M247 MD returns from the World Entrepreneurship Forum in Singapore With Concern for UK Economic Future

David Buckle, motivational Managing Director of M247 has recently returned from the World Entrepreneurship Forum held this year in Singapore and attended by 150 of some of the world’s top business, scientific, academic and political minds drawn from 70 countries.

One of only three UK entrepreneurs invited to join the forum this year, David has come back home impressed by the experience of mixing with such a diverse range of individuals from vastly different cultures and political perspectives. The Forum’s objectives are to create wealth and social justice using the energy of entrepreneurs as a catalyst for change to drive these through around the world.

During the event David was a “think tank” member and presented his case describing how siting his business in Manchester has played an important part in its success “the Forum program was full-on with little or no spare time. Presenting my case in front of 200 or so senior academics and top leaders such as the head of Lenovo, the multinational computer giant, was somewhat unnerving but the enthusiasm at the event was so infectious that I managed to get my points across successfully without faltering.

Many were genuinely interested in what Manchester had to offer the entrepreneur but in subsequent discussions it became very clear how the business environment and opportunities in the Far East and in particular Singapore are way ahead of us in the UK. Their whole ethos appears to centre around encouraging and developing business. Rather than the obstacles that tend to frustrate entrepreneurs in the UK, they have real heart-felt support in place. Labour laws and human rights in the UK, while history has proved as being absolutely necessary, are at times so cumbersome that some of them actually prevent many entrepreneurs from flourishing. The UK’s bureaucracy burden is crippling to its entrepreneurs; we are frequently choked by its red tape. That’s not to say rights are flouted in the Far East, it’s just that they seem to apply common sense solutions that encourages growth. Many of the delegates I met there had social justice at the top of their agenda but of course, just as in our own society, there were a few individuals who’s attitude to race stuck out like sore thumbs. I think our government has a lot to learn from the Far East if we want entrepreneurs to help lead us out of our economic mess. I feel the Far East will accelerate past us very soon and we simply don’t have the right attitude any more in the UK to maintain our position. People I spoke to at the Forum were incredulous when I informed them of the UK fibre tax levied on fibre optic cable used by companies like M247 , it’s the very conduit of the Internet. This is something fundamental that actually restricts the growth of the Internet .”

He continues “In discussions with a number of professors from leading business schools it became evident that teaching entrepreneurial skills can be very shallow if attempted by somebody without the experience of running a business. This kind of thing can only be done successfully by talented individuals who have run a business and know what it feels like to have to find the wages for the team each month and the responsibility that brings. Business Schools need experienced entrepreneurs to assist in conveying the message and entrepreneurs need to step forward as mentors. Most entrepreneurs have to be available to work 24/7 and all with no safety net, such as that which exists for those who are employed and in particular those employed by the state. Many entrepreneurs end up as pillars of society and should be nurtured into healthy growth, bringing with them jobs, innovation and prosperity to any region. Instead, in the UK, they are often obliged to put their houses on the line when trying to capitalise their company, they have no real social support mechanisms in place in case they fail, they have no unions to fight their corner and they frequently have to work 18 hour days to get their businesses off the ground. The Forum examined ways and means of using modern communication technologies and social media to help entrepreneurs form alliances and support networks. In general entrepreneurs are incredibly adaptable and tolerant of rapid change; they are the likely survivors in many scenarios. Competition is a great motivator and a huge driver for innovation. ”

One of the Forum workshops apparently focussed on the idea of developing “Technology Cities”, similar to what Manchester is in the process of building. David said “these kind of centres of technology excellence are increasingly forming the hubs for future growth and we looked at the benefits of bringing together all interested parties to make them happen quickly, minimising the problems associated with out-dated thinking. It’s important that everyone feels they have a part to play and this includes all stakeholders such as academics, professionals, trade unions, local and central government and entrepreneurs. We should all commit to developing local conditions to foster the growth of new enterprise and the growth of SMEs. The way forward requires open attitudes and a passion to make things succeed. From what I witnessed at the Forum, entrenched attitudes are far less of a problem in Singapore”.

Clearly many seeds were planted during David’s involvement with the 2011 Forum. He says he got off the plane in Manchester Airport a very tired but a changed and invigorated man with many ideas for change and improvement. Staff at his Trafford Park based head office and state of the art datacentre know David as an enthusiastic leader who has an eye on the world stage. With the networking opportunities and contacts developed at the Singapore Forum, its highly likely that M247 will broaden its horizon and look to emerging nations for collaboration and some of its future growth. “Fortunately, the nature of our business can easily cross frontiers and the internet services we offer, such as connectivity via our Global AXS Communications brand, is set up to provide international coverage and we already have a high capacity network that crosses international boundaries. If the emerging nations overtake the UK, Europe and the USA as they are expected to do so, we hope to be at the forefront to take advantage of the opportunities in the new economies. ”