Successful Entrepreneurs - how they differ in their attitude to failure

Have you ever wished you could sit in front of the CEO of a global company and ask them how they did it?

Successful entrepreneurs have something special and it has to do a lot with their attitude to failure.

Many business owners in the UK become paralysed when they hit snags. What marks out those who keep going is their motivation and will power to win.

In the US failure is something that is seen as a natural progression towards success. The occasional bankruptcy not a stigma but learning process.

On my trip to Los Angeles the entrepreneurial attitude came across strong and clear and that's something we at Vision are working on now. To give fellow entrepreneurs to get that shot in the arm that comes from being with people in business who have overcome the odds... time and again.

If you want that for yourself and your company our International Entrepreneur Programme may suit you. It's intense, it's focused and it's limited in the number of people who can take part.

I believe there's too much gloom out there. We need to get out and make those opportunities for ourselves. What do you think?

Oh and if you're interested in the programme, contact us sooner rather than later. Your company needs it.

Mentoring In Chinese Business Psychologies & Behaviours

A relief of worldwide political tensions, economic globalisation and the rapid advancement in technology over the past two decades has brought about a remarkable development in international trade. Over this period, China?s opening-up and reform has resulted in the enormous growth in her economy, and the emergence of China as a major world trade power and partner (including partners from the Western business world).

With a highly competitive and motivated population of 1.3 billion people providing fast growing demand and productivity, business people from almost every corner of the world are attracted to the potential of extending their business into China, either as expatriates, buyers, sellers, manufacturers, investors, or venture partners. In whatever business role they undertake, they all face one common challenge. China has a highly complex and intensive cultural history spanning over 49 centuries, which influences how the Chinese society lives and behaves. A lack of preparation in seeking to comprehensively and competently understand enough about their Chinese counterparts (in terms of their history, philosophies and culture that pertains to business behaviors and thinking) is likely to result in many of China?s international trading partners? failure to achieve the business results they desire or deserve.

Many international business people are unaware that their business dealings could have been more rewarding had they made the initial effort to understand and build a stronger business relationship with their Chinese counterparts. In reality, it is not often possible to absorb 49 centuries of Chinese civilization within the short timeframes available, or to gain a reasonable insight into those parts that are relevant to success in doing business effectively and skilfully with Chinese counterparts. Often, many overseas business people rely upon learning about their Chinese counterparts as they directly work with them. This approach is not only unreliable but may end up being negotiated the hard way (consciously as well as unconsciously).

How We Can Help

To strengthen an overseas client?s strategic position before dealing with Chinese counterparts, we share our knowledge, experience and insight with them by offering:
1) Accelerated learning of the Chinese nation's history, philosophies and culture that pertain to business cultures, behaviors and mentalities (indispensable intellective foundations for astute predictions and manoeuvres with Chinese partners).
2) Ploys and tactics in handling Chinese partners (useful guidance in avoiding mistakes and implementing strategies to achieve desired business outcomes).
3) Advising on solutions to overcome doubts and problems relevant to business cultures, behaviors and mentalities in business dealings with Chinese partners (enlightening clients to the immediate needs or solutions sought at any time).

Interested clients are normally invited to discuss the background of their business, status of their China trade (including but not limited to people they work with, problems encountered, accomplishments, visions etc?), what they expect to know or find out, issues they wish to solve etc. A tailored proposal will be prepared in response to this consultation. Service packages are prepared and executed according to the client?s concurrence.

Interested, then call our head office and ask for Brendan. Tel 0044 0115 9418242

From Nottingham to Beverly Hills

We really can say that Vision is broadening its horizons with our Managing Director, Sharon Roberts, jet-setting to Beverly Hills California to mingle with the stars, shop and enjoy the California sun, and of course work hard to develop Vision. Sharon Roberts will be accompanying Melanie Vella from DARE UK in Beverly Hills this July, representing both Vision and the British Business Ambassadors.

Vision has traded globally for 2 years now and we know that we are ready to work with the USA. We have been active in the Caribbean, India, and Russia, working closely with the UKTI to raise awareness of; and promote international trade. The UKTI have recommended that Vision targets the USA to develop Vision further by trading with the world?s largest economy. The UKTI believe that Vision?s unique approach to business development through innovative personal development would be fitting for a target sector in California.

In response to this, at Vision we have developed a small portfolio of businesses that are already, or looking to begin, trading in California; and which have expressed an interest in buying Vision?s unique training services.

The aims of this trip are to develop a network of potential clients, while engaging in test marketing techniques. At Vision we are motivated to develop a Vision team in California and look forward to engaging with exceptional high level consultants, who can be commissioned to carry out Vision?s work in California.

While Sharon is in California she will be attending a conference on International Trade & Investment and another on Education & Workforce Development, both held at the LA Chamber. These conferences will be an excellent place for networking to develop new potential clients and contacts to assist Vision while setting up a team in California. We hope to meet with a representative at the business school in City University Los Angeles and California International University.

Sharon will be meeting with 6 small businesses in California to interview them about their success. We hope that this research method will help Vision to identify the areas in which our development services will produce the most successful results for both Vision and its potential clients.

Thomas Schaal from the UKTI has been very helpful in pointing us in the right directions on this project and has given us Training and Education contacts at the UKTI office in LA.

Sharon will also be researching the practicalities of opening an office in California. We feel at Vision that this is one of our priorities and will push towards getting our Vision team in California off the ground.

Hot chillies and high tech: Vision down Mexico way

Brendan was an invited guest at a lunch briefing by HM Ambassador to Mexico, Giles Paxman on 20th June organised by EMITA and UKTI.

A wide ranging discussion took place about opportunities for British companies to trade in Mexico, links with Mexican companies eager to trade in the UK and issues Mexican companies have in trading with multi-national companies.

As well as considering opportunities that might exist for Vision to trade in Mexico, Brendan had the chance to discuss an issue Vision are aware of in their work with SMEs with overseas links. That of physical safety and cultural awareness in trading with overseas companies for staff; particularly managers and their families.

Vision's experience is that many companies lack the expertise that can make all the difference in their overseas trade. With a wide ranging multi-national and multi-cultural team, they are experienced in exploring and offering training in these issues.