This week, I heard one of the UK's most-celebrated entrepreneurial women, Karren Brady, talk on opportunity and ideas in business. Karren took on Birmingham City FC and the rest of the football world in 1993 with with 'big-hair', and an even bigger ambition that made her the UK's youngest managing director of a PLC when she floated the club in 1997. Karren is driven, bubbly, and inexplicably inspiring. And she's also very likeable.
Hailed the 'First Lady' of football, but turned down by Waitrose 'for being too glamorous' Karren is arguably responsible for closing much behind-the-scenes segregation in football management. Once told 'you might not have a dick, but you have balls', she's unwilling to see herself as anomolous 'woman in a man's world', preferring to be professional first and formeost: though 75% of her management at Birmingham FC are women, this is 'only because they are the best'. Now also a non executive director of Channel 4 and Mothercare, Karren also makes an inspiring speaker - doing the business speaking circuit in the UK (next due to appear in Cambridge at EEDA's 'Playing to Win', Newmarket, March 4th).
So what are Karren's secrets to success? And where did she find her balls? She's blessed with 'having an inner confidence' she says, but preparation is key: 'fail to prepare, and you prepare to fail'. Equally essential to company success is staff-motivation: nurturing their dreams, and personal ambitions; taking their passion, hearts, and not just their minds with you. Every new employee at Birmingham FC spends their first day working alongside Karren, and job-swapping is common, promoting a real sense of mutual understanding and value in the company's staff. 'I have one 18 year old who works for me on 12K a year, and another 18 year old working on 12K a week. Both are equally valued, and equally motivated'.
Most telling of all, is her attitude. 'The really strong entrepreneurs are the ones who carry on', she says. 'If ever asked to do something out of your comfort zone - say yes. You don't know where it may lead you'. Ambition and inner pride really are key. And if you really can't change something? 'Change your attitude'. Be positive. Ask yourself 'what is the worst thing that could happen to you if you make this decision?'
Wise words from a woman once turned down from journalism school, now regularly filling column inches in some of the UK's leading papers. So: follow your heart, or go for money and status? 'If you can find something you love, far greater rewards will come.
'But if you add entrepreneurial spirit, then money and status will come, anyway'.
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