Medical student entrepreneur crowned Britain’s Top Real Role Model 2013

A young student-turned-entrepreneur who launched his own business with the help of Newcastle Science City and Newcastle University’s Rise Up programme has this month been crowned Britain’s Top Real Role Model 2013 (BTRRM).

Studying medicine at Newcastle University, Stuart, 21, was crowned the nation’s most inspiring young entrepreneur, winning a £5,000 prize to help support his start-up business venture, mHealthful.
mHealthful specialises in creating medical apps for patients and healthcare professionals, to help improve the quality of healthcare through mobile solutions. mHealthful’s first product, UniWikis, has been successfully piloted at Newcastle Medical School, and is preparing to launch across the UK with support from Newcastle Science City and Rise Up.

Facing some fierce competition from some of the UK’s most promising young entrepreneurs, Stuart convinced the expert judging panel including Made in Chelsea entrepreneur, Francis Boulle, that he had the attitude, passion, determination and ambition to be an inspiring role model to future young entrepreneurs.

Speaking of his achievement, Stuart said: “I am delighted to have won Britain’s Top Real Role Model 2013. Since an early age, I’ve held a desire to make a real difference to people’s lives and now I feel one step closer to achieving this. I hope that by winning this competition I will inspire a new generation of medical entrepreneurs.”

“The support that I have received from Newcastle Science City and Rise Up has been fantastic during developing the concept, writing a business plan, to hiring staff and creating a product to take to market. I’m extremely grateful for their support in helping me to get to this stage.”
Charlie Wainwright, Business Support Manager at Newcastle Science City who was Stuart’s main point of contact to develop his business concept said: “It is incredibly satisfying to see a young entrepreneur who had a worthy and scalable idea achieve recognition for the hard work and determination he has put into launching his business.

“Stuart has some great ideas combined with an outstanding work ethic. It has been a pleasure for Science City and Rise Up to support Stuart in his innovative business venture – he achieved the result he thoroughly deserved, I’m delighted for him!”

The Top 7 Technology Trends That Will Dominate 2014

Strap yourself in, it’s going to be a wild ride. In considering the changes we’ve seen in technology over the past year, I’m bracing myself for unprecedented growth when it comes to anytime, anywhere, on-demand information and entertainment. Based on the trends we’ve seen so far in 2013, I predict 2014 will see many fledgling technologies mature and grow beyond what we could have imagined just a few years ago.

So without further ado, here are my top 7 predictions for technology trends that will dominate 2014.

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1. Consumers will come to expect Smart TV capabilities
With Smart TV shipments expected to reach 123 million in 2014 – up from about 84 million in 2012 – we are poised to see explosive growth in this industry.
In the midst of this growth, we will continue to see fierce competition between major players like Samsung, Panasonic, and LG. Prices will need to continue to drop, as more consumers crave, and even expect, the ability to use Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Instant Video and their web browser via their TV.  Of course, the development we’re all waiting for in 2014 is the release of Apple’s much anticipated iTV. It appears the iTV is now in the early development stage, and that Apple may be in the process of making a deal with Time Warner to facilitate programming on Apple devices.
The device is rumoured to include iCloud sync, the ability to control your iPhone, and ultra HD LCD panels. Keep an eye out for this release as early as summer 2014.

2. Smart watches will become ‘smarter’
 Rather than having to pull out your smartphone or tablet for frequent email, text and social media updates, you’ll glance at your watch.

2014 is the year to keep an eye out for the Google watch. Rumor has it the device will integrate with Google Now, which aims to seamlessly provide relevant information when and where you want it (and before you’d asked for it).

We’ll see smart watches become even smarter, learning what news and updates are important to us, when we want to receive them, and responding more accurately to voice controls.
For smart watches to succeed, they’ll need to offer us something that our smart phone can’t; whether this means more intuitive notifications, or the ability to learn from our daily activities and behaviours (for instance, heart rate monitoring), it will be interesting to see.

3. Google Glass will still be in “wait and see” mode
While Google Glass hasn’t yet been released to the general public, we’ve heard enough about it to know it’s still very early days for this technology. With an estimated 60,000 units expected to sell in 2013, and a predicted several million in 2014, it’s still a long way from becoming a common household technology.

These augmented reality glasses allow you to access information like email and texts, take hands-free pictures and videos, effortlessly translate your voice, and even receive overlaid walking, cycling or driving directions, right within your field of vision.
It’s predicted that both Google Glass 2.0, and its companion, the Glass App Store, should be released to the general public sometime in 2014.

