David Abingdon, CEO of the Alchemy Network, looks at what business people can learn from the way footballer Michael Owen was marketed before signing with Manchester United.
Michael Owen could have been forgiven for wondering why he bothered. Mocking laughter and pity were the kinder reactions to his 32 page sales brochure, in which the former England football international put himself on display, complete with moody portraits and jazzy graphs, as the “clean and fresh” “good-looking” candidate, looking for a fresh bench on which to park his “healthy” behind.
One unimpressed commentator even compared the attempts to sell the striker to flogging double-glazing. Ouch. Why would a player wanting to stay at the top level pitch himself in such a way?
Dragons' Den judges James Caan and Deborah Meaden and social entrepreneur Karen Darby are some of the successful entrepreneurs who feature in our exclusive videos. 
Join our social media discussion group and share your Twitter username with other BusinessZone members. 
We've got lots of free books to give away; all you've got to do is review them! 
We're putting together a list of business owners' must-haves.