Over the past few months I have attended a number of networking events some of which have been specifically focused on small and micro business owners. What’s great about these is that you just can’t help but be impressed by their passion and enthusiasm for what they are doing and this is typically the reason the business was established in the first place.

Different businesses will grow in different ways and for different reasons, but if you are planning to grow your business, we recommend an incremental approach that focuses on the following 10 key elements. Each of these are either simple to do and/or should be underpinned by simple systems and procedures that enable progress to be measured, monitored and reported on. Do not hesitate to get in touch with us if you would like further information.

Ever noticed how there are some words that seem to become flavor of the month, e.g. disruption, empowerment, mindfulness, wellbeing etc? Not that there is anything innately wrong with these, but the more these get (over)used, the more their real power tends to dilute. Another word that has become widespread in a business context these days is “Authenticity” and whilst it is true that the same comment can be levelled at this word also, its true significance should not be overlooked.

So how did 2018-2019 pan out for you?  Did you meet your business and personal goals?  Was it an awesome year?  Now is the time for review and to plan your next move forward.

As we approach the end of this financial year, you will probably now have a fair idea of whether you are going to achieve all that you set out to at the start of it or not, so how did you go? Hopefully you will meet or exceed your objectives, but for some it has been a tough year and will fall short of expectations. 

People start businesses for all sorts of reasons (financial control, autonomy in operation, perceived work/life balance etc), but the fundamental reason is that they are good at whatever it is they do, not that they are necessarily good at business. There is no shortage of self-help books and advice on how to start and run a successful business but whatever the product or service being offered and no matter how customer and staff focused the business leaders are, the business will not succeed unless it makes money.

Ever had the situation that you were doing pretty much the same (technical) job in one company as you had done in another but your sense of achievement, enjoyment and fulfilment were radically different? Chances are this was due in no small part to the differences in culture between these organisations and it matters. It matters a lot. Similar job, similar remuneration but a very difference sense of satisfaction.

How many of you reading this have all the time you need to get done everything you want to do? This is a question that I always ask as part of our Time Management training and I have yet to find anyone say that they have enough time. So how do you squeeze the quart into the pint pot and why is it that some people seem able to do so much in the time available?