19 October 2009, 09/242
Golden opportunity for businesses to avoid ‘Doing a
Ratner’!
Renowned businessman Gerald Ratner whose legendary ‘gaffe’
almost cost him his livelihood is coming to West Lancashire to talk
about his rise again to the top!
The former chief executive of the major British jewellery
company Ratners Group made the worst business mistake possible when
he mocked his wares as being ‘total crap’ in a speech to the
Institute of Directors in 1991. His blunder very nearly resulted in
the firm’s collapse as the value of the business plummeted by
around £500 million.
Since then he has started again, clawed his way back to the top
and made his business the largest of its kind in Britain. Ratner
will be sharing his rollercoaster journey with an audience of
business people at a special event on 24 November.
Joining Gerald Ratner on the day will be Deidre Bounds, the
former stand-up comedienne and teacher who started the ethical
travel company i-to-i.com and then sold it on for an eight figure
sum. She will be sharing her life lessons and will leave guests
feeling full of confidence that anything is possible.
The event - being hosted by the Borough Council’s Enterprising
West Lancashire Team and the West Lancashire Investment Centre - is
to inspire businesses and also to showcase what West Lancashire has
to offer as a business location!
Booking is essential for this free event so to register your
interest please contact the Enterprising West Lancashire Team on
01695 712600, email enquiries@westlancashireinvestmentcentre.com
or for further information visit www.westlancashireinvestmentcentre.com
(external link).
Councillor Adrian Owens, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and
Estates, said: "I anticipate that places will be snapped up quickly
for this gem of an event because we have two truly inspirational
speakers coming along. I for one am particularly keen to hear
Gerald Ratner’s story. This man’s fall from grace was one of the
most spectacular ever seen in our times. Yet he defied critics and
is a highly successful businessman today, so I’m sure we can all
learn a lot from him. Deidre Bounds is a self-made phenomenon in
the business world who started her company from her bedsit. She had
no business background, just a great idea and bags of
determination, so she is a perfect role model for others who are
looking for inspiration. Don’t miss this golden opportunity to
listen to their remarkable stories and learn more about what West
Lancashire can offer your business."
The event will be held at the Council’s flagship West Lancashire
Investment Centre, White Moss Business Park, Skelmersdale.
The Investment Centre is the perfect environment for business,
offering a combination of modern and flexible office accommodation
for recently established businesses and incubator units for
start-up businesses, state of the art conference and meeting room
facilities and a purpose built business cafe with free wireless
connectivity.
A range of financial and strategic business support is available
via a dedicated on-site business advisor to assist businesses
through their stages of growth and development.
The Centre is easily accessible off junction 4 of the M58 and is
ideally located in the heart of the North West region providing
easy access to the region's motorway network with the added benefit
of free on-site parking.
For further information relating to
the exciting initiatives delivered by Enterprising West Lancashire
visit www.westlancs.gov.uk/enterprising.
Related
information