the Lead Coach

Creating a business plan can seem daunting, I understand, especially for small business owners who are often juggling a million things at once. However, a well-crafted business plan is one of the most vital tools in helping your small business thrive and stand out in the competitive market. So Why is a Business Plan Essential? A business plan is more than just a document; it’s a roadmap. It helps you outline your business goals and the strategies to achieve them. Creating a business plan encourages you to think long-term about your business and assess its viability. A clear plan also comes in handy when seeking funding or partnerships, making it an invaluable tool for small businesses. Creating a business plan doesn’t have to be a monotonous chore. Instead, view it as your blueprint for success! Each section is your opportunity to explore the intricacies of your business, build confidence in your vision, and attract partners and investors who share your enthusiasm. So seize the moment! Set aside time to compile your ideas, insights, and plans into an engaging business plan that sets you on the path to success! Writing a business plan is not a one-off task but a living document that should evolve as your business grows. Thus, revisit and revise it regularly to ensure you’re always aligned with your goals and the shifting market landscape! Creating a killer business plan is within your reach. Embrace the challenge and remember: every great business started with an awesome plan!

I understand, running a business carries risk and you should be aware of all of them. It is not the risk that makes a business fail, but the failure to identify and manage the risks with mitigation actions. Let's look at some practical examples of the most common risks that many small business owners either fail to identify or just ignore until it's too late. Financial and reputation loss if a client or customer injures themselves and the business is not covered by public liability insurance. The impacts of the business owner or key resource being unable to work for an extended period. Financial or reputation loss of any other event occurs which is not covered by insurance. Inability to meet client or customer deadlines due to inefficient or inconsistent work processes. Insufficient income being generated due to lack of active sales and marketing. Insufficient cashflow for daily expenses due to irregular income flow. Inability to pay VAT or income tax because there is no provisioning for VAT/income tax during each period/year. No funds available in the event of an emergency or ad hoc large payment required, because there is no savings plan. Legal impact of not having the correct licences or permits to conduct the business activities. Client, reputation and financial loss due to non-existent or poorly written client contracts or Terms & Conditions. Negative impacts to service/product delivery due to unforeseen staff absences, as a result of inadequate staff coverage or succession planning. Negative impacts to service/product delivery due to poor supplier performance, as a result of non-existent or poorly written Service Level Agreements (SLA) with their suppliers. These risks can be managed if identified, every business owner simply needs to know they exist and then identify what action they can take to prevent them from happening. So please do not let a risk prevent you from taking the plunge into self-employment. Simply keep your eye on the risks.

I get asked this quite a bit, yes, I do. Basically the first hour is completely free. If I feel I can help, I can offer a retention arrangement for a minimum of three months at 20% discount on my normal fee for a small business. go to my Fees page for current rates and apply a reduction of 20% per monthly retainer

Without knowing the specifics, in order to enhance your business, try to focus on customer engagement, employee satisfaction, operational efficiency, and strategic planning. 1. Enhance Customer Engagement Through social media, email campaigns, or direct mail. You could also use customer loyalty schemes 2. Invest in Your Workforce Hire the right people and foster a positive company culture 3. Optimise Operations Try to streamline your operations, remove any unnecessary steps in your process and if you can implement automation 4. Use Data and Analytics I always advocate using data and analytics to make decisions for your business and use analytics to assess your performance. 5. Strategic Planning and Innovation If you don't have long term goals I recommend setting some and then decide how you are going to achieve them. Stay ahead of the competition by keeping up to date with trends in your line of business By doing the above, you can create a more resilient and successful business that is well-positioned for growth and adaptability in the market.

Making your home eco-friendly is just the start. Incorporating sustainability in the workplace can yield substantial benefits, from enhancing employee satisfaction to positively impacting the environment. Start by forming a “green team” consisting of passionate employees to spearhead sustainability initiatives. Encourage your workplace to adopt paperless strategies. Digital documentation can cut paper use by staggering amounts. For example, a typical office uses an average of 10,000 sheets of paper per employee annually. By going digital, a company can save money and drastically reduce waste. Organising “zero waste” challenges can rally employees around sustainability goals and encourage participation. Transport significantly impacts our individual carbon footprints. Whenever possible, choose public transport, biking, or walking instead of driving. Carpooling also cuts down emissions and can build stronger relationships with colleagues. If driving your own vehicle is necessary, explore electric or hybrid vehicles. These cars can reduce CO2 emissions by 35-45% compared to traditional petrol or diesel cars. Additionally, many regions offer incentives, such as tax credits or rebates, to support eco-conscious drivers. Whilst it might not be possible to change to a more eco-friendly car now, bear it in mind when the time comes. Remember, every effort counts. Combining errands or reducing trips altogether contributes to sustainability Here are some simple yet effective changes anyone can make at work to promote sustainability: Bring Your Own Lunch: Preparing meals at home saves money and helps eliminate waste from takeout containers. Source Sustainable Supplies: Opt for eco-friendly office products, like recycled paper and refillable pens. Supporting companies committed to sustainability helps drive demand for environmentally friendly options. In addition, encourage your workplace to adopt a Green Policy that supports eco-friendly cleaning supplies and promotes recycling.

