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Digital connectivity, digital funding and innovations in LoRaWan connections across Norfolk are all part of Norfolk County Council’s strategy to make Norfolk the best-connected rural county in the UK. How can better digital connectivity help your business? This is the question that Norfolk County Council plans to answer with an all-encompassing digital strategy for Norfolk that can help businesses save money, lessen their impact on the environment, achieve business growth and future proof their business.The digital strategy is in three parts: Making sure that the whole of Norfolk (including rural areas) has digital connectivity with superfast broadband and 5G; the launch of the Go Digital project that helps provide SMEs with funding for digital transformation to increase productivity, recover from the pandemic and grow their business, plus access digital training for their employees; and finally by developing the Norfolk and Suffolk Innovation Network, the largest free-to-use public sector Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) in the UK, which delivers dual county connectivity to support Internet of Things (IoT) sensors. The network is an innovation network designed so business, public sector, schools and the general public can all experiment with the technology.Norfolk businesses are now being asked What could your business do? when it comes to having better digital connectivity and an innovation network of digital sensors that can make almost anything possible.Businesses who are already seeing what IoT sensors can do for their business include Unitec, Ben Burgess and Gressenhall. The technology network has helped Uniotec kickstart innovation in Norfolk and has helped with their business growth. IoT sensors have also helped Ben Burgess support their Norfolk clients in making cost savings and smart decisions, by helping them monitor crops and livestock. LoRaWAN has also enabled Gressenhall use GPS technology to conduct visitor analysis to improve visitor experience.Cllr Tom FitzPatrick, Norfolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Innovation, Transformations &amp; Performance, said: “It is important that our Strategy is not just for the County Council, so we want to make sure that everyone in Norfolk whether residents, businesses or visitors, is able to be given the opportunity to take full advantage of the opportunities and benefits offered by digital technology.“Digital technology, accessed through fast data or mobile phones is not just something which is nice to have, but is now vital in keeping our essentially rural county at the forefront in terms of both the wider economy, learning and day to day activities.“Good digital connection is vital and this Strategy, developed by Norfolk County Council is a step towards making Norfolk prosperous and inclusive. This Strategy will help tackle Digital exclusion in Norfolk.“Our Innovation Network has gone from nothing to the largest in the UK in less than three years and offers existing businesses, entrepreneurs, the care and educational sectors the opportunity to harness a free to use network, which is growing globally.” The official launch of Norfolk County Council’s digital strategy will take place on 22 September on the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce and Norfolk County Council’s Norfolk Knowledge Hub platform. The Norfolk Knowledge Hub is the place for businesses to find resources on how to implement everything from digital, marketing and brand awareness, through to leadership, finance and environmental strategies.Cllr Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth said: “Norfolk businesses have an invaluable opportunity to use our new Norfolk Knowledge Hub. Curated by the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, this platform offers a wealth of free information and advice with a wide range of support programmes and learning resources in a secure, virtual environment.“It’s a great way to exchange and share knowledge and experiences, new ideas and to create new connections. As we recover from the pandemic, this will complement traditional but currently unavailable physical support.&nbsp;I urge businesses to visit and take advantage of this innovative platform.”Norfolk businesses who are interested in finding out more about how digital connectivity can benefit their business, including trialing LoRaWAN technology for their business can find more information at: <a href="http://www.norfolk.gov.uk/digital" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.norfolk.gov.uk/digital</a>The official launch of Norfolk County Council’s digital strategy and website will take place on Wednesday 22 September, 2021 online on the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce and Norfolk County Council’s Norfolk Knowledge Hub platform at <a href="https://norfolkknowledgehub.co.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://norfolkknowledgehub.co.uk</a>Businesses can also get involved right now on social media @NorfolkChambers #ArtOfThePossible

Norfolk County Council’s digital strategy aims to make Norfolk the best-connected rural county in the UK

By Ashok Suppiah, co-founder and CEO of the Mitra Innovation GroupThe clue is in the name. Low-Code uses visual programming techniques to allow non-coders, or citizen programmers, to create digital applications. Using a graphical user interface (GUI), complex systems can be quickly designed and tested using a simple drag &amp; drop approach. Citizen programmers can solve their digital issues or build new products themselves, vastly increasing the momentum towards digital transformation.&nbsp;Here we look at 5 ways Low-Code can accelerate digital transformation.1. Speed: Replacing Legacy Systems Quickly and Cloud EnablementLegacy systems, for the most part, do their job, and only their job. The bugs have been ironed out over the years and staff are fully trained in their operation. What they don’t do is provide the flexibility to respond to change. Changes can be business based, ie market, customer or product; they can be regulatory or operational or they may be required as new technology becomes available. Legacy systems don’t scale easily, they are costly to run, require specialist management, often they operate with outmoded security and there is no easy way to integrate them with other systems.There are various strategies for dealing with legacy systems. Building new green-field systems from scratch is an option, as is code refactoring, or a code rewrite. This is where Low-Code can speed up the transformation process. Using visual programming techniques, Low-Code reduces development times, in turn reducing the cost of development and ownership. Traditionally painful, long and costly transformation projects can be undertaken more quickly and at a fraction of the cost. Reducing the cost and time to innovate, accelerates digital transformation.2. Evolve: Add New Features and Functions QuicklyOne of the many reasons to replace legacy systems is to evolve new features and functions and with Low-Code visual programming tools, citizen developers are empowered to create the system functionality they require quickly and seamlessly. Low-Code places a much higher emphasis on the user experience, and with pre-built, reusable modules eliminating the need to code from scratch each time, you can not only evolve new functionality quickly, but also test it and deploy it with ease. With built-in scalability, security, monitoring and reporting all contributing to rapid turnaround times, digital transformation and an enhanced user experience become far easier to achieve.3. Integration: Easier Integration with Low-CodeData and systems integration is one of the more complex areas to get right during digital transformation. Think of the out-of-the-box (OOTB) modules used in Low-Code as building blocks that allow non-IT professionals to build applications. These building blocks can be interconnected seamlessly using pre-engineered connectors and accelerators to allow Low-Code modules to be easily and rapidly integrated with existing systems, enhancing functionality and delivering digital transformation with ease. The biggest risk with systems integration is around maintaining data integrity. With Low-Code you stay in control of your data, and with the ability to integrate data from any system quickly, traditional data migration is simply not required.As a strategic partner of Creatio, we often use REST API, OData protocol, SOAP services, OAuth authentication and LDAP protocols to integrate with other applications.4. Cost Savings: Economies of Scale Over TimeLow-Code technology goes far beyond just saving time for development teams. Using Low-Code reduces overall costs by accelerating implementation time and time to market and increasing the ability of the business to respond to market led innovation, bringing innovative products and services to market much faster. Maintenance of Low-Code systems and modules is also vastly reduced. The ability to re-use without re-engineering, using prebuilt workflows, templates and modules, implementation and maintenance is easier and quicker.5. Time Savings: No Re-invention of the WheelMaybe the most revolutionary aspect of Low-Code is the ability to re-use pre-programmed and pre-tested functional modules to build applications without the need for traditional coding skills. Pre-built workflows mean there really is no need to reinvent the wheel. Low-Code lowers the barrier to entry for citizen developers, automating processes, and slashing development time. With highly skilled developers liberated from the more repetitive aspects of coding, they are free to be more creative, reinvigorating the development lifecycle and leading the march towards digital transformation.&nbsp;About the AuthorAshok Suppiah is co-founder and CEO of the&nbsp;<a href="https://mitrai.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(197, 82, 0);">Mitra Innovation Group</a>, a global technology provider specialising in digital transformation, product incubation and integration services.&nbsp;He has been a leading light in the tech industry for over 20 years. A serial entrepreneur, Ashok has started more than 10 technology companies in the USA and UK, notably as a member of Virtusa Corp which sold for US$2Billion in 2021 and as Chief Architect for eDocs which sold to Oracle for US$115Million in 2004. With recent successes in&nbsp;<a href="https://mitrai.com/digital-enablement/conversational-ai/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(197, 82, 0);">Conversational AI</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dynamedics.co.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(197, 82, 0);">Dynamedics</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://lowcodify.co.uk/about-us/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(197, 82, 0);">LowCodify</a>, Ashok sustains his passion for pioneering and disruptive technology, with Mitra providing transformative solutions to clients and partners globally.You can view this original blog and further Eagle Lab content <a href="https://labs.uk.barclays/support/innovation/5-ways-low-code-accelerate-digital-transformation" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>DISCLAIMER:This article was written by an independent third party and the views contained within are not necessarily the views of Barclays. This article is designed to help you with your independent research and business decisions. This page contains link(s) to third party websites and resources that we (Barclays) are not providing or recommending to you. The information contained in this article is correct at the time of publishing. We recommend that you carry out your own independent research before you make any decisions that will impact your business.Barclays (including its employees, Directors and agents) accepts no responsibility and shall have no liability in contract, tort or otherwise to any person in connection with this content or the use of or reliance on any information or data set out in this content unless it expressly agrees otherwise in writing. It does not constitute an offer to sell or buy any security, investment, financial product or service and does not constitute investment, professional, legal or tax advice, or a recommendation with respect to any securities or financial instruments.The information, statements and opinions contained on this page are of a general nature only and do not take into account your individual circumstances including any laws, policies, procedures or practices you, or your employer or businesses may have or be subject to. Although the statements of fact on this page have been obtained from and are based upon sources that Barclays believes to be reliable, Barclays does not guarantee their accuracy or completeness.<h4 class="ql-align-center"> </h4>&nbsp;

