For many of us, especially those running our own ventures, it might feel as though we've been speeding along since January. As we head into the new financial year, we may be planning to juggle various projects and perhaps factor in even more travel. It's already been a whirlwind few months so after catching my [...]
I was recently asked to contribute to an article in Startups magazine all about how small businesses can work with the government. The focus was on how small businesses can work with government and what options are available to them. The new Procurement Bill, winding its way through government, should make it easier for smaller [...]
In my work, I’m lucky to work with some really diverse scaling companies as well as many small business owners. I have to say, small business owners really do inspire me as their strength, resilience and determination, often against many barriers, is hugely inspiring. However, there are many issues they face which influence how they [...]
I’m so pleased to be part of the team delivering the Small & Mighty Enterprise programme for Small Business Britain again. This time we’re welcoming and supporting nearly 1,000 small businesses on their journey – which is a fantastic number! A big part of this programme is mentoring – each participant gets access to both [...]
Scaling up a business is a significant step that can transform your company's trajectory. However it's crucial to approach it with careful consideration and a well-defined strategy. It entails expanding your operations to accommodate increased demand, whether it's by hiring more employees, investing in marketing, moving to larger premises, or enhancing your product or service [...]
In the wake of the recent BBC and Lineker hoo-hah, psychological safety is a hot topic currently. You don’t need to look far from politics either to see current issues arising. People are raising this in the workplace and questioning how they are protected. It’s now common to consider how employers value psychological safety. So, [...]
Have you ever been personality profiled in your career? This tool, and its many profiling options, is getting more and more commonplace. If used wisely in the workplace, it can be an impactful insight to understand teams. It should identify areas that need support and encouragement as well as instil new ways of working together. [...]
At this time of year, I always encourage business owners to review the last year and reflect on their successes and areas to improve. Where possible, you should put systems and processes in place for resilience in the year ahead and have a ‘plan B’. I’m often asked “does my business need a plan B” [...]
There are several types of leadership styles and trust me, I have come across most. What I find fascinating is that often leaders ‘think’ they're certain type, but when we drill down, they're often not. This is where we start to unravel traits, ingrained and learned, and perceived perception to build a more accurate picture. [...]
Do you have an up-to-date and relevant business plan for your business? Or even a plan at all? Many of us actually don’t! Or we have one we set a while ago that hasn’t been updated in line with any current circumstances. I get it – we all get busy and it can be hard [...]
A very common reoccurring issue I hear is how to get funding and investment for a small business. I was recently asked to talk about this for Small Business Britain and Lloyds Bank Academy so I wanted to share here too. And of course, please do get in touch if you would like to chat [...]
How do the words ‘continuous professional development’ make you feel? A little flat and lacklustre?! Trust, me I get it. At times, it can be a little less than inspiring but it’s imperative to professional success and happiness. Tapping into your intrinsic motivation and helping your teams to do the same, you’ll create something worth [...]
