realisedevelopment.net

Just another WordPress site

Archives for May 2010

The Entrepreneur’s Pledge: Win a Flip Mino Video Recorder

by

This from the Kauffman Foundation
The Entrepreneur’s Pledge
  • I am an Entrepreneur.
  • I am following a dream, pursuing an opportunity, taking charge of my own destiny.
  • I am bringing something of value to society, making a job for myself and for others, and creating wealth that benefits my family, my community, my country, my world.
  • I am one of a movement of millions of entrepreneurs and innovators who made America great, and who will continue to keep our economy going…and growing.
  • I am what I am because many people have helped me along on this journey.
Therefore:
  • I will tell my story, sharing my successes and failures, so that others taking the entrepreneurial path can learn.
  • I will strive to mentor an aspiring entrepreneur.
  • I will make my voice heard by those who make policy decisions that affect me and my business.
  • I will appreciate and celebrate my accomplishments, and the accomplishments of all my fellow entrepreneurs.
  • I will give back to the society that helped me to be successful.
  • I will Build a Stronger America.

What would a UK version look like?

Prize of a Flip Mino Video Recorder for the Best (in my opinion) UK Entrepreneur’s Pledge posted in comments.  Closing date: May 31st 2010 at midnight.  Any one can enter but I will only ship the prize to a UK address.

Junior Apprentice and Gekko Breeding

by

So Lord Sugar (is he still our enterprise czar?) is working with junior apprentices because it is up to them and their generation to ‘rescue and revitalise’ our country.  Surely it is a simple equation – more entrepreneurs, making more money, leads to a growing economy, more tax take and a better society.  Hmm.  Don’t expect much here about social justice, sustainable economics and steady state economies.  This is a stack ’em and sell ’em business model with no need to worry about the long term.

If we can just breed a generation of Gordon Gekko’s; back-stabbing, blame-shifting, glory grabbing and profiteering then perhaps we can develop a  tax base that will allow us to chip away at the national debt.

  • Is this how to ‘revitalise and rescue’ our country?
  • Is this how to encourage more people, young and old, (wouldn’t an intergenerational version of the apprentice be much more interesting?) to explore and develop their enterprising souls?

Methinks not.

Surely most decent folk would not choose willingly to enter such an environment?

Of course we know that the real world of enterprise is, by and large, nothing like this at all.  It is full of decent people trying to create real value and provide goods and services to the long term mutual benefit of buyer and seller alike, without further shafting the planet and the prospects of future generations on the way.

If ‘The Apprentice’ were a ‘one off’ perhaps it would not be big deal – but nearly all enterprise portrayed in the  media fits the backstabbing/profiteering stereotype.  With PR like this it is no wonder that so many good people choose not to make their living and make their lives in enterprise.

And it is no wonder that many educators continue to maintain stiff resistance to the introduction of enterprise into the curriculum.

Cameron as PM on Community…

by

Some extracts from David Cameron’s first speech that seem relevant to the community development sector.  There is much here to hold him to.  Emphases are mine!

One of the tasks that we clearly have is to rebuild trust in our political system…it’s about making sure people are in control and that the politicians are always their servants and never their masters.

Real change is not what government can do on its own. Real change is when everyone pulls together, comes together, works together, when we all exercise our responsibilities to ourselves, to our families, to our communities and to others.

And I want to help build a more responsible society here in Britain, one where we don’t just ask ‘what are my entitlements?’ but ‘what are my responsibilities?’. One where we don’t just ask ‘what am I owed?’ but more ‘what can I give?’.   And a guide for that society, that those who can, should, and those who can’t, we will always help.

I want to make sure that my government always looks after the elderly, the frail, the poorest in our country.

Above all it will be a government that will be built on some clear values — values of freedom, values of fairness, and values of responsibility.

I want us to build an economy that rewards work, I want us to build a society with stronger families and stronger communities, and I want a political system that people can trust and look up to once again.

“About making sure the people are in control and that politicians are always their servants.”  Perhaps time for a serious consideration of person centred and responsive methodologies instead of policy centred and strategic.  Be interesting to see what happens to Communities and Local Government under the new coalition.

Cameron’s full speech is reported here.

Transformation at Tower Works – Grass Roots or Astroturf?

by

Seems ironic that I should pick up on this on a day when I have been quoting Barack Obama on real change being a grass-roots phenomena.

It seems that someone has decided that the ‘regeneration’ that is underway at Tower Works in Leeds needs to catch the eye a little more.  So why not install a grass mosaic spelling out TRANSFORM so as to be visible from the top of nearby local landmark the Candle Building.  Why not indeed?  Such metaphorical power…..

I am surprised that they did not use Astroturf.  At least it has no pretence at being grass-roots and can be laid quite happily on concrete.  The grass-roots here are destined to whither.

Regeneration is not about buildings and developers.  It is about people, passion, skills and aspirations.  It is about community, networks and creativity.  In s