Franchising is a business model where a franchisor (large business)grants a franchisee (smaller entrepreneur) the rights to use its brand, business processes, and proprietary knowledge in exchange for fees and royalties. It is a contractual arrangement. Benefits of Franchising 1. Established brand 2. Support and Training 3. Lower risk

So, what is this "hidden gem" of knowledge? It’s having a deep understanding of your customer. Every small business relies on its customers. This fact is vital for every entrepreneur. Knowing who your customers are, what they seek, and how they act can redefine your business strategies and success. This understanding goes beyond simple demographics; it includes their interests, needs, challenges, and buying behaviours. Investing time to understand your customers can lead to significant advantages. For small business owners, this could mean the difference between thriving and just getting by in today’s competitive market. You can use Surveys and Feedback Sessions: These methods allow customers to share their thoughts directly. Engaging with customers shows that you value their input. For instance, a café could ask customers about their favourite drink options through a quick online survey and see a 30% increase in repeat visits by introducing those favourites. Online Analytics: Most websites and social media platforms provide analytics tools that help measure customer engagement. For example, if you notice a blog post about a specific product is getting a lot of shares, it may indicate a strong interest in that product. After you collect insights about your customers, the next step is to use that information effectively. For example, if research shows your customers are passionate about sustainability, you could incorporate eco-friendly packaging or source locally grown products. These changes are strategic, showing customers that you listen and care about their needs. By aligning your business with their preferences, you build loyalty and trust—both essential components for success in any industry. While there are many aspects to running a small business, the most crucial knowledge any small business owner can have is a deep understanding of their customers. This insight helps you forge stronger connections and deliver products and services that truly meet their needs. Taking the time to understand your customers can result in increased loyalty, satisfaction, and ultimately, profit. By prioritising this knowledge, you will navigate the complex business world with greater clarity and confidence. Remember, understanding your customers is not just a one-time task but an ongoing journey. Keep listening, evolving, and adapting, and your business is sure to flourish.

If demand drops, you have time on your hands to attract new customers your small businesses. With the rise of online competition and shifting consumer preferences, it's more important than ever to find effective ways to stand out. Understand Your Target Customer Base For instance, if you run a local gym, surveys might reveal that most of your target audience is interested in group classes rather than solo workouts. Armed with this knowledge, you can design classes that cater to those preferences, thereby increasing the appeal of your offerings. Upgrade your website and Use Local references in your website i.e. Small Business Smallville Local search engine optimisation (SEO) is essential for small businesses looking to attract nearby customers. To optimise your online presence, ensure your business is listed correctly on platforms . It's also vital to incorporate location-based keywords on your website and in your blog content. For example, if you own a cafe in Smallville, use phrases like "best cafe in Smallville" to enhance your chances of appearing in local search results. Host or participate in Community Events Engaging with your local community can yield great rewards. Organising events such as workshops, product launches, or seasonal festivities can not only boost brand awareness but also foster relationships with potential customers. Collaborate with Other Small Businesses Forming strategic partnerships with nearby businesses can expand your reach and customer base. For instance, a local florist could team up with a wedding planner to offer joint promotions. By doing so, both businesses can introduce their services to each other's customer bases. Use Email Marketing Collect email addresses through sign-up forms on your website or during community events to build a robust mailing list. Create regular newsletters that include exclusive promotions, updates on new products, or tips relevant to your audience. Personalising your approach increases engagement; emails with personalised subject lines Offer Promotions and Discounts Promotions and discounts can create a buzz and attract first-time customers. Consider implementing time-sensitive offers, such as a 20% discount for new customers in their first month. Create Valuable Content Offering valuable and informative content can position your business as an expert in your field. Regularly posting on a blog, creating how-to guides, or producing engaging video tutorials can attract potential customers searching for specific solutions. Use Customer Testimonials Positive reviews can significantly shape potential customers’ decisions. Encourage satisfied customers to leave honest feedback online. Use these testimonials in your marketing materials to establish credibility. Displaying authentic experiences helps build trust with prospective customers, making them more likely to choose your business. Embrace Networking Opportunities Networking opens doors to new customers and collaborations. Attend local business fairs, trade shows, or meet-and-greet events. Participating in community service or local sponsorships not only shows goodwill but enhances your brand visibility, allowing you to network while benefiting your community. Use Visual Marketing Visual marketing is a key component in attracting attention and engaging customers. Whether it's eye-catching signage, vibrant posters, or inviting product displays, effective visuals can create a strong first impression. Invest in creating attractive visuals that reflect your brand's message.

