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Aussie Dragon backs The Apprentice-style business challenge
Posted by BusinessZone.co.uk in Business trends on Thu, 22/07/2010 - 11:40
Former Dragons' Den panellist Richard Farleigh is judging a competition which gives participants just seven weeks to organise a high-profile London business networking event.
In the style of popular reality TV show The Apprentice starring Lord Sugar, The Challenge Series, sponsored by Australian airline Qantas, is pitting three teams of four high fliers against each other. Each group has been given less than two months to arrange and promote a networking event in the UK capital for young professionals.
One of the events is the Future Leaders Fete which takes place at the London Film Museum on London's South Bank on 28 July.
Organised by Anna Donovan, Alex Bloomfield, Theo Lomas and Triona Maddick, the Fete aims to highlight the importance of expanding your network in the current tough job market. According to statistics, 78% of employers require at least a 2:1 degree from applicants with each graduate job being chased by an average of 69 people.
Mark Menzies MP, who will officially open the evening, said: "This event will be a great opportunity for businesses from a variety of sectors to share their knowledge and expertise with young professionals and potential future leaders.
"At a time when the economy and job market is only just beginning to recover, it's important that opportunities such as these exist for young professionals. Expanding your network and gaining the opportunity to engage with successful businesses and individuals is extremely important to personal career progression."
Major companies will be exhibiting at the event including PricewaterhouseCoopers, LinkedIn and Fitness First.
Judging the competition is Richard Farleigh, an Australian-born investor and former panellist on BBC TV's Dragons' Den. He said: "I am delighted to be part of The Challenge Series; it should be a lot of fun.
"I think this is a tremendously valuable opportunity for budding young professionals based in the UK with an Australian or New Zealand interest to sharpen their entrepreneurial skills in a real-life situation."
Tickets to the Future Leaders Fete cost £30 each which includes fine food, premium wines and beer. They can be purchased in advance here or at the event itself on 28 July at the London Film Museum, County Hall, London. It starts at 6.30pm and Dan Martin, editor of BusinessZone.co.uk, will be attending.
To follow the team's progress, visit their blog.
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