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Microsoft Scotland and The Princes Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT)
Microsoft Scotland have supported PSYBT over the past five years and in March offered a comprehensive two hour business leadership seminar to PSYBT entrepreneurs offering a unique insight into the success of a global business. The audience was addressed by Bob McDowell, Vice President for Information Worker Business Value at Microsoft Corporation.
The event took place in the new Microsoft offices in Edinburgh with representatives from PSYBT companies across a range of sectors together with several PSYBT volunteers who provide mentoring and advisory support to the young businesses. Bob stressed the importance of sales and marketing for all businesses and the different skills sets required for each role. Bob also stressed the need for everyone involved in the business to have a good understanding of financial management and a focus on the profit and loss account
Quote: "I was surprised to find this so valuable; not only did Bob have a very interesting story, but many of his observations and insights were very relevant to where I am with my own business. It was an inspiring and thought provoking session. Please put my name down for anything else like this!"
Ross McKinnon Owner and Founder Amazing Days www.amazingdays-scotland.com
Bob McDowell joined Microsoft in 1990 to establish Microsoft Consulting Services and grew that organization to more than 1,200 people in more than 40 countries. In 1995 he became vice president of the Enterprise Customer Unit and was responsible for developing the strategies for selling and marketing Microsoft technology and services to its largest corporate customers. From 1996 through 2000, he served as vice president for enterprise business relationships, working with many of Microsoft's strategic large-enterprise customers around the world. In 2000 he became vice president of Worldwide Services for both consulting and product support and in 2002 he took on his current role in the Information Worker Group to help customers maximize their use of current Microsoft Office technologies in ways that significantly add business value to their organizations.
Bob has for many years actively supported the work of the International Networks team at Scottish Enterprise and is actively involved in the GlobalScot network. He returns to Scotland at least 3 times a year and often presents to Scottish schools, during his visits to encourage Microsoft's digital literacy programme.
About PSYBT
Background
The aim of The Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) is to provide essential finance and professional support to young people in Scotland aged 18-25, whoever they are and wherever they come from so that they can start up and continue to run their own business. The Trust has particular concern for the disadvantaged and offers a unique package of support to any young person who is considering starting or expanding his or her own business and cannot secure funding elsewhere.
PSYBT is a registered charity with a Head office in Glasgow and 18 regional offices throughout Scotland.
PSYBT Volunteers
Every year, PSYBT discusses business ideas with over 3,000 young people and provides support in the form of free and confidential advice on business start up, assistance in writing a business plan, loans of up to £5,000 and grants of up to £1,000 and book-keeping training. In the last year alone we provided mentoring support (Aftercare) to 760 businesses. The impact on the young people we support is clear. Individually, they gather new skills both personally and professionally, they grow in confidence and self esteem, and develop into inspirational role models for the entrepreneurs of tomorrow. It is estimated that PSYBT supported businesses, annually invest £22m back into Scotland's economy and create over 450 jobs.
We have a fantastic team of over 700 volunteers without whom we would be unable to provide the level or quality of assistance that the organisation prides itself on. Many of the young people the charity has helped attribute much of their success to the support they received from their aftercare adviser.
The Future
The PSYBT has grown rapidly from its early days and now works towards an annual target of 700 businesses a year, manages a loan fund now over £3 million and provides aftercare to more than 8000 businesses. It is now the most effective, efficient and exciting Youth Enterprise Development organisation in Scotland. It believes that in enabling young people to make a significant contribution to their communities it also enables local communities to invest in youth and enterprise.