Business advice

Pre-start onwards

Entrepreneurs who are thinking about starting a business or are in their first year of trading gain valuable insight into the issues that need to be considered when running a business. The major benefits for my established customers comes from providing them with an objective view of their business backed up by a broad practical understanding of business and marketing. Sometimes my involvement is minimal, serving to stimulate thought by offering possibilities to consider. In one instance a client changed the fundemental basis for their business following a two-hour mentoring session. Occasionally the advice has an immediate financial gain. Another client immediately recouped the cost of my fees simply by actioning one my suggestions. Often clients ask me to undertake some work to help them implement the ideas that come from the advice. As a qualified marketer and communications professional I am well-placed to offer services that complement the advice and mentoring role such as marketing research, marcoms, interim management and workshop development and delivery. My network of associates help me deliver assignments outside of my scope of expertise.

Keeping it real

Working with small enterprises with under 50 employees to advise them about business has been a constant theme of my work, running in parallel with my other services to ensure I am able continually to draw on 'real-life' business experience in the advice that I offer.

No gimmicks

There are no magic formulas of course and I make no sweeping claims to transform your profits by adopting my methods, equally there is no hard sell or tie-ins - you have what you feel you need and I won't badger you beyond that. I want customers to feel they have received good value to the point that they may use me again and/or recommend me to others.

Charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations

My client base includes both profit-making and not-for-profit organisations, the latter group benefiting from my experience as a trustee/director of several charities and as a CEO. In many ways business is the same irrespective of size (it's mainly a question of scale!) or purpose and the same principles can often be applied to ensure they are sustainable. A not-for-profit still needs to generate a profitable income from trading activities for example, in order to be viable.

The Voluntary and Community Sector landscape is changing significantly and organisations that operate in what is becoming known as 'Civil Society' are having to become more business-like to capitalise on the opportunities brought about by commissioning and contracting. The current recession also brings challenges for these organisations such as considering collaboration and even merger. My mixed experience of all three sectors and a passion and empathy with the Third Sector, mean I can offer practical meaningful support to charities, CICs and social enterprises.

As a registered supplier on Business Link East's eVoucher scheme, you may be able to get a free 1:1 advice session with me if you operate in the East of England.

Check out the Business Link website for more details.

Is your business in or around Harlow in Essex? If so, visit Harlow Business Mentors' website. HBM is a venture I run with another local businessman to help support the economic regeneration of that area. You may be interested in attending one of our FREE Bite-size Business Briefings. Attendees of prevous sessions said; 'I thought the content and delivery were excellent...well targetted; focused and allowed discussion...I honestly cannot think of anything else that could have been better for me...overall a really excellent session!'

Why not contact me for an informal chat to see how I might help
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