60 Second Interview with Jonathan Yates, author of Freesourcing: How to start a business with no money
- Jonathan Yates
- 2011-01-27 13:48:00.0
What do you do?
I am managing Director of the business I founded helping people to drink more water, I write books, magazine articles and blogs on entrepreneurship & business and speak at conferences and exhibitions on Creativity, Freesourcing & Corporate entrepreneurship.
Anything else?
I am a hands on Dad of 3 rowdy boys and usually in training for some sort of sporting event.
How have you managed to stop time in its tracks to fit all this in?
I manage my time by priority, I work smart rather than hard and make sure I give my family the devotion they need. I rarely stay late in the office. My wife, Lisa is amazing.
What is your latest book about?
Freesourcing: How to start a business with no money. It is a book which which will get your business started without the need for any personal financial outlay. If you have an idea but don't want to risk your own cash then this will help you take the next step and set up on your own. As the title says, Its a book about how to start a business with no money.
How did you come up with the term FREESOURCING?
When I started my business I had very little money but knew that the idea was a good one so I begged, borrowed and learnt to get value from everything I needed to setup the business. I noticed that many people thought they needed a trophy office and flash new computer to feel like they are starting a business. You can get your hands on a free computer, free software, free office furniture and you can work from home. You need to spend money on things you really need. I coined the term FREESOURCING as this is what you need to do, find Free Resources for your business, the word seemed a perfect fit to the ideology.
How long did it take you to write the book?
Luckily I had already written All-Time Essentials for Entrepreneurs so knew what to expect when I sat down with a blank piece of paper in front of me. The difference with Freesourcing was that once accepted by the publishers and as the title was seen to be hot topic in the current climate, I was asked to finish the book in 2 months (60 days). This is not an easy time frame in which to write 60,000 words. However, as I had all the knowledge from my own experiences, it actually flowed really well and I completed it on time mostly because I enjoyed the process and the topic so much.
Ho do you write a book 60,000 words long in 60 days?
I always start with a list of the topics I want to cover which are then edited into 8-10 chapter headings. I then generate eight topics associated with each chapter and put them in the list under the chapter headings. I then find all the keywords I need to cover each topic completely and place these in the list under each topic heading. By now the list will cover a few pages. I am a very visual person and need to “see” the outline of the book in my head as I chop and change things around and so need to know where to cut and paste certain items on the fly. Once the list is in the best format at the time, I start to expand the words out to sentences and edit each topic on the go. I aim to complete about 1000 words an hour. I constantly go back and edit what I have written to maintain the flow of the book. Once I am happy that all the information is in the book, I go back to the beginning and smooth it through expanding on items and moving things around until I am happy with the raw manuscript and send it on the the publishers. All in all for about 60,000 words it takes 100 hours of work.
Where do you write your books?
I have an office in Harrogate and an Office at home but usually I like to write with other people around me. I don't like silence, I need a buzz around me to stimulate my creativity so most of my books are written at the kitchen table with the kids throwing lego at my head.
Where do you get your ideas from?
My ideas come from personal experience, bags of research and running with my iPod. I listen to loads of podcasts whilst I run and the ideas other people have had spark connections with my own research. I am firm believer in cross disciplinary interactions, quite simply trying new things and gaining new perspectives and insights into established ideas. The more new things you try, the more likely you are to stumble across something new based on your own experiences. Did that make sense? Its all about standing on the shoulders of giants to see a little further (thank you Albert Einstein).
Do you have plans for any further books?
Yes, I am working on the manuscript for a book currently called “Entrepreneur Advantages” its about why and how any small startup is able to out compete a large established business. Its exciting because essentially this is what I have been able to do with my innovations. There are some very big businesses out there which are happy to roll on rather than innovate, happy to stand still rather than think into the future. The Entrepreneur Advantage discusses the 8 strategic advantages a start up can utilize to rise ahead of the competition. I am also trying my hand at a screenplay for a sci-fi plot I have had but this is proving to be a completely different kettle of flying space fish altogether.
Whats the most important lessons you have learnt in business?
• Punch above your weight.
• Negotiate hard on everything.
• Nothing is impossible, you are only limited by your imagination.
• Its never as good or bad as it seems at the time.
What is the secret of your success?
I start by believing I can achieve something new. I think and act like people who have achieved success in this field and when you follow that path to success you cant help but become a success yourself. There is no such phrase as can not only will not, your need to to find your will.
What would you take to a desert island?
My wife and children for a two week holiday in the sun.
What things do you not like?
Brussel sprouts, radishes, liver, reality TV, DIY.
What do you do to relax?
Running, mountain biking, squash, swimming, playing with kids, eating out, eating in, quality television, sci-fi films, tinkering with technology, pub.