Seasonality plays a big role in the income and expenses of many businesses. One highly effective way to handle seasonal cash flow is to build up a cash reserve. By setting aside 20-30% of profits during peak seasons, business owners can create a safety net for those lean months. Creating a seasonal budget is a crucial practice to manage cash flow effectively. By analysing historical income and expenses, business owners can develop realistic financial goals that align with their seasonal patterns. This focused budgeting helps in forecasting and supports decisions on staffing, inventory purchases, and marketing efforts throughout the year. To soften the blow of off-peak seasons, diversifying revenue streams can be a game changer. Business owners might explore options like seasonal promotions, workshops, or even virtual events that can keep customers engaged year-round. When cash flow dips, it can be beneficial to explore financing avenues. Short-term loans or lines of credit can provide the necessary funding to cover operational costs during tough months. However, it’s crucial to examine interest rates and repayment schedules to ensure they fit within the seasonal cash flow cycle. Keeping a close eye on performance indicators relevant to cash flow is essential for making informed financial decisions. Key metrics to monitor include days sales outstanding and inventory turnover rates. By regularly reviewing these indicators, business owners can spot potential cash flow issues before they become significant problems. Seasonal entrepreneurs must be agile and ready to adapt. Being responsive to market trends, consumer preferences, and unexpected events can help safeguard cash flow.

Firstly, it's essential to fully grasp the costs associated with your products. This involves more than just calculating material expenses; consider all aspects, including: Fixed Costs: These are expenses that remain constant, irrespective of sales volume. For example, rent, utility bills, and employee salaries contribute to your fixed costs. Variable Costs: These expenses fluctuate based on production levels. Increasing production will lead to higher costs related to materials, labour, and distribution. For instance, if material costs rise by 10% due to increased demand, that directly affects your pricing strategy. Total Cost: Add both fixed and variable costs to understand the overall expense of bringing your product to market. For example, if your fixed costs are £1,000 and your variable costs per unit are £5, and you produce 200 units, your total cost would be £2,000. This results in total cost of £10 per unit. But this is not your price - its your cost. Secondly, examine your competitors and market conditions. Identify Competitors: Research similar businesses and their pricing strategies. For example, if you sell handmade jewellery, check what others charge for similar products. If competitors are priced at £30 for similar offerings, you need to consider this when setting your prices. Undercutting (selling for less) might attract more sales, but your profit would be reduced per unit. Understand Customer Behaviour: Observe how customers react to various price points. You might conduct surveys asking, "What price would you be willing to pay for this product?" This feedback can guide your decisions. Market Demand: Assess demand for your product. If demand is high, you may be able to charge more. For example, many small bakeries increase their prices by 15% when they experience a surge in wedding cake orders during peak wedding season. A thorough market analysis ensures you find your unique position and competitive edge in the market. Finally, select a pricing approach Cost-Plus Pricing: Calculate your total costs and add a markup percentage. For instance, if the total cost of a product is £10 and you add a 50% markup, your selling price would be £15. Value-Based Pricing: Set prices based on the perceived value to customers. If your product solves a significant problem for customers, you can charge more. A business coach might charge £100 an hour because they are coaching twelve people at the same time in a facilitation and this saves the company several hours of downtime on training individually. Penetration Pricing: Start with a low introductory price to attract customers quickly, then gradually increase it. This could help you gain significant market share. For example, some streaming services began with low monthly fees to build a subscriber base. So choose a pricing strategy that aligns with your brand and resonates with your target audience. to determine the actual price Range of Prices: Establish a price range that covers your costs and remains appealing to customers. For instance, if your production cost is £10, consider pricing between £20 and £30 to maintain an attractive margin. Psychological Pricing: Use pricing techniques to enhance attractiveness. Ending prices in .99 often makes them appear lower. For example, instead of pricing a product at £30, price it at £29.99. You may also consider "anchor pricing," which involves displaying a higher price alongside a discounted one to create value perception. Test Prices: Launch your product at multiple price points to identify what resonates best with consumers. You might discover through testing that a price of £31 generates more sales than £29.99. By thoughtfully determining the final price, you position yourself for market success.