Barclays Eagle Labs

5 Ways Low-Code can Accelerate Digital Transformation

Clean-tech&nbsp;entrepreneur&nbsp;Elon Musk is a man who never fails to surprise. But I must admit to being knocked for six when I received a DM from him.&nbsp;I'd&nbsp;dropped him a cheeky&nbsp;Tweet&nbsp;to&nbsp;offer to beta-test Starlink, the new&nbsp;satellite&nbsp;internet&nbsp;technology that SpaceX&nbsp;is&nbsp;developing. Obviously,&nbsp;I thought&nbsp;I'd&nbsp;have more chance of&nbsp;taking a flight to the moon&nbsp;than hearing from him.&nbsp;That's&nbsp;why when Elon got back to me, I was more than a little&nbsp;gobsmacked.&nbsp;Even after&nbsp;Elon had&nbsp;agreed to let me amongst the first 1% of people in Europe to beta-test Starlink, I&nbsp;didn't&nbsp;really&nbsp;believe it. But when, some weeks later, the&nbsp;complete&nbsp;kit&nbsp;– including a £4,500 satellite -&nbsp;was&nbsp;delivered&nbsp;to my front door,&nbsp;it&nbsp;became&nbsp;clear I&nbsp;wasn't&nbsp;dreaming. As a pioneer in electric vehicle technology, Elon has inspired me.&nbsp;It's&nbsp;thanks&nbsp;to&nbsp;trailblazers&nbsp;like&nbsp;him that clean-tech entrepreneurs like me&nbsp;have been&nbsp;able to&nbsp;launch our EV businesses.&nbsp;Now I was about&nbsp;to&nbsp;take part&nbsp;in&nbsp;the development&nbsp;of his latest innovation.&nbsp;<h3>What is Starlink?&nbsp;</h3>For the uninitiated, Starlink is&nbsp;SpaceX's&nbsp;satellite internet constellation, built&nbsp;to&nbsp;provide superfast global internet coverage.&nbsp;The&nbsp;business&nbsp;is aimed at selling&nbsp;high-speed internet access to anyone&nbsp;in the&nbsp;world, particularly those&nbsp;in rural areas&nbsp;where broadband connectivity is limited&nbsp;or non-existent.&nbsp;It works by deploying a&nbsp;network of&nbsp;orbital&nbsp;satellites&nbsp;that&nbsp;are 60&nbsp;times closer to the earth&nbsp;than&nbsp;traditional&nbsp;satellites. In doing this, the company&nbsp;cuts&nbsp;the&nbsp;time it takes to send&nbsp;data&nbsp;from&nbsp;one point to the next. The term they use&nbsp;is&nbsp;'lower&nbsp;latency'&nbsp;internet&nbsp;that offers&nbsp;high speeds&nbsp;and&nbsp;high&nbsp;performance. As the&nbsp;company grows and deploys more satellites, so&nbsp;the service becomes even better.&nbsp;So&nbsp;far, in two 2021&nbsp;launches, SpaceX has sent 120 satellites up.&nbsp;While I cannot claim that I live in&nbsp;a particularly&nbsp;rural area, Norfolk as a county is infamous for internet&nbsp;connectivity challenges. Too many people here&nbsp;don't&nbsp;have reliable internet,&nbsp;and&nbsp;this issue&nbsp;limits potential here in the county. However, Starlink&nbsp;can&nbsp;level the playing field and deliver the kind of internet coverage that Norfolk and other rural areas globally&nbsp;should have access to.&nbsp;I'm&nbsp;so&nbsp;excited about the&nbsp;opportunities&nbsp;it'll&nbsp;provide&nbsp;for innovators and&nbsp;business in the local area, as well as domestic internet&nbsp;users.&nbsp;The expected cost per month is likely&nbsp;to&nbsp;be&nbsp;£89.&nbsp;<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019971c5f4e9a488335c812/1621418954680-VDRVDQGLF772CW241IVS/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kBf-aWZaVcJCYcbxnHOWmFR7gQa3H78H3Y0txjaiv_0fDoOvxcdMmMKkDsyUqMSsMWxHk725yiiHCCLfrh8O1z5QPOohDIaIeljMHgDF5CVlOqpeNLcJ80NK65_fV7S1Ubwf5a1wNVx3J5qkjcuCFsPXoTUlr7zPod-JMnHtGZpieqqZeDpCGRkOGSOpNiLjqg/Screenshot+2021-05-19+at+10.41.49.jpg?format=1500w" alt="Screenshot 2021-05-19 at 10.41.49.jpg"><h3>Getting set up&nbsp;</h3>The kit itself was simple to assemble.&nbsp;I was sent a small satellite which I set up to receive the signal and pass the&nbsp;bandwidth onto&nbsp;a&nbsp;router.&nbsp;First, I had&nbsp;to download the Starlink app, which gave me advice on where&nbsp;best&nbsp;to position my satellite with&nbsp;clear&nbsp;access to the sky. Once mounted on the tripod they sent&nbsp;me,&nbsp;I connected it with the cables to the router. During this beta testing period,&nbsp;I'm&nbsp;told to expect speeds varying&nbsp;from 50Mb/s&nbsp;to 150Mb/s. This speed should increase as more Starlink&nbsp;satellites&nbsp;are&nbsp;deployed.&nbsp;If Elon&nbsp;Musk's&nbsp;current projections are&nbsp;correct, we&nbsp;could be looking at&nbsp;a&nbsp;global&nbsp;rollout&nbsp;for&nbsp;the Starlink system&nbsp;by 2022.&nbsp;It'll&nbsp;be&nbsp;a&nbsp;gamechanger,&nbsp;and&nbsp;it's&nbsp;thrilling to be part of helping them test and&nbsp;develop it further.&nbsp;I'm&nbsp;hoping to&nbsp;make&nbsp;some&nbsp;videos in&nbsp;the&nbsp;next few weeks to show how&nbsp;I'm&nbsp;getting on&nbsp;with my Starlink&nbsp;satellite&nbsp;and my&nbsp;thoughts on the&nbsp;kit.&nbsp;It's&nbsp;going&nbsp;to&nbsp;be&nbsp;fascinating&nbsp;to see how&nbsp;it&nbsp;goes.&nbsp;<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019971c5f4e9a488335c812/1621418991475-DT3ZETI0AJ54Z2HIWSM2/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kAqxxRLgsEBFzLHcX77ByKd7gQa3H78H3Y0txjaiv_0fDoOvxcdMmMKkDsyUqMSsMWxHk725yiiHCCLfrh8O1z5QPOohDIaIeljMHgDF5CVlOqpeNLcJ80NK65_fV7S1UZKvN6PvhH6-OXhHwyPjpjv_TA5F4OwhadxOjMfhxnJuUWavoSdWQZa5gQ_lrvuVFw/Screenshot+2021-05-19+at+10.42.03.jpg?format=1500w" alt="Screenshot 2021-05-19 at 10.42.03.jpg"><h3>Be inspired&nbsp;&nbsp;</h3>I hope&nbsp;you'll&nbsp;be&nbsp;encouraged by&nbsp;this story to&nbsp;reach&nbsp;out&nbsp;to&nbsp;the people who&nbsp;inspire you.&nbsp;I never&nbsp;thought that&nbsp;Elon Musk would read&nbsp;my message,&nbsp;let alone&nbsp;respond&nbsp;and invite me&nbsp;to beta&nbsp;test Starlink,&nbsp;but it&nbsp;happened. If&nbsp;an ordinary person&nbsp;like&nbsp;me&nbsp;can&nbsp;get&nbsp;an&nbsp;opportunity&nbsp;like this,&nbsp;it should inspire&nbsp;you to&nbsp;be bold&nbsp;and&nbsp;speak up&nbsp;when you want&nbsp;to be part of&nbsp;something big.&nbsp;If you&nbsp;are willing to ask for something or put yourself&nbsp;forward, you&nbsp;never know&nbsp;what might&nbsp;happen.&nbsp;Why not take a chance?<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019971c5f4e9a488335c812/1621419027084-QMA9T0FCQ4L0K93Y5I7P/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kEygEaAh8M2twgiKBHjp6_R7gQa3H78H3Y0txjaiv_0fDoOvxcdMmMKkDsyUqMSsMWxHk725yiiHCCLfrh8O1z5QPOohDIaIeljMHgDF5CVlOqpeNLcJ80NK65_fV7S1UapbbvWSXhQX5hqhB4OJ7cmJDNflcJv7fhHcv4UeYcns56IsUfqYeaFCWhavyiPmtQ/Screenshot+2021-05-19+at+10.42.13.jpg?format=1500w" alt="Screenshot 2021-05-19 at 10.42.13.jpg">You can view this article from Leon <a href="Clean-tech entrepreneur Elon Musk is a man who never fails to surprise. But I must admit to being knocked for six when I received a DM from him. I'd dropped him a cheeky Tweet to offer to beta-test Starlink, the new satellite internet technology that SpaceX is developing. Obviously, I thought I'd have more chance of taking a flight to the moon than hearing from him. That's why when Elon got back to me, I was more than a little gobsmacked. unsplash-image-i5f8NIbZuUU.jpg Even after Elon had agreed to let me amongst the first 1% of people in Europe to beta-test Starlink, I didn't really believe it. But when, some weeks later, the complete kit – including a £4,500 satellite - was delivered to my front door, it became clear I wasn't dreaming. As a pioneer in electric vehicle technology, Elon has inspired me. It's thanks to trailblazers like him that clean-tech entrepreneurs like me have been able to launch our EV businesses. Now I was about to take part in the development of his latest innovation. What is Starlink? For the uninitiated, Starlink is SpaceX's satellite internet constellation, built to provide superfast global internet coverage. The business is aimed at selling high-speed internet access to anyone in the world, particularly those in rural areas where broadband connectivity is limited or non-existent. It works by deploying a network of orbital satellites that are 60 times closer to the earth than traditional satellites. In doing this, the company cuts the time it takes to send data from one point to the next. The term they use is 'lower latency' internet that offers high speeds and high performance. As the company grows and deploys more satellites, so the service becomes even better. So far, in two 2021 launches, SpaceX has sent 120 satellites up. While I cannot claim that I live in a particularly rural area, Norfolk as a county is infamous for internet connectivity challenges. Too many people here don't have reliable internet, and this issue limits potential here in the county. However, Starlink can level the playing field and deliver the kind of internet coverage that Norfolk and other rural areas globally should have access to. I'm so excited about the opportunities it'll provide for innovators and business in the local area, as well as domestic internet users. The expected cost per month is likely to be £89. Screenshot 2021-05-19 at 10.41.49.jpg Getting set up The kit itself was simple to assemble. I was sent a small satellite which I set up to receive the signal and pass the bandwidth onto a router. First, I had to download the Starlink app, which gave me advice on where best to position my satellite with clear access to the sky. Once mounted on the tripod they sent me, I connected it with the cables to the router. During this beta testing period, I'm told to expect speeds varying from 50Mb/s to 150Mb/s. This speed should increase as more Starlink satellites are deployed. If Elon Musk's current projections are correct, we could be looking at a global rollout for the Starlink system by 2022. It'll be a gamechanger, and it's thrilling to be part of helping them test and develop it further. I'm hoping to make some videos in the next few weeks to show how I'm getting on with my Starlink satellite and my thoughts on the kit. It's going to be fascinating to see how it goes. Screenshot 2021-05-19 at 10.42.03.jpg Be inspired I hope you'll be encouraged by this story to reach out to the people who inspire you. I never thought that Elon Musk would read my message, let alone respond and invite me to beta test Starlink, but it happened. If an ordinary person like me can get an opportunity like this, it should inspire you to be bold and speak up when you want to be part of something big. If you are willing to ask for something or put yourself forward, you never know what might happen. Why not take a chance? Screenshot 2021-05-19 at 10.42.13.jpg Next" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a><a href="https://www.leondavies.co.uk/contact" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Get in Touch</a><a href="mailto:leon@leondavies.co.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">leon@leondavies.co.uk</a><h3><a href="tel:+4407545780064" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">+44(0)7545780064</a></h3>

Leon Davies, the Sustainability Consultant 

Messaging Musk: How I Got Invited To Beta-Test Starlink

It would be very easy to get in to a panic and high state of fear relating to the risks of cyber-crime to your own business, or your employer, especially if you are in a position of responsibility relating to data, information or security.&nbsp;With the UK governments latest&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/cyber-security-breaches-survey-2021/cyber-security-breaches-survey-2021" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 208, 232);">Cyber Security Breaches Survey</a>&nbsp;reporting that “Four in ten businesses and a quarter of charities report having cyber security breaches or attacks in the last 12 months”, we should not be overlooking that to be forewarned is to be forearmed.Any cyber security strategy, to be as strong as it can be, should involve a combination of technical, people and process elements.Cyber criminals are always looking at ways to overcome technical solutions, which will never be 100% infallible, and they have the time to dedicate towards finding ways to bypass them.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Phishing campaigns are becoming more sophisticated and harder to spot, targeting companies at times they consider peoples guard will be down the most.&nbsp;Add to this that we see more and more that the technology side of an organisation is people dependent, as alerts need to be responded to, updates need to be made and the right questions need to be asked if people are unsure of something.Although not glamorous at first thought, security processes and policies are arguably the bedrock of your cyber security strategy.&nbsp;They outline the organisational standards for the controls you put around the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data, and can also help employees know what to do under certain situations to further minimise risk.&nbsp;This element of your strategy is ultimately about people and how they understand, implement, follow and respond to any security related process or policy requirements.Now above I said “arguably” as we often hear that people are seen as a key problem when it comes to cyber security.&nbsp;We prefer to see people as a potential strength and central to any robust cyber security strategy.&nbsp;So, what is the bedrock?…Educating staff about what to look out for, why they should/shouldn’t do something, and what to do if something does happen is paramount to a company’s defence against cybercrime.Whatever data or sensitive information your organisation handles, the importance of awareness across the organisation cannot be underestimated as this can and will ensure a more vigilant workforce.&nbsp;&nbsp;One simple error can lead to catastrophic effects for any organisation.&nbsp;The sooner a mistake can be identified the better the chance of the company recovering quickly and minimizing the damage.&nbsp;Without awareness and emotional investment from employees, security will be forever seen as that mundane or intimidating topic that people will generally avoid.Having your cyber security strategy clearly defined and accessible will also ensure that you are able to increase customer confidence and compliance with their (and your) supply chain requirements.So what are we really talking about here?&nbsp;- building a culture of security within your organisation, a key element of which is investing in cyber security training for your staff.&nbsp;Depending on where you are on your&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cyberscale.co.uk/articles/cybersecurity-maturity/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 208, 232);">cyber maturity journey</a>&nbsp;cyber security training will often begin as non-technical, tailored to the teams and their needs, and will always be developed to be made understandable and accessibleMistakes made by people can lead to cyber security breaches so placing staff training at the centre will help mitigate this.&nbsp;Greater awareness can lead to overall improvements in defences especially against the most commonly used tactics such as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cyberscale.co.uk/all-about-cybersecurity/what-is-spear-phishing/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 208, 232);">phishing</a>.&nbsp;By personalising your cyber security training, making it mandatory and part of staff onboarding, keeping it updated and on repeat to ensure everyone is kept abreast of the ever-changing landscape, all goes towards keeping the topic alive within the business.&nbsp;As change involves asking people to do something, they need to feel supported in this.We believe that with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cyberscale.co.uk/cyber-security-training-schedule/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 208, 232);">face-to-face training</a>, we can provide context and that human perspective on why security not only matters at a business level, but at a personal level too.&nbsp;&nbsp;People should be at the front and centre of security, they can spot a suspicious email, report if something doesn’t seem normal about their computer, they are the first line of defence and that should never be overlooked.&nbsp;We can also deliver remote sessions providing the same quality and value which are more accessible for people who can’t travel or are not comfortable with in person training.So what now? Don’t sit on what you now know, make sure you talk to the relevant people in your organisation or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cyberscale.co.uk/cyber-security-information/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 208, 232);">reach out to us</a>&nbsp;if that’s you and start building your cyber security strategy.

