August - September 2012 leapmagazine.co.uk
Run Your Business From Your iPhone by Sally-Anne Brown Questioning Skills by Chris Liles The Secret of Success by Sara Gibbons
LEAP magazine: contents
Articles compiled by Alina Sandu, a freelance graphic designer with an interest in promoting Norwich and the small-business community here alinasandu.co.uk
The cover artwork is Rosie Winn’s Revive, woodburning pen on paper. Rosie is part of the team currently planning the Norwich Art Fair, find out more about it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NorwichArtFair and Twitter, @NorwichArtFair. See more of Rosie’s work at www.rosiewinn.com.
Thank you to all contributors for making this magazine possible. Please visit leapmagazine.co.uk/category/meet-the-writers to find out more about them.
Page 4 Page 6 Page 10 Page 14
Be Your Own Boss Broadland Council Apprenticeship Success Run Your Business From Your iPhone Questioning Skills
2 | www.leapmagazine.co.uk
It looks like the heat has not slowed anyone down this month and big things are being planned in Norwich - there’s the Norwich Art Fair taking shape, the Maker Space preparing an update and, on top of everything else, Gorillas! We find out a bit more about that last one in this issue. We’ve also got Sally-Anne Brown showing us the iPhone apps she uses to coordinate her beekeeping and candle-making business, Chris Liles explaining the use of open questions when trying to get to know someone, and Nial Adams giving us a challenge - a 90 day plan to develop our businesses.
Page 18 Page 22 Page 26 Page 30
Resilience: A Way of Thinking The Secret of Success is…. The Gorillas Are Coming to Norwich! Forget the Long-Term Plan!
LEAP magazine: training
Be Your Own Boss In this time of change, uncertainty,
Education Centre Head
unemployment and redundancy, it’s a breath
facilitator and as a bus
of fresh air that European Social Funding,
nearly 20 years and q
managed by TCHC, has been successfully
area. It’s full of commu
brought to the area by a collaboration
people, great business
between local business coaches Anne
increasing dynamism.”
Francis and West Norwich Partnership. West Norwich Partnership has enjoyed
Twenty local people,
of work, are lucky eno
a great reputation for providing services
with the new Be Your O
to families across West Norwich for over
This is a ten week cour
16 years, hosting the award-winning,
through every aspect o
community-based business coaching
and sustaining their bu
programme BizFizz for over 6 years and
tutors on the course are
running the ever popular family activity
running successful busi
Sorted programme and forging links
is on telling it how it is
between the established business community
theory of starting a bus
in Norfolk and emerging entrepreneurs
will certainly draw on
from West Norwich. West Norwich is
experience to deliver a
traditionally an area that scores highly
worthwhile course. The
on all indices of deprivation Anne Francis
legislation, business str
says “I’ve worked in this area as an Adult
finances, mindset, com
4 | www.leapmagazine.co.uk | Back to contents
Bussiness Buddies businessbuddies.org.uk 0843 289 2368 info@businessbuddies.org.uk
d, a microfinance
networking, social media and includes a
siness coach for
practical flyer design session.
quite frankly love the
Every participant will leave with an Action
unity spirit, creative
Resource Book containing all the information
ses and constantly
they need to start their businesses. This
�
Action Resource Book has been designed who are currently out
ough to be engaged
Own Boss course.
and compiled by Jenny Eaton, director of www.eosprogramme.org. As business owners we all appreciate
rse that takes people
that 1-1 coaching is a vital ingredient to
of starting, establishing
the success of a new business and this has
usiness dreams. All the
been costed in to provide vital support at
e self employed and
a time when it’s most needed. Apart from
inesses. The emphasis
the people already mentioned specialist
rather than the
coaches also available include Finbarr
siness and the tutors
Carter, Sally Gregory, Mark Merrywest and
their considerable
Stuart Patterson.
an enjoyable and
If you are interested in the course or know
e course covers
someone who would benefit please get in
ructure, marketing,
touch with Anne on 07899 953 974 or
mmunication skills,
info@carnivalconsulting.co.uk.