This can be daunting for most small businesses. So follow these steps:- Firstly, you should assess the needs of your small business, do you have an idea as to what the job will involve in detail and what it does not involve? In order to recruit the right person for your business you need to have a clear understanding of the job. Job Description Start with writing a Job Purpose at the top of the Job Description that you are going to advertise - why does the job exist. e.g. Provide support to the business in customer care and stock management. This should be no longer than a paragraph. The next step and to be contained in the next paragraph is to make a detailed list of the tasks you need the job holder to do, i.e. Maintain stock on display shelving; provide assistance to customers; keep the shop area tidy and presentable at all times; take sales receipts using the till etc etc. This could be a lengthy list but once you have completed the list you can group related tasks together. You now have a fair understanding of the job you have. This is good progress to recruiting the right person for the job, you have one half of the match. Personnel Specification The next thing you need to do is to decide what skills and experience you are looking for, which are essential and which are desirable, and make another list of these. Consider qualifications and experience, for instance, do you need an experienced salesperson, or you need degree-level education or do you need someone you can mould and nurture? Consider all of your options on this as the more qualifications and experience you are requesting, the more likely it will be that you will need to pay a very competitive wage/salary. Do not forget to add what personal attributes the ideal candidate must have such as approachability, professionalism, neat and tidy appearance; initiative etc. These skills are often overlooked and yet they are the ones every business needs in their staff. They make the difference between an adequate employee and an outstanding one. Consider what other skills are appropriate, indeed necessary, for the job such as the ability to handle cash, or being able to create spreadsheets. To determine a competitive salary or wage to offer, you should consider doing some research to find out the going rates for the type of job and the locality of the position. You need to be aware of minimum hourly rates if your job requires unskilled, low level or inexperienced workers. To make this attractive, you could provide information about room for growth within the role, such as training. Can your business sustain this cost? Make sure you do the sums before recruiting as shedding the job if it becomes unaffordable will be difficult for you. You are now ready to recruit. You have a job description and a personnel specification, all you need to do now is to find someone who matches these requirements. Simple right? Not as easy as it might seem. But lets take a look at the process of what to do next. Avoid Temptation to Shortcut the Recruitment Process The next thing I should mention is to avoid nepotism, which is the practice among business owners of favouring relatives, friends, or associates, especially by giving them jobs. In cases of nepotism, the small business rarely benefits as qualifications, skills and experience are overlooked. The small business often suffers from behaviour that is not of the standard required on the personnel specification. That is to say, there is rarely a good match between job and employee. Additionally, it denies others within the business opportunities to grow. Advertise your Vacancy There are several methods to advertise your vacancy, some are quite costly. Using your business's social media accounts is free and it will be effective in the locality of your business. You will need to include Job Title Job Description Personnel Specification Describe how a potential candidate can apply. Highlight your small business’s lifestyle and culture Indicate to potential employees any growth prospects Add a closing date for applications. Ask for the names and contact details for references Manage the responses I would always recommend that you do not look at any responses until after the closing date and do so in a dedicated timeslot, where you can consider them all. But before you start, create a tick box sheet with your requested criteria from the Personnel Specification. Doing this will help you to filter through the applications. You have already decided what you need, do not be distracted by a skill or experience that you haven't asked for. Shortlisting You should aim for at least four people that are shortlisted for the next stage, based upon the boxes they can tick. But no more than 10 people. If you have more than this, ie more than 10 people who tick all the boxes, that's the time you can look at what else they bring to the table. Park the un-shortlisted candidates for the time being until you have successfully recruited. Once you have your shortlist, you need to do two things:- Invite, in writing the shortlisted candidates for interview. Arrange the interviews in a quiet and private place with no distractions if you are able, and within a few days of each other Contact the people named for references, stating that the candidate has been shortlisted and provide a job description and a personnel specification for them to use in their response. Conducting Interviews In preparing for the interviews, you should formulate a list of applicable questions based upon your job description and personnel specification. Use open question such as 'describe the experience you have in dealing with cash'. You can ask unscripted follow-up questions depending upon their answers. Take notes throughout, or even better, get someone to take notes for you. Decision Making Continuing our theme of making informed (data-driven) decisions, some organisations use a point scoring method to select the right candidate. You can do this too, simply award a point every time they demonstrate at interview that they can tick off a criteria. NB Check the reference you have received for the candidate.

