Dragons' Den entrepreneur and multi-millionaire Peter Jones took the road to success at the tender age of 16, when he founded a successful tennis academy. Today, he is chairman of Phones International Group, one of Britain's most successful and fastest-growing telecommunications businesses, which is estimated to be worth more than £300million

Having a vision should involve letting your imagination run riot, and then sitting down and working out very clearly where you want to take your ideas. "I firmly believe that you should start a company that you really believe in," says Peter. "Start something you're passionate about.“

He thinks that another key is believing in what you're doing, having confidence in your own abilities and not wavering. "You won't persuade other people to believe in you if you don't believe in yourself," he says firmly.

To be results-orientated, he says, you should think carefully about what you want and then focus on how to get there. “You've got to do the research," he adds. "You've got to understand the market place and know your competitors. You' would be amazed how many people don't do this."

When you take action, you need to be decisive, he insists. There is no point in complaining that you had an idea first, when a competitor succeeds with something similar. “If you don't do anything about it, it will always be just an idea,” Peter says. "Create a business plan but don't make it 30 or 40 pages long. Make it short, concise and to the point, “ he advises. “Put small forecasts in over the next three years and really get to understand what you need to achieve. Put your key objectives in and plan everything you want to do in the first 60 days of your business."

Using your influence is all part of the business world, he says. "You know more people than you think," he insists. "Use the networks you already have and don't be afraid to pick up the phone to ask for help or contacts. Use your influence. I talked about this a lot in my best-selling book, Tycoon, and it is really important.”