June 1, 2020, by aczjb1
Entrepreneurs in Residence increase support for Ingenuity Lab members during lockdown
On this blog we have previously heard from Ingenuity Lab members about how they have been adapting their lives and businesses to the Covid-19 crisis. But Lab activity is not restricted to our members! This week we’d like to highlight the generous efforts of our Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIRs), who have been providing their time, knowledge and resources to give vital support to Lab members during lockdown.
The Ingenuity Lab has a network of over 50 business professionals, who offer expert advice and support to our members throughout the year in the form of roundtable seminars and one-on-one surgeries. With the usual activities we offer at the Lab moving online during the crisis, these EIRs have stepped in to deliver a bumper line-up of practical business support.
Topics for one-to-one support have ranged from accounting and cashflow problems relating to Covid-19 (Vic Stewart, The Alchemist), to helping with workforce issues connected with the impact of the crisis with Nickie Elenor of Guardian Law Ltd. Nickie has also provided a free Employer Coronavirus Survival Kit that lab businesses can access on her website.
Paul Crick, who runs The Elevate Partnership, has been running a free six-week virtual coaching programme for Ingenuity Lab members.
“We find ourselves in circumstances which need no introduction and I wanted to volunteer my coaching skills and career experience to help Ingenuity Lab entrepreneurs with their current projects and ‘pay it forward’”, said Paul. “The aim of the coaching programme is to help members share and explore the issues they currently face in a safe and confidential space. It is often the case that entrepreneurs are so busy that they rarely have time to pause and think through some of the more gnarly challenges they sometimes face.
“The ‘Oxygen’ coaching programme provides space for them to think through issues and identify empowering courses of action that help move them and their businesses forwards.”
Anika Vassell is one of the Lab Members who has been taking part in Paul’s course.
“Over the past few weeks we have explored ideas together and faced our challenges both professionally and personally within the safe and supportive space that Paul created for us,”she said. “During this lockdown season, I believe that this community we’ve formed – from South America, Europe and the UK – has been incredibly beneficial. We have been able to share our ideas and our breakthroughs each week, as we carve out a path through the ever-changing landscape of this global pandemic.”
EIR Tyrone Courtman
Tyrone Courtman, Managing Director at Duff & Phelps, has hosted surgeries and a roundtable seminar, as well as taking part in last month’s Creativity in Crisis online event. As a crisis management specialist, he’s well positioned to provide vital support to Lab members during lockdown.
“As an EIR I’ve been endeavouring to help the Lab members during lockdown by sharing with them my insight and experience of dealing with businesses during times of crisis”, he said. “My professional focus as a restructuring expert is in helping ailing businesses to survive and prosper. In the face of critical financial challenges, such as those brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, my aim is to help business owners and Lab members work though their problems and to sleep more easily!”
Our programme of surgeries and roundtables will continue online throughout the coming months, providing support to any Lab members who need it. Topics of support are not limited to Coronavirus management, with upcoming surgeries on PR and branding (Mel Berry), accounting (Tom Preece) and law (Ed Wright), as well as a roundtable seminar on the power of a creative mindset in entrepreneurship from Tim Elliot.
Lab member Asma Iqbal
Asma Iqbal joined the Lab last year and has been enjoying the benefits of Lab membership throughout the process of starting her business.
“Starting a new business is a daunting task, there is so much to consider and learn,” said Asma. “I am so grateful to the Ingenuity Lab for organising roundtables and access to mentoring through the Entrepreneurs in Residence. Having access to these mentors meant I could bounce ideas off people who were experienced, professional and impartial. They are worth their weight in gold.”
Lab Members can register for June’s surgeries via the link here.
If you’re interested in becoming an Ingenuity Lab member, you can find out more information on our website.
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