In an ideal world, you’d listen to your target audience, hold a focus group or two and come up with an unbeatable combination of what they want and what you can deliver and hey presto you have a compelling event that cannot be missed. Unfortunately in my real world, I have to take a gamble on what I think would work and then market it like crazy to make sure that it happens.

And so, to the point of this post. Running an event is a sizeable challenge especially when you have a full-time job too. So, I am so busy getting the speakers to appear on time, the drinks ordered, the guest list sorted and directions to the venue, have I really reflected on the proposition?

My event is aimed at those who have a desire to start a business but don’t know where to start. I have a couple of experienced business advisors, Richard Voisey and Frank Titley and a business manager from Barclays so you’d hope that they can get the content right, but  what of the people who are coming to the event, what do they expect? What do they want? Oh well. I’ll let you know after Wednesday, but in the meantime… lets hope the logistics of the event go ok and all I have to worry about (!) is that the people attending get something of value from the 2 hours of the event.

The First Hour is not a new concept, it is rather, a new take on an age old problem. How do I find someone I can trust to help me with my business?

I don’t have the answer, but I am convinced you do. What we have done is simply try and create a marketplace where you can find someone you need – roadtest them – in an initial meeting and decide whether you want to meet again for a fruitful dicussion.

Its not anything more complicated. Its so badly needed. You are the master of destiny when it comes to your business. It should be you that decides who to trust and who to move on from.

I hope you like the concept, we’re in the early days. As with all the best current websites like LinkedIn and Twitter we’ve not figured out how to monetise it yet, but who cares? We think we’re doing the right thing and if you like it and it works then I’m sure the sustainability will come, eventually!