event is being held dedicated to those that work at the core of our communities, purely to make our nation greater. We need to embrace diversity and I am positive that The National Diversity Awards will have a lasting effect on those being rewarded for their efforts”.

The UK’s very own paralympic ‘Golden Couple of Disability Sport’ Barney and Sarah Storey, continued the hype surrounding the event, adding: “Barney and I are delighted to support The National Diversity Awards in 2012. The rich tapestry of our nation comes from the fact we are blessed with talented individuals from across the globe who chose to work and live in the UK. Many are providing opportunities to others and inspiring less fortunate people from similar backgrounds to follow their dreams.”

The support from true role models in the public eye is valuable to those from unrepresented backgrounds that have made a positive impact in improving the lives of others. The National Diversity Awards has received over a thousand nominations from the general public- It is clear such an event is wanted and needed during this time of austerity.

For more information visit the official National Diversity Awards website here: http://www.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk.

Story From Disabled Entrepreneurs

Story From Disabled Entrepreneurs

In ‘Be Your Own Boss’ (working title) leading entrepreneur and co-founder of Innocent Drinks, Richard Reed, is on the hunt for the next generation of start-up superstars – and he’s got up to £1million to invest in the right people with the best ideas.

It took the faith and investment of one man to turn Richard and his friends’ idea into a multi-million-pound empire. Now he wants to do the same for a new wave of young entrepreneurs, bringing passion, high stakes and opportunity to the cream of young British business talent.

The search is on for groups of friends with killer ideas, hungry for a shot at life-changing investment.

The series kicks off with an attention-grabbing test of entrepreneurial skill when Richard hands the 500 best applicants some cash to see just how easily they can turn a profit. Disregarding traditional elimination formats, Richard will draw on his own business philosophy to help determine who should have a chance at the kind of big money that turns business dreams into reality.

Richard Reed said: “Setting up and running Innocent with my friends has been a life-enhancing adventure. That’s why I’m excited to be part of this new series giving others the chance to have the same experience, starting their own business and setting them up to become successful entrepreneurs.”

Apply for your slice of Richard Reed’s investment fund, up to £1m available: http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/beonashow

The application process is open for a limited time so if you’ve got a great business idea, apply today!

For more information visit the official Facebook page.

Story From Disabled Entrepreneurs

Story From Disabled Entrepreneurs

Great employees are reliable, dependable, proactive, diligent, great leaders and great followers… they possess a wide range of easily-defined—but hard to find—qualities.

A few hit the next level. Some employees are remarkable, possessing qualities that may not appear on performance appraisals but nonetheless make a major impact on performance.

Here are eight qualities of remarkable employees:

1. They ignore job descriptions. The smaller the company, the more important it is that employees can think on their feet, adapt quickly to shifting priorities, and do whatever it takes, regardless of role or position, to get things done.

When a key customer’s project is in jeopardy, remarkable employees know without being told there’s a problem and jump in without being asked—even if it’s not their job.

2. They’re eccentric… The best employees are often a little different: quirky, sometimes irreverent, even delighted to be unusual. They seem slightly odd, but in a really good way. Unusual personalities shake things up, make work more fun, and transform a plain-vanilla group into a team with flair and flavor.

People who aren’t afraid to be different naturally stretch boundaries and challenge the status quo, and they often come up with the best ideas.

3. But they know when to dial it back. An unusual personality is a lot of fun… until it isn’t. When a major challenge pops up or a situation gets stressful, the best employees stop expressing their individuality and fit seamlessly into the team.

Remarkable employees know when to play and when to be serious; when to be irreverent and when to conform; and when to challenge and when to back off. It’s a tough balance to strike, but a rare few can walk that fine line with ease.

4. They publicly praise… Praise from a boss feels good. Praise from a peer feels awesome, especially when you look up to that person.

Remarkable employees recognize the contributions of others, especially in group settings where the impact of their words is even greater.

5. And they privately complain. We all want employees to bring issues forward, but some problems are better handled in private. Great employees often get more latitude to bring up controversial subjects in a group setting because their performance allows greater freedom.

Remarkable employees come to you before or after a meeting to discuss a sensitive issue, knowing that bringing it up in a group setting could set off a firestorm.

6. They speak when others won’t. Some employees are hesitant to speak up in meetings. Some are even hesitant to speak up privately.

An employee once asked me a question about potential layoffs. After the meeting I said to him, “Why did you ask about that? You already know what’s going on.” He said, “I do, but a lot of other people don’t, and they’re afraid to ask. I thought it would help if they heard the answer from you.”

Remarkable employees have an innate feel for the issues and concerns of those around them, and step up to ask questions or raise important issues when others hesitate.

7. They like to prove others wrong. Self-motivation often springs from a desire to show that doubters are wrong. The kid without a college degree or the woman who was told she didn’t have leadership potential often possess a burning desire to prove other people wrong.

