Odd Player

Two years ago I started using a site called HSN. HSN stands for Higher Still Notes and is a site dedicated to helping student like me with their SQA exams.

The following extract has been taken from the HSN website:

“HSN.uk.net is a part of Higher Still Notes, which is run by George Kinnear and Steven O’Hagan.

Our efforts started in 2003, when we were both in S5 studying Highers. We had typed up some notes for our own revision, and created a website on free web space to share them.

Encouraged by the positive feedback people were sending, we bought the domain name ‘hsn.uk.net’ and began adding new features to the website.

The website is now accessed by hundreds of visitors each day, and the HSN forum has more than 1000 members.

We have also launched HSN extra, to provide teachers with additional resources (currently focussing on Higher Maths). The aim of HSN extra is to generate income which will cover the cost of providing the free resources, and help us to expand our coverage.”

The notes on this website are excellent. They are also free of charge. HSN also has a forum which has been a great facility for getting help when stuck.

This website has been a huge help with my studies and I would like to personally thank George and Steve for this superb site.

The new series of Dragons Den has me hooked. The amazing thing is I have watched every episode over the internet. This is the first program I have watched in full though the internet and I am sure it will not be the last as television through the internet becomes more and more a part of our lives.

What is the Dragons’ Den?

Basically, Dragons’ Den is a series where entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to secure investment finance from the dragons - elite business entrepreneurs. All manner of money-spinning minds will step into the intimidating world of business financing, determined to make their dreams come true. All they need is the cash. To get this, they must face the Dragons, all of whom are formidable business thinkers with the money to make things happen.

But this is no lottery - the contestants will need all their powers of reasoning, presentation and persuasion to convince our five business experts that theirs is a product worth investing in. The Dragons know what makes a successful idea, how much it’s worth and how much cash is needed to get it off the ground.

The rules are simple:

1. Each business (pitcher) can pitch for a specified amount of funding for their idea or product.

2. If the pitcher can convince one or more of the Dragons to meet that specified amount (usually in exchange for shares of their company), the pitcher walks away with the cash.

3. If the pitchers find themselves short of the specified amount of funding, they lose it all.

4. Each pitcher is free to bargain with the Dragons in order to get the specified level of funding.

The Dragons

Peter Jones
Peter kicked off his career at 16 with his own tennis academy. He’s now a multi-millionaire and founder of a large telecommunications company.

Deborah Meaden
Deborah launched her own glass and ceramics export company straight out of business college, before moving into the holiday park business.

Duncan Bannatyne
Duncan’s fortunes changed dramatically when he bought an ice cream van. He’s since made millions from retirement homes and health clubs.

Richard Farleigh
Richard’s an Australian full time business angel who has possibly invested in more new UK companies than any other British investor.

Theo Paphitis
Sharp suited Theo heads up a 350 store chain and a group turnover approaching £250m.

My Opinions

This program is great!

Sometimes I wonder how people actually think they can money from their ideas and others I think have real potential. In my opinion, it has a great deal to do with the person as well as the idea. Some people don’t know enough others think they know it all (just watch episode 3 - giving the dragons advice was a big mistake).

I think all the Dragons are great but my favourite Dragon has to be Duncan Bannatyne for his strong, straight to the point attitude. I am also amazed be Peter Jones’s mental knowledge and mental arithmetic ability.

Find Out More

CLICK HERE to visit the Dragons’ Den website.

CLICK HERE to watch the Dragons’ Den over the internet.