Cyber Scale

Training is central to a Cyber Security Strategy

There is arguably no more pure form of leadership than coaching a sports team, and business leaders can take many lessons from the world of sports team management.I had a manager at work a few years ago who had rowed for Australia. He had a phrase he often used that has stuck with me: “Don’t say anything unless it makes the boat go faster.” In its literal application, it made sure team members only opened their mouth in competition if it helped correct a fault or offer encouragement. In the five and a half minutes it takes an eight-man team to complete a race, there is no time for negativity or personal agendas. Every second literally counts.Of course, the use of sports phrases in business is nothing new. Whether you have a ‘game plan’, are ‘pitching’ to a client, or have just ‘dropped the ball’, the lingo crops up every day.And more useful than these simple idioms has been the motivational wisdom shared by the great sports coaches over the years. Scan YouTube for motivational speeches and it is a mixture of sports stars and business leaders sharing their advice.&nbsp;<blockquote>“The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary,” – Vince Lombardi&nbsp;</blockquote>Perhaps you’ll just find them as memes on your social media feeds, but maybe you have the odd one printed or framed as an inspirational trigger. Lombardi was the first truly great sports coach to be thought of in this way. The hugely successful Green Bay Packers coach of 1960s American Football revolutionised what it was to coach a sports team. He was capable of gems such as: “Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilisation work.”And…<h3>“Leaders aren’t born, they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work. And that’s the price we’ll have to pay to achieve that goal, or any goal.”</h3>Teamwork and self-discipline were the pillars of his philosophy. He was very much about the greater good of a team; it was almost a form of sports socialism. Without that, he felt that you just have a group of people doing their own thing.The challenge in business, as in sport, is to get them working together smoothly. And that often needs a whole range of skills.Great sports teams are often led by an inspirational character with powerful motivational skills – most often someone who has played the sport themselves and walked in their shoes. They can understand the challenges the team faces, because they faced them in the past.There is invariably plenty of communication happening on the sports field – much of it robust and direct. Shouting, gestures, instructing each other. And an acceptance that it is all in the name of the team’s greater good. There is an implicit trust that it’s not just about the individual’s need to be heard.This trust comes from training and preparation. And unlike the business world in some respects, the majority of what a sports team does is preparation. Almost 90% of time is spent getting ready to do the job of competing. While this isn’t possible for the business world, you do sometimes get a sense that people at work are always busy. Flat out ‘doing stuff’ to justify their existence. Perhaps not enough time is spent thinking and planning.&nbsp;<blockquote>“Leaders aren’t born, they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work. And that’s the price we’ll have to pay to achieve that goal, or any goal,” – Lombardi&nbsp;</blockquote>And of that thinking time, the vast majority will be spent analysing what went wrong, rather than focusing on success and what you’re good at. Sport is always about looking at the positives and becoming even better.Of all the modern sports, Premier League soccer in England is perhaps where sports coaches are most tested.&nbsp;The parallels with commerce are strong – the<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/may/22/premier-league-clubs-record-48bn-revenues-widens-gap-la-liga-bundesliga" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">&nbsp;Premier League is big business</a>. A manager needs to recruit a diverse bunch of individuals with the budget at their disposal, get a strategy in place, manage and motivate large egos and achieve results almost immediately. Change management at an acute level.The average tenure of a football manager in the EPL is just over a year. And the resilience they have to display in the face of incredible scrutiny can be soul destroying. Nearly three years, Bob Bradley took over at Swansea City, having previously managed the American national soccer team. He lasted 11 games in around 85 days and was sacked.&nbsp;Imagine the CEO of Telstra or Optus sacked after less than three months, while simultaneously being booed by a stadium full of customers and their results picked apart right the way across the media as a form of entertainment.<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019971c5f4e9a488335c812/1616669400365-R30GI684C9GWE7Q13EUH/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kFmfxoboNKufWj-55Bgmc-J7gQa3H78H3Y0txjaiv_0fDoOvxcdMmMKkDsyUqMSsMWxHk725yiiHCCLfrh8O1z4YTzHvnKhyp6Da-NYroOW3ZGjoBKy3azqku80C789l0iXS6XmVv7bUJ418E8Yoc1hjuviiiZmrL38w1ymUdqq4JaGeFUxjM-HeS7Oc-SSFcg/unsplash-image-5fNmWej4tAA.jpg?format=1500w" alt="unsplash-image-5fNmWej4tAA.jpg">Accept what you cannot control, and focus on what you can affect is one of the lessons business leaders can learn from sports coaches.To survive 27 years as a Premier League manager then, takes a special individual. Step forward Sir Alex Ferguson.In over 38 years in management, the working-class Scotsman won an astonishing 49 trophies. He helped grow Manchester United into one of the biggest brands in the world. And interestingly often credits the workers at the shipyards in Glasgow where he grew up, as an inspiration for the teamwork he strived for.&nbsp;Obviously his management credentials are respected in the sporting world, but they have also been recognised elsewhere. Professor Anita Elberse of Harvard Business School called him “one of the world’s all-time great leaders”.Ferguson has had a book published called&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Leading-Sir-Alex-Ferguson/dp/1473621178" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Leading</a>, co-written with his friend and long-time collaborator Sir Michael Moritz, a successful venture capitalist. It is about the lessons he learned in football that can be applied to business and everyday life.Ferguson was the manager who showed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theceomagazine.com/business/coverstory/brand-it-like-beckham/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">David Beckham&nbsp;</a>the door when he felt Becks had become bigger than the team. His book focuses on the qualities he identifies for team success: hiring and firing the right personnel, mastering boardroom politics, coming back from failure and adversity, discipline, control. But also perhaps unexpected skills such as data analysis and delegation.&nbsp;And famous for trusting young players such as the Class of ‘92, Ferguson believes youth has a strong part to play in business. “If I were running a company, I would always want to listen to the thoughts of its most talented youngsters, because they are the people most in touch with the realities of today and the prospects for tomorrow.”&nbsp;In researching this piece, a number of threads came to the fore from various sports and coaches; here are nine recurring themes about what business leaders can learn from sports coaches:<ol><li>Teamwork, communication and self-discipline are the cornerstones of team success</li><li>Perfection never happens – so don’t let its pursuit slow you down</li><li>Failure usually comes before success – you win or you learn</li><li>Be obsessed with improving</li><li>Accept what you cannot control, and focus on what you can affect</li><li>Simplify your game plan into manageable components for the individuals</li><li>Visualise success and understand what success looks like</li><li>Encourage diverse personalities – everyone has a different skill and role to play</li><li>And perhaps most importantly of all, especially for micro managers, remember that: Coaches can’t get out on the pitch and play. Set the game plan, communicate, motivate and then let your team go to work</li></ol>The final word goes to John Calipari, an incredible university basketball coach in the US:“Leadership is about serving everyone under you, asking yourself, ‘How do I give you the tools you need to succeed and proceed?’”It’s a great lesson to take into business. But there are plenty of others…Source: <a href="https://www.theceomagazine.com/business/management-leadership/business-leaders-learn-sports-coaches/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">www.theceomagazine.com</a>

Leon Davies, Sustainability Consultant 

9 lessons business leaders can learn from sports coaches

What happens when you fail at something? Do you brush yourself off and start over, or slink away in embarrassment, vowing never to try anything new again? If it’s the latter, you’re missing out on a valuable learning experience that every successful businessperson understands well – failure will teach you so much more then success ever will.<blockquote>You never learn from success, but you do learn from failure</blockquote><blockquote>James Dyson</blockquote>James Dyson is well-placed to talk about failure, since it took him over 5,000 attempts to create his famous Dual Cyclone vacuum cleaner!Other ‘famous failures’ include WD-40 (40 indicates the number of failed formulas that came before the one that worked).Even the humble Post-It note took 12 years of development – and constant rejection – before it became the office essential it is now.Did you know there’s even a&nbsp;<a href="https://museumoffailure.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">Museum of Failure</a>, that exhibits failed products and services from around the world?&nbsp;“Innovation needs failure” is the museum’s motto, and among its big-brand exhibits are Google Glass, what was intended to be an ‘improved taste’ Coke, and fat-free Pringles (a terrible idea if I ever heard one!)<h2>Why Don’t We Talk About Failure More Often?</h2>It’s a good question.&nbsp;We see, hear, and read so much about successful people and their brilliant businesses, that it’s easy to feel like you’re the only one who ever gets things wrong.But many people are so scared of failure, that they don’t get started – so we never get to hear about their eventual success!As someone who has failed many times in the past, my advice is that it’s always better to throw yourself in, and give your ideas a good go.&nbsp;&nbsp;OK, so you may not get a ‘perfect’ result.&nbsp;But while it’s hard to get things 100% right, it’s just as hard to get things 100% wrong.&nbsp;That means there will ALWAYS be something you can take away and learn from… and maybe even get right the next time.And, of course, there are people like me – Business Mentors – whose role it is to help, support and nurture you. This means you can make those failures with the assurance that there will be someone there to catch you when you fall and put you back on your feet again.RELATED POST:&nbsp;<a href="https://littlepiggy.ltd/give-me-10-minutes-and-ill-give-you-the-truth-about-business-mentoring/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">Give Me 10-Minutes and I’ll Give You the Truth About Business Mentoring</a><h2>Why Failure Is the Best Teacher of Success</h2><h3>Failure gives us a reality check</h3>When we fail, we’re reminded that nothing stays the same, and that we can never be in complete control.&nbsp;So, we have to be as open and responsive as we can, adjusting our plans when the unexpected happens (we all have recent experience of this!) and trusting that others – such as those we’ve outsourced work to – will do what they say.<blockquote>Our greatest glory is not in falling, but in rising every time we fall</blockquote><blockquote>Rocky Balboa</blockquote><h3>Failure makes us value what we work for</h3>If we have to work hard for something, we naturally value it more.&nbsp;That means when we try again in business, we know exactly why it’s so important to do things like attracting customers, developing strong relationships, or even getting to grips with&nbsp;<a href="https://anchor.fm/littlepiggy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">podcasting</a>.&nbsp;We understand more about what we’re striving for.<h3>Failure teaches us how to survive and grow</h3>I can clearly remember all my lowest points, in my life and in my business.While they were horrendous at the time, they also helped me realise that nothing was more important than getting myself back on track.&nbsp;To do that, I had to face everything that had gone wrong, so I could learn from it all.I call this realisation ‘finding your imperative’.&nbsp;It’s the ‘thing’ that makes you do whatever you have to do, almost instinctively.And in my experience, nothing is more effective at helping you find your imperative than failure!<h3>We don’t start learning until we have failed</h3>People telling us that “the sky’s the limit”, and “anything’s possible”, and “follow these tips for success” is all well and good.But no advice really takes form until the stuff hits the fan!That’s when we tend to realise the difference between knowing and owning… because unless we ‘own’ whatever we need to do, we probably won’t do it!<h3>Failure brings a world of opportunity</h3>Failure means we’ve been given the chance to take stock, pause, then take a deep breath and start again.Nine times out of ten, if we’ve honestly learned from failure, we’ll come back bigger, better, and bolder than we were before.Failure has taught me to question my assumptions, do different, more successful things, and meet amazing people who have brought so much to my business, and to me personally.<h3>Failure translates into courage</h3>One of my core values is ‘courageous’.Everyone who starts a business has to have courage, because as we know, there are no guarantees of success!&nbsp;I was no different, starting a business aged 40, armed with nothing but enthusiasm and what I hoped was a good idea.Interestingly, failure can even give us a courageous boost at times, since it teaches us how powerful and resilient we can be, both as people and as business owners.<h3>Failure encourages inner strength</h3>Failure teaches a positive mental attitude, as we realise that we can look at things with a ‘glass half empty’ or a ‘glass half full’ approach!&nbsp;(One approach is much more appealing to customers than the other… can you guess which?)It helps to remember things like this when you feel like giving up – and we all have days like that.Remember that it’s a positive step to admit you need help, too, so don’t suffer in silence if that feeling of not wanting to get out of bed persists.<h3>Failure reveals your true support network</h3>Surrounding yourself with positive people is much better for you than spending time with people who are always complaining, or talking about themselves.Think pipes versus drains! People fall into two categories: pipes or drains.Water pipes bring us fresh water and allow us to feel refreshed; there are people like that. On the other hand, drains carry waste and effluent; there are people like that. So, question. Which type of people do you think you should surround yourself with – especially if failure is something you fear.With ‘pipe’ people around you, when you need help, you can feel confident that you’ll receive it… so there’s no need to keep putting a brave face on.<h3>Please Don’t Be Afraid to Fail!</h3>As we’ve seen, the biggest, brightest, and best cite failure as the very thing that propelled them towards the success they enjoy now.So why not join their ranks, by shouting, “come on failure, do your worst!”If you could do with some help turning failure into success, or you want to understand how you can learn from your experiences, why not&nbsp;<a href="https://calendly.com/littlepiggyuk/breakthrough" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">get in touch</a>?&nbsp;As a business mentor who’s seen it, done it, and worn the T-shirt, I can help motivate you to become even better than you think you can be.

