Young, aspiring entrepreneurs gathered at the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship on February 24 to hear what it takes to be successful in business from the vice president at the helm of one of the world's leading IT services organisations.
In an event organised by PSYBT (the Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust) in partnership with the Hunter Centre, Bob McDowell, vice president for Microsoft Corporation in Seattle urged Scotland's budding entrepreneurs to seize opportunities for enterprise and innovation and not to be deterred from realising their future career ambitions.
The audience, which comprised Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship students and some young entrepreneurs who have been assisted by PSYBT to set up their own business, heard that maintaining excellent customer relationships and taking bold decisions are key ingredients to success in business.
McDowell, who has spent the last twenty years working for Microsoft, latterly as vice president responsible for helping Microsoft's largest customers maximise their use of current Microsoft Office technologies to add business value to their organisations, went on to explain how these key ingredients contribute to business survival and long term success. "There has never been a better opportunity for an organisation to leverage the advances in IT for competitive advantage in today's global marketplace".
Alrick Pagnon, a second year Business Enterprise student, said, "I was delighted to attend this great event hosted by PSYBT and the Hunter Centre. The quality of the key speakers such as Bob McDowell, the small number of guests and the presence of several young entrepreneurs made this event a great success. I didn't have any prior knowledge in new technologies and IT but the passion expressed by Bob McDowell for entrepreneurship and business creation made this seminar accessible to anyone.
"I also had the pleasure to speak directly to Bob McDowell after his conference and I was amazed by his devotion and his commitment. He took the time to answer our questions and give us personal advice which I believe will be useful in my future career."
McDowell was also joined on stage by Paula Russell, co-founder of Strung Out Guitars and Andrew Stevenson of Tangent Graphic, who spoke of the challenges and the achievements they have experienced since starting their own businesses.