LEAP magazine: Broadland District Council
The Man From Broa Recruitment and selection
risk assessments, there may
can be a costly and timely
be training needs linked to
business for a lot of small
the vocational area the young
to medium employers. For
person is working in plus they
those running a business
may need additional support
spending time advertising and
and mentoring to induct them
interviewing potential staff, then
into the world of work. This will
starting them as an employed
also include any “safeguarding�
member of staff costs money
processes to be put into place
and takes time away from
by the employer.
other more important business commitments. For a young person employed
To support this process in 2010 Broadland Council Training Services developed
for the first time there are
the YES (Youth Employment
additional considerations to
Support) programme for
be taken on board as well. If
employers taking on a 16-
they are under 18 there could
17 unemployed Broadland
be changes required to the
youngster and offering them
health and safety induction/
an apprenticeship. Employers
6 | www.leapmagazine.co.uk | Back to contents
Broadland Council Training Services www.broadland.gov.uk/trainingcourses 01603 430562
adland – He Says Yes! were able to access up to £2,000 for apprenticeship frameworks delivered by BCTS. Two years later young people and Broadland businesses are reaping the benefits of this initiative. Phillip Duncan has set up his own company in Cantley as a Health and Safety Consultant and CDM coordinator (Phillip Duncan Ltd) and he used the money to pay for personal protective equipment, registration fees for various quality assurance bodies
LEAP magazine: Broadland District Council
for Health and Safety for his young employee Alex Alston, a Business Administration apprentice, as well as investing in a second computer for Alex to use. Robert Ediker who studied for an NVQ level 2 in Customer Service with BCTS, whilst working for The Lively Crew based in Broadland, earned himself a full-time post as Marketing & Sales Executive after demonstrating passion, enthusiasm and a natural flair for marketing. During his apprenticeship, Robert helped The Lively Crew take a mobility trike across the Swiss Alps for national charity Disabled Motoring UK, build and launch the South Norfolk Online Business Directory for South Norfolk Council as well as marketing a range of environmentally responsible products. Other employers such as Kiki Health in Aylsham have also used this funding to take on warehousing apprentices offering City and Guilds qualifications and training to allow several young people to kick start their career in the Storage and Distribution sector. BCTS are looking to build on the success of this programme in 2012 so if you are interested please contact Anna Kingman on 01603 430562 for further details. 8 | www.leapmagazine.co.uk | Back to contents
Appre
The curre brought for schoo is alway success a After 8 m Paterson apprenti permane Furniture Director says, “It’s just how business Training Apprenti massive people.” Grays ha manufac to measu studies fo first time in the ap Cooper been mu Broadlan and ours and supp have acq motivate with othe an asset
Broadland Council Training Services enticeship Success www.broadland.gov.uk/trainingcourses
ent economic climate has the difficulties of securing work ol leavers into sharp focus so it ys heartening to hear stories of and achievement. months of hard work Charlie n 19, has completed his iceship and secured a ent position with Grays Fitted in Drayton. Managing of Grays, Mike Cooper ’s a positive confirmation of the teamwork between local and Broadland Council Services (BCTS), supporting the iceship programme can have a influence on the future of young ” ave been an established cturer and installer of made ure kitchens, bedrooms and or forty years but this is the they have become involved pprenticeship scheme. Mike believes the whole process has utually beneficial. “The tutors at nd have provided both Charlie selves with excellent mentoring port. The outcome is that we quired a well trained and ed member of staff who fits in er colleagues and is proving to the business.” With positive
0800 389does 1113 experience that the scheme really work, Mike is confident that the business would consider being involved again if the opportunity arose. Centre Manager of BCTS, Sharon Money endorses the importance of working in partnership with business. She states, “BCTS aims to provide a high quality learner and employer focussed package of support backed up by a team of very professional, vocationally competent and caring staff.” Sharon gives particular mention to the hard work of tutor Sarah Bell who supported Charlie on a one to one basis. Functional skills tutor Michaela O Hara and Training Officer Anna Kingman also played an instrumental part in the programme’s success. If you need evidence of the impact this scheme has on the lives of young people, look no further than Charlie whose future looks bright. He says “I’m really happy with my progress and enjoyed completing all my projects. It’s great to be part of the Grays team and I’m looking forward to learning new skills.” To find out more about how an apprenticeship can benefit your business, please call Pippa Bennett, Recruitment and Development Officer at BCTS on 01603 785837.