Kathy Ennis

Why Failure Will Teach You Much More than Success

If you’re stuck in a job you hate or one you no longer enjoy and dream of the transition from employee to business owner, swapping it for the life of an entrepreneur can seem incredibly tempting.Freedom. Control. Money!&nbsp;﻿Not to mention the word “entrepreneur” itself, which sounds so independent and thrilling.&nbsp;It’s a word that tells others you’re not a corporate drone. You’re a go-getter who had the courage to leave a job or someone who has grasped redundancy by the collar, so you could make your business dreams come true.But as someone who’s experienced life on both sides of the fence, I can tell you this:&nbsp;the grass isn’t always greener!For one thing, becoming an entrepreneur means losing the security that comes with your regular salary, swapping it for all the risk that comes with going it alone.Suddenly, there are no colleagues around to help you out when things get tough.&nbsp;You’re responsible for EVERYTHING, which can feel as though a rug has been swiftly pulled out from under you.&nbsp;That learning curve can feel incredibly steep (and it never seems to straighten out!)Don’t get me wrong.&nbsp;Making the transition from employee to business owner – via a side-hustle – counts among the best, most exciting experiences of my life.&nbsp;But there have been some extremely rough times too, and I’d be lying if I said it was a journey everybody should take.I’ve worked with lots of start-up founders over the years, which means I’ve seen the same mistakes (some of which I made myself) happen over and over again.&nbsp;So, here are six fatal flaws to avoid when transitioning from employee to business owner.<h2>1. Lack of Knowledge and Focus on ‘Business’</h2>You can be amazing at whatever you make or do.But you’ll also need to have some understanding of the mechanics of business, if you’re going to make the transition from employee to business owner and become a successful entrepreneur.That’s because running a business involves so much more than designing a logo, setting up a website, and opening a bank account.&nbsp;It’s a skillset that involves everything from planning and forecasting, to market research, selling, and ensuring you can attract (and keep!) customers.RELATED POST:&nbsp;<a href="https://littlepiggy.ltd/business-skills-time-to-arm-yourself-with-the-skills-for-success" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">Business Skills: Time to Arm Yourself with the Skills for Success</a><h2>2. Not Understanding How Long It Takes to Be Profitable</h2>This might come as a surprise, but business isn’t just about making money, it’s also about spending it.There will be costs associated with things like website design, hosting, and maintenance, marketing, memberships, admin assistance, and so on.&nbsp;And that’s before we move on to things like getting customers, which is not guaranteed. And, I hate to say it but it’s an unhappy fact, some people just won’t pay when they say they will (or at all).Try not to be disheartened if the money doesn’t flow in immediately.&nbsp;Seth Godin once said:<blockquote>It takes about six years of hard work to become an overnight success</blockquote>And I can report that he’s right!<h2>3. A Belief That Start-Up Life is More Fun than Challenging</h2>Oh my goodness, I don’t want to sound like a prophet of doom – honestly. But, remember I said that the grass isn’t always greener?So you think you’re frustrated and challenged at work now, just wait until you’re an entrepreneur!The transition from employee to business owner can be compared to a rollercoaster ride, with the same exhilarating highs, and the same plummeting lows.As for free time, what’s that?&nbsp;In the beginning, you’ll be so consumed with business tasks so things like binge-watching on Netflix and (paid) holidays will feel like dusty relics from the past.Also bear in mind that no-one will pay you for being sick anymore, and you’ll only receive professional development if you can make time (and pay!) for it yourself.But, would I ever go back to the 9 to 5, even with all these challenges (they never go away, just become easier to manage).&nbsp;No I would not!<h2>4. Thinking “It’s All About Me”</h2>It may not seem this way from the articles and stories you read about popular entrepreneurs, but there’s no room for ego in business.Your customers must ALWAYS come first.&nbsp;That means dedicating yourself to providing the very best service or products possible – and that dedication has to override everything else.You have one, very simple job as a business owner. It’s to make your customers love your products and services as much as you do. In order for that to happen they need to know, like and trust you. For that to happen, you need to be there for them.The customer isn’t king (or queen); they aren’t always right. They do need to be nurtured and to feel the love.<h2>5. Being Unprepared for Loneliness</h2>When I started out on my own, I missed the office banter and ‘water cooler’ moments I’d taken for granted in my job.It took me a while to get used to being on my own for a large part of each day (though not completely alone… my cats now know everything there is to know about running a business!)You can combat loneliness by getting out and networking, joining a supportive group to chat with, and finding an experienced mentor to business bounce ideas off.REALTED POST:&nbsp;<a href="https://littlepiggy.ltd/dont-just-sit-there-start-getting-more-business-hint-you-need-a-business-mentor/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">Don’t Just Sit There! Start Getting More Business (Hint, You Need a Business Mentor)</a><h2>6. Your Job vs. Your Life</h2>The important thing to remember about having a job is, if you don’t like it, you can always swap it for another one.&nbsp;You can also take a holiday, a sabbatical, or a break whenever you choose.But when you own a business, your life and your work become intertwined, and that’s not always the picture of sunshine and roses some people try to paint!You could say that being an entrepreneur is like Marmite, in that some people try it and hate it, while others love it so much that they’d never go back to a 9-5.And, you know what? There is nothing wrong with that. If you give business ‘a go’ and find it’s not for you, going back to work is absolutely OK. The most awful thing would be to feel trapped, or worse, a failure if it doesn’t work for you. You are no such thing. Like Marmite, it’s for some, but not for others.<h2>Here’s An Important Question to Help You Transition from Employee to Business Owner</h2>Has this list of flaws put you off becoming a business owner?If it has, the lifestyle might not be for you… and that’s OK!&nbsp;There’s no shame in admitting that you’d rather be employed than self-employed.But if you’re still raring to go for it, it’s time to think hard.&nbsp;Don’t view entrepreneurship as an escape from an unhappy job. It can be that, it is also much more. You will need to make some serious adjustment (as we’ve seen.)&nbsp;Why not start a side-hustle first, to test your ideas and give yourself a taste of start-up life before jumping in?Make use of your corporate connections, and don’t burn your bridges by sticking two fingers up to the boss and walking out!&nbsp;You never know whose help you’ll end up needing along the way… and one day you may even want to go back.In the meantime, get some more advice from someone who’s been there and done that. Book a half-hour, complimentary&nbsp;<a href="https://calendly.com/littlepiggyuk/breakthrough" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">Breakthrough Session</a>&nbsp;with me will help clarify your next – exciting! – steps.

The 6 Fatal Flaws of the Traditional Corporate Escape

Thinking small means staying small. Discover how to harness your business mindset and increase your business success.Have you ever wondered how some business owners leap effortlessly from working out of a small room in their house, to running a large, profit-generating company that employs teams of people?&nbsp;Meanwhile, you’ve been working all the hours under the sun, yet you’re still barely covering the monthly bills.But those big, hotshot business owners aren’t necessarily any more talented than you.They’ve just developed a focused, business mindset for success, that’s all.<h2>Business Success? It’s All in Your Head</h2>Though their businesses are different, there’s one thing all successful business owners have in common.They focus on three key principles, which are:Money:&nbsp;they understand exactly how their business makes money (and how much their business costs), so they can implement the right financial management systems.Marketing:&nbsp;they create compelling and engaging marketing strategies, regularly analysing their results so they lead directly to more sales.Mindset:&nbsp;they develop a resilient mental attitude that allows them to make decisions, solve problems, bounce back from obstacles, and manage their success.Business mindset is the most powerful principle of all, because it underpins everything else you do in business.So, here’s how to start developing a business success mindset that will help pave your way from micro to macro.<h2>Your Business Mindset will Bring You Your Own Version of Success</h2>What does “success” mean to you?It could be endless wealth, with your own private island, celebrity friends, and a collection of vintage cars, or it could be simple security and comfort.Defining your own version of success is important, because it’s only then that you can start planning towards it in a purposeful and measurable way.For example, visualising the wealthy scenario may mean starting work on an ultimate goal of making millions, whereas security may mean earning enough for you to be mortgage-free.<h2>Understand the Power of Your Brand</h2>Many people immediately think “logo” when they think brand.&nbsp;But your logo is only a small outcome of your brand development.Your brand is your unique personality – it’s everything people think, hear, see, and feel about your business.&nbsp;Essentially, you are operating in a crowded marketplace, your brand is&nbsp;the thing&nbsp;separates you from all the other businesses offering similar products and services.&nbsp;<h2>Build Trusted Business Relationships</h2>Connections are not relationships.&nbsp;As an example, look at the number of followers your business has on each social media platform.&nbsp;How many of them do you know personally?Developing deeper, more long-term relationships based on trust will help you succeed in business, because we are all naturally geared to help those people we know and like.Which leads on to…<h2>Give Without Expecting to Get</h2>One of the most important tools in your business mindset kit is to offer your connections something of value&nbsp;first.For example, instead of starting conversations by telling people what you do, ask what they need help with.&nbsp;Listen, share ideas, offer introductions… anything that you can see helps others out.&nbsp;You’ll develop a reputation based on trust and helpfulness, which is something everybody values in business.(Don’t get me wrong, sometimes you won’t receive so much as a response in return, but when you do, the experience can be truly magical!)<h2>Invest in Others’ Expertise</h2><blockquote>Whenever I am asked what is the missing link between a promising businessperson and a successful one, mentoring comes to mind</blockquote><blockquote>Sir Richard Branson</blockquote>Investing in your future business success is essential.&nbsp;As a micro business owner, ask yourself why others should buy from you, if you’re not prepared to invest in support and expertise that elevates you above your competition.No one person knows everything about business (and nor should they) which is why drawing upon others’ professional skills – just as they will draw upon yours – will help you on your way from micro to macro.I may be biased, but mentoring, as Richard Branson mentions, is a great start!&nbsp;Someone who has been there, done that, and got the T-shirt to prove it will help you focus on your personal version of success, helping you develop the right business mindset while sidestepping all those classic business mistakes.&nbsp;You’ll also have the benefit of a brain to pick and an ear to listen when the going gets tough.If you’d like to discuss what the power of mentoring could do for your business, why not book a complimentary, half-hour&nbsp;<a href="https://calendly.com/littlepiggyuk/breakthrough" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: initial; color: rgb(242, 4, 91);">Breakthrough Session</a>&nbsp;now?

