David Mellor Mentoring

Expert article #18: How to delegate effectively: learning to let go

admin — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 09:08:32 +0000

One of the hardest challenges facing an owner-manager is how to let go: how to put the processes and people in place to enable you to delegate effectively, create a productive team and ultimately, exit your business. In this month’s expert article, I consider how you can begin this process and why it’s so important for all types and sizes of businesses. You can read or download the article here:DMM_Expert_Article_Delegation_April_2012

Expert article #17: What to consider when selling your business

admin — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 07:35:47 +0000

You could be forgiven for thinking that that the current market is not one conducive to selling your business at a good price. However, if you are well positioned to ride out the current storm, possibly because you have done a number of key things fractionally better than your competition (and quite frankly that’s often all it takes), then you are more likely to look attractive to prospective purchasers. Whether you’re thinking about selling your business now or sometime in the future, I have created this checklist to highlight some of the issues you will need to consider. I hope you find it helpful. You can download the article here:DavidMellor_March 2012_expert_article

Expert article #16: How to create value in your consultancy business

admin — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 12:03:57 +0000

Building a “best practice” sole practitioner consultancy is challenging but ultimately rewarding. Building a multi-consultancy practice is even more challenging, but both survive or thrive based on a number of key factors. In this month’s expert article, I share a checklist of questions based on these key factors, and which are designed to highlight your strengths and weaknesses. I hope that this will help you focus on the value drivers for your business, and to address any areas which need to be strengthened. You can download the article here: DavidMellor_February 2012_expert_article

Expert Article #15: New Year resolutions to build your business

admin — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:40:20 +0000

Happy New Year! Following on from last month’s article about planning for 2012, I have put together a new year checklist featuring some useful lessons I’ve learned as I’ve worked with a variety of businesses to tackle growing pains, challenging business environments and tighter client budgets. I hope this will be a useful reference as you plan your year ahead. If you’d like to add your own resolutions, thoughts or ideas, please do so via the comment form below.

You can download the article here: DavidMellor_January2012_Newsletter

Expert article #14: Planning for a successful 2012

admin — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 11:03:37 +0000

A wise man once said: “no one plans to fail, but many fail to plan.” As 2011 draws to a close, what better time to reflect back on your successes and challenges in the year gone by, and what you want or need to do differently to achieve your goals for 2012?

To help you plan for a more successful 2012, I’ve drawn up a list of key questions and issues to consider, which you can find here: DavidMellor__Planningfor2012

I hope these will be useful food for thought as you look ahead. After all, a good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow!

Expert Article #13: Building a Successful Portfolio Career

admin — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 08:59:10 +0000

A portfolio career is not a new concept, but it is one which is becoming increasingly popular as people seek the flexibility and variety that many corporate jobs cannot offer. What do portfolio careers look like, and how might you go about creating your own? In this article I use my own portfolio of activities and those of a group of “portfolio careerists” to paint a picture of how a successful portfolio career can be created, and the challenges and opportunities it provides. For a full transcript, please click here: DavidMellorMentoring_PORTFOLIO CAREER_2011

Expert Article #12: How Effective is Your Board?

admin — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 07:54:07 +0000

As your business grows, you will need to develop a robust Board of Directors to steer it to continued success. Unfortunately, this is far easier said than done! This month’s expert interview is from me and my fellow Board member, Paul Chapman of Azure Partners, who has some very useful criteria to follow if you want to develop an effective Board. I hope you find this useful.

The article is available to read (and act upon!) here: David_Mellor_Mentoring_How_Effective_is_your_Board_Oct_2011

Expert Article #11: The role of the Finance Director and the art of raising business finance

admin — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 15:51:39 +0000

As an ambitious company, how do you go about securing funding to expand your business? And what should a Finance Director do to help you understand and grow your company? In this month’s expert interview I’m discussing the role of the FD and the art of raising business finance in a challenging climate with Dick Haynes, Managing Director of Haynes Financial Ltd, who has carved out a successful career as a “virtual” FD. The interview is available as a podcast or as a downloadable document here:

To download the pdf of this interview, please click here:

ExpertArticle_Raising_Business_Finance_August2011

Or you can listen to the audio version here:

Expert Article #10: How to Build a Successful Consultancy

admin — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 08:57:43 +0000

Many people setting up in business choose to do so as a consultant. What are the elements which make a successful consultancy, and what should you guard against as you build your consultancy business? In this month’s expert interview I’m discussing how to make a consultancy business work with Andrew Pullman, Managing Director of People Risk Solutions, a successful HR consultancy servicing a wide range of City clients. It’s a clear and insightful summary of the skills you need to build a successful consultancy business, and some of the challenges you will need to meet. The interview is available as a podcast or as a downloadable document here:

To download the pdf of this interview, please click here: DavidMellorMentoring_ExpertArticle_Building_Successful_Consultancy_July2011

Or you can listen to the audio version here:

Expert Article #9: The Art of Rainmaking, or how to acquire more (and better) clients

admin — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 10:17:43 +0000

For a business to succeed, it needs clients. Indeed, most businesses need more clients to become more successful, but trying to find those clients can be difficult and daunting. Unless, that is, you’re a rainmaker: someone who has the skills to expertly find and acquire new clients. In this month’s expert interview I’m discussing the art of rainmaking with Dr Cliff Ferguson, founder of www.rainmakersuk.com and an authority on the art and science of new business development. It’s a fascinating insight into the key skills you need to become more successful at attracting and winning new business. The interview is available as a podcast or as a downloadable document here:

To download the pdf of this interview, please click here: Rainmakers- DavidMellorMentoring_ExpertInterview_June2011

Or you can listen to the audio version here: