The star prize for creativity went to Guy Portelli who managed to face the dragons and walk away with more money than he was asking for.

The dragons seemed a bit surprised that this proven sculptist would be asking for £70,000 for an almost guaranteed return of £250,000

It became clear, however, that Guy had his own plans. He had put his creative side to work and had thought about how he could launch his collection at the least cost to him and with the most control. Typically, art dealers would ask for 50% commission for the artist to use their premises, experience and marketing to gain access to people willing to pay around £20,000 per sculpture. They remained in control.

Guy had other ideas. His creativity led him to offering the dragons a deal that seemed to be too good to be true. However, he knew what he was doing:

• He gained access to a network of some of the worlds ‘high rolers’ who would be personally invited by the three dragons who invested
• The dragons would have a vested interest in getting as many financially capable ‘buyers’ as they could through recommendation and at little or no cost
• Guy could gain control of his exhibition and put on the “show I always wanted”

Is there something you could do to inject some creativity* into your business life?

Creativity —- “The process of having original ideas that have value”  — Sir Ken Robinson