The world of a business expert at SSC is a strange one.

We are constantly learning new things, trying to understand the cutting-edge of technology in many market areas, trying to make contacts with all sorts of vibrant and interesting people and companies to be able to make connections. We are always watching.

We are also not afraid to roll-up our sleeves and provide practical support where it is needed. Sometimes it is the right thing to do to be immersed in a company for the length of a project and share knowledge from the inside not just through a report or presentation.

Recently SSC in Scotland has been working with two young companies who are wanting to take their ideas and introduce them to the world. They want to ideally be able to obtain grant and investment funding to then allow them to take their prototypes and develop them into successful products and to grow their companies around that, enabling employment and revenue.

It is a pleasure and a privledge to see their progress and the changes they are making.

For us it is also the proof of our own skills as that "Teach One" element of mentoring is an art. I think the mark of a true expert is in being able to understand the influence of communication within business enough to be able to encourage and guide others to embrace those skills and use them to move their own businesses forwards.

It might be a strange world at times, but it is hugely rewarding to be trusted with such a depth and quality of new technologies as they make their journey forward to market and commercial success.

It is said that everyone has a novel in them, but I wonder does everyone have a business idea in them as well??

Throughout the world people have been encouraged to stay home as much as possible and whilst that has been tough on a species that is naturally social, it does also allow a LOT of thinking time. And from those quiet moments a new generation of silent entrepreneurs are forming.

People all over the place, are thinking I could make a business about my bright shiny new idea. Some of them will be talking to their friends and families, sounding it out. Talking allows to try and find the pitfalls and to adjust the plan to make it more solid, more credible – and importantly – more fundable.

Not everyone wants to talk to people around them about their wonderful creative exciting opportunities, some people want to talk to people who have walked the path before, who have experience of taking the crazy notion and finding the inner workable business inside.

Some of those ideas will be technological, some pure science and others are simply a better way to do things to make our communities better and our lives happier and hopefully also less impactful for the environment.

Perhaps we can be that sounding board? SSC really enjoy helping young businesses become the best that they can be.

Please watch out for some hints and tips that we are preparing on YouTube and if they inspire you to let loose your inner silent entrepreneur and get in contact.

Commercialisation and the building of companies is a thankless task.

There is always more to do and more that could be done. When the limits are your own imagination and you have a creative streak there is nothing that places boundaries to the number of avenues and options that could be pursued. This all creates a huge mountainous workload and when you are close to it, it can feel overwhelming and that there is only slow progress, and never any respite.

I was explaining this just yesterday to a great mentor.

She quietly replied there might be a mountain in front of you, but sometimes you should look down and see the mountain of achievement that you are standing on to get to this point.

She was right…..

Celebrate all your achievements, don’t shy away from the challenges and be realistic about what it takes to get to the next level. And sometimes, just pause and look at the view.