Your Business Mindset is Essential for Successful Growth

As a micro business Mentor, I speak to plenty of new business owners who are ultra-confident about their product or service (which is great!) But when I ask how they’re going to get more customers, they look confused.&nbsp;They’ve been working long and hard on perfecting their offer… isn’t that enough?High quality products or services are important, of course.&nbsp;But without enough people who want to buy them, your business won’t be successful.So, here are ten fool-proof strategies to help you get more customers.<h2>1. Don’t Forget Your Existing Customers</h2>When you plan for business growth the temptation can be to concentrate on the search to get more customers. But what about the ones you already have?Don’t get so fixated on attracting new customers, that you leave the ‘old’ ones behind.Especially when someone who has bought from you before is likely to buy again.&nbsp;Not only that, but getting the customers you already have to buy something else costs about seven times less than attracting new customers.Why?Because your current customers already know you and love you!<h2>2. Be Your Own PR Expert</h2>You don’t have to become a character from Absolutely Fabulous to be good at PR.All you’ve got to do is let more people know how amazing you are!To do this, make sure you’re blogging regularly.&nbsp;Each blog post should demonstrate your knowledge, expertise, and personality, so people finish them feeling compelled to get in touch.Meanwhile, journalists are always looking for knowledgeable people to comment for news articles, so why not be one of them?&nbsp;Type #journorequest into Twitter, and see who’s on the search.Don’t forget about your local paper, too.&nbsp;If you’ve got an interesting story to share, why not put a short press release together?&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>3. Use Social Media (But Differently)</h2>That famous old saying, “if you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always got” can be easily applied to social media!Don’t keep pitching the same old messages, and make sure you adapt your tone to suit the platform you’re using.(You shouldn’t use the same style for a tweet as you would a Facebook post, for example.)But for the best customer-attracting results, don’t just write random posts every now and again.&nbsp;Try scheduling specific campaigns (such as a seasonal offer) and plan specific, targeted social media activity that supports them.<h2>4. Get Your Face and Voice Out There!</h2>OK, this might involve stepping out of your comfort zone.But recording a podcast or a video (or a Live video if you’re feeling brave!) will not only demonstrate your expertise, they will also help people get to know you.And if they know you, they’ll feel more comfortable buying from you.The Micro Pod is a podcast specifically for ultra small businesses.&nbsp;<a href="https://anchor.fm/littlepiggy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">Check out the latest episodes here</a><h2>5. Give Something Away</h2>A downloadable lead magnet (think ‘Five Top Tips’ or ‘How To…’) will help attract potential customers to your website, and sign up to your mailing list.If you can’t afford a designer to make your lead magnet look pretty, try experimenting yourself, with free, easy-to-use sites like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.canva.com/en_gb/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">Canva</a>.<h2>6. Host an Event</h2>Shine a spotlight on your expertise, by hosting a customer-attracting event.This could be a webinar, a networking meeting, or even a conference – whatever takes your fancy the most.(Don’t forget to plan a social media campaign to promote your event!)<h2>7. Collaborate with a Talented Partner</h2>Two heads are better than one, so try teaming up with another businessperson, whose skills complement yours.&nbsp;Is there a specific project you could launch together… something that would attract new customers to both of your businesses?Don’t put pressure on yourselves, as this doesn’t have to be a formalised ‘company’.&nbsp;Just find someone you can have fun and share ideas with, and you never know where it might lead!I’ve worked on lots of creative and exciting projects with my main collaborator, the amazing Emma Goode of 24fingers, including our regular co-hosted training events.<h2>8. Let People Know You Care</h2>You don’t have to do all the heavy promotional lifting yourself, you know!Share reviews, testimonials, and longer case studies that show potential new customers just how much your current ones love you.&nbsp;Drill into as much detail as possible about the problems you helped them solve, and how happy they were with the results.<h2>9. Invest in Advertising</h2>As we covered in Strategy 3, it’s not enough to broadcast random messages here and there.You have to get campaigning, and that involves being specific.So, do some research and testing to help you discover what type of ad campaign will work best for your ideal customer group.This could involve social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram, web campaigns like Google Pay-Per-Click, or even old-fashioned leafleting.(Yes, advertising costs money.&nbsp;But once you hit on a method that works, it’ll pay dividends!)<h2>10. Be Planned and Be Consistent</h2>Don’t get me wrong.&nbsp;I’m all for spontaneity… sometimes!But when it comes to business, planning is best, because it helps you focus on what you need to achieve.For example, saying “I want to get more customers” isn’t helpful unless you also understand, a) how many more customers you need, and b) how you’re going to get them.So, create a plan, then follow it.&nbsp;Measure your progress along the way – the great thing about having a plan is that you can check how well it’s going – and make adjustments as needed.If something’s working particularly well, keep doing it… and if something’s not working at all, stop!&nbsp;It really is as simple as that.I hope you’ve found something useful to work on here.&nbsp;Need some extra help?&nbsp;Remember, my own expertise involves helping micro business owners and side-hustlers like you do all of the above!&nbsp;So, why not download one of my powerful toolkits, or contact me for a half-hour, no obligation&nbsp;<a href="https://calendly.com/littlepiggyuk/breakthrough" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">Breakthrough Session</a>?

Get More Customers With These Ten Fool-Proof Strategies

We all want new customers right? Well, here’s our guide on how to rapidly increase your business growth through 9 highly effective, proven steps. This will assist you in generating new leads and successfully converting prospects into paying customers, therefore building momentum behind your business growth. Good luck and let us know how you get on.<h5>Build A Loyalty Ladder To Create “Raving Fans”</h5><img src="https://markwilliams.actioncoach.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/110/2021/02/elevate-RevN53V6tPk-unsplash-300x200.jpg" height="289" width="434">Loyal customers are ideal customers. These are the people who sometimes refer others to your business, which makes them especially valuable because they serve as a free form of advertisement. These are “raving fans” and they are a golden asset, and tremendous source of new customers.&nbsp;<a href="https://markwilliams.actioncoach.co.uk/2021/02/01/7-ways-to-make-your-customers-love-you/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(209, 47, 37); background-color: transparent;">Read our blog on how to make your customers love you.</a>If a business makes a concerted effort to identify their loyal customers and earn their highest praises, they will almost certainly become cheerleaders for your business. This is an investment that pays off many times over, and it costs much less than traditional forms of marketing.For a company to rise to this level of appeal, they must make an intentional, targeted effort to personalise each transaction and aspect of the customer relationship. Your investment in these special services should be calculated based upon the value of the business that raving fans bring to the company. Put another way, customer service is transformed so that it becomes an incentive and rewards programme tailored to individual clients. When other potential raving fans witness this kind of VIP treatment, they will similarly become inspired to tell others about the business in order to enjoy the exclusive benefits of this preferred customer relationship.*Top Tip: Turn your local customers into raving fans! Birthday presents, surprise gifts aligned with times of the year – tell your customers you LOVE working with them on valentines day, celebrate International Women’s Day with your female customers, send Christmas presents….<h5>Create A Referral Programme</h5>Designing a referral programme that rewards customers for bringing others into the customer base follows on from our first point about building ‘raving fans’.Referral rewards can be in the form of discounts, gifts, invitations to special events, or exclusive “closed door” sales events. A closed door sales event can have a particularly strong appeal with customers who desire a feeling of exclusivity.<img src="https://markwilliams.actioncoach.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/110/2021/02/elijah-macleod-9xaLKZvYxnA-unsplash-300x200.jpg" height="227" width="341">A referral programme can borrow ideas and schemes from the raving fan concept, but it will be executed in a simpler and more general fashion. Many customers have friends, co-workers, and family members who require the same products and services, so referrals are a natural method of growing your customer base. By using existing customers as a resource for community outreach, you can easily turn one customer into five to build on your business growth.*Top Tip: Offer your customers a discount code to share with their friends AND use themselves.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomandwild.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(209, 47, 37); background-color: transparent;">Bloom &amp; Wild</a>&nbsp;have done this very effectively in the past where they have offered their customers a £10 voucher for referring a friend (who also gets a £10 discount).<h5>Weed Out Bad Clients And Cater To The Best</h5>Contrary to popular belief, it is sometimes advantageous to lose customers, especially if the business owner deliberately orchestrates the loss.By prioritising the kinds of customers a business prefers to have, it makes it possible to eliminate those who create unnecessary headaches and detract from your overall bottom line. This allows you to better serve other, more valuable customers. Furthermore, it also allows a company to focus on attracting the kinds of desirable customers that contribute to most of their profits.Shedding those who are a liability – the 5-10% of people who can never be satisfied – is actually a net positive in the long run. Identify who the best customers are by applying the “80-20” rule. This principle states that 80% of a company’s business comes from 20% of its customers. Treat those 20% of customers particularly well, and invest extra energy in satisfying their needs while extending service above and beyond the call of duty. They form the core of the business’ customer base, and by appealing to them it is possible to create more customers who are similarly lucrative.As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together. The needs of the best customers will always be the same as the needs of the best potential customers the organisation is trying to attract. Learn to cater to those needs and those kinds of clients, and you’ll watch your bottom line swell in size.*Top tip: It can be hard to get your head around eliminating customers when they are paying you. Keep in mind the extra time these customers take up which you could be putting to good use in creating an even better service to your higher value customers.<h5>Create Strategic Alliances</h5><img src="https://markwilliams.actioncoach.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/110/2021/02/priscilla-du-preez-NjirplnVra8-unsplash-200x300.jpg" height="392" width="261">By partnering with other businesses with which there is a common customer demographic but no actual direct competition, a company can expand its customer base and rapidly grow quickly and easily. Customers who trust other businesses and have proven their loyalty to them will be inclined to follow their recommendations or perceived endorsements of an alliance partner.Locate businesses that share the same philosophy, style, and corporate culture as your own. By creating good alliances, it is possible to come up with all sorts of creative campaigns to increase both business’ customer bases. Alliances are a form of networking that share the common goal of growing each other’s customer base, because two heads are often better than one.*Top tip: Start with referrals to each other, promote each other to your database and ask your alliance to ghost write the copy for your email to save you time and ensure they are happy. Offer to do the same for your copy too. Share each other’s businesses on social media and perhaps even write a blog for each other. All easy steps you could take in the early days of your partnership.<h5>Train And Support Your Staff</h5>Employees feel valued when business owners invest in them to help them further their futures and enhance their careers and skills. As a result, they develop a sense of ownership and responsibility that can boost a business’s customer base dramatically.&nbsp;<a href="https://markwilliams.actioncoach.co.uk/2021/02/09/6-ways-to-make-great-people-love-working-for-you/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(209, 47, 37); background-color: transparent;">Read our blog on 6 ways to make great people love working for you here!</a>Employees come in contact with people every day, both inside the place of business and elsewhere. Anybody who walks through your doors is a potential customer, but it takes a certain level of professional skill to convert them into a raving fan. Alternatively, an employee might attend a church or school, where there are dozens of potential customers. By helping that employee learn the skills needed to promote your business to those people, it is possible to capture the people that have not heard of you previously.Employees often profit from attending sales or marketing workshops, for instance. Representatives for major wineries often travel to Europe to learn more about wines, at the company’s expense. Hair salons send stylists to conventions to learn new tricks of the trade. Construction companies send carpenters and electricians to night school to get advanced certifications. These investments all pay off when those employees return and land lucrative new accounts, do a better job, or are able to charge customers a higher rate for more specialised service.*Top tip: Invest in those who are already within the business, and it will pay off by bringing in new customers from outside the business, which will in turn aid your business growth.<h5>Improve Your Conversion Rate From Leads To Customers</h5>Keeping tabs on leads or sending contacts costly mailings can be a drain, not an asset. As leads and contacts are made, they need to be converted as soon as possible into customers. Otherwise, they can simply become a nuisance and a labour-intensive list of names.Once someone becomes a “lukewarm lead”, it is important to warm them up so that they become a hot prospect and then a loyal customer. When someone walks into a party and doesn’t know anyone, they are inclined to turn around and leave. But a good host or hostess knows how to spot them, introduce them, show them around, and help them enjoy themselves. The same holds true for businesses that are converting strangers into loyal customers. Conversion requires getting to know the person, understanding their wants and needs, and then fulfilling those needs in a way that is mutually beneficial for both parties involved.*Top Tip: Be helpful! Offering free advice and support is always a great way to warm up prospects and show the value you can add. Show them you care and don’t force a sales pitch. Sales isn’t about pushing your product or service to people who don’t want or need it. It’s about finding people who need what you do, and finding how you can help solve their problems!<h5>Convert A Single Customer Into A Multiple Customer</h5>One of the easiest ways to rapidly grow your business and increase your number of customers is to concentrate on those already in your database (we’ve spoken about this enough times in this article). This kind of conversion is often just as lucrative – but far less expensive – than trying to drum up business from cold-calling complete strangers.For example, by up-selling or cross-selling different goods and services, profits can very easily be increased with little effort. Sell a customer a premium version of the standard item they are already buying, and it turns a mediocre customer into a top-tier one. Introduce them to other products in the lineup, or convince them to purchase other services, and it is just as good as landing a new customer.*Top Tip: Get you know your customer’s needs. This will help in your up-sell as you don’t want to try and sell them something they have no use for.<h5>Follow Up</h5><img src="https://markwilliams.actioncoach.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/110/2021/02/austin-distel-2vCqH34PqWs-unsplash-300x200.jpg" height="242" width="363">Once a business manages to recruit customers, it is important to maintain consistency through on-going marketing campaigns that strengthen the relationship, expand upon it, and further respond to the wants and needs of those customers. The investments required to find, identify, and attract new customers are much greater than the energy and effort required to retain an existing customer who will reward the business with loyalty, referrals, and greater profits over multiple transactions.Neglecting to follow through and preserve “top-of-the-mind awareness” is a common mistake made by business owners, and it can prove to be costly. Even the largest and most recognised brands in the world continue to run successful advertising campaigns designed to keep existing customers and add new ones to their database.*Top tip: Email marketing is a great way to follow up with your customers. Providing&nbsp;regular helpful content in their inbox regularly will remind them of you when they are ready to buy again.<h5>Test And Measure</h5>At the final stage of the game, testing and measuring takes on a hugely significant role. Just as tests and measurements helped to identify successful marketing tactics, they also help to provide a quantifiable snapshot of results. Here are 5 main areas of the business which should be explored and monitored:<ol><li>The number of leads generated.</li><li>The conversion rate that shows what percentage of leads converted into actual buying customers.</li><li>The number of transactions completed by each of those new customers.</li><li>The average cost of each sales transaction.</li><li>The profit margins generated.</li></ol><img src="https://markwilliams.actioncoach.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/110/2021/02/isaac-smith-6EnTPvPPL6I-unsplash-300x200.jpg" height="249" width="374">It is also really valuable to ask leads how and where they were contacted. This data is needed in order to identify and weed-out ineffective lead-generating strategies.Once you have worked out what seems to be working make sure you focus on those winning initiatives. Recognising this success is vital so you can replicate this process again and again.It’s also worth remembering that campaigns work in different periods of time. What didn’t work this year might work next year or during another cycle of the market or sales season.*Top tip: Make sure you hold on to ideas that, while they may not have generated a huge amount of customers, did show some promising results by attracting useful leads. Those “runner up” strategies might produce paying customers at a slower rate too, so don’t write them off prematurely.I hope this has given you lots of ideas on how to grow your business quickly and effectively. While it is tempting to grow your business through generating new leads, much of the secret to rapid business growth lies within your already established customer base. Spend time nurturing and looking after your valuable customers and you will see your numbers grow, grow, grow!<img src="https://markwilliams.actioncoach.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/110/2020/11/Mark-Williams-28-4-20-1024x1024-1-300x300.png" height="146" width="146">To find out more about how I may be able to help your Norfolk business&nbsp;thrive then please don’t hesitate to get in touch on 01603 559590 or email markwilliams@actioncoach.com – you can also get in touch through my contact form&nbsp;<a href="https://markwilliams.actioncoach.co.uk/contact-us/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(209, 47, 37); background-color: transparent;">here</a>. If you’d like to know a little more about my experience, expertise and accolades&nbsp;then click&nbsp;<a href="https://markwilliams.actioncoach.co.uk/about-mark-williams-a-norfolk-business-coach/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(209, 47, 37); background-color: transparent;">here.</a>

