If you check one of my other blogs, bert-blagger, you'll notice that I'm writing booklets on basic literacy and basic numeracy.
So far, I've completed 2 literacy booklets, and am nearing the end of the 3rd one.
I've been considering that I need to have a series of 5 booklets in each of literacy and numeracy before I can start actively marketing them. They are teaching resources for use in schools, colleges, prisons, where adults are struggling to learn those subjects.
However, I have many years' business experience in addition to my accounting work experience in large businesses and my consultancy, which was established in 1979. I have enjoyed teaching business in the prison teaching environment for some years.
With prisoners, their options on release are somewhat limited. Most employers will refuse their job applications. Sentences have to be declared. What is their choice then? A life of living at Public expense on unemployment and housing benefit? (I realise that the terminology and structure have slightly changed recently). Alternatively, should they start a business, and hopefully generate employment, and pay tax & insurance?
Which would YOU prefer they choose?
Now, there are many TV programmes that promote business activity, although few place any emphasis on the risks. Equally, there is much debate on whether banks are lending enough to business, but precious little on operating within a budget.
Therefore, perhaps there is a market for straight-forward information for people considering going into business. Much of the 'advice' out there is data on web-sites, or delivered by experts (x is an unknown quantity, and a spurt a drip under pressure). Most business teachers have never been in business themselves, so how can they teach it?
If I publish anything on business, I may start with my Discussion Sheets. At the start of each teaching session, I'd put a current business topic question up on the whiteboard (I'm not being 'PC', but few blackboards exist nowadays!)and jot down the students' comments. Believe it or not, they approached it very positively. Their suggestions were considered, sensible, and often innovative!
