Hi guys,

I thought I would let you know that I was interviewed by Clare from the Up Group which you can now read here:

The interview covers some of the latest thoughts on WAYN’s positioning but moreover provides a short overview of the WAYN story to date with some anecdotal references to the current market and who I am impressed with in the space.

For a more comprehensive set of recommendations for start-ups both new and existing, I thoroughly recommend you take the opportunity to read a book written by one of my former tutors at London Business School when I was participating in the Entrepreneurship Summer School Program there back in 2002. His name is John Mullins, and his latest book, only just released, covers what I think is perhaps some of the most important set of lessons on how to test the feasibility of your business idea and more importantly, get from your Plan A idea to a Plan B winning strategy through a combination of learning from the best out there and coming up with something novel, and adjusting your business plan accordingly. His book is called: ‘Getting to Plan B: Breaking Through to a Better Business Model’:

It draws on years of experience and research both from John and his co-author partner in crime: Randy Komisar, a Partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers – one of world’s leading VC firms. In fact, many of the things I learned in the program are referenced and built upon in this book, making this one of the best investments you will make, so if there’s one entrepreneurship book you buy this year – make it this one! To find out more, visit the following website: http://www.getting-to-plan-b.com/

John is also available to do talks on the subject for those of you organising events in entrepreneurship. Feel free to contact him directly via his website.

Cheers,

Pete

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Hi everyone, hope you are well!

As I attended the Microsoft  BizSpark conference last week, I got the opportunity of delivering a speech alongside James Caan from Dragons Den as well as Richard Moross from Moo cards as well as an interview with the guys at Intruders TV 

In this interview, I shared the insights and challenges facing our company and some insights on how we took our sales team in-house after long term outsourcing to agencies and why taking feedback from ‘your elders and your betters’ is worthwhile and how to tailor ad engagements to generate strong participation from your community and value for your advertisers.

You can see the interview here:

Speak soon!

Jerome

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Entrepreneurs take a VIP trip to Ibiza…

What happens when you pluck 15 of London’s most promising young entrepreneurial talent, and whisk them off to the emerald isle for a lifestyle retreat they will never forget?…

I guess we are about to find out!

Nicknamed “ICE:09” (Ibiza Conclave of Entrepreneurs), which represents the third in a series of retreats organised for entrepreneurs by entrepreneurs, this particular trip is the one that I have decided to host, with the help of one of the leading concierge services on the island – Icon Ibiza.

Given that I am in charge of spearheading the launch of a new aspirational VIP platform for WAYN’s own collection of jetsetters, I thought it only good and proper that I sample for myself what some of our VIP members will be gaining access to, once we have partnered with some of the top lifestyle partners out there. It also happens to be my birthday today so can you blame me for wanting to make a weekend out of it?

ICE:09 is all about getting some of my mates together from the industry to show them why Ibiza rocks. But for me, this weekend is also about finding the right lifestyle and travel partners to work with, to ensure that our VIP members will be getting access to some of the best perks around.

The group of Young Guns I am taking with me are going to be a tough crowd to please, particularly given that they represent a hand plucked selection of the tech crowd’s movers and shakers, who will have high expectations. By enlisting the help of Icon Ibiza – one of the top concierge services in Ibiza, I’ve got Icon’s founder and former Club Promoter – Charlie Chester doing what he does best, which includes turning the techno geek into glitzy chic.

Charlie Chester: These guys are going to be blown away. Icon Ibiza is all about showcasing the best hidden finds in Ibiza, gaining access to the top events that are happening, and doing it all with a bit of panache and style. I’m confident that Pete and the gang will be smiling from ear to ear. I’m also looking forward to upgrading WAYN’s VIP members to experience a similar treatment when they also come over…”

Some of the entrepreneurs that are joining us for this weekend to remember, include:

- Lucian Tarnowski, founder of Brave New Talent and One Young World Ambassador

- Andy Scott, founder of Rummble

- Charles Baybutt, founder of Curious Generation, Brands Live and the Rare Collective

- Sam Mathews, founder or Ugame

- Kieran O’Neil, founder of Playfire

- Alicia Navaro, founder of Skimbit and Skimlinks

- Andre Parrie, founder of Protopage

- Alena Dundas, founder of Gymboo

- Milo Yiannopoulos, Contributing Editor, TechCrich Europe

With press coverage being lined up and some filming for a production company that are covering what happens on the island other than clubbing, which is looking to be commissioned for Channel 4 or Channel 5 in the UK, I am confident that with the help of Charlie Chester, we will help morph those going from the technorati to the gliteratti, overnight. I hope to do the same very soon for our very own WAYN VIP members.

Keep it locked to this channel, to find out…

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