Be on the lookout for competition in this market, particularly from major players like Samsung. I predict we’ll see much of this competition aimed at niche markets like sports and healthcare.

4. Other applications and uses for Apple’s TouchID will emerge
The release of the iPhone 5S has, for the first time, made on-the-go fingerprint security a reality. The potential for Touch ID technology to really take off is, I believe, an inevitable reality. Touch ID, which uses a high-resolution camera to scan your fingerprint, allows convenient ultra-security for your iPhone.

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Currently, the technology is limited; the only real uses are unlocking your iPhone, and making purchases in the App store. I predict that we’ll see this technology incorporated into other Apple products soon. I think we’ll even see TouchId integrated into MacBook products later this year or next.  I also predict TouchID, though not quite bug-free, will be used for other purposes, such as to securely integrate with home security systems, access password software, and even pay for groceries (more on that in an upcoming article).

5. Xbox One and PS4 will blur the lines between entertainment and video gaming
The new gaming consoles (Xbox One and PS4) will increasingly integrate social media-like connectivity between players. Players could have followers, work together to achieve in-game goals, and new technology will allow for equally-skilled players to compete.
The PS4, slated to be released November 15th, will track both the controller and the player’s face and movements for more intuitive play.
Apart from great gaming, these systems will allow for a far more integrative entertainment experience. For instance, rather than switching between TV, gaming, music and sports, you’ll be able to do two or even three activities side-by-side, or by easily switching back and forth.

6. 3D Printing will begin to revolutionize production
We’ve seen a huge rise in the popularity of 3D printing this year, coupled with a dramatic fall in pricing. The ability to easily create multi-layered products that are actually usable – well, that’s pretty amazing.

I’ll be watching for a movement towards simple products being produced close to home, and to greater customization given the ease of manufacturing. I think it’s inevitable that manufacturing in countries such as China will become less appealing and lucrative for businesses given the high costs of shipping and managing overseas contracts.  I don’t expect these changes to reach their full effect in 2014, however I believe businesses will be starting to consider how this will affect their production plans for 2015 and beyond.

7. The movement towards natural language search will make search more accurate and intuitive
There was a time when we used terms like “personal digital assistant” to describe a hand-held calendar. Oh, how times have changed.

With the emergence of intelligent personal assistants like Google Now and Apple’s Siri, the goal is to have information intuitively delivered to you, often before you even ask for it. The shift seems to be away from having to actively request data, and instead to have it passively delivered to your device.

Natural language search will continue to overtake keyword-based search, as seen by Google’s move towards longer, more natural searches in its recent release of Hummingbird, Google’s largest algorithm update thus far.

Mentally Strong People: The 13 Things They Avoid

For all the time executives spend concerned about physical strength and health, when it comes down to it, mental strength can mean even more. Particularly for entrepreneurs, numerous articles talk about critical characteristics of mental strength—tenacity, “grit,” optimism, and an unfailing ability as Forbes contributor David Williams says, to “fail up.”  However, we can also define mental strength by identifying the things mentally strong individuals don’t do. Over the weekend, I was impressed by this list compiled by Amy Morin, a psychotherapist and licensed clinical social worker, that she shared in LifeHack. It impressed me enough I’d also like to share her list here along with my thoughts on how each of these items is particularly applicable to entrepreneurs.

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1. Waste Time Feeling Sorry for Themselves. You don’t see mentally strong people feeling sorry for their circumstances or dwelling on the way they’ve been mistreated. They have learned to take responsibility for their actions and outcomes, and they have an inherent understanding of the fact that frequently life is not fair. They are able to emerge from trying circumstances with self-awareness and gratitude for the lessons learned. When a situation turns out badly, they respond with phrases such as “Oh, well.” Or perhaps simply, “Next!”

2. Give Away Their Power. Mentally strong people avoid giving others the power to make them feel inferior or bad. They understand they are in control of their actions and emotions. They know their strength is in their ability to manage the way they respond.

3. Shy Away from Change. Mentally strong people embrace change and they welcome challenge. Their biggest “fear,” if they have one, is not of the unknown, but of becoming complacent and stagnant. An environment of change and even uncertainty can energize a mentally strong person and bring out their best.

4. Waste Energy on Things They Can’t Control. Mentally strong people don’t complain (much) about bad traffic, lost luggage, or especially about other people, as they recognize that all of these factors are generally beyond their control. In a bad situation, they recognize that the one thing they can always control is their own response and attitude, and they use these attributes well.
5. Worry About Pleasing Others. Know any people pleasers? Or, conversely, people who go out of their way to dis-please others as a way of reinforcing an image of strength? Neither position is a good one. A mentally strong person strives to be kind and fair and to please others where appropriate, but is unafraid to speak up. They are able to withstand the possibility that someone will get upset and will navigate the situation, wherever possible, with grace.

