Two years and counting...

You may have noticed that the number of posts on this blog site had dwindled over the past year or so.  Why I hear you ask...basically it's been fantastically busy and as a result writing my thoughts on a blog site is the first thing to get cut.  I'm sure you're all very disappointed...

I thought, perhaps naively, that when we embarked on the exciting project of running Connect two years ago I would have time to keep the events world informed with my thoughts on various industry issues, developments, etc.  Despite our best efforts it simply hasn't been possible

That's not all we've learnt/experienced in our two years of trading:

• Running your own business is fantastic but not easy
• Events often require long hours...running your own business emphasises that
• Submitting a response to 'blind' tenders is pointless 99% of the time. 
• OJEC/OJEU is meant to provide a fair opportunity to win business...it does not
• Despite the shoutings the Government have made it no easier for small/new companies (classic example of this is public sector tenders requiring 3 years of financial records to be considered...)
• Twitter is a great way of generating free advertising/exposure
• Support staff (freelance or otherwise) are invaluable
• It's definitely a case of who you know rather than what you know
• Requesting feedback on an unsuccessful tender can often be futile
• Surviving (and in fact growing) during a recession is an awesome feeling
• Accounts/tax/VAT...confusing - employing an accountant is easily one of the best decisions I have made
• Setting up a second company within two years of your first is not adviseable...it is fun mind
• Some Governing Bodies are beyond frustrating to deal with - made more so when you know they are vital
• Fitting in home/personal time is vital

We've been in business for 2 years and 5 days as of today.  Despite the stress, hours, failed bids, broken IT equipment not one of those days has felt like a waste of time or a 'what I am doing' moment. 

I can safely say running your own business provides the ultimate rewards and buzz...the only negative is not being able to write as many of these wonderful 'from the mind of Mike' blogs!

I'll be in touch...probably in another 3 or 4 months ;-)

www.connectevents.co.uk