Lecture 08/02/13 - Brian McNicoll

Lecture 08/02/13 - Brian McNicoll (Dynamo Games)

Today Brian McNicoll came to discuss his success in business and how he went about his journey. 

* Shame my experience of setting up and running my own business
* Explain how to start your own business
* What do you need?
* What support is out there?
* The Positive and Negatives


Due to a lack of client interest, Brian decided to look at Java applications to fill the time. As a result his team created a mobile app called 'Mobi-Medic'. 

Put on a front when trying to get clients etc. Pretend to be a bigger company than you actually are to give off a professional feel. 

After 'Mobi Medic' Dynamo games managed to get a contract with Eidos when creating a mobile football game. After that it was clears java gaming was the way to go. 


Other games included...

* Countdown (Mobile)
* Crystal Maze (Mobile)
* Football Tycoon (Mobile IP)
* Soccer Tycoon (Facebook)
* Beauty Town (Channel 4 Game)

Brian McNicoll finally left Dynamo Games in January 2012. After which he worked on his own games and also taught at Dundee College on Computer Games.

Look into Design in Action


What will my business do?

* Gap in the market
* Be realistic i.e not 'Call of Duty'
* It helps if you have a passion for what you are creating. 
* Stick to 1 area initially to make a name for yourself

Business Revenue Model

* Paid
* Freemium
* Paymium
* Ad-Based
* Subscription

What You Will Need

* Business plan
* Premises
* Hardware and software
* Business partner(s)?
* Start-Up Capital? - Do you live at home? if so it will help. 
* Staff vs outsourcing
* Website, email, linkedin and business cards
* Hard work and dedication - not a hobby.  

Support Available 

* Business gateway
* PSYBT & Shell LIVEWire
* University
* Scottish Enterprise
* Design in action
* Creative Scotland
* Scottish Institute for Enterprise
* Friends & Family
* Many more

What you learn

* Market Research
* Design
* Art
* Audio
* Programming
* Project management
* Quality assurance
* Marketing
* Business development

Negatives

* First 2-3 years are most difficult
* Have to be willing to make some sacrifices 

Positive

* You don't need to look for a job
* Master of own destiny 
* Creative freedom
* Amazing experience
* Personal development
* Entrepreneurship on your CV
* Product satisfaction/acclaim
* You can potentially make a lot of money


Contacting Brian

email: brian@designinaction.com
linked in: linkedin.com/in/brianmcnicoll
twitter: @brian_mcnicoll & @designinactioon
web: designinaction.com



After Break - The presentation


* Prepare well in advance 
* work to a structure - This will make it easier to remember
* write down key points - Try to avoid reading it from the page
* use short sentences
* rehearse X3
* You are telling a story. Keep your audience engaged. 

(15 minute presentation - no need to fill all of the time)

Try to speak at a reasonable pace. When nervous we tend to speed up by 20%. Roughy a 1000 words will be required to fill the time. 


Important elements to your presentation

* Concept
* Who does what
* The start
* Introducing and signposting
* Transition
* Rules of rhetoric - list of three, rhetorical questions, etc
* The ending 

Look into 'Aristotle's five canons of rhetoric' and the 'Rule of three'

The 'Rule of three' is more effective as it allows your presentation to be more memorable. 


How to rehearse

* Do it at least 10 times
* Do it in front of the mirror - practice to a face makes it more like an audience. 
* Think posture - feet slightly apart with one in front of the other
* One arm holding notes and the other at your side
* Avoid being fidgety - touching your hair, putting hands in pockets etc
* Think voice and eyes - Try to have a good level of volume (especially since we will be  
   presenting in a large space).  Focus on as many people as you can so you don't freak one
   person out. 
* Read through notes before you start. 

INSIDE ALL OF US IS A CHIMPANZEE!!!
(The Chimp Paradox - The Mind Management)

* Use cards during your presentation. This is a media your less likely to fiddle with. 
* DONT use powerpoint - If you do, pick a nice template and avoid bullet points and visual 
  effects.
* Perhaps use prezi or www.beedocs.com
* Smile and be positive
* You are allowed to restart again if things go wrong at the beginning. 
* Be inspired