UK Hosts Conference to showcase how de Bomo's Tools Help Create a Culture of Enterprise Among Young People

Enterprise Education Conference

'Enterprise Education' day on October 14th, 2004 was organized at 3M's UK head office, by Atkey Solutions, to share de Bono's concepts with educators and show how creativity can deliver value in the commercial world. Dr Edward de Bono attended the conference to support the UK Government's focus on helping create a culture of enterprise amongst young people.

Accredited schools—Watford Grammar School for Girls, Wolsey Junior School and Salfords Primary School, demonstrated results with the de Bono techniques both in staff development and pupil motivation and achievement. And the circle was complete with 3M showing teachers how thinking skills matched with the right culture can enable and deliver commercial value.

Says de Bono: "Creative thinking is essential. For individuals, it builds confidence, self control and esteem. For organizations, it is vital - not just for efficiency and problem solving but to demonstrate true entrepreneurship and make the shift that today's competitive business demands.”
"3M has always been a good example of corporate creativity."

According to 3M, entrepreneurship in the corporate sector is about more than just giving people the creative skill set. "Our vision to be 'the most innovative enterprise' underpins everything we do - and is a supreme motivator for our people," says Dr Christiaan Persoon, 3M UK Technical Director. "Building a culture that enables people's creative potential involves balancing many elements: freedom to take risks, open communication, networking, idea sharing, reward and recognition and a framework of processes to ensure commercial reality.

"3M believes it is important to help develop young entrepreneurial skills through education and to demonstrate how these skills contribute to sustainable growth in UK business."

'Enterprise Education' was organized by Atkey Solutions and attendees included UK head and deputy head teachers, education senior managers and LEA advisers. Says Denise Inwood, Director of Atkey Solutions: "For our young people to have the opportunity to achieve their full potential, we owe them the right to experience tools and techniques that will help them to build self esteem and confidence to make effective decisions and choices. Not just to enable them to operate in a commercial environment, but also to operate effectively in their lives."