TheUniversityBlog

Those of you who want to be at a university with great results in competitive sports…step right up!

The Complete University Guide has released tables for those institutions with best results in competitive sport.  The Independent also gives the lowdown.  The top 10 universities are:

1. Loughborough
2. Bath
3. Birmingham
4. Edinburgh
5. Nottingham
6. Durham
7. University of Wales Institute, Cardiff
8. Oxford
9. Newcastle
10. Exeter

Those universities not listed here may still have good sporting facilities.  For instance, the Indpendent’s report does give the University of East Anglia a mention for having a splendid reputation in providing all students with fantastic sports facilities.  So if you’re more of a casual sporty-type, you’ll have plenty to get your teeth into at UEA.

Sport is never the only reason for going to university, obviously…but if it’s a passion or a strength, the better facilities and competitive practices may be worth a lot to you.  After all, you’re planning on being there for several years!

A table like this just adds to the billions of other tables out there, but I’m happy to point this one out to prospective students, because it may be the ‘make-or-break’ table for those of you unable to decide between two or three equally appetising institutions.

Check out the wonderful entries to the NextGen PC Design Competition.

Who knows what will happen with the future of computer design, but these ideas are inspirational and fun to consider.

I love the winning entry of the Napkin PC, but there are loads of fantastic ideas here.  See what you think.

[First spotted on Microsoft's UK Higher Education Blog.]

Yesterday’s post was an exercise in minimalist thinking to achieve maximum advantage.  Today’s post continues with that approach.  It’s time to go on your gut instincts!

Each day rests on a series of choices.  Do you make choices quickly, or are you more inclined to carefully weigh up the pros and cons of each situation?

If you prefer to rely on your gut instinct, your results are not only instant, but also likely to form a great conclusion, despite the relative lack of work.

It doesn’t sound fair to those who meticulously consider every move they make.  But there is truth in it.

To trust your gut is a sign of confidence.  The further you go before making a decision or committing to your work, the more you are questioning your current beliefs, judgements, opinions, and research.

When I begin anything, I like to note down all my current thoughts and ideas that are rattling around.  Sometimes the ideas get written down as complete nonsense, but that nonsense is also often surrounded by details that I wouldn’t have considered if I’d not spent 10 minutes on a brain dump like this.

For one module, I was asked to write an essay on a pretty uninspiring topic.  But before I spent any time worrying about that, I spent a short time making notes on what might inspire me.

Among those instinctive thoughts was a barely related idea that stemmed from an entirely different course module.  I wouldn’t have even brought the two things together in ordinary terms.  But to see it written down within my brain dump, I found inspiration to start writing in a way that was sure to be both strong and unique.

When my finished essay was marked, it gained a First.  I maintain that this was entirely down to going on my gut instinct, just moments after having been given the assignment.

Here is why it’s so important to trust your gut instincts:

1. It allows unconscious thoughts out.
2. We all have these unconscious thoughts.  That’s why it’s crucial to listen to them.  As soon as we pay conscious consideration to what we think, it’s enough to send more curveball ideas and seemingly unrelated possibilities our of our head and into the dustbin.
3. Opinions differ at the outset of a project, halfway through it and at the end too.  Each day is filled with new developments, so we’re easily swayed on most things, even if we don’t notice.  The only way to know where we stand from the outset is to let them out right away.
4. There hasn’t been the time to question what’s going on, so we present ourselves with raw, unprocessed thoughts.  These can often produce the best starting points to spring from.
5. Instinctive thoughts are emotive.  For many, this is seen as a negative force against good reason and judgement.  But evolutionary psychologist David M. Buss argues, “Emotions such as jealousy and anger, rather than reducing rationality, may embody inherited ancestral wisdom”.

After taking stock of instant reactions, it’s a lot easier to manage further research and output.  It makes no difference, even if you end up backing away from all your instinctive proposals.

When has your gut reaction worked for you?

A simple thought today.  Lists are easy to consume, quick to compile in a rough form, easy on the eye, and a good way of getting your brain out of first gear.

Perhaps I should have said that lists are:

• easy to consume;
• quick to compile in a rough form;
• easy on the eye;
• a good way of getting your brain out of first gear.

If you need to brainstorm, but can’t quite muster the storm part (or the brain part), try compiling a list of rough ideas/thoughts first of all.

I’m not talking about a wonderfully thought out to-do list.  This isn’t time to worry about what’s important either.  You needn’t number the list or think about an order of importance.

A simple list is just a way to get your mind wandering in a productive fashion.  Doesn’t matter what the focus, just list!  Don’t even think of it as work.  Just see where it takes you.

