Activity 2: People and Networks
Activity Two illustrates the importance of people within a business. Business success does not just rely upon the qualities and resources of the individual entrepreneur, a good business also needs good staff. In this activity we explore the importance of recruiting the right staff to the ongoing success of a business.
About this case study
This activity introduces an entrepreneurial case study.
The case study illustrates the importance of people within a business. Business success does not just rely upon the qualities and resources of the individual entrepreneur, a good business also needs good staff. In this activity we explore the importance of recruiting the right staff to the ongoing success of a business.
In this activity you will:
- Find out about the theory of leading teams and networks
- Meet Nick our second entrepreneur and learn about his business challenges
- Hear the advice of the business professionals
- Provide your advice through an online poll
- Hear what Nick actually did
- Check your understanding
- Relate the learning to your own business ideas
Having completed this activity you will be able to:
- Understand the importance of putting an effective team together
- Know about the different team roles and understand the process of team development
- Understand your role in a team
- Have some experience of using your network to gain support for an idea
Leading teams and networks
In this lecture Dr Sally Jones focusses on the importance of people, teams and networks for the success of a business.
Sally explores the different roles within a team, how teams evolve and how an organisation can benefit from making use of employee’s personal and professional networks.
Having watched the video you might like to consider what kind of role you play within a team. If you have already started your business do the staff you have recruited have complimentary roles within the team?
Feel free to share your thoughts and ideas in the comments section before moving on to find out about the challenges faced by Nick when looking to grow his team.
Nick's Business Challenge
In this case study the entrepreneur has a recruitment challenge. Nick has identified a number of options for taking his business forward and he is asking you to consider these options and discuss your thoughts with your fellow learners.
Watch the video case study and then, having considered the importance of people, teams and networks for a successful company, decide what you think Nick should do. What do you think is the best recruitment strategy for the entrepreneur’s growing business? Don’t forget to think about how teams evolve and how an organisation can benefit from making use of employees personal and professional networks.
Having reached your decision move on to the next step where our four advisers give their response.
Advisers' View
Each adviser has provided their thoughts on how Nick should move his business forward.
The video above provides a consolidated response featuring key points from each adviser.
What do you think?
Having watched the second case study and the adviser videos it’s time for you to vote for the option(s) you think our entrepreneur should choose.
Nick's Decision
Nick Howard is a graduate from the University of Leeds and runs limehouse, a communication agency based in Halifax, West Yorkshire. In this video Nick explains which options he chose and why. Are you surprised by his choices?
If you would like to know more about Limehouse, visit their website at www.limehouse.tv/.
Check your Understanding
Check your understanding by completing our short online quiz. You can download the answers once you have completed the questions.
