Unemployment figures – nearing 2 million, the highest level since 1997 – demonstrate that the current job market is proving to be a highly competitive environment for many job seekers. With this in mind, alongside survey results announced on 1st July by High Fliers Research showing that graduate employment is in decline - there are 28% fewer graduate vacancies than in September last year - the region’s University leavers should not be overlooking the opportunity to start their own businesses.
As the Class of 2009 face one of the toughest job markets of the last two decades (according to the High Fliers Research), graduates across the East of England should consider all of their options and aim high. The region’s graduates are in fact in an incredible position as the East of England universities have a national reputation for excellence in teaching and research. This coupled with the wealth of experience and expertise available free from Business Link means starting a business after leaving higher education should be regarded as a feasible option.
Herts-based, Home2Garden - selling unique wind sculptures - was set up in 2003 by graduate Magic Henig and his business partner Lisa Atkin. Magic turned to Business Link for advice in 2008, when previous year on year treble-figure sales growth slowed due to the business reaching market penetration. Adviser Stephen Herman encouraged the partners to re-evaluate profitability across different sales channels, an analysis that proved invaluable and led to a re-focus away from trade distributors and sales agents, towards direct selling. Sales growth has picked up and profitability is healthy.
Herts-based graduates wanting to find out more about ‘Starting Your Own Business’ should register now at www.bookevents.org for forthcoming FREE Business Link workshops:
-23rd July at BioPark, WELWYN GARDEN CITY
-30th July at Fanhams Hall Hotel, WARE
-16th August at Firs Hotel Ltd, HITCHIN
-2nd September at Quality Hotel St Albans, ST. ALBANS
Pat Smith, Chief Executive of Business Link in the East of England said: “Whilst data from the Destination of Leavers from Higher Education Survey (DLHE) 2007/08 revealed that of graduates from Anglia Ruskin University known to be in work, 69% are employed in the Eastern Region, recent reports suggest the Class of 2009 may not be as lucky. There is, however, plenty of support available to encourage and help graduates to succeed in business. The moral of the Home2Garden story is that the sky’s the limit!”
Even in these tough economic times, start-up businesses, including those conceived by graduates, have every chance of success. Business Link can provide guidance at each step of the way, from planning, market research and strategy to financing and sourcing suppliers. We can help to channel competencies and develop skills and this year’s graduates should take advantage of the wealth of free support available to help them find their vocation.”
Visit www.bookevents.org to find out more about the full timetable of Business Link events in Hertfordshire.
About Business Link in the East of England:
-Business Link provides information, practical advice and support to help people to start, run or grow their business
-Our clients fall in to two main categories:
o Those running or working in established small and medium sized businesses
o Those who want to start their own business
-Both clients groups can access independent, impartial and, in most instances, free help and support from Business Link in the form of:
o Free one-to-one help from an experienced business adviser (established businesses) or enterprise champion (start-up)
o Workshops and briefings on a range of business subjects such as business planning, sales and marketing, legislation, developing people
o Telephone and online support through our Information and intelligence centre
-Business Link in the East of England works with businesses and entrepreneurs in the 6 counties in the East of England: Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire
-Business Link is a government initiative to promote enterprise, funded in the East of England by the East of England Development Agency
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