International , Inspirational , Motivated

Male , 45

Financial background, commercial and merchant banking. One time head of restructuring and reorganisation in Manchester for one of the "big 4", I set up my first business in 1988 retailing kitchens and kitchen appliances. This expanded to 7 shops, built a brand, imported our own range from Italy and sold out after 5 years when we were turning over £5M. Since then I have turned around and run a UK subsidiary for a Scandinavian parent, building from £1M annual sales to £12M. Made acquisitions and divestments, before establishing a consultancy business in 1999. Specialising in export from the UK and inward investment into the UK, the business now operates in 7 countries with 3 new offices opening 2009. We work closely with chambers of commerce and inward investment agencies to maximise grant opportunities for our clients. Operating in the SME sector we assist start up business, or established businesses. Always with enthusiasm, energy and a will to succeed.

Business failing

A failing business is never anything to do with the economy, the government, the employees or the customers. It is purely and simply down to the management. Many SME's evolve, they are not built. Their systems and structure are a result of what had to be done at that moment in time. An external review can see "the wood for the trees". Identify, duplication, waste, poor purchasing, under selling, new routes to market and new product opportunities. If you are too close to the business you cannot see the problems, and if your business focus is always looking inwards, fire fighting and problem solving, which part of your anatomy (figuratively speaking) is facing the customer? Let me give you a clue. Its below your back and above your legs. Dont be too proud, get help, professional help that understands your business model and your situation before its too late.

Margin falling

Being squeezed by customers? Over charged by suppliers? Credit note numbers rising each month? Staff disgruntled, resulting in poor customer service and high customer churn? You are probably in the same boat as a high percentage of SME's today. Working too hard and too long doing what has to be done to survive, to actually survive. Its like launching life boat but staying connected to the sinking ship. The stresses at home, the responsibility of the livelihood of your staff, all weighing you down. The solution is clear, but not necessarily to you. With a little cost effective outside help you can conduct a formal business review. Identify the customers and products you make money with, and those which are a drain on the business. See the skills gaps in your team, and what training or investment needs to be carried out to make you an industry Olympian, not an also swam. Your people are your business, your business values are what should unite you. But no values leads to no customers

Shrinking market

Got a great product or service? Got USP's and an ROI for your customers plus anything else that can be abbreviated into letters not everyone understands? Why not export? To not export is like having your business in Birmingham and not selling beyond Coventry. There is a huge demand for British products overseas. The weak £ against the Euro helps. The government here will help, and with professional guidance the overseas investment agencies will also help. Don’t limit your horizons, we live and work in a truly Global economy. Join it

Along the way I have been helped by a huge number of people, too numerous to mention here as they will all want at least a small beer from me. Sometimes it just a word, but more often its an idea or an angle that I hadn’t seen to overcome a situation or create an opportunity where there was none before. In turn, over the years, I have returned the favour and so businesses refer people to me, and I to them. We all prosper a little better than if we worked in isolation. If I can do that for someone new that I haven’t even met, and have no hidden agenda with then maybe I am some way along the path to being the type of person that I would like to think I could be.

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