Budgeting for the year ahead As we come to the end of 2021, it’s a great time for you to start thinking about budgeting for the year ahead. Business planning and setting budgets is become increasingly complicated in today’s uncertain and volatile marketplaces. We have...
Business Plan
How busy are you?
How busy are you? Too Busy! What would your reaction be if you were chatting to a friend with a small business and you asked them "How busy are you?" and their reply was “Not really, I suppose I only do two or three days a week!” You might feel concerned for them and...
Writing a Simple Business Plan
Writing a Simple Business Plan ? Planning is a key element to running a successful business. To get where you want to go, writing a simple business plan will help you think about what you are doing and why and if you are looking at raising finance from a bank or...
Forecasts
Forecasts? What forecasts? TV and Radio stations always have weather forecasts at the end of their news slot. And for most of us these have little more impact than whether we will need a coat in the morning or perhaps choosing to plan outside activities at the...
Unique Selling Point
Unique Selling Point A useful tool for deciding how to ‘position’ your products and services is the Porter Generic Strategy Model (developed by Michael E. Porter (1998), Harvard Business School Professor and author of numerous texts on strategy). The model suggests...
Closing the deal
Closing a deal is arguably the most important part of the sales cycle. So are you and your sales team getting it right? Your firm might have a database full of potential leads, your products and services could be the best in your market sector but if you are no good...
Business Plan or a Plan for Your Business
Business Plan or a Plan for Your Business Should you have a plan for your business rather than a business plan? Business Plan It is amazing how many businesses are started without a formal business plan, but everyone has a plan for their business however informal it...