
I read with interest the article criticising the Dragon’s Den TV programme by Jonathan Richards.
Whilst I understand his sentiments for reactions to potential Entrepreneurs for TV Show audiences, in my experience this reflects real life. True entrepreneurs will view the Dragon’s Den show as amusement rather than a bible for starting their business model. When I started in business 35 years ago as a commercial photographer there was an adage that you were “only as good as your last job”. This is as true today as it has always been. There were times when I presented my photography work to Advertising Agencies which was publicly “ridiculed” by Creative Directors. You then had a choice of either repeating the job overnight – or accept the fact you would never work for that agency again. True entrepreneurs will take the humiliation. The same scenario works in the sales business. You make 20 calls to potential clients and get “knocked” 19 times but you are driven to keep going until you get the one that takes the call and you get a meeting.They don’t collapse after being beaten a couple of times but learn from the mistakes and try harder. Entrepreneurs need the knocks to gain the staying power in the long run. Dragons Den is certainly harsh on people sometimes but true entrepreneurs will take the humiliation, rise to the challenge, learn from it and move forward the stronger for it. Keep the programme as it is – its great fun to watch. A sister show that gives a bit more depth to how products are subsequently brought to market would be a good addition though. Lawrie Alderman is the director chairman of TPS Visual Communications Image source
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