Business training expert Ian Moncrief-Scott helped more than 2,500 aspiring entrepreneurs over 13 years and has now launched a book based on a successful training course in the island.

Many of those people he lent a hand to gone on to set up their own enterprises which are now household names in the island.

They include Betty’s Pies, Noa Bakery, 14 North and Little Fish Cafe as well as Foraging Vintners, Fynoderee Distillery and the Apple Orphanage.

Mr Moncrief-Scott devised and successfully delivered the Micro Business Grant training course on behalf of the government’s Department for Enterprise.

He stepped down from the role in August, 2018 and later he and his wife Tina, attended a special ceremony where he was presented with a certificate of recognition for his contribution to the scheme which is still running.

Now Mr Moncrief-Scott of Onchan, has announced the launch of a book called Start Any Business, Let’s Get Going.

Tied in with the book is a range of online training products.

He told Business News that in these ’extremely challenging times and, particularly, when people’s circumstances might have radically changed’ he hopes the book and his knowledge will be of benefit.

He said: ’Statistics show that 60% of new start-ups go bust in the first six months and others say that 90% fail within the first 12 months.

’I have always believed that the key to their survival rests in very early personal preparation and not the "Just Go for It!" approach, where commitments to borrow money, leave paid employment, buy stock, lease premises and rush to appoint professionals, could harm their future.’

He had planned to launch the range of printed books, eBooks and an intensive online training course, early next year but given the ’extraordinary circumstances, I hope that the early release might help people now’.

Mr Moncrief-Scott, who now runs his own company called Information Management Solutions Ltd, said hardly a day goes by when he does not see someone who has been on one of his courses.

The design on the front of his book is of hero super characters made out of pegs. He said he regards everyone he has trained over the years as a super hero. And he feels it has been a privilege to have provided the tools to so many people to help them decide whether running their own business is something for them.

As a former senior executive for a leading global publishing and information technology company, he contributed to numerous client-facing investment, procurement and outsourcing initiatives worldwide. In addition to his international career, Ian has created and participated in a number of small businesses in the Isle of Man and the UK.

Printed books (ISBN 9781903467008) cost £9.99 are on sale now and eBooks (ISBN 9781903467015) are £7.99.

They are available from the main distributors IngramSpark and traditional retailers. The two-hour online training course can be accessed at Udemy.com, an online global marketplace for learning and instruction. www.udemy.com

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