Mark Williams Action Coach 

9 strategies for rapid business growth

“What do you do?” might seem like a simple question, but it can strike fear into the heart of the most experienced businessperson. So, I know how difficult it can be explaining your start-up business idea.If you’re setting up an accountancy business, for example, how do you explain that you’re different from all the other accountants out there?Added to the fact that you probably don’t want to sound cheesy or too salesy, you don’t want to talk for so long that people get bored, and you don’t want anyone to think you’re just rehearsing an impersonal pitch.When you think about it like that it gets easier to see why the “What do you do?” question can feel like so scary.But before you give up in despair, here’s some good news.&nbsp;It is possible to explain what your business does, in ways that are simple, fresh, and compelling.Here are three ways I use to help my clients talk about their start-up business idea. There should be something here to help you get to grips with this too.<h2>1. It’s Not All About You!</h2>The usual question is, “What do you do?”&nbsp;That wording naturally puts the emphasis on&nbsp;you, which is why so many of us will automatically mumble something like, “I’m a life coach/yoga instructor/beauty therapist” (delete as applicable) in response.But if you reframe the question into “What problems do you solve?” it becomes much easier to think of a heartfelt, original reply.For example, if you’re an accountant, you could say “I help you pay less tax.”&nbsp;A yoga instructor could reply, “I help you become more bendy!”The key is to think about the question from the perspective of your customer, rather than yourself.&nbsp;It’s all about outcomes for them; definitely not the inputs from you.So, try crafting a snappy, one-sentence explanation that tells people how you’ll solve their problem.&nbsp;This will not only help to avoid your business being stereotyped, it’s also likely to start a much more interesting conversation!Struggling for problem-solving ideas?&nbsp;My book,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Five-HALF-Steps-Brilliant-Brand-ebook/dp/B07H8DM7VV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">Five (and a Half) Steps to a Brilliant Brand</a>, will help you create a unique Problem-Solving Statement for your business<h2>2. A Strapline Saves Time</h2>A strapline is a short, easy-to-remember phrase that helps people instantly recognise your business.If you’re a start-up attempting to summarise your business idea the ‘strapline’ is a great place to start.Here are a few, well known, examples:<ul><li>Innocent – Little Tasty Drinks</li><li>HSBC – The World’s Local Bank</li><li>Carlsberg – Probably the Best Lager in the World</li><li>Co-Operative – Good with Food</li><li>Ronseal – It Does What It Says on the Tin</li><li>Apple – Think Differently</li><li>Nike – Just Do It</li></ul>Your strapline should encapsulate your brand’s values and personality. Also, it shouldn’t contain any jargon or complicated phrases.&nbsp;And … only use humour if you&nbsp;KNOW&nbsp;your audience will find it funny.A good start is to select the very best aspect of your product or service, then think about your ideal customer mood.&nbsp;For example, my own strapline, ‘Taking Your Business from Passion to Profit’ explains what I do, in a way that (I hope) generates interest and excitement!<h2>3. The ‘Elevator Pitch’</h2>An ‘elevator pitch’ is a clear introduction to who you are and what you offer. The idea is that it should be short enough for you to say to someone during a brief ride in a lift (elevator).Your elevator pitch should be no more than 60 seconds long, and it should encourage people to ask questions… so please don’t attempt to cram everything into it (which is a relief, when you’ve only got a minute!)I’m not a fan of the ‘pure’ version of the elevator pitch, to be honest.&nbsp;What I mean by this is the ‘learned-by-rote’ speech that is delivered in every situation – regardless of the audience. You need to have enough flexibility in what you want to say, and enough confidence in your product or service, to make it appropriate to a variety of situations.Keep in mind, the purpose of your elevator pitch is to build interest and excite your audience. If they hear the same thing over and over again or, the content is not relevant to the situation you find yourself in, it can do more harm than good.You don’t want to be remembered for the wrong reasons!Use your explanation to outline the customer benefits of what you do, and include a call to action at the end.You could encourage people to follow you on social media, visit your website, download a resource or maybe you could suggest a one-to-one coffee catch-up, instead?&nbsp;It’s well worth spending extra time and effort on describing your business well, and don’t worry if it takes a few tries and tweaks to get it right!&nbsp;<h2>Next Steps</h2>If you’d like to talk through some ideas or road-test your elevator pitch, I’m always happy to listen.&nbsp;All you have to do is schedule a half-hour, complimentary&nbsp;<a href="https://calendly.com/littlepiggyuk/breakthrough" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">Breakthrough Sessi</a>

Kathy Ennis, LittePiggy

Three Simple Ways to Explain Your Start-Up Business Idea

Manufacturing and Engineering firms in Norfolk &amp; Suffolk are being encouraged to see and manage their talent differently.New Anglia Advanced Manufacturing &amp; Engineering (NAAME) has recognised the challenges facing regional employers in managing staffing during the peaks and troughs of workflow. With the support of key manufacturing and engineering organisations in the region, NAAME have created a solution with the launch of a new Talent Sharing Platform for Norfolk &amp; Suffolk.As an industry, advanced engineering and manufacturing needs to attract and crucially, retain qualified &amp; experienced talent. With the world changing as rapidly as it is, our industry needs to consider new ways of managing talent and skills, to meet the evolving needs &amp; demands of our businesses, our industry and our employees. The new Talent Sharing Platform from NAAME offers a much simpler way for businesses to both supply and/or receive highly skilled talent through a flexible networked scheme, working with other, similarly skilled businesses in the region. This could be via:<ul><li>Secondment</li><li>Planned/on-going</li><li>Redeployment</li></ul>The Talent Sharing Platform is a secure and confidential way of providing details on the skills and talent available in your organisation to other sector businesses who may need them when you do not. This is about thinking about things differently, and opening opportunities for sharing, retaining and collaboration. In this event, you will hear from industry business leaders as well as from experts in HR and legal to help understand the technical and practical issues this process may bring and how to overcome them.To learn more and book your space at the online discovery event, click here or email <a href="mailto:james.williamson@newanglia.co.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">james.williamson@newanglia.co.uk</a>

