"A brave, new spirit is sweeping the nation," claims the Daily Telegraph, as it reports the results of a poll on attitudes to business. According to the results, 56% of adults would like to see their children start their own business, while 64% say businessmen (and women) are a force for good in society. In contrast, the bosses of major companies receive short shrift, with just 28% of those questioned saying they admire the work and professionalism of chief executives.
Certainly there seems to be an increased appetite for entrepreneurialism in this country, borne out by the success of shows like Dragons' Den. But how much have the parents questioned thought about the stark realities of starting your own firm? Some 59% of those who took part said they admired people who made a lot of money, suggesting that when they thought of starting a business they envisaged success and wealth, rather than struggle.
Yet even on the TV shows, not everyone makes it, and in the real world things can be even tougher. According to accountants BDO Stoy Hayward, businesses are folding at a rate of 307 a week, and by the end of 2005 some 15,968 will have gone to the wall. So are parents right to encourage their children to enter this dragons' den, or would they be better off focusing on more cautious career paths?
