I recently asked a selection of professionals that I know, from different industries, what is the one item, essential to their business, that they might recommend to those at the very earliest stage of their freelance career or those thinking of starting up in business.

Whether it be a business card, website, smart phone, twitter account or something more abstract I wanted to know the one item they would pick overall.

Below are their responses, which I have categorised into 5 areas:

 People

• a mentor or critical friend – someone not personally related to you or your business that can advise you and offer help, support and encouragement.

• The best thing you have is YOU – no other things are really essential unless you have made contacts / got out and spoken to people / networked / told people what you are doing. People like people. The other ‘tools’ are just add-ons. We get most of our good contracts because the people have met us and know who we are.

• An address book. Not a literal one, but the more people you know who can recommend you for work, the better. Get out there and get networking!

• My advice would be that your networks – formal and informal are one of your best assets. Develop relationships, nurture existing and new contacts, actively involve yourself in online and offline networks.

• a network of contacts is the most important thing to start a business

• A network. For support, collaboration, ideas, leads.

Physical items / getting organised and connected

• A business card

• Brompton fold up bike for getting to meetings and work through the city streets

• Access to a computer of some sort

• If I had to suggest something physical I’d be lost without my smart phone, it has everything, phone, internet, diary, alarm, satnav and now even talks back to me thanks to Suri!

• A laptop with wifi. You can work anywhere and take everything with you when you meet people to tell them about your business.

• Business bank account – keep financial matters separate as much as possible

 Online presence

• A domain name with even just a holding page, and an email address

• a Face Book page

• A tool or platform for starting a conversation and building relationships – such as a blog/or regular event

• A blog – related to what you do professionally and your skills. A good platform to “show off” your skills and talents, the “collaborative nature” of it (i.e. asking other people for blog posts) means that you can build work focussed relationships outside of the confines of your day job, and learn loads of stuff, from what people actually post on there. An example of the interesting opportunities this has led to: being approached by a university academic to be featured (albeit briefly) in an academic publication. Whilst also being approached by other cultural orgs (non-profit and profit) for advice on using digital media.

• A website – absolutely. Doesn’t have to be anything snazzy, a WordPress site would be fine, the content is more important.

• If I had to choose something then maybe some kind of ‘intelligent’ web presence so that people can ‘find’ you! (Not just a Twitter account that tells people what you had for dinner!).

 Self-belief, determination & confidence

• Believe in Yourself

• Everyone will tell you that your idea is impossible and cannot happen, believe in yourself and find a way to do it! Talent attracts talent so as you move forward you will meet fantastic people who will bring a new perspective to the project!

• The ability to say ‘hello’ in a room full of strangers.

• There’s also that notion that if you can talk to one person, you can talk to two hundred – and once you’ve ‘broken the back’ as it were, you can work up to speaking confidently in front of large groups of people in addition those essential one-to-one conversations. Useful once the work load increases!

Ideas

• A notebook full of ideas

• An ideas board – virtual or physical but somewhere to manifest and make visible your ideas – once they are somewhere they can be developed.

• My recommended essential isn’t a thing like a business card or website, it’s actually: a good business idea. Can you say what your business is succinctly? – is it a product or a service or both. Why is it a good business idea and is there a demand for it- if not can you create the demand. Easy!!

Let us know in the comments below if you would like to add any further recommendations and also if you have any experiences to share of how these items work alongside your business activities.

We just set up our new course in Modern Languages at the Exchange. Thinking in anybody who would like to expand their knowledge in foreing languages.

Come to our Spanish Course for Beginners (Level 1)

Course duration: 10 weeks

Course time: Wednesdays, 18.00- 19.00 at the Moseley Exchange.

Level: No knowledge of Spanish is required.
Cost: £85

To ensure attendance, payment must accompany booking. Cash only when paying at reception. Cheque, bank transfer and credit/debit card are accepted.