LEAP magazine: apps
Run Your Business Fro Your iPhone
Eventbrite.co.uk 6/10 - a
times plus more information
ticketing operator that you can
and Eventbrite does all the rest.
put your events on; it sells the
It also means that customers
tickets for you and manages
looking for an event can go to
it all online. You can print off
Eventbrite and search for it in
a register of attendees and
their area to find you and your
embed the Eventbrite button into
website.
your website so that users can
You can change the colours
click through to the Eventbrite
of the Eventbrite page so that
site and buy a ticket for your
it matches the style of your
event. I’ve found it useful for
website to create a smoother
my workshops as it means that
feel. And it also has a stats
I can just set up the tickets, how
information page so you can
many I want to sell, the price
see who’s looking and who’s
and details of the dates and
buying and how they find
10 | www.leapmagazine.co.uk | Back to contents
Sally-Anne Brown Happy Bee Company thehappybeecompany.co.uk Sally@TheHappyBeeCompany.co.uk
om
you. The only downside is that this originated from the US and occasionally I end up in Norfolk Virginia.
MyBizTracker 7/10 - a simple app that helps you keep track of income and expenses. It also has useful links through to HMRC about how much tax you would have to pay on the income and you can also export the data via an email with a csv document. I find this useful for keeping track of my petty cash. If you like things to be kept simple then this is just great. You can zero the balance
LEAP magazine: apps
at any time so if you just want to keep track of your income / outgoings for a day (if you’re running a stall for example) then this works really well.
Cardcloud 8/10 - an e-business card. So, if you ever get caught out and run out of business cards this one is available to email or better still share via bluetooth. The best bit about giving out cards this way? You have to ask for the contact’s email address so you can keep track of who you’ve spoken to. It keeps a track of your contacts, how many cards you’ve shared and your activity. On the e-business card itself when you send it, it includes not only your email and website address but also has Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook buttons so that contacts can follow you. It also has other social ‘follows’ you can choose from if you’ve got them - such as Skype, Flickr, Tumblr, YouTube and Soundcloud to name a few. I can’t find a fault with this app so far other than I just feel it has potential to do soooooo much more. Like adapt the colouring, style and font to really personalise your e-card the same way you would your hardcopy business cards.
QR Code Generator 7/10 - everyone has one and you can too! This code maker will give you a QR code that you can assign 12 | www.leapmagazine.co.uk | Back to contents
Sally-Anne Brown Happy Bee Company thehappybeecompany.co.uk Sally@TheHappyBeeCompany.co.uk
to any URL - your website, a particular page in your website or even a phone number. It then saves it to your photo stream from where you can email it, print it or use iTunes to transfer it to your laptop and paste it on your website. Afterwards, you can do what you want with it like add the image to adverts and business cards. My only gripe with this one is that when I print out the image from my iPhone - for some reason it misses off the first few mm’s of the QR code and so it won’t scan... It does works when I email the image to myself and then print it off from my computer. Here’s my QR code now. And of course then there’s
Scan - a QR code scanner for you to
read the QR code you’ve just created!
Postie 10/10 - Star App - if you’re posting off parcels get this app. Postie calculates the postage for your letters and parcels home and abroad by selecting where you want to send it, the weight and which size your letter / parcel fits into. If your scales are half decent it is accurate to a penny. I’ve tested it several times and it’s never been wrong - it updates when the postage rates change and is so useful for those using eBay or Amazon to sell their wares.
LEAP magazine: networking
Questioning Skills Do you enjoy networking events? Do you relish opportunities to meet new people, learn about them and promote ways you can help them? No? Then this is for you...