There is a well-known tip for conquering procrastination.  Take just 10 minutes of your time to start working on that project that you haven’t begun yet.  10 minutes is no time at all, so it’s pretty easy to commit to those 10 minutes.  Since starting is usually the hardest part of getting to work, you’ll have crossed that bridge and are likely to keep going for an extra 10 minutes.  And another 10 minutes.  And so on.

Combine the procrastination trick and list-writing with the aim to spur you on to greater thoughts.  It’s surprising how many ideas are suddenly unlocked from your mind just by drawing up a quick list when you’re working against the clock.

In the summer months away from campus, you’re probably thinking about what you want to do over this time.  Spend 10 minutes listing what you’d like to achieve and it’s a quick way to form a basic plan.  In no time, you have a major starting-point to work from.

Quick, give it a go!  It’ll give you an idea how this type of exercise could also help with your academic work.

Tomorrow, I will look at why an initial listing like this can work so well at engaging our deep thoughts and bringing out the best in us.

As we approach the summer, some of you will be thinking about the future and where you want to be headed.

Not all of you are focused on becoming employed with a company, no matter how respected it is.  Some of you are going straight to building up your own business.

Good for you and best of luck.  I have an interest in new startups and the wonderful ways in which others invest in their future.  It’s good to see how passion can inspire people so creatively.

Along the way, I have picked up various pearls of wisdom that have made the difference to others in the past.  Go beyond the fun, the thrill, and the initial drive and you will find much to consider if you want to keep a sustained growth for your business.

Here are some nuggets of advice for you to consider as you step into uncharted territory:

1. Business is about business…not just you

You may well be the brainchild of the next big thing.  You might be sitting on the best idea ever imagined.  But you still need to rely on others and delegate jobs in order to achieve a wonderful end result.  Keeping all the tough work to yourself is not productive and it could end in your downfall, no matter how good your plans.  And selfishly giving yourself only the ‘good tasks’ is equally stupid.  While you are blindly enjoying the high life, you had better beware the people below you who are doing a half-hearted job and don’t much care about your dreams any more.

2. Standard Operating Procedures

A good business should keep a focus on even the smallest functions to be found within.  The only way you can be guaranteed to set things out the way you want them done is by writing out each procedure as a matter of course.  These ‘Standard Operating Procedures’ (SOPs) enable everyone to learn how to go about each task, and also ensure that actions are being dealt with correctly.  If the SOP is correct, mistakes will only come from not having read the SOP properly.  You will also benefit from having greater ease in changing small aspects of each procedure if and when the time comes.

3. Separate business from social

There are times when business and pleasure invariably come together.  The occasional clouding doesn’t matter and can’t be avoided if starting your own business.  But as soon as you start spending every waking hour obsessed with the business, the cloud becomes an impenetrable fog.  In no time, you’ll lose direction as the pressure gets on top of you.  In other words, find plenty time to relax on anything that doesn’t revolve around your business.

4. Set clear, specific goals from the outset

An idea isn’t clear until it has grown into a goal, or a solution, or a structured plan.  Never start a business on the basis of a brief idea and a general business plan, even if it gets backing.  Set targets and build a detailed framework around the idea.  For this you must do your homework, avidly research, consider competing companies, look to future collaborations, work toward an understanding of the bigger picture, and so on.  The world isn’t static, so have you prepared for changes outside your power that could turn your idea from something workable, to something pointless?  It all matters.  You must go further than a short business plan, even if you think it’s foolproof.

5. Time management is vital

Bouncing from one good thing to the next is fine, but only if you can manage to choreograph the bouncing.  You will no doubt be working on enthusiasm and adrenalin in the initial stages, but it’s not enough to keep the momentum going…especially if things don’t turn out as perfectly as you imagine.  Take stock of your position on a regular basis and manage your time, as well as being aware of the time spent by other people engaged in your business.

6. Choose everything carefully

Choose a good name (do the corresponding domain names exist? Is it unique? Does it steer clear from any potentially embarrassing legal issues with similarly named companies?), choose a good base (physical or virtual), choose the right partners (can you trust them? Are they as committed to the project as you?  Do you know what drives them? Do they have any other outside interests to help or hinder?).  No matter how small your considerations are, you are in the driving seat and it’s crucial that you take each step seriously.

7. Find a niche, even if your business has a general basis

The whole point of starting a new company is because you have a killer idea that isn’t currently being serviced as well as you can achieve.  So even if there are a thousand other companies on your doorstep that offer a similar service, what impact and value can you give to others that will get customers knocking only at your door?  Where is your niche?  What is your authentic position?

