Internationally renowned entrepreneur helps Highland business leaders reach new heights

Bill Aulet, award-winning lecturer, author and serial entrepreneur and managing director of the Martin Trust Center at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), is returning to the Highlands next month to help local entrepreneurs.

As part of his role at MIT in Boston, he will lead a masterclass in Inverness on the 3rd and 4th October.

The two-day masterclass, which includes a networking dinner, is organised by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) as part of its entrepreneurship programme.

The masterclass called ‘Structured Steps in the Entrepreneur’s Journey’ will help attendees gain a deep understanding of their customers, while giving them the tools and techniques to develop the right product or service at the right price to meet their needs. It will also provide insight into entering target markets while avoiding many potential pitfalls that businesses face at a time of rapid growth.

Speaking ahead of the masterclass, Bill Aulet, said: “It’s been such a pleasure to work with entrepreneurs in the Highlands and Islands for ten years now, and I look forward to delivering the masterclass in Inverness.

“For Highlands and Islands entrepreneurs as they try to scale their businesses, the first challenge I regularly see is that they’re not ambitious enough. They don’t believe they can do it or that they can compete on the world stage and that is just wrong. Anyone who comes to the masterclass can expect to dramatically improve their entrepreneurial skills. Whatever the industry, they will know who their customer is, how they can produce better products with more value and in turn extract more for the same budget. I get no greater high in life than seeing someone become a successful entrepreneur because the world, and the Highlands and Islands, needs more successful entrepreneurs.”

Louise MacDonald, senior entrepreneurship manager at HIE, said: “I’m delighted that Bill is returning to Inverness to share his wealth of experience with the region’s entrepreneurs. The masterclass, which includes a networking dinner with guest speaker Richard Dixon, founder of Vets Now, is a great opportunity to learn from leading experts in the field, as well as fellow entrepreneurs.”

Structured Steps in the Entrepreneur’s Journey masterclass takes place at the Macdonald Drumossie Hotel, Inverness. The networking dinner will be held at the Drumossie on the evening of 3rd October. Further information and details of how to book can be found at www.hie.co.uk/masterclasses.