Tablecloth Enterprise
What is a Tablecloth Enterprise Event?
So you’ve always wanted to start your own business but never had the confidence? Got an idea but you’re not sure what the next step is? Well a Tablecloth Enterprise event could help.
Funded by
UK Steel Enterprise (UKSE) and supported by Rotherham’s Enterprise Board, a Tablecloth Enterprise event offers you, the potential entrepreneur, a unique opportunity to develop your business idea!
Best described as “speed coaching”, the event will provide you with the chance to discuss your concept with successful Rotherham based entrepreneurs. They will explore your business concept with you, discuss the general principles of running a business and offer their knowledge and expertise to help you define and refine your ideas and all this will be delivered in a relaxed, informal and most importantly confidential forum.
How does a Tablecloth Enterprise event work?
The Tablecloth Enterprise Events, which are free to attend, will be run in the late afternoon, early evening.
The “speed coaching” sessions will see you positioned at a numbered table, which will be covered in a white paper tablecloth.
During the course of the “speed coaching” sessions you will be visited by a number of experienced entrepreneurs, one at a time, for a 15-minute slot.
You will describe your business ideas to all entrepreneurs on an individual basis and during the discussions that follow both of you will note ideas down on the tablecloth. Please feel free to “invite a scribe” to attend the event with you so that so that they can capture any discussions or key learning points that you and the entrepreneurs focus in on during the session – they could be a friend, family member or partner.
By the end of the session you will have refined your business idea(s) and will have a tablecloth full of inspiring notes and ideas to follow up and explore.
Am I eligible?
To be eligible to attend a Tablecloth Enterprise event you need to meet the criteria outlined below.
- Be based within the borough of Rotherham
- Be a pre-start or early stage business
Your application must be accompanied by a supporting reference, further details of suitable referees can be found on the expression of interest form.
What are the benefits?
Research shows that individuals gain from explaining their business idea to a wide and varied audience. Benefits of the Tablecloth Enterprise include:
- Unique opportunity to develop your business idea
- Will encourage you to think openly about your business idea
- Will help you to identify any potential flaws and also opportunities not previously considered
- Meet and learn from like-minded individuals
- Excellent networking opportunity
- May lead to other opportunities to progress your ideas through the Rotherham Enterprise Board Initiatives, including the Rotherham Mentor Programme and Dragons’ Den Events
What did recent attendees think of the event?
“Being part of the tablecloth event was inspirational and exciting but also very relaxed and practical. The mentors were of an incredibly high calibre but so down to earth and truly wanted to help - I came away with a long list of ideas and contacts that will keep me busy for potentially years to come!”
Julie Hampshire – All Things Learning
“My trepidation was quickly put at ease, as positive feedback was forthcoming... These very successful businessmen were friendly and most willing to put valuable ideas forward. I'm currently investigating the different scenarios… with the aim of applying them to my business. I would gladly recommend this event to anybody starting a new business”
Pete Goodison – Painter & Decorator
How can I find out more?
For more information on the programme of events, or to register your interest, contact Helen Allison – Enterprise Events Co-ordinator.
Helen Allison - Enterprise Events Co-ordinator
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
Tel: 01709 823816
Email:
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