Education, intelligence, talent, and skill are important, but drive is critical. Remarkable employees are driven by something deeper and more personal than just the desire to do a good job.

8. They’re always fiddling. Some people are rarely satisfied (I mean that in a good way) and are constantly tinkering with something: Reworking a timeline, adjusting a process, tweaking a workflow.

Great employees follow processes. Remarkable employees find ways to make those processes even better, not only because they are expected to… but because they just can’t help it.

Story From Disabled Entrepreneurs

Story From Disabled Entrepreneurs

Here we take a look at some of the key Budget announcements that may affect your business during the year ahead.

Tax & VAT

Corporation tax to be reduced
Corporation tax will be reduced to 24% with the overall aim to reduce to 22% by 2014

Simplified tax system
New simplified tax system for more than 3 million small businesses with an annual turnover of up to £77,000

Higher rate reduction 
From April 2013 the higher tax rate will be reduced from 50% to 45%

Tax free allowance
The tax free allowance will increase to £8,105 this April and will rise to £9,205 next April

Boost to Business

Lower interest rates
Lower interest rates will be passed on to small businesses through the National Loan Guarantee Scheme

Support for young entrepreneurs
The Government is considering introducing Enterprise Loans to encourage business start-ups amongst young entrepreneurs

Faster broadband connections
Ultra-fast broadband and wifi will be funded in ten of the UK’s largest cities

Relaxed Sunday trading
Legislation to be introduced to relax Sunday trading laws for eight Sundays around the Olympics

Pensions

State pension age review
Automatic review of state pension age to ensure it keeps pace with increasing lifespans

Higher rate relief
No change to pension relief for higher rate tax payers

Fuel Duty

No change to fuel duty 
No change to existing plans on fuel duty – the planned 3p rise in August will go ahead

Vehicle excise duty
Vehicle excise duty to rise by inflation, but frozen for road hauliers

Story From Disabled Entrepreneurs

Story From Disabled Entrepreneurs

What’s an Online business and why you need this online business ideas? With recent global economic recession, people have faced tough times to retain their jobs as a result

Of lot of changes been noticed in the corporate world. It is hard to become employed at this times and it is almost close to impossible to find good job these days. Under these circumstances, the wisest course of action taken by lot of people is to start up their own home based online business as a source of secondary income. There are online business ideas where you may not require huge capital investment but you would only require using your skills, talents and sources to make profitable business venture right from your home. Internet is wonderful platform that provide worldwide exposure to find out various job opportunities and thus spring numerous online business ideas.

Let us find out top 8 online business ideas which are most honest and genuine to make money right from your home:

Top 8 Online Business Ideas

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is one of the best online business idea where you need not require owing product to sell online with affiliate marketing but market a product or service to the potential customers by redirecting them to the merchant website. If the customer happens to make purchase you will be paid your commission. Thus, your role as an affiliate is to channelize targeted traffic to merchant’s website, without worrying about business backend functions like delivering goods, payment processing and customer support. The beauty of affiliate marketing is that you do not require any technical wiz or internet savvy and start your online business without costing a dime. You can start your affiliate marketing business with affiliate networks likeClickbank, CJ, Amazon etc. Know more about what is affiliate marketing

Website Flipping Business

Website Flipping term is influenced from the property industry where investors buy a property, renovate and sell it at higher price. Website flipping essentially follows the same process online with an art where investor invest buying, improving and selling websites at higher price. Website flipping is the quicker option to buy existing and established website with higher earnings and higher position on search engine result pages instead of putting all efforts and money buying all tools to build website and further placing it on top rankings on Google. One can sell a website as high as 10 to 15 times price of the monthly earning potential of the blog or website. The future of website flipping business is going to be next fastest growing online business in coming years with the shortage of high potential niche domain names. Read hereone of the article describing this business nicely.

Blogging

Blogging has shown tremendous success results to lot of bloggers. There are lots of bloggers who have left their full time job just because of their online success. Blogging itself includes several methods to make money online with viable advertising programs like Google Adsense, Chitika for bloggers to make money via contextual ad program. Affiliate programs like Clickbank, Amazon and LinkShare are alternatives to explore your marketing skills promoting products or services with blogging. These days, lots of bloggers are involved in digital assets to support and add revenue to their blogs. Digital assets like e-courses, e-books, tele-seminars are being run by bloggers. Business blog writing, blog network opportunities, flipping blogs, consulting and speaking are considered as potential medium to make money through blogging. Follow some of the blogs like are Labnol.org, ShoutMeLoud.com, FamousBloggers.net,Kikolani.com, Technocian.com etc. You will find lots of tips and help from these blogs on the topics. There are hundreds of similar good quality blogs and once you visit these blogs, you will find more references. Patience is the key to the success in blogging

