None of us really knows how the Olympic summer will affect business, because we haven’t hosted a Games since 1948. The Olympics could be one of the greatest marketing opportunities – especially for Londoners – that we have had for years.

If there is anyone who knows how to grow a business it is James Caan. As well as being co-founder of The EBA he is a serial entrepreneur and runs his successful private equity firm, Hamilton Bradshaw. We asked him to reflect on his success stories so you can learn from his lessons.

When we first start businesses many of us, leap into the fray without much thought for what’s going to happen next month or next year because we are concentrating so hard on the here and now and the challenges that we face on a day to day basis.

Successful entrepreneurs often exhibit familiar traits: they are passionate about their businesses, determined to succeed, very hands on but most of all they are risk-takers. The strength of Britain’s entrepreneurial and small business sector will be the vital cog that turns the wheels to re-energise our economy.

We are all leaders in some aspect of our lives – the key is to get help in acquiring the key skills that enable us to lead effectively.