Graham Shapiro, internationally celebrated, award-winning British inventor, designer and digital entrepreneur, and the University of Chester Business School’s Entrepreneur in Residence, has offered the insights in a new video.
Graham’s five top tips for students and entrepreneurs are:
- Make a plan.
- Surround yourself with good people.
- Believe nothing is impossible.
- Adapt to change.
- Stay positive.
Graham talks about the five areas in more detail in a video which can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw4Ez-UWZsA.
His advice comes as data highlights promising UK business start-up figures, with experts predicting a continued vigour for new enterprises. Despite the events of the year, nearly half a million businesses were registered in the UK in 2020 (468,371), according to Companies House.
Graham’s guidance is based on a raft of experience in the business world. For the past 25 years, his company, Graham Shapiro Design (GSD), has created branding and websites for some of the world’s leading companies including Fiat Chrysler, Philips, Siemens, Komatsu, Liverpool FC, Rolex, Rybrook, Samsung and The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, which Graham is a Partner of.
The tips and new video are just one of the many ways he is supporting budding business minds as part of his Entrepreneur in Residence role and beyond. This includes recently launching a competition for the University to find the best student business ideas: the Graham Shapiro Foundation Enterprise Challenge. With a closing date of May 3, an impressive panel of judges will select the winner to receive £1,000 and a mentorship package from the Graham Shapiro Foundation.
About his University role and its impact, he said: “For some years now, it has been a privilege for me to serve as Entrepreneur in Residence at Churchill House, the Business School of the University of Chester. During this time, I have found my work with aspiring entrepreneurs to have been constantly rewarding and endlessly fulfilling.
“Working alongside professional academics has been enhanced by the opportunity to liaise with an array of business people who collectively bring a rich variety of skills, all honed and practised in real-life business scenarios; I have seen at first-hand that the focus they bring imparts strong commercial discipline. It is evident that as a direct result, the students have acquired a mindset that equips them to face adversity and overcome obstacles.
“The Business School is founded upon a tradition of excellence but one that encourages students to look to the future with confidence because after all, that’s where they are going to spend the rest of their lives. It has been very much my privilege to be a part of the University of Chester and to have the opportunity to encourage young entrepreneurs to become who they want to be.”
Dr Connie Hancock, Associate Professor and Head of Chester Business School’s Department of Management, said: “Graham Shapiro is passionate about supporting and encouraging young people towards entrepreneurial endeavour. He is an outstanding role model for our student community, sharing his extensive experience and expertise in workshops and classes.
“Graham’s commitment for mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs is reflected in his role as Entrepreneur in Residence for the Chester Business School. We are indeed fortunate to have his input in all of our student entrepreneurship activities.”
Graham is also a Fellow of both The Chartered Society of Designers and The Chartered Institute of Marketing and he serves as Ambassador of Innovation for The University of Cambridge. Graham was elected a Member of Walpole, The British Luxury Index and was admitted as a Freeman of the City of London.
Graham’s own innovations include the invention of the interloopmailer which transforms ordinary publicity material, and Reggie - a pioneering school registration app - both acclaimed, in their own field.
He also established The Graham Shapiro Foundation, primarily to alleviate mental suffering and as such, this has now become a charity with the commendable vision to increase support for mental health, enable greater wellbeing and at the same time, to inspire innovation and entrepreneurial spirit among young people in the UK.