Some associates once ran a training event “Networking for the Terrified!” and were swamped with delegates. I know many of you find yourself at the doorway to a roomful of strangers (or colleagues) and feel like Indiana Jones descending into a Viper Pit! There’s an easy way to turn vipers into pussycats that purr... simply brush-up your Questioning Skills. I had six honest serving men, they taught me all I knew, their names are WHAT & WHY & WHEN & HOW & WHERE & WHO. So said Rudyard Kipling - not the guy who makes exceedingly good cakes! Start a sentence with one of those words and it is likely to be an “open question”. Heard of those before? That’s right, they encourage people to
14 | www.leapmagazine.co.uk | Back to contents
Chris Liles Business Relationship Mentor www.liles.co.uk chris@liles.co.uk 07885 25 35 25
Find out more about Chris answer with more than a single word (or grunt!). So, do you use them consciously to start new business relationships? I strongly recommend you do so. I am sure you can all sidle up to a stranger in a networking situation, extend your hand and say “Hello, I’m Sid Snot (substitute your own name here preferably), may I ask your name?” The reply could be “I’m Keane Toobuy from Snatchit & Runn plc”. So far so good, but I sense your blood chilling, what do you say now?! Easy, think of a relevant subject you may have in common e.g. the event is held in an unusual venue. Then run
Chris Liles suggests strategies to overcome your business relationships “challenges”.
LEAP magazine: networking
the important part of Kipling’s
overhearing at a party a man
rhyme through your mind (What
grilling a lady with closed
& Why etc) “WHAT do you
questions: “Good holiday this
think of this cattle shed?” WHY
year?” + “Go abroad?” + “Was
do you think we are meeting in
it hot” + “Enjoy it?” and so
a cattle shed?” etc. Then select
on. Each one simply extracted
the sentence that fits best.
a “Yes” or “No” answer from
“Open” questions usually
the victim and the man walked
encourage more than a single
away saying “She’s damn hard
word response. I recall
work to talk to!”
WHY WHEN HOW WHERE WHO WHAT
16 | www.leapmagazine.co.uk | Back to contents
Chris Liles Business Relationship Mentor www.liles.co.uk chris@liles.co.uk 07885 25 35 25
Kipling would have said: “HOW was your holiday this year?” + “WHAT was Bali like?” + “WHY were you arrested?” Then the lady would have been chatting animatedly whilst he was carefully composing the next open question in his mind. Buying time like that is a stress-reducing by-product of open questions. To help your confidence, here are some typical open questions that I use when growing my own business via networking: • What line of business does Snatchit & Runn specialise in, Keane? (Always remember and periodically use the person’s name - this is vital for relationship building) • What does your role comprise? • Why did you join Snatchit & Runn, Keane? • How do you organise your staff training? The trick is to keep them talking as long as possible, whilst you are learning everything you need to know about their organisation. You will find people usually talk quite freely to someone who seems genuinely interested in them. So tonight why not practise open questioning on your partner. “HOW was your day, Dear?” and “WHY do you say it was cr*p?” etc. Practising on your family and colleagues will boost your social confidence and knowledge about them. Soon you will be ready to launch happily into your next Viper Pit only to discover it is simply filled with future friends waiting to meet you.
LEAP magazine: motivation
Resilience: A Way of Thinking
“Brace yourself for a triple dip recession”… “UK economy will contract next year”... “The Eurozone crisis”… The headlines continue to scream at us…
As I read (or choose not to read!) the Press, it occurs to me, more so than ever, that a key characteristic of thriving and just as importantly, happy business people, is resilience - resilience against the continual onslaught of negative economic news, as well as the pressures of running their businesses. So what is resilience? We have all heard of the individuals who have survived great adversity, be it those that survived the concentration camps, lost a loved one or experienced a severe 18 | www.leapmagazine.co.uk | Back to contents
Suzanne Crouch Eos Programme www.eosprogramme.com Personal Development for Women 0843 523 5373 info@eosprogramme.com
disability, but somehow they have emerged from their life-changing experiences stronger in mind and spirit. Well this is resilience. Resilience refers to the ability to ‘bounce back’ from adversity. Being resilient does not mean that a person doesn’t experience difficulty or distress. Being resilient means that when you experience such difficulty or distress, you are still able to work towards changing areas of your life constructively. You are able to use the adverse experience to provide insight into what is important to you and you are motivated to pursue these goals and values. In fact being resilient does not mean that you ‘bounce back’ to the place that you were but rather it enables you to tackle your adversity and acts as a catalyst for your own personal change. The great news is that resilience is not a trait that people either have or do not have. It involves behaviours, thoughts and emotional responses that can be learned and developed in anyone.
