Tips for the class of 2014From an ex- student DSA

Webelevate 2.1/ Webinnovate 1.0Finished July 2014

Who’s this?

- Failed Journalist- Single Mother (broken marriage)- Did a teacher traning course- Unemployed for 5 years- Depressed & Suicidal during most of it- Applied to Oxford (rejected)- Love for her child was the only thing that kept her going

Who’s this?

- She wrote in cafes when her child was asleep….

Who’s this?

- She wrote in cafes when her child was asleep….- 12 publishers rejected her first book

Who’s this?

- She wrote in cafes when her child was asleep….- 12 publishers rejected her first book- The 13th published it and said it will only sell a few

1000. “Get a part-time job!”

Who’s this?

- She wrote in cafes when her child was asleep….- 12 publishers rejected her first book- The 13th published it and said it will only sell a few

1000. “Get a part-time job!”- That was Bloomsbury

JK Rowling

- 400 million Harry Potter books sold- Top Grossing Book series of all time- Top Grossing Film series to date

SHE DID’NT GIVE UP

Story of Mr X aged?

- Succesful Job 20 years (Art Director)- Award Winning (5 Gold IDMAs)- Branded 2 Nasdaq quoted companies- Lost job in recession- Was not ready for change with the

emergence of the web- 3 years Unemployed

Mr X continued

- Depressed (suicidal)- Lost all faith in himself and life- Doomed to failure- Lost the love of his life- felt the web and apps were for young people

he can’t code won’t code- never get a job again….

Mr X continued (it gets better)

- Went back to College (the DSA)- Learned all he could learn did ok on

webelevate 2.1, but he was not happy…- Decided to do Webinnovate 1.0- Project managed a team of 5- Got excellent results- Restored his confidence - (wow he could manage people)

Mr X Continued It gets much better!

- Learnt all he could about lean start ups- The Business Canvas- Pivoting- Re-established his own freelance business- Went on the Back to Enterprise Scheme- Started to get work with a little help from the

DSA (4 euro per ad!...) and worked for nothing!

Mr X - way way better

- Developed an app for an Art gallery- More design work followed- Was getting noticed on Linked In- Re-wrote CV- Applied for jobs as Creative Director- Found A Business partner for the App- Got 1000 euro in funding from DSW

BTW - He’s in the room...

BTW - He’s in the room...

let me introduce him...

Mr X Today ...it’s ME!

- Creative Director Yvolution (Global Toy Brand)- Director Kevin Walsh Design- Director Vega 360º (my app development co.)

Tips for Entrepreneurs

Well this is what I learnt so far...

1. Read!

- Eric Riese - The lean Start Up- Steve Blank read his blogs/etc.- Follow all these guys and influencers! - Download the audio versions instead of

listening to music!- Eat sleep and drink the Business Canvas- Does your business idea pass this test?

2. Find an idea that people want

1. Does it make my /other people’s life easier?2. Will people pay for this?3. How will I make money?4. Is it scalable?5. Does it need a lot of investment before it

starts making profit?6. Are you prepared to put your life on hold?

3. Failure is an option!

- Fail fast- Learn / Pivot- Test Again- Fail/ Test/ and Fail Again Test Test TEST- Learn success will come- Read biographies of every famous business

man they fail more times than they succeed

4. Do not spend any money

- Well not yours!- Test your start up online- Ask everyone BUT your friends & family- Go outside and ask strangers- Yes they will talk to you!- Don’t be shy!- Talk yourself UP Sell yourself!

Find a mentor… bribe, cajole, hassle

1. We all need someone to help us to the promised land of our goals and ambitions

2. Experienced mentors are worth their weight in GOLD!

3. My mentor story...

What most investors think of Business Plans...

Not worth the paper their written on

What most investors think of the Business Canvas...

Intelectual Property on Webinnovate

- Forget it for this course…- U2 example- Share your business idea- Your drive will make it succeed

Back to Enterprise Allowance

1. Keep your dole and benefits for 1 Year2. Earn as much as you like TAX FREE3. Register as a Sole Trader / Company etc.4. Grant of €1000 euro for business euipment5. 1000 EURO!6. You gotta love that!7. Time IT right! - Dont do what I did!

Getting A Job

Tips - I learnt the hard way!

Question?

How many of you are on Linked In?How many have a website?- Twitter account?- Blog?- CV?- Know people in your chosen industry?- Family Friends in your chosen industry?

NETWORK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!NETWORK NETWORK NETWORKNETWORK NETWORK NETWORKNETWORK NETWORK NETWORKNETWORK NETWORK NETWORKNETWORK NETWORK NETWORK

Your training never ends. NEVER!

- Technology is changing faster everyday- You must adapt- You must be willing to learn new apps every

day - it sucks but it makes you employable- Keep up or fall behind- Evolve or die- Educate your employer! and your colleagues.

Tailor your CV

- Adapt your CV to the job- Lie a little bit but never say you can do

something you can’t!- Portfolios - only ever your own work!- Be clever with your words…. Experience

with… Knowledge of… - Recent referees... and remind them!

INTERVIEWS

Your half way there….

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

- Apply for every position in your target company

- They store CVs- Know their company back to front- Their website/twitter/blogs/etc.- Ask an intelligent question- Know what your worth!

Q&A

Don’t be shy...

Thank You

Good Luck!

Contact me on: kevinwalshdesign@gmail.com

I’m developing a website and I’m on linked In!Twitter: @kevinwalshdesi1