NAAME See Talent Differently with Launch of New Talent Sharing Platform

Profitable Adventure

The Ultimate Guide to Starting a Small Business from Scratch

Sticking my flag firmly in the sand (and to shouts of “NO!” from some quarters), I am going to say&nbsp;freelancing is a business&nbsp;– and I’m going to tell you why.Answer me this question:<h2>What’s the Difference Between a Business Owner and a Freelancer?</h2>(No, that isn’t the beginning of a joke!)The answer is simple.Nothing.I’ve read so many articles about the supposed differences between freelancers, business owners and the self-employed. There has been so much coverage that readers could be forgiven for&nbsp;assuming they are all completely different to each-other.But if you ask me, all those articles seem a bit unnecessary.The only good they do is to stir up confusion amongst people who decide to take the plunge into self-employment.For example, I recently read a piece about the difference between having a business and being a freelancer that was written by a business coach.The business coach wrote “I am a self-employed business owner, but I outsource tasks to freelancers” –&nbsp;almost as though freelancers are a sub-species!Clearly, this person felt they could describe their coaching services as a business, because they outsource to freelancers, who – in their opinion – do not own businesses.But, tell me,&nbsp;what is the difference between a self-employed business coach and, say, the highly qualified freelance graphic designer&nbsp;they’ve just outsourced their logo design to?<h2>What Do the Experts Say to the Question ‘Is Freelancing a Business?’</h2>Who better to ask&nbsp;if freelancing is a business than the organisation responsible for the taxation of businesses in the UK?Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.According to HMRC, both the business coach and the graphic designer own a business.In fact, that coach’s peculiar quote made me think of the ‘sniffy’ differences that are often drawn between academic and technical education.(Or if you prefer a funnier example, the famous&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00hhrwl" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">Class</a>&nbsp;comedy sketch, featuring John Cleese and the Two Ronnies!)As a Business Mentor, new clients often ask me if they should refer to themselves as a freelancer or a business owner.My answer is always the same;&nbsp;freelancing&nbsp;is&nbsp;a business, so a freelancer is a business owner.Want some proof?&nbsp;Here’s a simple ten-point business checklist.&nbsp;All ten criteria apply whether you use the term freelance, solopreneur, consultant, coach, self-employed, side hustle, business owner …..<h2>1. You Need to Know and Understand Your ‘Why’</h2>Lots of questions start with “why” when you work for yourself.The biggest are why: me; now; this business?You also have to be able to answer why have you chosen to do things in this particular way.Working for yourself can also feel isolating, so understanding why this business is so important to you will help to make it all worthwhile – particularly on ‘down’ days (which we all have from time to time!)<h2>2. Your Business Planning is Crucial</h2>For any successful business – regardless of size –&nbsp;the link between passion and profit is planning.That means setting and reviewing clear, achievable objectives and targets that help you understand how your business is performing, and where you’d like it to be in the future.<h2>3. You Have to Measure Your Results</h2>In other words, you can’t just work hard and hope for the best.There’s a famous saying that goes, “you can’t manage what you don’t measure”, and it’s a famous saying because it’s true.If you don’t track and measure your business results, you won’t know how well or badly things are going.&nbsp;This means making future decisions will be much harder.For example, if you know a particular product or service isn’t selling well, you could decide to make some changes, or ditch it altogether to focus on your top sellers.<h2>4. You Have to Submit Annual Accounts</h2>As I mentioned previously,&nbsp;HMRC makes no distinction&nbsp;between a freelancer and a business owner.A freelancer can work as a sole trader, a limited company, or a business partnership, and they are expected to submit their annual accounts – and pay tax – accordingly.If you don’t, there will be penalties…regardless of how you choose to describe yourself!<h2>5. You Have to Make a Profit</h2>Making a profit doesn’t just prove that you have a successful business,&nbsp;it means you’ll get paid for your hard work!Profit will also allow you to grow your business into something bigger (if you want to) and afford to outsource some of those tasks that you either don’t like doing or those that need a level of expertise.This brings us on to…<h2>6. You Don’t Earn? You Don’t Eat!</h2>You are self-employed, which means&nbsp;you’re responsible for paying your own salary.And, like every business owner, you don’t qualify for sick or holiday pay – unless you’ve decided to put some money aside, or taken out insurance – to cover them yourself.<h2>7. You Have Customers</h2>Whether you call them&nbsp;customers, clients, or contracts&nbsp;– without them, you don’t earn money. With them, you have a business.The other clear sign that customers is a good indication of whether you are a business or not is that you also have to:<ul><li>Constantly find new customers</li><li>Nurture them</li><li>Do your job well for them</li><li>Make sure they pay you</li></ul><h2>8. You’re Responsible for Your Own Marketing</h2>Finding the right customers means&nbsp;marketing yourself, and the products or services you offer.This involves activities that allow people to find and get to know you. This can include setting up a website and social media pages, attending network events, building an email list…. And the list goes on.<h2>9. You Have to Accept Taking and Managing Risk – It’s a Given</h2>Running a business means every action comes with certain amount of risk.I have seen too many business owners suffering from the paralysis of perfectionism&nbsp;– that great catch-all excuse for not ‘doing’ because it can’t be done until it’s perfect.Nothing is in life certain. Even crossing a road comes with a certain amount of risk. It just happens that, in business, we have to make so many decisions – daily – it seems like every step we take has risks attached.However, if you take a leaf out of the book of some famous, ‘risk-taking’ entrepreneurs – they all have a secret. They aren’t risk takers at all. They constantly measure, analyse and evaluate so that they can&nbsp;manage the potential risk&nbsp;involved in every move they make.They keep up with things like trends, market changes, and competitor activity, so what seems like flying by the seat of their pants is actually a carefully calculated decision.<h2>10. You’ve Got to Take Charge of Your Own Personal and Professional Development</h2>When you work for yourself, there’s no swanky learning and development department, ready and waiting to book you onto an all-expenses-paid course!On the flip side, neither will you have to sit in a draughty training room, learning skills you know you’re never going to use.However,&nbsp;to stay competitive, every business owner has to continuously update their skills and knowledge, perhaps by taking on bigger and more in-depth projects, or by doing some focused training in different areas – the good news is, you get to decide!<h2>Use Any Adjective You Want to Describe Yourself – You’re Still a Business</h2>However you choose to describe yourself, if you’d like some help setting up or growing your business,&nbsp;<a href="https://littlepiggy.ltd/business-coach-and-mentor/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">this is how I help</a>.You can also arrange a complimentary, half-hour&nbsp;<a href="https://calendly.com/littlepiggyuk/breakthrough" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">Breakthrough Session</a>&nbsp;to talk through your ideas, challenges or concerns in more detail!You can view this original article <a href="https://littlepiggy.ltd/freelancing-is-a-business-here-are-10-reasons-why/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>

Kathy Ennis, LittlePiggy

Freelancing Is A Business: Here Are 10 Reasons Why

If you have ever said “I’d love to start a business, but I can’t because I’m working full-time” ask yourself,&nbsp;are you using your job as an excuse not to go for it?&nbsp;As a Business Mentor, who has a specialism in helping people transition from employee to entrepreneur, I can tell you:<ul><li>You’re not alone in wanting to make the transition</li><li>You can start the business you want while you are working full-time</li></ul><h2>Start a Business When Working Full-Time? The Statistics Speak for Themselves</h2>Most employees in the UK have thought about starting a business at some point or another (me included!).&nbsp;A recent survey claims that&nbsp;<a href="https://smeloans.co.uk/blog/64-percent-of-britains-workforce-want-to-start-a-business/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: initial; color: rgb(242, 4, 91);">64% of the UK workforce</a>&nbsp;is itching to strike out on their own.If you add to that research by the&nbsp;<a href="https://assets.henley.ac.uk/defaultUploads/PDFs/news/Journalists-Regatta-Henley_Business_School_whitepaper_DIGITAL.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: initial; color: rgb(242, 4, 91);">Henley Business School&nbsp;</a>, it shows that&nbsp;25% of all adults in the UK are side hustlers.<h2>Side Hustling is the New Normal</h2>The idea of self-employment is scary.&nbsp;OK, so you’re following your passion, but&nbsp;what happens if things don’t work out?Happily, there’s no need to say goodbye to full-time employment just yet!&nbsp;Striking out on your own doesn’t have to mean turning your back on the (relative) security of a full-time job. There are ways to test out that brilliant business idea and grow your entrepreneurial skills, all whilst keeping up with the 9-5.It’s called a side hustle.&nbsp;It’s starting a business while you’re working full-time.And here’s how you can do it….<h2>Manage Your Expectations</h2>If you start a business when you’re working full-time don’t expect it to be a breeze.&nbsp;First, if you think you haven’t got a lot of free time as an employee,&nbsp;think about how much less time you will have an an employee and an entrepreneur.&nbsp;By accepting the fact that it WILL be challenging and time-consuming from the start, you’ll be better prepared for the highs and lows to come.&nbsp;Second, if you’re counting on your side hustle bringing in shed loads of money from day one – enough to allow you to wave goodbye to your full-time job within weeks or months – please be aware that it probably won’t.<h2>Use the Time to Plan, Make Mistakes then Plan Again</h2>Starting a business you’re working full-time takes careful and detailed planning.Planning your time will be paramount. You will have far less time than a full-time entrepreneur to do all the things that will need to happen to turn your idea into a business – and then deliver those products or services to your customers.You will also need to plan your spending. Starting a business can be done without masses of expenditure, but it can’t be done for free. So you will need to plan carefully how much money are you going to spend on start-up costs, like website design and marketing?&nbsp;What about planning for the type of customers you want to buy your products or services? Who are your customers going to be, and why will they buy from you?&nbsp;How are you going to deliver your products or services to them?You don’t have to write a lengthy or complicated business plan, but you do need to answer important questions like these.&nbsp;They will help you gain a full understanding about how your business will work, and how you could eventually transition from employee to entrepreneur.Once you’ve written a detailed plan, you’ll then need to schedule key tasks, and track your progress regularly.&nbsp;Want some help with simple plan for your business?<a href="https://littlepiggyassociates.activehosted.com/app/forms/39" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 143, 255);"><img src="https://littlepiggy.ltd/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/The-One-Page-Business-Plan-Layout-Image.png" alt="The One Page Business Plan | Home Page | Kathy Ennis | LittlePiggy" height="315" width="560"></a><h4>The One Page Business Plan: From Surviving to Thriving in 12 Easy Steps</h4>Not every business owner needs a business plan. But every business owner does need a plan for their business. This is the only one you will ever need.<a href="https://littlepiggyassociates.activehosted.com/app/forms/39" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: rgb(235, 170, 170); color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">YES PLEASE, SEND ME A COPY</a><h2>Apply the KISS Principle</h2>What’s involved in a big, shiny, ambitious business launch?Lots of:<ul><li>Time</li><li>Effort</li><li>Money</li><li>People</li></ul>If you’re starting a business while you are working full time, you are doing two things: creating something that will enable you to move into running your own business full time&nbsp;AND&nbsp;taking the time to test your ideas without as much risk. So, it’s absolutely fine to start with something very simple and work your way up to something bigger, better and bolder over time.It’s fine to dream, but when you’re launching a business while working a day job, you probably shouldn’t go too big.At least, not for now…..<h2>Do What You Do Best and Outsource the Rest</h2>You don’t have to do everything yourself.&nbsp;In fact, for the sake of time, sanity’s and a successful business I absolutely recommend that you don’t.There is no rule that says that as a one-person, solopreneur, side hustle business that you have to be expert in everything about business. It’s also a really bad idea to try to be that idea of the ‘perfect’ business owner who knows, understands and can do everything themselves.That person does not exist and if anyone tells you they do – and that you can do it all on your own – well, to be blunt, they’re a liar.The best way to get your business quickly off the ground is to invest in other people’s time and professional expertise, whether you hire a social media expert to work on your posts or use an accountant to plan your finances.Not only will this allow you to focus properly on your business (rather than in it), but using experts means tasks will be completed to a high standard… definitely higher than you (as an enthusiastic amateur) would have achieved yourself!<h2>So, When Is the Right Time to Leave Your Full-Time Job?</h2>If things start going to plan with your new business, it’ll be easy to let your current career slide.You may have a healthy customer list, you could have found an investor, maybe you’ve got the equipment and you have developed a fantastic set of new skills that will make your venture a success…&nbsp;you’re doing so well that you’re convinced you’ll be the next Forbes success story!I’m not saying you’re wrong.&nbsp;But before you take that last step off the side of the cliff and tell the boss goodbye forever:<ul><li>Take some self-reflection time so you can be sure that, as far as possible, self-employment is the right long-term move for you</li><li>Triple-check that you can afford to leave work</li><li>Do your best to hold out for any redundancy or ‘goodbye’ money that might be up for grabs</li></ul><h2>Ready to Take the Plunge and Start Your Business When You are Working Full-Time?</h2>I can help you&nbsp;<a href="https://littlepiggy.ltd/start-your-business/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: initial; color: rgb(242, 4, 91);">start your brand-new business</a>, providing an experienced brain to pick and an ear to listen along the way!&nbsp;If you fancy a chat about how I can help you, the way I have helped hundreds of others just like you, book yourself a complimentary&nbsp;<a href="https://calendly.com/littlepiggyuk/breakthrough" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: initial; color: rgb(242, 4, 91);">Breakthrough Session</a>.Or, why not download my Prepare to Be Your Own Boss toolkit?<a href="https://littlepiggyassociates.activehosted.com/f/59" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 143, 255);"><img src="https://littlepiggy.ltd/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Prepare-to-Be-Your-Own-Boss-Hero-Image-1024x698.png" alt="Prepare to Be Your Own Boss | Kathy Ennis | LittlePiggy" height="698" width="1024"></a><h4>Prepare to Be Your Own Boss: How to Start a Business the RIGHT Way</h4>Starting your own business is ridiculously simple – but starting is only the beginning. Starting is easy. Making it work? Now that’s a whole different story. You can view this original article here

How to Start a Business (When You’re Working Full-Time!)

