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

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...

Expert article #14: Planning for a successful 2012

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...

Expert Article #13: Building a Successful Portfolio Career

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...

Expert Article #12: How Effective is Your Board?

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...

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

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,...

Expert Article #10: How to Build a Successful Consultancy

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...

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

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...

Expert Article #8: Top Tips for Effective Networking

Networking can be a very powerful tool in launching and building your business, but it is often misunderstood or badly done. In this month's expert interview, I discuss the art of effective networking with Jeremy Taylor, Chief Executive of Cadia, the Gatwick Diamond Business Association, which represents over 350 successful...

Expert Article #7: Building a Successful Franchise Business

Buying a franchise may appear an easy way to start your own business, but before committing your funds and time, it's worth listening to the lessons learned by an experienced franchisee. In this month's expert interview, I'm chatting with Chris Griffin of the WSI internet marketing franchise about the challenges in...

Expert Article #6: Building a Successful Team

Creating or building a team can be hard work, but your company’s growth may depend on your ability to take your team from “norming” to “performing”. How can you make sure you are developing a high-performing team, and what are the obstacles that may get in the way? In this month’s expert interview, I’m chatting...