LEAP magazine: motivation
Develop solid foundations –
attitudes and behaviours
Good relationships with close
that you already have. Your
family members, friends, or
strengths can be found in
others are vital during difficult
the daily activities that you
times and important to your
undertake, and yet are probably
resilience. Accepting help and
dismissed as you ‘just getting on
support from those who care
with it’.
about you and will listen to
Distinguish between what
you strengthens your ability
is within and outside of your
to survive and to thrive during
control – Determine what is
adversity.
within your control and direct
Nurture a positive view of
your attention towards these
yourself – This is the time to
things. Take decisive actions
reinforce and nurture your
on these areas. Not only will
confidence, to develop your
this begin to chip away at
belief in your ability to solve
the problems you face, but
problems and to trust your
importantly you will begin to
instincts; understanding that you
re-assert a sense of control over
do have these skills helps to
the situation, you will feel more
build your resilience. Where do
motivated and resourceful.
you find these strengths? Well,
Accept that change is a part
focusing on past experiences
of life – Certain goals may no
can help you identify resilient
longer be attainable as a result
20 | www.leapmagazine.co.uk | Back to contents
Suzanne Crouch Eos Programme www.eosprogramme.com Personal Development for Women 0843 523 5373 info@eosprogramme.com
of adverse situations. Accept that some circumstances cannot be changed. This can help you focus on circumstances that you can alter. Choose your perspective – You can’t change the fact that highly stressful events happen, but you can change how you interpret and respond to these events. Resilient people recognise the power of perspective, and understand that they can actually choose the perspective they generate on any given situation. Avoid choosing to see crises as insurmountable problems because after all, in Chinese Mandarin, a crisis is ‘an opportunity riding a dangerous wind’… As you emerge from your own personal challenge or adversity, learn from it – every experience has something to offer us in our life-long project of building and maintaining our resilience and will leave us stronger when we are next faced with adversity.
LEAP magazine: success
The Secret of Success is… Many articles and books offer the secrets to success in business, life, love etc. We read them hoping to glean that nugget that will make all the difference to our lives and our businesses, the key that will turn everything around and give us the life, love and business of our dreams. In reality though, whilst at best we might pick up a tip or two, even then unless we take action there will be no change. I have a proposition for you. What if there aren’t any secrets? What if you already have the key ingredient you need to be successful? Would you be disappointed or relieved? If we are looking for the business equivalent of a knight on a white charger then I’m guessing there will be disappointment. Perhaps we would like an easy way out, a shortcut, but in our hearts most of us really know that sustained success doesn’t happen that way, even if some articles and books would like to entice us with headline grabbing suggestions to the contrary. Most of us have been taught from a very young age to follow the rules of society; we are used to being told what to do and say 22 | www.leapmagazine.co.uk | Back to contents
Sara Gibbons ASEA 01692 400 913 www.helpyourcellves.teamasea.com
…. Find out more about Sara and how to behave in order
bring balance into their lives as
to be acceptable. If we are
they feel the need to react. This
acceptable in society we are
can hold us back and keeps
in. If we are not acceptable
us small, or have us moving,
in society’s eyes we are out.
often randomly, from one thing
This can generate a lot of fear.
to another. How can we break
Few of us as children were
free, follow our intuition and be
given the freedom in our lives
the consistent success we want
to follow our true feelings. As
to be when we find it so hard to
a consequence we may fear
be our true selves?
hurting other people, being
Following our intuition isn’t
judged by them and not being
the same as riding roughshod
accepted by them. We may
over anyone seemingly in our
worry about being seen as a
way, neither is it about being
failure in others and our own
dishonest or cruel, behaviour
eyes. Even people who rebel
which can come from a feeling
against the rules still feel their
of not being good enough or
power and so find it hard to
there not being enough to go
LEAP magazine: success
around for everyone, especially us! Intuition is about being true to ourselves, listening to ourselves and our feelings, and acting upon them. Many of the most successful people really follow their own intuition, often doggedly, against the opinions and judgements of some of those closest to them. They are persistent in following their own direction and are prepared to break out from what is often expected of them. That doesn’t mean disregarding what others say, but it does mean listening to our own response to it as well. For example a word of warning well meant from a relative or friend may possibly be that persons own fear speaking; that is to say they are telling you about the worries that they themselves would have in your situation. If you listen to that and make it your own it will keep you stuck. Reacting against it will not be necessarily the best path either. No-one is successful alone; we all need others along the way. When we are really listening to ourselves we know who to take notice of and who to politely thank and move on. So the real secret of success is you, the true you, the you that knows better than anyone else what is best for you and your business if for no other reason than because you live with yourself all the time. Get to know the real you, not the false small you or reacting you, and you will have a success guide for life. I wish you much success. 24 | www.leapmagazine.co.uk | Back to contents
For growing ideas...