8. Network outside your niche

You may have your own niche, but you needn’t limit your networking to a specific field.  There will come a time (probably sooner than you think) when you want to branch out or do something that requires a different type of expertise.  By keeping abreast with a wide range of contacts, you have the upper hand when you need advice, favours, jobs at mates rates, etc.  This needn’t be stuffy either…I can’t remember the source (I’m sure I didn’t pen this one), but the following comment seemed well worth remembering:

“Business is personal.  Informality is professional.”

9. It’s not as easy as some people think

As with any project, setbacks can stop the momentum.  Business presents setbacks at many junctions and when you least expect them.  But if your ideas are sound, remain persistent and strive to get through the difficulties with as much vigour as when you are succeeding.  To put it simply, don’t give up!

10. Have enough finance to fall back on, at least temporarily

Times can be tough.  And while you shouldn’t give up (as mentioned above), you do need to be prepared to weather the storms.  The early days especially can pose a cashflow problem unless you’re heavily backed and covered to the hilt.  Keep your focus away from further loans and promises, making sure to have a solid contingency plan should urgent action be needed.  You don’t want to have to use it, but it’s better to be prepared than to sink when it’s too late.

11. Enjoy

You clearly have to take such ambitious goals seriously, as deadly serious as you can muster.  But that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the process.  If you can’t feel passionate and positive, communicating your enthusiasm and joy to all that you speak to about your business, how can you make the best of the service you’re offering?  And if it’s such a slog for you, why did you start this up in the first place?  In life, whether it’s pleasure, business, or otherwise…Love what you do.

—

Just before I go today, I’d just like to ask all current uni students one thing:

If you have a strong business idea right now, what is stopping you from taking the first steps toward a successful business future today?

Even if you’re only just finishing your Fresher year, where is the harm in boosting your future outlook?  There’s no time like the present.  If the fire is burning in you right now, it’s better to strike now rather than wait until the idea is just a fizzle.  And the sooner you start, the quicker you’ll find the ways in, the contacts, the knowledge, the possibilities.

Just remember, as I noted in Friday’s post:

Enquire Within Upon Everything

I’m disgusted.  A California High School took a visit from highway patrol officers who informed pupils that several of their classmates had been in car crashes that involved drunk drivers.

Understandably, the news led to deep upset amongst many of the students.  They had lost friends.  Such a shock can be difficult to take in, let alone cope with ongoing.

Fast forward a few hours and the students are told…IT’S NOT TRUE!

Keep reading →

Now you’re graduating/finishing the year/on your way to uni after the summer, I thought I’d give you some purposefully broad, positive points for you to think about over the weekend.

From the image above, we can gain inspiration from many things.  Just the title of the book in the photo should be enough to spur you on:

Enquire Within Upon Everything

Adactio on Flickr (who took the photo and who kindly places it under a Creative Commons license) says that the book is a Victorian guide to life.

“When Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web, he briefly toyed with the idea of calling it Enquire Within Upon Everything”

I can fully understand why.  However, I’m not sure we’d like putting ‘EWUE’ in front of web addresses, as opposed to ‘WWW’…

Anyway, here are 10 more actions to help inspire you, wherever you currently stand:

1. Enjoy every moment, naturally.
2. Dare to do it.
3. Focus on your whole life’s achievements, not just the courses you study.  Your future is based on you, not on a piece of paper.
4. If you’re not doing it yet, start right now!  Leave your excuses for yesterday and you’ll never see them again.
5. Think ‘people’, not ‘job’.  Think ‘community’, not ‘task’.
6. Embrace the here and now.  Look forward to the future, but don’t get bogged down in plans.  The only place you’re ever at is RIGHT NOW.
7. Develop your skills on a rolling basis…unless you’re plain lucky, you’re not going to hit the top at the start, so enjoy every task you put your mind to and always focus on your personal and professional development.
8. Network in creative ways.  Even if you’re not from Oxbridge or similar, who’s to say you can’t easily build a powerful set of contacts?
9. Read.  Properly read.  And that includes books.  We’re evolving to the point of becoming skim-readers and gluttons for potted-histories.  When was the last time you casually sat down and read something totally stimulating?
10. The sky may be the limit, but why not also focus around the immediate area and realise all the things that you hadn’t even noticed before?  With this attitude you can never get bored.

I hope you find something here to get you thinking and keep you going.  Would you like me to expand on any of the broad points I’ve raised here?  Let me know.  And what experiences have you had in the past that sent you into a positive frenzy?