Networking also plays a part in the day, but not the usual type of networking. The conference team have come up with techniques outside of the norm, for a relaxed, fun atmosphere, but strategies that they hope will form real relationships with the people in the room, enabling all attendees to make diverse and useful connections.
The conference had a wealth of experienced speakers and masterclasses. The four key note speakers at the conference were as follows; Duncan Yellowless who delivered a talk on Presenting Skills, Kevin Anderson - Communication Skills, Kathryn Dishman-Baird - Digital Marketing, Victoria Fleming - Sales & Pricing and a group masterclass from productivity guru Tiana Wilson-Buys. Guests were also able to attend two masterclasses, these included; Small Business Accounting & Finance with Julie Allan, Beating Imposter Syndrome with Beverly Sherratt, High Flying Energy with Aileen Smith, Resilience Strategies with Polly Brennan and Business Development with Sanjee Ratnatunga.
Jo is a huge advocate of the University and contacted the Enterprise Place at the University of Sunderland to offer 5 free tickets for the event. However due to the interest in attending the conference they actually offered 6 student business owners the opportunity to attend. The students had an opportunity to develop their business acumen, whilst networking with established business owners.Three of the students, Rob, Kirsty & Chris have had support from the Development Office at the University of Sunderland, receiving funding through scholarships to support enterprise and employability.
Rob Sissons a final year student and Jo Cameron’s mentee attended the conference for the second year running and has used the opportunity to make some excellent contacts. Rob returned this year to help out with the facilitation on the day and brought along a team of student volunteers too. Another University of Sunderland student Jenny Goodfellow was also recruited to photograph the event.
The conference was a huge success and tickets can be booked for next year’s conference, which is to be held on the 12th June 2020 at the same venue (The Assembly Rooms). For more information on the Talking point of business conference see the website here.
We also got the opportunity to catch up with Jo Cameron and Beverly Sharratt who are Director's of Launchpad HR, University of Sunderland alumni and organisers of the #TPBiz conference. We asked Jo and Beverly some questions about their careers and what it has been like starting up a business together.
Jo Cameron
How did you find the experience of starting your own business?
I have worked in the HR and Recruitment industry for 20 years both in the UK and Australia. I started my own HR Consultancy business after facing redundancy in 2012. I managed a part time role while building up my client base for 18 months and then made the leap to full time self-employment. It was the best decision I have ever made – I have the best boss anyone could ever wish for! I found the experience of starting my own business daunting at first but I surrounded myself with amazing people including experienced business advisors from local Enterprise Agencies at the BIC and TEDCO. I went to every networking meeting in the North East to start building my connections and confidence and never turned down a job. The learning curve during the first year in business is unbelievable but sheer determination and the passion to provide realistic HR support to the small business community was enough to drive me forward.
What has been your greatest success so far?
I am very proud of the fact I have survived the rollercoaster of self-employment for 7 years – I still work with the same clients I started off with and have loved watching their businesses grow and develop. I was also very privileged to be taken on by Sunderland University as an Associate Tutor for the Psychology Faculty in 2014 to run a module on Employability. As a Sunderland graduate in BA (Hons) HR and IT (graduated 2002) it was an amazing experience to conduct lectures in the Sir Tom Cowie Lecture Theatre, when I had sat there as a student. I have held this role for 5 years and I am also an active Mentor for Enterprise Students and a frequent panel judge for the SUPA awards too.
What has been your most challenging moment so far?
Working alone can be really challenging, for the first 6 years I worked by myself and then merged my business with Beverly Sherratt to create LaunchPad HR Ltd. The loneliness and isolation can be suffocating sometimes especially when you want to bounce ideas around or talk through a client issue. I am so pleased that we are able to work within the partnership to provide much needed support for each other.
What advice would you give recent graduates entering the job market?
I would urge graduates to get work experience in their chosen field whether this is paid or voluntary. Having a degree on your CV just isn’t enough for employers. As an experienced Recruitment Specialist who has conducted hundreds of interviews, I can confirm that employers want to hear about how you can demonstrate your skills. They want real examples of when you have used effective communication skills, solved a problem or went the extra mile for a client/customer. Gaining experience is essential – you wouldn’t normally buy a car without test driving it first – this is the same for your future career too! There are so many different aspects of psychology, business, finance, law, science etc… how are you able to specialise if you haven’t explored the options available.