Another one that I hear a lot. Small business are the group that can best benefit from seeking out a business coach. The following is a list of things a coach would help with:- provision of valuable support & guidance helping you to overcome challenges, improving your business performance achieving your goals. helping you to clarify your business vision and strategies, enhancing decision-making skills fostering your own leadership development. maintaining your motivation making processes efficient financial management including pricing policy maximising your profitability time management stress management adapting to changing market conditions remaining competitive achieving your growth A business coach is a very valuable asset for any small business.

Project management is the application of processes, methods, skills, knowledge, and experience to achieve specific project objectives within agreed parameters. It involves planning, executing, and closing projects to achieve goals and meet success criteria.

People are naturally suspicious of someone who offers advice and want to know they can trust them. I understand this very well. It takes time to establish trust, but it also requires real world experience backed up with appropriate qualifications, an ability to communicate with clarity, confidence and honesty. 🔑 1. Real-World Experience I have built, run or helped other small businesses in the past. Ranging from trades within construction to specialist cafes catering for cyclists. From small to large business enterprises. Additionally, I prepared accounts for other businesses as a qualified accountant technician, working for a local firm of Chartered Accountants I have acted as Responsible Officer for an Academy. I served as a full member of the lead team of a large facilities management organisation. I have delivered projects within Cost, Schedule and Quality requirements consigning Radioactive Materials in the UK and abroad. I undertook the role of Programme Manager for two of the largest and nationally important programmes in the UK with a budget of over £5b. I identified solutions to issues arising in many of my previous roles, such as developing and delivering improvement plans for the transport of radioactive material. I have helped other entrepreneurs to achieve their goals and their dreams by helping them create a vision for it. I have decades of experience in the business world. 🧠 2. I Actually Know Stuff Some of my career training and qualifications (post full-time education)required for real world experience are as follows: Business Studies Accounting (AAT) including Auditing and Taxation. I Institute of Management - Diploma in Management. Credit Control Procedures Emergency Arrangements Facilities Management Shipment and Consignment of Radioactive Materials Six Sigma - Improvements Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) Portfolio Management Project Management (APMP level D) Change Management Management of Benefits 7 Habits for Effective Managers Practitioner Development Programme (Effective Communications) ACAS Trained in Disciplinaries and Grievances HR - Recruitment and Selection Health and Safety Much of which I coached others in to better to fulfil their roles 🗣️ 3. I Speak With Clarity and Confidence I speak plainly and don’t overcomplicate things and I with confidence without being arrogant having facilitated many workshops with a multitude of different stakeholders at each level within organisations. 4. I have Helped Others Succeed I have helped many others to succeed in my role as Internal Coach I have some testimonials on my website - just click the link. 🧭 5. I Tell the Truth, Not Just What People Want to Hear I give honest advice (even when it’s hard to swallow) - if your business is not viable as it stands, I will tell you so, and maybe make suggestions as to how to make it viable going forward. I am confident enough to say when I don't know something and then go about finding out the answer 💼 6. I am Building My Reputation (but it takes time) I consistently blog, and share valuable insights, and I stick to your values, in the hope that people begin to see me as a go-to. For these reasons, I believe I can be trusted to give you sound, expert advice for your business Lets chat so that you can better understand what it is I can offer you.

Programme management is the process of managing several related projects, often with the intention of improving an organization's performance. It involves coordinating multiple projects to achieve strategic objectives.

A business coach is a type of consultant that provides an outside perspective for you and your business. They will help you address not only business issues, but issues of a more personal nature, like finding career fulfillment and figuring out what’s most important to you. Business coaching can play a critical role in the success of your company — but it might not be what you expect. Coaches help you to do things for yourself, point you in the right direction and help you progress. Business coaching is a thought-provoking, introspective, and creative process. Ultimately, the process empowers clients to maximize their personal and business potential.

Change management involves preparing, supporting, and helping individuals, teams, and organizations in making organizational change. It benefits your business by ensuring that changes are implemented smoothly and successfully to achieve lasting benefits.

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Our coaching fees vary depending on the type and duration of the service. We offer a range of packages tailored to meet different needs and budgets. Please contact us directly for a detailed quote.