6. Fear Taking Calculated Risks. A mentally strong person is willing to take calculated risks. This is a different thing entirely than jumping headlong into foolish risks. But with mental strength, an individual can weigh the risks and benefits thoroughly, and will fully assess the potential downsides and even the worst-case scenarios before they take action.

7. Dwell on the Past. There is strength in acknowledging the past and especially in acknowledging the things learned from past experiences—but a mentally strong person is able to avoid miring their mental energy in past disappointments or in fantasies of the “glory days” gone by. They invest the majority of their energy in creating an optimal present and future.

8. Make the Same Mistakes Over and Over. We all know the definition of insanity, right? It’s when we take the same actions again and again while hoping for a different and better outcome than we’ve gotten before. A mentally strong person accepts full responsibility for past behavior and is willing to learn from mistakes. Research shows that the ability to be self-reflective in an accurate and productive way is one of the greatest strengths of spectacularly successful executives and entrepreneurs.

9. Resent Other People’s Success. It takes strength of character to feel genuine joy and excitement for other people’s success. Mentally strong people have this ability. They don’t become jealous or resentful when others succeed (although they may take close notes on what the individual did well). They are willing to work hard for their own chances at success, without relying on shortcuts.

10. Give Up After Failure. Every failure is a chance to improve. Even the greatest entrepreneurs are willing to admit that their early efforts invariably brought many failures. Mentally strong people are willing to fail again and again, if necessary, as long as the learning experience from every “failure” can bring them closer to their ultimate goals.

11. Fear Alone Time. Mentally strong people enjoy and even treasure the time they spend alone. They use their downtime to reflect, to plan, and to be productive. Most importantly, they don’t depend on others to shore up their happiness and moods. They can be happy with others, and they can also be happy alone.

12. Feel the World Owes Them Anything. Particularly in the current economy, executives and employees at every level are gaining the realization that the world does not owe them a salary, a benefits package and a comfortable life, regardless of their preparation and schooling. Mentally strong people enter the world prepared to work and succeed on their merits, at every stage of the game.

13. Expect Immediate Results. Whether it’s a workout plan, a nutritional regimen, or starting a business, mentally strong people are “in it for the long haul”. They know better than to expect immediate results. They apply their energy and time in measured doses and they celebrate each milestone and increment of success on the way. They have “staying power.” And they understand that genuine changes take time. Do you have mental strength? Are there elements on this list you need more of? With thanks to Amy Morin, I would like to reinforce my own abilities further in each of these areas today. How about you?

How a Social Entrepreneur Brings Sight to the Developing World

In 1984 Jordan Kassalow, an optometry student in Boston, volunteered to treat hundreds of patients in rural Mexico. Many had struggled to find work because of their poor eyesight but couldn’t afford corrective lenses. Of the 70% who needed eyeglasses, Kassalow figured half could get by with the sort of ready-made models sold in drugstores. “Why don’t we train local people to sell reading glasses?” he thought.

Seventeen years later Kassalow and friend Scott Berrie formed a nonprofit, now called VisionSpring—a combination of Mary Kay and LensCrafters. Some 9,000 women in VisionSpring’s network have sold 600,000 pairs of basic reading glasses throughout seven countries, including Bangladesh, India and South Africa. Last February VisionSpring opened its first store, in El Salvador, staffed with an optometrist and six employees who sell higher-priced prescription lenses as well as regular reading glasses. (Berrie left in 2007.)

With $290,000 in annual income last year, VisionSpring still relies heavily on charitable donations—it amassed $1.7 million in 2010. But Kassalow has his eye on a bigger achievement: building a self-sustainable operation. “We put every dollar of revenue or outside funding toward identifying a scalable, for-profit business model,” he says.

Kassalow, 49, is making progress. In 2005 he outfitted his army of saleswomen—mostly mothers eager to earn extra income—with kits containing 30 pairs of sunglasses made in China. Each kit cost $75, or $2.50 a pair, which the sales reps then resold at $4 to $7 apiece. (The women put down a 10% deposit and paid off the rest over time.) But the reps quickly ran out of customers after exhausting their network of friends and neighbors in nearby villages. The economics didn’t work, either: After manufacturing, shipping, sales training and overhead at headquarters in Manhattan, VisionSpring’s expenses totaled $20 a pair. Loss: $17.50. “We were a very good charity but not a good business,” says Kassalow.

