So Organic, the UK’s award winning online department store for natural and organic products has been asked by the government to help them understand the practical realities for business in the UK. In an initiative led by Mark Prisk MP, Minister for Small Business and Enterprise, senior government figures and civil servants are taking the opportunity to step outside of Whitehall, and into the business world, through week long work placements. Mark Prisk MP said ‘It’s nearly ten years since I last ran my business, so I need to better understand the current issues affecting small firms, if I am to be an effective Minister with responsibility for enterprise. After all, nothing is better than direct experience.’


As part of this initiative, the Deputy Director for Enterprise Policy and Strategy, David Wilson will work with the So Organic Founder Samantha Burlton and Chief Operating Officer Stuart Burlton to see what it is like on the ‘front line’. Stuart Burlton commented, ‘We are looking forward to having David work with us, and showing what running a small business is like in today’s economic environment. The Organic Industry has it’s own challenges, so it will be great to have a senior member of the Department for Business, Industry and Skills working with us.’


The So Organic team have a number of challenges and projects awaiting David Wilson, who is looking forward to stepping in to the business world. David said ‘The experience will be invaluable, and I will be hoping to take back as much knowledge as I can to further the cause of small business within the department.’


The work experience commences in October 2010, and you can follow David’s progress through the So Organic Blog, Twitter and Facebook, and at www.SoOrganic.com.