Enterprise Nation

We watched the Baftas last night, swooned at Robert Pattinson and Prince William, gasped when Avatar lost out to The Hurt Locker and wondered what we might learn from the ceremony in our own star-studded home business. And the nominees are...

1. You don't need to spend a lot to gain a lot

James Cameron's 3D epic Avatar may have made more money than any other film in history, but it also cost the most. Despite that, last night's Bafta awards were dominated by films that were made on a fraction of its budget. The success of The Hurt Locker, An Education and A Single Man prove that critical acclaim can't be bought!

2. Not everyone makes a good bedfellow.

"As with any relationship, whether business or personal," writes Lisa Kanarek of the Working Naked blog. "Not everyone makes a good bedfellow."

Much has been said about the fact that directors of competing films, Avatar and The Hurt Locker (James Cameron and Kathryn Bigelow respectively), are former husband and wife. But it's interesting to note that their biggest hits, professionally, came to them outside of their marriage.

In business, as well as in life, choose your partnership carefully! And it may yield YOUR biggest success.

3. It pays to be different

The big winner last night was Kathryn Bigelow, director of The Hurt Locker, which one six awards including best film, director, original screenplay, editing, cinematography and sound.

Bigelow has pursued a career in a male dominated industry. Her filmmaking style has made her known as a "macho filmmaker", having also directed action films Point Break and K-19: The Widowmaker. But last night we were forced to rethink that term, when Bigelow became the first woman to win Best Director at the Baftas.

She's hoping to repeat that success at the Oscars. And we hope you won't be bound be stereotypes either!

4. You don't always know what's best

Also proving that it's never too late, 49 year old Colin Firth won his first Bafta for best actor and thanked an unusual figure. "What [director] Tom Ford doesn't know is I have the email telling him I could not possibly do this in my outbox," he said. "I was about to send it when a man came to repair my fridge... so I would like to thank the fridge guy."

Accepting the role in Tom Ford's A Single Man led to huge critical acclaim, last night's award and an Oscar nomination too.

"I don't know what's best for me," admitted the star.

And sometimes neither do we! So, look out for opportunities that you may want to turn down and think about them carefully. It may lead to your biggest success!

5. Dress for success - or at least for propriety

The award for Worst Dressed Actor at the Baftas must surely go to Nick Frost, who presented the award for visual effects in a green suit with red shirt. The reason he stood out so much was because most of the guys there were wearing tuxedos.

Now, I'm all for individuality, but at a ceremony like the Baftas you've got to have something special to pull it off. If not, honour the occasion by wearing something appropriate.

In your home business, for example, if you want to impress a potential customer or client, dress to impress! If the occasion calls for something more casual, dress down.

6. Be supportive and supported

One of the sweetest acceptance speeches came from Christoph Waltz, who won a best supporting actor award for his role in Inglorious Basterds. "Supporting or supported?" he asked in his speech. "From the moment that fate dropped me in front of [director] Quentin Tarantino everybody has supported me."

Be supportive of your fellow home business owners - and you'll find the support you need when fate drops you in front of your big break.

7. Find what you love doing

And the most emotional acceptance speech came from upcoming director, Duncan Jones, who is the son of singer David Bowie. Having lived in the shadow of his famous father, Jones was clearly moved to be recognised for his own achievements. Accepting the award for outstanding debut, he said: "Finally, I think I've found what I love doing."

Find what you love doing, if you haven't already, and you might find your blockbuster yet!

San Sharma
Social Media Consultant and Web Designer, Author, Moonwalker, etc.

Photo credit: iplayer_bafta_24 by M_at