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| Dragons Den and Apprentice give wrong idea of business, say academics | Dragons Den and Apprentice give wrong idea of business, say academics |
| (7 months later) | |
| There was a widespread feeling in the early days of such TV programmes as The Apprentice and Dragons' Den that they might encourage more awareness that business creates jobs and prosperity, rather than being essentially an instrument of exploitation and greed. | There was a widespread feeling in the early days of such TV programmes as The Apprentice and Dragons' Den that they might encourage more awareness that business creates jobs and prosperity, rather than being essentially an instrument of exploitation and greed. |
| Culturally, the UK's entrepreneurs have had a bad deal for many years, with the heroic struggles of organised labour far more appealing than those of adventurers who may risk everything, often including second mortgages on their homes, to create an enterprise which provides jobs not just for themselves but for others. | Culturally, the UK's entrepreneurs have had a bad deal for many years, with the heroic struggles of organised labour far more appealing than those of adventurers who may risk everything, often including second mortgages on their homes, to create an enterprise which provides jobs not just for themselves but for others. |
| Alas. The treacherous requirements of the media, especially the need to entertain, have subverted original good that was done, according to a study by the business school of Salford university. The need for "an unhealthy level of ruthlessness and arrogance", not to succeed in business but to provide enjoyable conflict for the watching public, risks putting potential businessmen and women off. | Alas. The treacherous requirements of the media, especially the need to entertain, have subverted original good that was done, according to a study by the business school of Salford university. The need for "an unhealthy level of ruthlessness and arrogance", not to succeed in business but to provide enjoyable conflict for the watching public, risks putting potential businessmen and women off. |
| The study, Employability – Learning through International Entrepreneurship, uses the views and experience of business students and 200 entrepreneurs from 30 countries, to show that the programmes foster misconceptions about the characteristics needed for business success. Viewers are led to believe that only certain – and not very appealing – 'types' will succeed and that significant start-up capital is an essential. | The study, Employability – Learning through International Entrepreneurship, uses the views and experience of business students and 200 entrepreneurs from 30 countries, to show that the programmes foster misconceptions about the characteristics needed for business success. Viewers are led to believe that only certain – and not very appealing – 'types' will succeed and that significant start-up capital is an essential. |
| The research, focused on immigrant entrepreneurs, found that most start with: | The research, focused on immigrant entrepreneurs, found that most start with: |
| very little or no money but had a good idea, with the skills and knowledge to exploit it, plus determination and a strong work ethic. | very little or no money but had a good idea, with the skills and knowledge to exploit it, plus determination and a strong work ethic. |
| An example is Dina Railean from Moldova who took two MAs at Manchester University and started her own translation and interpreting business based in Salford, after a long struggle with visa and work permit obstacles. She says: | An example is Dina Railean from Moldova who took two MAs at Manchester University and started her own translation and interpreting business based in Salford, after a long struggle with visa and work permit obstacles. She says: |
| Having experience of two different business cultures has given me an advantage in being able to spot opportunities which other people can miss, which I think is one of the key skills of an entrepreneur. | Having experience of two different business cultures has given me an advantage in being able to spot opportunities which other people can miss, which I think is one of the key skills of an entrepreneur. |
| I don't think 'reality' business TV programmes necessarily give a true portrayal of what it takes to be an entrepreneur, although they can encourage people to look at innovative ways of doing business. The Apprentice in particular focuses on giving candidates tasks to complete or implement rather than asking them to seek out new opportunities. | I don't think 'reality' business TV programmes necessarily give a true portrayal of what it takes to be an entrepreneur, although they can encourage people to look at innovative ways of doing business. The Apprentice in particular focuses on giving candidates tasks to complete or implement rather than asking them to seek out new opportunities. |
Lena Vasilieva, project manager of the study, says: | Lena Vasilieva, project manager of the study, says: |
| We found it to be an incredibly moving experience to participate in this project. The responses from immigrant entrepreneurs we talked to were overwhelming and often very touching; we heard a multitude of interesting stories. Many told of the difficulties they had experienced in trying to establish themselves as entrepreneurs, some even encountered prejudices and isolation. However, we were impressed and inspired with the drive and commitment these people had to succeed, their determination to learn new skills and new cultures, and their ability to work hard and persevere in the toughest of circumstances. | We found it to be an incredibly moving experience to participate in this project. The responses from immigrant entrepreneurs we talked to were overwhelming and often very touching; we heard a multitude of interesting stories. Many told of the difficulties they had experienced in trying to establish themselves as entrepreneurs, some even encountered prejudices and isolation. However, we were impressed and inspired with the drive and commitment these people had to succeed, their determination to learn new skills and new cultures, and their ability to work hard and persevere in the toughest of circumstances. |
| The study findings have now been incorporated into a pack of learning materials designed to help immigrant entrepreneurs enhance their language, cultural, communication and business skills. It can be downloaded here. | The study findings have now been incorporated into a pack of learning materials designed to help immigrant entrepreneurs enhance their language, cultural, communication and business skills. It can be downloaded here. |
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