YOUNG business entrepreneurs had their first taste of business networking when they attended the Young Enterprise masterclasses on November 8.

Over fifty young achievers from ten different schools attended the evening, which was led by four industry experts. The 15-18 year olds had the opportunity to attend a specific workshop related to their role within a Young Enterprise company.

Alan Adair (Extra Dimension) led fifteen managing directors in a discussion about company leadership.

This is the third year he has led this session and said: “I found this year’s MDs more enthusiastic and organised than ever. They discussed and solved real business issues that any of us (business owners) face on a day to day basis. I think Dorset could be onto a winner here, and I certainly expect some of them to be running their own business in the near future.”

Twenty budding finance directors hoping their company will make a big profit learnt from Phill Paige (J P Morgan) about how to manage and record their company finances. Emma James (Tasty Marketing) helped the marketing directors to understand about branding and promotion whilst David Drysdale (d:m:4) encouraged directors to think innovatively and consider collaboration in everything that they do.

The skills these young people learnt will now be tested as the companies continue to research and develop their innovative products before marketing and selling them.

• If you can spare two hours a week, visit www.young-enterprise.org.uk to find out more about Young Enterprise. Contact Hannah.towner@yesw.org.uk for information on how to get involved.