People infuse their businesses with their own backgrounds and beliefs whilst also adhering to the demands of the business environment at the time of founding. Yet the “rules of the game” in this environment are gradually shifting; we are moving away from formal business wear, networking events at unsociable hours and the need to fit into a stereotype which could be described as male, pale and stale. “Authenticity” is having its moment; business owners are encouraged to follow the example of business leaders like Anita Roddick and wear their values on their sleeves. Yet at times, business owners may still feel pressures to “fake it” to fit in with expectations as a way to gain a new client or reach a new market.
At this breakfast event, entrepreneur Debbie Clarke will share her story of how she navigated the tricky waters of self-employment; running a business for 3 years that she felt dissociated from, until she launched debbiedooodah and – in Debbie’s words – “came fully into the light, doubled her income and become 100% truly and completely authentic”. Following this, Dr Isobel O’Neil from Nottingham University Business School will broaden out the discussion by sharing her research findings about how entrepreneurs engage in a process to balance the competing demands of “standing out” as an authentic-to-self business owner and “fitting in” to meet others’ expectations.
07:45 - 08:10 Registration, breakfast and networking 08:10 - 08:15 Welcome and introductions 08:15 - 09:00 Keynote 09:00 - 09:10 Q&A 09:10 - 09:30 The Shop Window 09:30 Networking – for those that want to stay on
The Portland Building University Park Campus Nottingham NG7 2RD
telephone: +44 (0) 115 82 32408 e-mail: alumni-enquiries@nottingham.ac.uk