10 life lessons in business

• Pupil from 1989 – 1994• 9 CGSEs & 3 A-Levels• No careers advice given

My career path to date

3 A-levels3 A-levels

1994

Gap YearGap Year

1995

University of Soton

University of Soton

1995-8

VolunteerWork

VolunteerWork

1999

Time to seek my fame and fortune right?

Time to seek my fame and fortune right?

Hello London!

3 A-levels3 A-levels Gap YearGap Year University of Soton

University of Soton

VolunteerWork

VolunteerWork

1994 1995 1995-8

1999

icollectoricollector eBayeBay

2001-8

vzaarvzaar

2008-10

JustGivingJustGiving

2010+

What can I share today?• 15+ years working in ecommerce industry• Working with people of many different

nationalities & cultures• But mostly a career that I did not foresee

aged 18

1. No idea? Don’t panic!

2. Find a skill and hone it

3. Be inquisitive

5. Fail fast and fail often

4. It's easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission

5. Fail fast and fail often

6. Connect with people

7.

8. You will not be the smartest person in the room

9. Don’t be afraid to change jobs

10. “Luck is the residue of design”

‘Howard Schultz’

What next?

• Not sure I can answer that

• What I can say is it will sometimes be daunting, but it will always be fun and rewarding

Thank you & good luck

http://www.slideshare.net/parkins1/10-life-lessons-from-business