Said Business School
Park End St, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX1 1HP
UK
Engineer or Entrepreneur: My Journey
Entrepreneurship is often talked about like an ethereal thought process, as if it were the holy grail of the business world. Whilst a useful framing-device for shows such as the Apprentice and Dragon’s Den or a buzzword for Government policy spin, the modern categorisation of “entrepreneur” as a career choice or synonymous to “inventor” is unhelpful in nurturing the talents of engineers who already have the attributes prime for business success. Through a potted history of my business journey, the importance of applying an engineering approach to optimising products, services and skills will demystify the achievement of entrepreneurial outcomes.
My primary self-identification as an engineer will be explored, considering how my engineering skills have guided my business success from idea conception to product and service development. Through examples ranging from race cars to civil, chemical and social engineering, the optimisation of opportunity will counter the common perception of entrepreneurs as generators of ground-breaking, novel ideas and concepts.
The seminar will take place at Saïd Business School 10 March 2016. Please arrive at the School from 5pm for a prompt 5.30pm start.
The talk will be followed by a short networking drinks reception until c19:30 hrs.