CEO for a week: enabling future leaders and entrepreneurs

Research has found that 75% of Gen Z want to launch their own business, but with a noticeable absence in the curriculum when it comes to entrepreneurship, UK digital PR agency Reboot Online, have launched the dream job for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to learn on their feet.

As a CEO of Reboot Online, Shai Aharony, offers some insights into the program as well as useful skills for aspiring entrepreneurs to have under their belt.

What does the Be a CEO for a Week initiative entail?

“As a business that started at home and now offers services across SEO, content, paid media, and social media, we want to give a young person and potential future leader the experience of walking in my shoes as the CEO of Reboot.

“In the program, they will have access to how a successful PR agency works; they will sit in on client calls, support with lead generation and strategies for pitches, be privy to budgets, feedback to Operations on career development frameworks and workflows, and motivate internal teams to reach their KPIs. We want them to leave the program with valuable work experience, understanding the responsibilities of running a successful business, and knowing how leaders create value in their organisation.”

In your opinion, what are the most valuable skills to develop for aspiring entrepreneurs?

“Aside from leadership skills, the most underrated quality for aspiring entrepreneurs is curiosity with the confidence to investigate. Core to our Reboot’s mission is having curiosity, asking the right questions, and then having the confidence to try the nitty gritty to get to your answers. It’s much too easy to get complacent and stay the same course if it is working, but having curiosity ensures that you maintain interest in your chosen work to develop new skills, insights, and authority to become a leader in your field.”

Why did you want to set up this new initiative?

“We know better than most how difficult it is for young people to secure a job right now. We see hundreds of CVs but what we’re looking for is people that stand out and right now, that can prove to be difficult when job opportunities don’t offer the required experience. This exciting opportunity will open their eyes as to what it’s like to be at the very top and the type of decisions that need to be made, how to speak to clients, how to action tasks to your team; they will walk away with knowledge that we hope can shape their future. What do we gain? For us, it gives us the opportunity to not only connect with, but to better understand what is driving the next generation.”

How to apply?

Candidates will be expected to submit a 30 second video explaining why they would make a great Reboot CEO. (Tip: creativity is king- make it stand out!

Candidates can apply for the role here: https://www.rebootonline.com/job-vacancies/be-a-ceo-scheme/.  Candidates have until May 31st to apply for the role, with shortlisting and interviews taking place from the first week of June. The chosen CEO will begin their big week on one of the following weeks (to be confirmed once the applicant is selected):

• 8th-11th July

• 29th July-1st August

• 12th-15th August

(Oh yes, Reboot Online work exclusively for a 4 day week!)