Who or what at the University of Sunderland influenced you most?
As the first person to go to university from my whole family, immediate and extended, I think the University of Sunderland taught me that I could explore different career options. That I didn’t have to follow a strict path into industry. It taught me how to become resourceful in making connections with other students, faculty staff and industry professionals.
Who are your biggest influences? Who do you admire most? Who or what inspired you to do what you’re doing now?
It may sound like a cliché but my family has been my main inspiration. I come from a family of entrepreneurs. My Dad owned his own business for years and I was brought up with the belief that you could achieve anything if you worked hard and were never afraid of taking a risk. So I think my Dad would be the person who has inspired me the most, to never give up on your dreams. My two daughters are only 8 and 10 but they are already showing interest in entering the world of self-employment, I think they see how much I love my job and that you can meet lots of great people along the way.
What do you want your legacy to be? How do you want to be remembered?
I have worked with small businesses for the past 7 years as an HR Consultant and owner of Colleagues on Tap a co-working community which operates in 5 sites across the North East. I would like to be remembered as someone who champions the small business community and supports individuals within their journey of self-employment. I try to inspire other business leaders to push the boundaries of their own achievements. I love to coach and mentor business owners and make them realise what a great job they are doing and offer ideas of how they could move their businesses forward.
Beverly Sharratt
How did you find the experience of starting your own business?
It took me 6 years to make the leap. I’d really wanted to become self-employed but as someone who had never been unemployed, made redundant, and been successful in my career, the security held me back. Once I made the decision to take the leap I did it very quickly. As I’m very much a “once I’m in it – do it person” I just made myself known to businesses and firms I could do associate work with and got out there. What I didn’t do was research the support there is for start-ups. That is my strongest tip – get start-up support, and join all relevant membership sites and networks
What has been your greatest success so far?
A collaborative project where I wrote the proposal document and secured a £150,000 contract for the group of businesses involved. I did the pitch for the group and wrote the proposal. I’m particularly proud because I’d written the document and then went on a sales course. Following that course I completely changed the proposal and the bid was accepted.
What has been your most challenging moment so far?
Finding a niche and spreading myself too thin. I’m the type of person who loves challenge and this can lead to lack of focus which leave potential clients needing clarity as to your core business. Over the past year we’ve found our passion and focus and this has lead to huge growth for us.
What advice would you give recent graduates entering the job market?
Get experience in your chosen career. Demonstrate you are keen to work and take responsibility so that you can have a CV that really stands out against the competition. Get a good LinkedIn profile and link to key people in the organisations you’re interested in. Join the LinkedIn groups and participate in discussions. Understand the environment you’re likely to work best in. Is that small business or large corporate? What do you want out of your career? Then research the companies and don’t be afraid to ask questions about the things that you need to bring out your best.
Who or what at the University of Sunderland influenced you most?
The encouragement to try new things and introductions to industries. Guest speakers ignited passion for business.
How did you begin running the TPBIZ conference?
We took over Talking Point of Business in 2018. It was the fifth conference. We were asked as trusted business owners with a passion for small and micro business to take the helm. Whilst we run a HR and OD company our focus is providing services that help people and businesses progress to the next level. Everything we do is focused on progression to the next level, whether that’s providing HR support to companies employing people for the first time, or working with people who may have Impostor Syndrome or are self-sabotaging themselves in their personal and business development. TPBiz therefore fits in with our business strategy to help businesses progress to the next level by providing an event that combined networking with practical sessions that help organisations grow and develop.
Who are your biggest influences? Who do you admire most? Who or what inspired you to do what you’re doing now?
I think everyone needs a role model and I feel very privileged to have had some fantastic mentors in my career. In my first job I remember my manager saying “although you didn’t have the experience I could see the potential and I like to give people a chance”. I’ve carried this with me throughout my career and love to give people with passion and potential opportunities – it’s never failed me yet! In terms of what I’m doing now, my first HR Director was inspirational and saw something in me. He gave me his time, countless opportunities and really pushed me to grow. He gave me passion and enthusiasm for my chosen career.
What do you want your legacy to be? How do you want to be remembered?
I’d love to leave a legacy of using my self-awareness formula to blitz Impostor Syndrome. I hope people will remember my passion and enthusiasm in a way that helps them believe anything is possible if it’s right for you.