Three years later Kassalow joined forces with BRAC, a global microfinance organization based in Bangladesh that hires women to sell baskets of health-related goods, like Band-Aids and aspirin. Kassalow figured BRAC’s 80,000-strong sales force could help him scale up faster while saving money on training and administrative costs. In 2008 VisionSpring sold 98,000 pairs at $1.70 each (BRAC got a volume discount) but still lost $9.30 a pair; a year later it moved 201,000 pairs, at 95 cents apiece, and lost $7 on each. At that rate Kassalow would need to sell millions of pairs to break even.
Last year Kassalow started going after the other 50% of potential customers who need stronger lenses than reading glasses provide. Hence the El Salvador store, which VisionSpring opened in February. At $15 a pair, prescription specs turn a $4.50 profit—and generate a $1 finder’s fee to saleswomen in the field who book appointments for the store. Kassalow says the El Salvador operations (the store and field sales) made money in 2010.

To slow cash outlays further, Kassalow is bartering with established brands, including ClearVision and FGX International. “VisonSpring is priming the market for us,” says Alec Taylor, chief executive of FGX, which sold VisionSpring 10,000 pairs of reading glasses at a deep discount. “Whether it’s 5, 10 or 15 years from now, people will understand the product.” And Kassalow’s vision will have come true.

Luke Johnson: The Boss who likes to be very busy

 

When Luke Johnson says he "doesn't like to be idle", the serial entrepreneur certainly means it.

When you glance at his CV you wonder how he has the time to fit in all his commitments.

Mr Johnson, who is estimated to be worth £150m, is the chairman of UK private equity business Risk Capital Partners.

His current hands-on investments range from restaurant chains including Patisserie Valerie to a car park company, a cruise holiday business and even greyhound racing tracks - not to forget a bank, a research business, a marketing agency and theatre production companies.

Meanwhile, his wide-ranging charity work includes his chairmanship of the Institute of Cancer Research. And he writes business advice books.

And if that weren't all more than enough, Mr Johnson, 51, recently launched a new think tank, the Centre for Entrepreneurs, which aims to promote "the role of entrepreneurs in creating economic growth and social well-being".

Mr Johnson says: "Boredom is a great enemy in my life. I like to avoid getting bored.

"I have a restless personality, like other entrepreneurs, that keeps me going. Business is what I do, and I believe that all people need work of a sort, they need to be proactive."

The US entrepreneur who says anyone can now make wine

 

 

Could a computer enable any one of us to make good wine at home? One Californian entrepreneur is convinced it can.

Greg Snell, 47, is the designer and manufacturer of an automated wine-making device he has called a WinePod. It is a steel cylinder, 1.2m (4ft) high, designed to produce about 48 bottles of red or white wine at a time.

Aimed at wealthy wine-making enthusiasts, it is something like a bread-maker, only for wine. And one that costs an eye-watering $4,500 (£2,800).

Once grapes are added, the device is linked to a personal computer, and software guides the user through the wine-making process.

Said to be the first of its kind, the machine automatically presses the grapes, you then wait a few months, and your finished wine is ready to be poured out.

Mr Snell says that despite his business having to close for four years along the way - as a result of the 2008 global financial crisis - he is now looking at a growing market for his invention, particularly in China.

As demand and interest in wine soars among the growing Chinese middle and upper classes, Mr Snell expects to sell "hundreds" of the WinePods in China next year.

And the Californian is far from alone, as other entrepreneurs are also both doing new things in relation to wine, and targeting China's big appetite for the drink.

Oprah Winfrey's Success Secret

 “Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo”, she has said. “But what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.”

She believes in treating her staff well, and her employees have access to office amenities similar to those at Google. More importantly, says Winfrey, “I don’t yell at people, I don’t mistreat people, I don’t talk down to people, so no-one else in this building has the right to do it.”

Winfrey has said on numerous occasions that success is a choice and that the path to success is to identify your passions, define significant goals, and then work really, really hard. “The big secret in life is that there’s no big secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you’re willing to work.”

Also, she maintains that work should be fun. “You know you’re on the road to success if you would do your job and not be paid for it”, she says. “If you do work that you love, and the work fulfils you, the rest will come”.

In 2012, Winfrey decided to quit the show to focus on her own television network, OWN. As with any new venture, it will take time to hire the right team and create a winning product, but Winfrey is undaunted, saying, “I believe that one of life’s greatest risks is never daring to risk.”