To book please book on http://spanishforbeginners.eventbrite.co.uk/ or contact.
Maria (reception)
Moseley Exchange
149-153 Alcester Road, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 8JP
info@moseleyexchange.com
0121 449 8585

This event will look at three different experiences in the creative industries. How they started their career and made their life project work and happen. Alan McLean, Alex Lockett and Lauren Davies will tell us their experiences, setting up their business and how they created their own business inside this sector

Alan Mc Lean; Co-ordinator of the Black Country Arts and Disability Network – Working Parts www.workingparts.co.uk
Lauren Davies; Director at Red Lantern Project Management Ltd, http://redlantern.co.uk/
Alex Lockett; Director of Project Pigeon http://www.project-pigeon.co.uk/Site/Birmingham_Pigeon_Archive.html

Tuesday, 31st January 2012, 6.30 pm in the coworking space

It’s free to attend but space is limited so please register early to avoid disappointment. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

To register for any or all of these events please visit the Eventbrite page (see Moseley Exchange in Birmingham). http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2089320213#addtloption

For more info:
- ask at reception
- email info@moseleyexchange.com
- or call 0121 449 8585 s

Manchester based artists Ailis Ni Riain and David Gaffney have been commissioned by Birmingham Book Festival to create Boy You Turn Me, an original piece of music and text for the Book Festival’s first ever sound installation event. Lauren Davies was brought in to project manage the piece as the Birmingham contact and Peter Dixon was recruited as the Sound and Installation technician. It’s a shining example of co-workers coming together using their professional strengths and skills to produce a high quality project in the public realm.

The installation is based in a vacant shop unit in the Pavilions Birmingham shopping centre – an ideal location to attract a new audience to experience a slightly alternative artform. There are 4 days left to visit the installation that visitors have been describing as an ethereal, surreal, calming and often nostalgic experience. The installation includes brummie accents, the story of an illicit affair involving two former shop workers and a haunting soundtrack.

Boy you turn me – until Sunday 16th October 2011
Lower Ground Floor – Pavilions Birmingham, High Street
Free Admission

Reviews:
Birmingham Book Festival blog: http://bbfoctober2011.wordpress.com/2011/10/13/an-empty-room-full-of-sound-boy-you-turn-me-pavilions-shopping-centre/

Creative Times, Manchester: http://www.creativetimes.co.uk/news/blog-boy-it-s-good

The submission can include photography, drawing, painting and sculpture.
We are open to any suggestions and will be an amazing opportunity to exhibit and sell your work. Anyone can apply with any level of experience: Students, graduate artist are welcome.

Don’t hesitate to contact us!!! Submission includes a pick of the artwork, your CV or website.

Deadline 31 October
To info@moseleyexchange.com

Thinking of starting a business?
Or recently become self employed?

Discuss your current situation and way to progress during a half-hour one-to-one appointment with business advisor Marion Taggart.

Marion will be here at the Moseley Exchange on Thursday 8th September

There are 6 half-hour appointments available on this date.
These appointments are free.

To book an appointment:
-Email info@moseleyexchange.com
-Or call us on 0121 449 8585
(If you are unable to attend your appointment then please call us beforehand to cancel)

To register for a place send an email to administrator@MoseleyCDT.com. Include details in your email of who you are, organisation details if you are from an organisation, and project title. Places are limited.

If you are a local artist or if you know someone who is looking for an opportunity to get their work out there and seen in a welcoming environment please signpost them to this information. Opportunities to exhibit are available from September if the work is suitable.

Application to display artwork form is available to download here exhibition-application-form1

Exhibitions page – for more details on art @ the exchange.

Wednesday 28 September 2011
7.30pm – 9.30pm, in the Co-working space

2. Big Society – Social Enterprise
How can Moseley communities exploit the ideas of big society and enhance activity in the area? This is a look at mechanisms and opportunities to explore from case studies that have brought local communities together.

Wednesday 9 November 2011
7.30pm – 9.30pm, in the Co-working space

Birmingham – where to next?
Economic developments in the city hold many opportunities for the local creative sector. This session will discuss how Moseley fits in with the city’s economic strategy, and how collaborations across Europe and new partnerships might be developed.

Wednesday 1 February 2012
7.30pm – 9.30pm, in the Co-working space

It’s free to attend but space is limited so please register early to avoid disappointment. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

To register for any or all of these events please visit the Eventbrite page – Moseley Exchange in Birmingham.

For more info:
- ask at reception
- email info@moseleyexchange.com
- or call 0121 449 8585