Original Photograph by David Street: Thurne, Norfolk Broads, 2010
We are a marketing and design agency based in Norwich. We have over 35 years of marketing experience and won't give you a load of hype, just good common-sense thinking, marketing, creative design and digital work that hits the target.
careful targeting and relevant, fresh creativity. You'll also get a great deal of passion because, whether it's a small ad or a big campaign, we put our heart and soul into producing work that we're proud of and reaps dividends for our clients.
We are the agency to talk to when it comes to increasing sales with attention to detail,
For further information please contact David Street.
112/114 Thorpe Road, Norwich, NR1 1RX t: 01603 763533 m: 07590 577581 e: david@streetview-marketing.co.uk w: www.streetview-marketing.co.uk
LEAP magazine: Norwich
Remember the Elephants? The Gorillas Are Coming to Norwich! Last month Break launched
epitomises the City of Norwich
GoGoGorillas! bringing a
and environs and is the work of
world-class mass public appeal
local artist, Mik Richardson.
art event to Norwich in 2013.
The Gorilla trail will take
Working with Wild in Art and
place for 10 weeks during
The Born Free Foundation,
the summer of 2013 and
the aim is to bring an event to
will encourage thousands of
Norwich that will not only see
people to discover and re-
an increase in visitors to our fine
discover the City of Norwich,
City, but the involvement of the
provide community and
local community.
education projects and highlight
The launch today was the
environmental issues and the
first part of a year’s campaign
plight of one of the world’s most
to bring these fine creatures to
endangered species.
Norwich and to ask companies and artists to get involved. Nelson is the Break gorilla, he
Not only that, GoGoGorillas! will enable significant fundraising opportunities
26 | www.leapmagazine.co.uk | Back to contents
GoGoGorillas! gogogorillas.co.uk 01603 670107 @gogogorillas
LEAP magazine: Norwich
with each gorilla being sold at auction following the event, with 75% of the net proceeds being donated to Break and The Born Free Foundation. The Gorilla sculptures will showcase the creativity of Norwich, its heritage, architecture, regeneration and its prolific art scene. Created by local and regional professional artists, community groups and schools, GoGoGorillas! will animate the streets, parks and open spaces of Norwich creating a memorable landscape for all to see. The project is about partnerships and aims to bring together the business and creative sectors with the local community, making this a wonderful opportunity for companies and groups to work with a local charity in a project which will positively contribute to the economic, cultural and social life of the City, engender civic pride, stimulate the local economy and create 10 weeks of fun for everyone. To sponsor a gorilla, contact Martin Green, at Break, on 01603 670107 or email martin.green@break-charity.org. Bespoke packages available, so give him a call. 28 | www.leapmagazine.co.uk | Back to contents
Call now on 01603 516550 or email info@businessskillsclinic.com
Want to feel in control of your life? Then learn to be the Boss. Funded business start up training
Networking & knowledge transfer
“Helping you to take ownership of your future.�
@BusinessSkillsC www.businessskillsclinic.com info@businessskillsclinic.com
Mentor matching Scheme
New and small business skills support
This project is financed by the European Union.
