neuro diversity and entrepreneurship

Neuro-Diversity and Entrepreneurship

The London Network of Neuro-Diverse Entrepreneurs and Creative's

Charles [email protected]

What is Neuro-Diversity

NeuroKnowHow

Neuro-Diversity Entrepreneurship and Employment

35% of Highly Successful Entrepreneurs are Dyslexic – Prof Julie Logan CASS Business School.

German Technology firm SAP seeks to recruit 500 people with autism because they think differently – Daily Mail 21 May 2013

GCHQ identifies importance of dyslexic employees as code breakers due to skills in recognising patterns – Daily Mail July 15 2013

Approximately 15-20 of graduates completing Creative Industry related Courses are neuro-diverse (Adapted from Janice Cole Embracing Dyslexia University of West of England)

However only 17% of people with declared mild or moderate learning difficulties were earning over £100 per week in 2008 (Leicester University CEDR report 2008)

Neuro-Diverse people are not average

Strengths (Julie Logan research)

• Good at articulating vision and strategy

• Ability to see connections and develop networks

• Persistence and when confident resilient.

• Comfortable with risk• Team Building Skills • Delegation Skills

Weaknesses (Me) • Clumsy when making tea /coffee.• Untidy Desk. • Gets lost when going to

meetings.• Nervous awkward self conscious

at interview / giving presentations.

• Bad at taking meeting notes• Can lack confidence while at

same time appearing arrogant • Not always team players

Diversity drives Economic Growth Terms of Trade

Janet 1 day work ,

They Share the combined total

3 Lumps of Iron & 3 Cakes

Jack decides to specialise in Iron

Share Combined total


If Specialise in wrong thing get two lumps of iron and 2 cakes each

John 1 day work ,

Share of Combined Total

3Lumps of Iron and 3 Cakes

Jill decides to specialise in Cake

Share of Combined Totals


Fish out of waterNeuro-diversity in the Corporate Environment

Skills needed first job / internship• Making Tea /Coffee• Meeting and greeting • Being tidy and organised• Taking notes at meetings • Filing

Neuro- Diverse Weaknesses• Clumsy when making tea/ coffee • Awkward when first meeting people• Untidy appear disorganised• Bad at taking meeting notes / record

keeping . • Bad short term memory forget to file

stuff

Skills needed in a senior role • Development of strategy• Innovation and creativity• Problem Solving and Analysis• Good Communication Skills• Good at using contacts• Good Delegation Skills • Good at team building and leadership

Neuro-Diverse Strengths • Skilled in strategy development• Different perceptions frequently

viewed as creative.• Good at networking and

communication skills• Good at delegation and team

assembly

Square peg round hole

Why entrepreneurship may be a good career option for some Neuro-Diverse

people • It provides an opportunity to focus on

strengths • It provides opportunity to shape work

environment.• Provides opportunities to outsource/ delegate

weaknesses • Provides opportunities to fluidly move

between projects which catch attention.

Networks and the Creative Economy A company of players

Barriers facing neuro-diverse entrepreneurs

• Lack of confidence and resilience• Poor abilities to articulate business plan on

paper • Lack of understanding of available support • Lack of access to finance • Lack of experience in accessing markets • Lack of knowledge of how to access the

complementary skills needed to make business successful

A Catalyst may be needed to facilitate development of Neuro-Diverse Led Businesses.

Possible Catalyst Structure

Network of Neuro-Diverse entrepreneurs and creative

Fun Networking opportunitie

s

Support with business planning/ business

developmentKnowledge Transfer,

Technology Transfer

(Access to Equipment

and Expertise)

Support in developing

skills, personal

effectiveness, resilience

Support in outsourcing

tasks to other people

Support in accessing markets

Mutual Support ,

opportunities to access

services and offer services

Support in accessing finance

Questions for discussion • What would be the most useful things the network

could achieve for you?

• What would make you want to attend, what would stop you wanting to attend?

• What topics do you think we should explore over the next year?

• How should sessions be structured , Lecture, Discussion, Informal Gathering?

• What is the best way for us to communicate with each other, Web / Social Network , email other.

Final Thoughts

• Who would like to join the leadership group for meet-ups ?

• Would anyone like to volunteer to lead a session or facilitate a discussion?

• Do you know anyone who could lead a session?• Do you have access to a suitable venue which we

could use for meetings?

Contact- [email protected]