Content Development

Like Blogging, content writing jobs is also one of the most leveraging online business ideas that you can get easily based on your writing skills. Career opportunities get wider everyday with awesome paying jobs. Typically, Indian writing market is running very low pay per hour rate as well as do not get enough exposure due to ghost and pseudo writing. Indian writer despite of much hard work they are paid very less. You can get best value for your writing by refining your resume and portfolio and definitely stand out of the crowd influencing over large number of people. Highlight your writing skills and expertise along with some best interesting work in your online resume. Content development is not limited to article writing only but there is more like managing social media profiles, analytics etc. You can check the reference article here

Start an SEO Business

This one is emerging like a winner among all online businesses. If you are internet savvy with good knowledge of search engine optimization, social media, website optimization then starting your own SEO business will be fantastic online business idea. You can weave your magic offering various services to webmasters with each website racing to get top rankings in particular niche. Website owners continuously looking for cost effective alternatives to help them optimize web space, increase visibility of their web pages, enhance their search engine rank and cording more visitors. Even if you are an expert in only one of the SEO part, you can make a good living by handling the projects at Elance, ODesk, Fiverr where you can get lots of assignments.

Become A Seller on EBay

One more good online business idea is to make money selling your products on eBay. eBay provides virtual storefront where you can create and manage your own online web store. It provides online platform with huge potential to reach global consumer base. You can sell out wide range of products from electronic and digital gadgets, lifestyle products, handicrafts and lot more. Either you can sell your own product or services or even you can sell other products through tie up with the merchants in your area. ‘Sky is the limit’ is the one line sentence to describe your earning capacity at eBay.
Know More about eBay here-
How to make money from eBay store
What to sell on eBay to make money

Create a Membership Site

Creating a membership site is very lucrative home based business model where you can get comfort to work in your own premises of your home and set up your own office from there. You can decide products, services or contents to sell on your membership site. You can announce free as well as paid membership where free membership will have limited access to features and products while paid members will get full access to your website. Your only investment will be to purchase domain name and have your own website. The selection of the niche will be important factor since this decides your customer base joining your site. Check one of the best article describing “how to build a membership site in 48 hrs”

Sell your own Products & Services

Creating and selling your own products or services online is again one of the best online business ideas with least up-front investment. You can take your products or service from zero to stardom with print-on demand technology. You can create your own products like garments, fabric, books, clocks, games, skateboards 15 such print-on demand sites. CafePress, Zazzle, Spreadshirt, Pikistore, Lulu, CreateSpace, deviantArt and many others online sites are available to sell your own products. Read more on Mashable here

Finally, when it comes to running your own small business several advantages and disadvantages are accompanied that probably you would never ever have thought of. Let us what are they:

Advantages of Online Business

Low investment to start-up

Web business requires minimal investment or zero investment in comparison to any other business. You need investment to purchase domain name costing your less than $20 a year and web hosting account annually costing you less than $50 a year. These are just two basic tools required to get started online.

Minimal risk in online business

Due to low-cost startup, there is low-risk involved in online business. You do not have to mortgage your house to create an online venture. And that is the reason, you won’t lose anything if you don’t get success through any of the online business ideas.

No inventory to carry

You can choose business model where you focus on selling digital downloadable products online. You can also consider earning income advertising on your blog, selling lead to other business or earn revenue through pay-per-view articles on your website.

Flexible working

You are free to work from anywhere anytime. You will only require Internet connection to maintain your business. Hence, online business ideas give total freedom to work

Maximum usage of time

In most of the cases web based online business does not want to deal with headaches of having engaging employees, managing the team, paying them salaries etc. You will be reducing your overhead by keeping your work agile with maximum usage of time in building your business. You can hire freelancer on need basis.

Scalable

The greatest advantage of any online business ideas is the potential to reach worldwide audience. Hence, give you unlimited earning potential. If you have business model laid with effective systems then you can develop it to much bigger venture eventually. Perhaps, Scalability is one of the main attractions of starting enterprise online.

Disadvantages of Online Business Ideas

Pretty hard to become your own boss

It is very difficult to run entire show and keep everything charged individually. The risk involved here is that you may not make money if you do not do things properly. You being gung-ho about every business idea that comes to your mind and every project that need to be taken care by you just because it is you business.

Difficult to be continuously motivated

With normal job, anyone would get enough motivation to get regular paychecks. It is very difficult to keep you continuously charged and motivated especially dealing with the physiological attitude that nobody is around you busy working.

Difficult to work without any schedule

Freedom to work on your schedule is one virtue attached with online business ideas but it brings with itself burden of being responsible and discipline to execute. You need to be self disciplined, organized, consistent and persistent with never giving up attitude to achieve success.

Lack of human contact

If you are a person who likes to be always around people or people around you working in a cubicle office then online business ideas may not fits you. Online business may give a feeling of being socially detached as most of the conversations are being carried out with emails. You may find rare instances where you need to talk personally on phone.

