Enterprise Futures postgraduate event sets new attendance record
04 Jun 2014
Enterprise Futures set a new attendance record last week with nearly 300 postgraduates and staff attending the event at the Museum of Science and Industry
Enterprise Futures, jointly run by The University of Manchester, the University of Salford and Manchester Metropolitan University, is designed to build postgraduate entrepreneurial skills whatever the ultimate career destination of the students. Dr Robert Phillips and Jonathan Styles, based at Manchester Enterprise Centre, were The University of Manchester organisers of the event, which is now in its third year.
In a packed day, which was opened by former newsreader Alistair MacDonald and the Museum’s Head of Development Rob Shaw, delegates heard from a range of engaging and informative guest speakers.
Simon Woodroffe’s speech took an unexpected turn with a highly-entertaining interview with Alistair where he revealed how he once used abusive robot waiters to attract customers to his YO! Sushi restaurants. Business coach Olivia Stefanino, creator of the new 'Praise' business success system and author of the internationally-acclaimed management book 'Be Your Own Guru', ensured her session had plenty of audience participation. An inspirational academic view was provided by David Gibson OBE whose talk was described by one delegate as “possibly the best I’ve ever heard as a prospective student entrepreneur.”. The morning session ended with a probing Q&A with three alumni entrepreneurs, including the University's Master of Enterprise alumni and owner of Shindigger Brewing Co. Paul Delamere.
The afternoon brought a choice of parallel sessions including workshops on intellectual property, media training, personal branding and social enterprise followed by a lively discussion with panellists Dr Martin Henery from The University of Manchester, Simon Brown from the National Centre for Entrepreneurship in Education, Madeleine Jarvis from Manchester Metropolitan University and Fiona Godsman from Enterprise Educators UK.