The Maitland Business Leaders’ Seminar last week encouraged participants to consider the potential benefits. 

“They need to make sure they promote themselves and not just be good at what they do,” business commentator and seminar presenter Damian Morgan said.

“It’s a common failing in business.”

About 250 people took part in the two-day seminar last week, which proved useful for managers and ­business owners.

“They don’t often get the opportunity to stop and think about the business without distraction,” Mr Morgan said.

“It’s important for them to know that in slow economic times it’s important to promote their business.”

Viamax Consulting director Max Geyer was among the participants in the seminar.

As an advisor to business Mr Geyer agreed risk was useful and said it had worked well for him.

“The idea of eliminating risk in business is ludicrous,” he said.

“I jumped in at the deep end two-and-a-half years ago when I started this business at 60.

“I’m a risk taker by nature and I started my business in the worst economic time ever.”

Mr Geyer has parachuted, bungie jumped and cliff climbed in his leisure time.

It’s fair to say risk is a concept that intrigues him and prompted him to start his masters in the social psychology of risk this year.

“The business is going OK and I’m always looking for new opportunities,” he said.