Jeopardy and the Danger of Playing it Safe

Cumbria Forum invites you to join Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones who is responsible for one of the most successful food launches of recent times in the UK with his own range of meat products under The Black Farmer label.

Wilfred is, in his own words, 'a poor boy, done good'. Born in Jamaica and raised in inner city Birmingham, unqualified but persistent, he talked his way into television. He was responsible for introducing chefs like Gordon Ramsay and James Martin to the small screen - but he's now known simply as The Black Farmer.

Sypnopsis

In a world where technological advances enable us to predict and forecast so much of what happens in our lives, more and more people think that their lives have more certainty. Our political culture and business promises certainty, but in truth they are promising something that doesn’t exist.

There is only one certainty, and that is that life is uncertain. So why spend your life in survival mode trying to protect what you have accumulated? If you are serious about taking your business to the next stage, the first thing you have to do is let go of certainty. The future is beyond your imaginings. You can meet the challenges of the future but it means changing a mind set.

Companies that have weathered the start up stage are especially at risk. The danger is to take the foot off the gas and coast. There lies the danger.

Wilfred will talk about the positives and challenges of growing a business in a region like Cumbria, how to keep thinking and behaving like a start up and making sure you have that mind set in your business

Timings

17.30 Registration & refreshments

18.00 Masterclass and Q&A

19.15 Networking & refreshments

20.30 Event Close

We look forward to seeing you there!

Please note this event is strictly for Cumbrian SMEs.

For more information about the event or Cumbria Forum contact Pete Cornwall on 01524 510728 or email cumbriaforum@lancaster.ac.uk

Cumbria Forum is a 6 month programme for directors and managers of ERDF-eligible Cumbria-based SMEs with real growth ambition. Over six months, you will learn the business development skills and tools to grow your business, through workshops delivered by business experts and leading academics at Lancaster University, a tour of operations at a large regional business to see best practice first-hand, and access to masterclasses with high profile inspirational speakers to challenge and inspire you. The next cohort begins November 2019. For more information contact us cumbriaforum@lancaster.ac.uk

Masterclass: Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones - The Black Farmer