smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

Celebrity entrepreneurs such as Alan Sugar, Richard Branson and Peter Jones are not living in the same world as real business owners, according to a survey.

Some 81 per cent of those polled by Nottingham University Business School say that the portrayal of celebrity entrepreneurs distorts the public perception of business owners.

Only 11 per cent think media reporting reflects their experiences, and more than 70 per cent say it would be beneficial for business advisers to work directly with the media to improve the quality of small business coverage.

Professor Martin Binks, of the business school, says: ‘[These views] raise important questions as to where people can find accurate information on which to base decisions about being an entrepreneur.’


Of the 339 respondents surveyed, a balance of 39 per cent say they expect their businesses to grow in the next three months.

In a survey from the British Chambers of Commerce, a quarter of small businesses said shows such as Dragons' Den and The Apprentice do not help people in real business situations.