LEAP magazine: business planning
Forget the Long-Term Pl Business planning per se is something that so many business owners will run a mile from; let’s face it, business planning (for the majority) is next in line to finding time in the diary for your next dental check-up! I used to be shocked at the number of people I met who would eventually admit, through clenched teeth or in hushed tones that actually they have no real business plan in place. Frequently this admission would result from my obvious question, “so what sort of Marketing Plan are you working to at the moment?”. Apart from not having a marketing plan the majority of business owners I’ve met actually don’t have any type of business plan at all. Those that do are either the more serious start-ups, who write a plan because their friendly bank manager has told them he/she needs one, or in the rarest of cases, they are actually aware that every good business needs some form of plan. So why should it be that so many SME’s will work hard to ignore this essential business tool? Well, I believe it’s for these reasons; a) they really don’t know where the business is going, so writing 30 | www.leapmagazine.co.uk | Back to contents
Nial Adams Push to Play www.pushtoplay.co.uk 0843 289 4082 @nialadams
lan! a 3-year plan makes about as much sense as planning to colonise an as yet undiscovered planet, b) writing a plan feels a bit like writing down goals; it means you have a measure of success or perhaps failure, and c) they simply don’t know where to start or how to actually construct a business or marketing plan. Yes, goal setting in any form can mean you need to commit and that’s the whole point. The great thing is that this is a commitment you make to yourself above everyone
LEAP magazine: business planning
else. Remember that the first person’s judgement you should trust in your business is actually your own. Focus on what you want from your business above the needs and wants of others and you’ll truly be in control. As to knowing how to write a plan; there is no shortage of knowledge or help out there and much of it is free. Google business plan template and you’ll find more resources than you’ll ever need. Of course the other option is to find a trusted advisor who can help with this; there are plenty of talented and experienced business coaches out there to help you (and The PUSH Academy provides a structured course on this). So how do you overcome this fact that three, five or ten years is a very long time and how can you write a meaningful plan for this? Well simple, I’d say don’t! I’ve seen medium and 32 | www.leapmagazine.co.uk | Back to contents
Nial Adams Push to Play www.pushtoplay.co.uk 0843 289 4082 @nialadams
long-term plans that sound great but in truth have very little practical value. As every good military officer is taught “no battle plan survives first contact”, in other word, you can plan your battle strategy to the finest degree but when the bullets start flying that brilliant plan will probably all go out the window. You’ll be working on intuition, experience and your ability to assess the situation and make fast, confident decisions. Business is pretty much the same and it can sometimes be a real battle! One hugely beneficial concept my mentor shared with me was that of short-term planning. Being realistic, there is little point in trying to predict what the world will look like in three years’ time, let alone the next ten. The recent past has been a stark example of this. So don’t start with
LEAP magazine: business planning
medium and long-term plans, start with the short ones. I have seen the value of ’90-day Business Plans’ and would highly recommend this strategy to you. Forget working out where you’ll position your National Head Office in South America in 2018, work out what you need to achieve in the next 90 days – right here, right now. This strategy works for very simple reasons; it brings your attention to what matters today, and in case you hadn’t noticed we all tend to live in ‘today’ and it’s the now that is only really ever
Nial started his very first b
answers are in the books!
make his presence felt; so
the ground up Nial was a
began to welcome busine
the world of Franchising a Today he is co-founder of The PUSH Academy and
helped thousands of busin 34 | www.leapmagazine.co.uk | Back to contents
Nial Adams Push to Play www.pushtoplay.co.uk 0843 289 4082 @nialadams
relevant to us. It also means you will have a much greater sense of focus. You can plan with the resources that are at your fingertips now, the people you work with now and what’s relevant to your clients right now. So here’s my challenge to you for today; in under 1000 words (or a lot less ideally) write down what you actually want and need to achieve in your business within the next 90 days. A great phrase I have learned that will help you with this, and one you need to keep constantly in mind is “what would have to happen for me to…” This style of thinking works because it’s realistic, it deals with what you actually have as resources and above all it creates fast action. Try it and see your business focus sharpen!
business at the age of 19 and found out, the hard way, that not all the
! Working in the security training industry it was hard for a young guy to
o a solid knowledge of marketing was essential. Learning the ropes from
able to apply and develop marketing strategies that really worked and
ess success. After a period in Corporate Life (finance), Nial moved into
and again began to learn about what makes small businesses really tick. The PUSH, a Business Consultancy. He is also Principal Tutor of works as a Business Growth Specialist. His real-world strategies have
ness owners get focus and produce results that put money in the bank.
Do you want to get involved with LEAP Magazine? You can: • submit an advice article • ask a question for our Business Agony Aunt • advertise • comission us to write an advertorial about your business Get in touch today for more information hello@leapmagazine.co.uk