Location: Home Offices – Reading / Viewing Time: 6-7mins
Thought I’d begin the week with a really cool guest post by Ben Lumley at 6ailens.com. Ben is a motivational speaker by profession and works with young people most of the time. His passion for the subject is something amazing to watch and see. Although this is a ‘little’ off topic, in regards to the Virtual Business Lifestyle core subjects, when he sent me a link to the video, I had no doubt that I’d be publishing it on the blog.
Young people are the future – we know this. But, Ben’s right when he mentions how enthusiastic young entrepreneurs are today, compared to many years ago. Just as I discovered in my recent interview with soon-to-be-graduating Tony Ruiz - who has his entire professional life mapped out in front of him already!
In this short clip, Ben discusses, amongst other things:
- That young entrepreneurs don’t know the meaning of the word ‘no’.
- Why they have lots of energy and enthusiasm – except for when they are being lazy.
- How young entrepreneurs are misunderstood a lot of the time.
- How lack of encouragement hurts the future of entrepreneurial blood.
- The importance of mentoring young entrepreneurs for the future.
As an entrepreneur myself, I can thoroughly resonate with what Ben discussed in this clip. Bearing in mind that a lot of young people tend to be busy with their lives and might find it tough to stay productive from time to time. Because of this, it becomes even more important, I believe, to focus and work with that spark of brilliance when you see it in a young person that you know.
I especially love the way Ben mentions my blog a few times in this clip, too! 
Please leave your questions and comments below for Ben, as I have asked him to spin over to the blog in the next couple of days to reply to anything that you guys might like to shout out to him.
See you on Tuesday with my ‘Virtual CEO’ Monthly Report for April 2010! Get it via email, subscribe now!
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Thanks for the chance to post again for you Chris.
Hope this stirs up some support for young people
You’re more than welcome, mate.
It was a great clip, with a clear – and important – message.
Let me know how things progress with everything on your own plans this year!
Chris
Ben, supporting the next generation in creating successful and fulfilling lives on their own terms is a subject close to my heart. Like you I disagree with the labels young people tend to get these days. I think a large part of the problem is that many people not only don’t understand them, they also don’t know how to interact with them in a way that works.
When I lived in the UK one of the things I liked to do as part of my business was give back time on a voluntary basis. I used to do some volunteer mentoring with the Prince’s Trust working with young people from, often, very challenging backgrounds. It was amazing to watch these young people, with the right support, encouragement and help turn into up and coming entrepreneurs making their lives into something.
I think established entrepreneurs should take a role in supporting/mentoring our next generation. Often it is something that is available at an acedemic/theoretic level, but not as widely available on a practical level.
I totally support your point that more established entrepreneurs should step up and get involved. In fact, I would say that the wider community needs to stand up and get involved with helping our young people reach their full potential in all areas of their lives instead of jumping on the demonising them bandwagon. We need more people banging this drum.
Great comment, Ali. Thanks for taking the time to write!
Volunteer work is amazingly enjoyable – I used to do so myself back in the UK, too. Perhaps I should look into doing something here in the Philippines, too.
Thanks again for dropping by the blog!
Chris
You’re right we do need more people banging the drum for young people Ali.
I’m really glad we think on the same wavelengths when it comes to this Ali.
Thanks for stopping in
Very cool Ben, you are right on
as a young entrepreneur myself I cherish when experienced entrepreneurs (like Chris!) give me guidance and ideas. It is so helpful to just have a sounding board that has been where you are and succeeded.
Are you trying to imply that Chris is old and experienced or just experienced? lol
I’m really pleased you liked it Maren. Getting support from others who knows is such a big part of success.
Obviously JUST experienced, Ben – ‘cmon…!
Maren – THINK before answering this question from Ben!!!
Ideas – way too many to sit still for more than 5mins!
I’m real happy with how this blogs community is growing recently, the quality of the people and the conversations has been getting better and better. Thanks everyone for finding the time!
Chris
Hi Chris / Ben,
So on Thursday I interviewed a young woman to come and work in our business. We’re going to match her current salary and she will have a bonus every quarter based on what she adds to the business. Basing our ideas on the John Lewis Partnership and Bay Jordan’s book “A Feeling of Worth”.
She’s currently writing her own job description (after 90 minutes interviewing me about the company, vision etc). We will then interview her against her own design for the job.
I think this is a great way that start-ups like us can employ and reward great people in Year 1. Hurrah for Young Entrepreneurs!
Great vid.
Emma
PS I should mention that we work with people of all ages and backgrounds. Lots of our associates have bus passes. It’s not about ageism, it’s that people at different stages in their lives have different aspirations, ideas and liabilities and outlooks. Room for all types of people in the workplace. Hurrah for diversity!
Hi Emma
Thanks for the great comment!
Excellent idea on how you see things developing with your younger staff! I actually like it so much that I am going to ask my management team to do exactly the same, but with a slight slant on the proceedings – UPDATE their job descriptions for where they see themselves being with the company at, for example, the end of the year – and then they have to WORK to achieve it.
Thanks for dropping by, and do please subscribe, we have plenty of great stuff planned for the next few weeks…!
Chris
That’s a really nice idea Emma. Thanks for sharing it.
Also thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Thanks again, Ben for a really inspirational video clip.
I know I’ve said this before, but I’ll add it in here one more time – you are ALWAYS welcome to post here at the VBL blog.
Great stuff!
I’ll hold you to that.
Great Video Ben, I appreciate people like you that are driven to support young entrepreneurs.
I’m assuming Chris is going to take me under his wing of becoming a virtual CEO now – (hint, hint). ha ha.
I truly appreciate BOTH of your guys support. This only drives me to encourage my peers to be more innovative. I’ll make sure to remember this has I become older and to always stay young at heart.
Thanks Tony.
Bringing the younger ones through is so important. The world of sport has this idea with all of the academy and college set ups that run all over the world but sadly in the world of business this doesn’t seem to happen.