Motivational Speakers from the Apprentice
Business education needed in schools, says Apprentice star Speaking at a small business roundtable today, Campbell, who founded the Bright Ideas Trust, highlighted the importance of providing more support for aspiring business owners, and emphasised the value of Britain’s youth in enterprise. He said: “Children should learn in schools how to set up a business. The beauty of youth is that you have got no fear or responsibilities, and we need more young people coming up with business ideas.” The T-Mobile Business Sense Roundtable looked at what needs to be done to allow small companies and start-ups to succeed in the coming years. The panel, which included several small business owners, cited cashflow as the main challenge faced by many firms at present. Also identified as a major hurdle was the forthcoming VAT rise – the rate will go from 17.5% to 20% from January 2011. Another panellist, Andrew Cave, head of policy at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), explained the need for the government to tackle late payments. He said: “There is a lot that can be done to change the behaviour of big businesses and suppliers in the private sector to ease cashflow for smaller firms.” Cave also drew attention to the lack of loyal relationships and understanding between banks and businesses, which he said needed to be repaired to provide the necessary support for enterprise to grow. He added: “The main port of call for advice and help for small businesses is the banks. We need to get the banks to return to that model of helping small companies and offering them advice.” Also on the panel were Geraldine Brooks, founder of female business networking organisation Sugargroup, and Dave Miller and Jim Blakemore, co-founders of the social enterprise Bikeworks.
Tim Campbell, Channel 4 News Thursday, 27th July 2010
Schools should teach young people more about business and enterprise, according to former Apprentice winner Tim Campbell.
Please click here to see the article
www.startups.co.uk - 4th August 2010
Young people's champion Tim Campbell talked to Jon Snow on Channel 4 News on Thursday, 27th July about the age revolution sparked by the Government announcement that the pension age of 65 is no longer relevant.
Tim talked about his experiences helping teenagers and young adults get on the jobs ladder through his Bright Ideas Trust which helps people put their entrepreneurial bright ideas into practice.
To watch Tim talking to Jon Snow, please click here
A note from Tim Campbell - The First Winner of The Apprentice:
I have developed this exciting website to open up speaker opportunities for fellow Apprentices who have much to offer the business community, I have enjoyed sharing my experiences and know audiences out there will be eager to know how it all began.
People thought I was mad leaving a nine to five management job with London Underground to take my chances on the first ever Apprentice programme.
Although I enjoyed what I was doing I wanted more out of life – a chance to show my free spirit, an opportunity to learn more about business.
Being part of what has now become an audience and ratings winner was certainly a revelation. It wasn’t the walk in the park some of my fellow contestants were expecting and was definitely the challenge I was hoping for.
Looking back on it I didn’t really think about appearing foolish. I was confident enough in my own ability to know that I could prove I knew what I was doing without appearing brash. I knew I could work well as a team, after all this was something I did in daily life.
Doors have certainly opened for me as the first winner. It has been a tremendous opportunity which I have made the most of. I suppose that was one of the things that Sir Alan liked about me from the beginning. Nevertheless I was not pampered in my sales role with Amstrad. It was a tough and demanding job from the beginning and a great opportunity to learn about corporate life.
It was also a revelation getting to know the workings of the business directly from the man who is regarded as one of the UK’s top entrepreneurs and pioneers of free spirit and enterprise. He was a mentor more than a manager and I learned many things from him, including the benefits of delegation and the power of sound investment. These are lessons I have carried with me into my own ventures.
He gave me the confidence to believe in myself which is why I had the confidence to quit my Amstrad job eventually and set up \Bright Ideas Trust to help other young people like myself. Keeping your feet on the ground and remembering that thousands of people are tuning in for entertainment as well as enlightenment was important. It may have been fortunate that we were a new idea tucked away on BBC2.
Attracting ten million viewers on prime time television must seem incredibly daunting for the latest Apprentices who definitely need nerves of steel. Anyone getting involved must be aware that it has the power to change lives in every way. 
Call the Apprentice Speakers on 08707 602 813