Finding yourself different

You look different from the majority of people around you. Especially, when you find anyone with an impressive title carved on the gold name plate on their office desk or in front door of the house. People tend to define their occupation but unfortunately you feel weird introducing yourself as a website owner no matter the amount of tweets you have with you. This means it is difficult rather different style to get yourself introduce as web entrepreneur.

Summary

There are lots of earning opportunities with online business ideas which has given best results to lot of people but it is you who needs to decide whether it will work for you or not. Being web entrepreneur and see your own boss in you is not all about getting peaches and cream. We would like to hear your own good and bad experiences of you journey as web entrepreneur. Just tell us if you want to start your own online business and which online business idea is working or can work for you.

Story From Disabled Entrepreneurs

Story From Disabled Entrepreneurs

Story From Disabled Entrepreneurs

Story From Disabled Entrepreneurs

The National Diversity Awards is a prestigious black tie event held in The Midland Hotel, Manchester on the 21st September, 2012, which celebrates the achievements of people from underrepresented backgrounds and also recognises contributions made by individuals or groups from diverse communities. The awards are sponsored by companies that have

developed an open and inclusive culture and are striving to build a more diverse and stable workforce.
You can begin nominating by visiting www.nationaldiversityawards.co.ukNominations are now open to the general public and we have a variety of awards representing different categories of diversity. The Entrepreneurial of Excellence award recognises individuals who have best demonstrated managerial expertise in assembling resources, creating an organisation, decision making under uncertainty, being forward looking and creatively solving problems. We would like to make as many people aware that they can nominate and be nominated across the UK. The Entrepreneurial of Excellence Award is an excellence opportunity to be recognised for your efforts as an entrepreneur, on the grounds of Age, Disability, Gender, Race and LGBT.

Story From Disabled Entrepreneurs

Story From Disabled Entrepreneurs

As a corporate coach I have worked with many leaders, but the person who inspired me the most worked in the airport industry and took a “back to the floor”approach.

From time to time he would roll up his sleeves to get stuck in, in every department: washing dishes in the cafes, handling baggage and so on. In finding time to show people that he appreciated them, and to find their concerns, he was saying: “I want to understand what you do – because what you do counts.”

No matter how big or how junior the role, everyone on the team should feel theyshare a vision and should know that they are valued. A strong leader does more than motivate; he or she drives the team culture, while also encouraging the team to be fully accountable and responsible for achieving their common goal.

A good leader knows they can’t achieve everything on their own. Fabulous teams have a sense of purpose and understand their objectives.

Managing and leading people is highly rewarding when you have the tools to do it well, but most people learn as they go along, and some fall by the wayside, losing confidence in the process. So much about leadership is about managing team dynamics – and power dynamics.

When you have several people in the same room, each representing the interests of their own department – marketing, finance, etc – there will be times when there are clashes and unhelpful behaviour. Instead of the leader, someone else within the team holds the power, and is diverting attention to dampening the energy.

If something happens in a meeting to prevent co-operation, it must also be happening on a daily basis.

An effective leader will listen and help individuals to respect each other and work together as a fully functioning team. The leader (perhaps with the help of a coach) needs to ensure there is a strategy of action put in place so that he or she and the team commit to changing unhelpful behaviour.

We are all leaders in some aspect of our lives – the key is to get help in acquiring the key skills that enable us to lead effectively.

A team becomes successful when the business leader:

1. Has a sense of purpose and encourages a common vision. A team takes its cue from the attitude and behaviour of the person who leads them.

2. Communicates openly and honestly – and is authentic in approach. This is the boss who says: “Good morning, how are you today?” and means it, rather tahn rushing through the office with a curt “Morning” on the way to a meeting.

3. Makes sure body language echoes their intentions. There is no point in saying to a team member: “I can give you all the time you need”, if you signal the opposite message by constantly checking your watch.

4. Clearly defines roles and responsibilities and encourages support and trustwithin the team.

5. Conducts effective meetings, where everyone can contribute  - by taking clear decisions but making time to listen to others’ points of view.

6. Encourages tolerance of others’ differences and constructive resolution of conflict – by encouraging a culture of personal responsibility rather than a culture of blame.

7. Reviews results and working practices, while encouraging a sense of pride in personal achievements. Take time to celebrate scaling the first mountain before climbing the next one.

8. Remains self-aware. Being mindful of the impact he or she has on others and maintaining a flexible approach.

9. Respects and co-operates with others inside and outside the organisation. In a small business, every relationship within the network counts. You are only ever as strong as your weakest link.

10. Leads by example. Where the leader leads, others will follow.

Ann Skidmore is the EBA Image Expert from 
www.the-eba.com

Story From Disabled Entrepreneurs