If you’re a Solopreneur, then the chances are you enjoy all the thrills and spills that come from going it alone in business. (The clue’s in the name… ‘solo’-preneur!) But there comes a time when you want more … time, money, clients, recognition. What do you do then? How do you scale a Solopreneur business – when your business is just you?!<blockquote>Solopreneur</blockquote><blockquote>/ˌsəʊləʊprəˈnəː/</blockquote><blockquote>noun</blockquote><blockquote>a person who sets up and runs a business on their own</blockquote>As a Business Mentor who is a Solopreneur, and someone who’s been there, done that, and wears the T-shirt to prove it, I understand how exciting it feels when you take charge of your business destiny.But I also know how it feels when you hit a plateau.So, let’s go back in time for a moment.&nbsp;You bravely turned your back on the 9-5 and launched your business in a blaze of glory.&nbsp;Armed with a brilliant idea and a bucketload of passion, you weren’t sure if you’d be a success or a failure… but you were determined to give it a good go!Now, after a LOT of hard work, late nights, and missed catch ups with friends, you’re the successful Solopreneur you always dreamed about being.As such, everything is ticking along just fine – but that’s not good enough anymore!It’s time to take your business to the next level.&nbsp;But if you’re anything like I was at this point, you’ll have identified three issues.One:&nbsp;you’re not exactly rolling in cashTwo:&nbsp;you don’t want to give up that precious freedom you’ve worked so hard forThree:&nbsp;you never want to hire and manage staffHere’s why scaling your Solopreneur business for growth doesn’t have to mean investing piles of money you haven’t got… or building a world-dominating empire that means recruiting vast teams of people.So, want to know how you can grow and scale your Solopreneur business? Here are eight proven ways that keep you solo and firmly in the driver’s seat.<h2>1. Outsource</h2>You know those jobs you hate, but you keep on doing because it’s YOUR business?Things like writing and scheduling endless blog and social media posts, managing your business accounts, and making sure your website is up to date.Outsourcing to professionals who love the jobs you hate will give you time to work on a plan that focuses on growing your business, rather than dealing with distracting day-to-day tasks.(Let’s be honest, it’s also likely those pesky jobs will be completed to a higher standard than if you’d completed them yourself!)<h2>2. Invest in a CRM</h2>Growing and scaling a business effectively means getting organised.Investing in a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system will help you manage your customer data in a way those paper lists and Excel spreadsheets just aren’t capable of.With a&nbsp;CRM you will be able to store messes of data such as, user behaviour, how long a customer has been with your&nbsp;business, purchase records, and notes on sales interactions, which you&nbsp;can&nbsp;use to optimize your sales and marketing processes and improve customer service across your organization.<ul><li>customer behaviour</li><li>how long a customer has been with you</li><li>how often a customer contacts you, engages with you or buys from you</li><li>purchase records</li><li>notes on sales and interactions</li></ul>With all this information you will be able to make informed decisions which means you which you&nbsp;will be able to optimise, automate and streamline your sales and marketing processes. This will help to improve your customer service and increase your sales.Both essential if you are looking to grow and scale your Solopreneur business.There are lots of CRM options available. Two of my favourites are the freebie from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hubspot.com/products/crm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">Hubspot’s</a>&nbsp;and the really cost-effective one from&nbsp;<a href="https://capsulecrm.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">Capsule</a>.Make sure you do some research into the best CRM for your business.<h2>3. Productise Your Business</h2>Don’t worry if you don’t know what ‘productise’ means!It’s a word I made up to describe how you can make tangible ‘products’ to sell when your business usually involves exchanging time for money.The problem many service-based Solopreneurs face is how to grow and scale their business when – essentially – they sell time for money.If you’re a Coach, a Consultant, a Personal Trainer, a Therapist, a Copywriter, an Accountant etc it may seem that the only way you can scale up is to work more hours, charge more per hour / per project or to bring in a partner or staff.Any one of those things will change the nature of the business you have built and love.But there is the option to ‘productise’.An example of the introduction of physical products could be that of one of my clients, She is a massage therapist; a hands-on, treatment-based business. Because she can only physically work with around six people every day, her turnover is limited. Limited by the number of hours per day and the number of days in the week she works.However, if she ‘productises’; selling sleep masks, scented candles, or pillow sprays at the consultation or via her website, she can increase her income.[BTW: I think she should increase her prices too]But what about if you don’t have the kind of business that would work easily alongside additional products like these?You could:<ul><li>Create a course</li><li>Write a book</li><li>Have a subscription-based Group on Facebook</li><li>Work with a group of people rather then one-to-one (one hour x 10 people is more cost-effective than 10 people x 1 hour each!)</li></ul>If you want ideas about how you could Productise your business, let’s talk<h2>4. Automate Tasks</h2>The less you have to do of the daily grind, the more time you will have to spend with the customers who pay you – and more customers means business growth and scale.This is why automation is a godsend for any business. It takes repetitive tasks off your hands, seamlessly running them in the background for you!Do some research into the tasks that could benefit from automation in your business.&nbsp;For example, you could set up an automated email series for people who sign up to your mailing list, invest in an accounting software package, automate your customer appointment bookings or pre-schedule social media posts for certain days of the week.Every five minutes you don’t have to spend on these tasks is five minutes you can spend with someone who pays you.<h2>5. Maximise Your Email List</h2>If you haven’t built an email list yet, why not?<img src="https://littlepiggy.ltd/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Getting-Started-with-Email-Marketing-724x1024.jpg" height="1024" width="724"><h2>Here’s a guide to getting going with building your list</h2><a href="https://littlepiggyassociates.activehosted.com/f/53" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); background-color: rgb(235, 170, 170);">YES PELASE, I WANT A COPY</a>The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.litmus.com/resources/email-marketing-roi/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">return on investment</a>&nbsp;for email marketing is estimated at £42 for every £1 you spend – and since some platforms (like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mailerlite.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">Mailerlite</a>) are free to start with, you may not even have to spend that!Entice people to sign up to your list by creating an enticing lead magnet (check out the ones I have included on my&nbsp;<a href="https://littlepiggy.ltd/business-toolkit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">Business Toolkit</a>&nbsp;page), then use your subscriber data to send targeted messages with information and offers they’ll appreciate.<h2>6. Build Your Personal Brand</h2>Far more than just your logo, your personal brand encapsulates everything people see, hear, think, and feel about you and your business.Your personal brand is built around your values – so make sure you understand what these are, and how best to explain them to your customers.If you struggle to define your values, you could start by thinking of five words that best describe your approach to business (fun, confident, reliable, etc.!)<h2>7. Spend, Spend, Spend</h2>OK, I might have got a little carried away.But there’s no escaping the fact that a successful business costs – as well as makes – money.The secret is to spend wisely, on the tools, tech, and expertise you’ll need to facilitate successful business growth.&nbsp;This includes outsourcing and automation, plus marketing, memberships, and training to keep your skills fresh (and your business competitive.)<h2>8. Review and Reflect (With a Helpful Mentor!)</h2>It’s no secret that planning is an essential ingredient for success (I call it the link between passion and profit!)But there’s no use coming up with a brilliant business plan… that you never look at again.You’ll only know if things are going according to plan – and how you can adjust your goals for future growth, if you review and reflect on your results.As a highly experience Business Mentor who specialises in working with one-person businesses, I will help you get to grips with what really matters, so you can roll up your sleeves and get stuck into those plans for the growth and scale your Solopreneur business deserves.<a href="https://calendly.com/littlepiggyuk/breakthrough" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">To find out more book a half-hour, complimentary Breakthrough Session now.</a>

8 Proven Ways to Grow and Scale Your Solopreneur Business

Working for yourself is a life-changing decision, so having a clear picture of the steps you need to take to start a business and become self-employed is essential.I know that because I’ve been there myself (many times!)&nbsp;I became a Business Mentor because I understand EXACTLY how exhilarating it feels to say goodbye to the 9-5, armed with a brilliant idea and a headful of dreams.But I also understand the fear, uncertainty and lack of practical knowledge that is often involved in going it alone.<h2>I’ve Never Had a Business Before and I Don’t Want to Do It Wrong!</h2>If you’ve never started a business before, how can you be sure your idea is good enough to pay the bills?&nbsp;What happens if it turns out self-employment isn’t for you, after all?You know it’s possible to make a go of it and succeed.&nbsp;Nearly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/318234/united-kingdom-self-employed/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">4.5 million people</a>&nbsp;in the UK are currently self-employed, and you probably know some of them!But right here and right now – at the start – it can like you’re standing on the edge of a cliff.&nbsp;<blockquote>Leap and the net will appear</blockquote>This is a popular saying in business, and most of the time it’s bang on for seasoned business people.&nbsp;But, when you start a business and become self employed for the first time, you want to see that net before you take that leap.That’s where preparation, planning and some basic business start up know-how comes in!<h2>How Do You Become Self-Employed?</h2>From a practical point of view, self-employment in the UK is as easy as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gov.uk/set-up-self-employed" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">telling HMRC</a>&nbsp;that you’re working for yourself.Part of the process involves registering for Self-Assessment, which is how you (or your accountant) will calculate and pay your annual tax bill.<h2>Sole Trader Or Self-Employed – Is There A Difference?</h2>Self-employment means you decide what work you’ll do, and how and when you’ll do it.&nbsp;You are also completely responsible for the results.You are not entitled to sick or holiday pay. However, you can choose your own working hours, and you will work for more than one client (so if you need to take a morning off at short notice, or ditch that client who never pays your invoices on time, no problem!)If you’re a sole trader, then you’re a self-employed person who is the sole owner of your business.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sole traders can work as consultants, plumbers, graphic designers, coaches, virtual assistants, online shop owners…. just about any type of business goes.To summarise, ‘sole trader’ describes the legal structure of your business, while ‘self-employed’ means you don’t work for an employer.&nbsp;There isn’t a huge difference between the two terms, which is why they are so often used interchangeably. Self-employment doesn’t automatically make you a sole trader.You could choose to set up a partnership instead, so you and someone else share equal responsibility for the business, or register as a limited company.<h2>Sole Trader vs. Limited Company</h2>Unlike a sole trader or business partnership, a limited company is a separate legal entity from its owners – even if that’s just you.Your company will have to be formally registered at Companies House. Also, your personal finances and assets are not counted as part of the business.You will have control over your business name. Once it’s been registered, nobody else will legally be allowed to use it!Many new business owners start out as sole traders, then switch to limited companies later, as they become more successful and their profits increase.<h2>What Other Self-Employment Responsibilities Should You Focus On?</h2>I know… I know… you were hoping to move onto the more exciting parts of self-employment by now!Things like designing a fancy website, how to chat with customers on social media, or where to find the best networking events with free snacks and coffee.Self-employment has a list of responsibilities. Too often, people overlook them because they’ve been distracted by all that fun, frilly stuff!The good news is that if you take care of those responsibilities right from the start, there’s much more scope for you to relax and enjoy yourself later on.They include:<ul><li>Opening a business bank account. If you’re a sole trader you can use your personal account for business, but do you want to? It will be so much easier for you to manage your year accounts if all your business transactions are in a separate bank account.</li><li>Organising the right insurance for the type of work you want to do. This can include policies such as professional indemnity, public liability insurance, product liability insurance, critical illness insurance etc.</li><li>Deciding how you’ll keep accurate and up-to-date financial records.</li></ul>You may also want to think about&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gov.uk/vat-registration/when-to-register" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">registering for VAT</a>.&nbsp;You can do that voluntarily at any time. However, you must register if you expect your business turnover to be more than £85k a year (well, we can dream!)<h2>Ultimately, Business Is A Practical Process</h2>After years of stops and starts, it wasn’t until I focused on planning, systems, and processes, that my self-employed business finally started moving in the right direction.At the time,&nbsp;<a href="https://littlepiggy.ltd/meet-kathy/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">it felt like I’d discovered a ‘secret formula’ for self-employment</a>.You have to be prepared prepared to roll your sleeves up, learn the mechanics of business. You have to pay attention to what’s going on behind the scenes – not just the glitzy stuff at the front – then your chances of success will skyrocket.<a href="https://littlepiggy.ltd/boost-your-business-top-tips-from-a-successful-business-mentor/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">As a highly experienced Business Mentor</a>, I will help you focus on what really matters. This means you can take that brilliant idea of yours, and turn it into the successful business you deserve!Find out more by booking a half-hour, complimentary Breakthrough Session now<a href="https://calendly.com/littlepiggyuk/breakthrough" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); background-color: rgb(235, 170, 170);">Find out more by booking a half-hour, complimentary Breakthrough Session now</a>You can view this original article <a href="https://littlepiggy.ltd/how-to-start-a-business-and-become-self-employed/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>

How To Start A Business And Become Self-Employed

Is there any real difference between a solopreneur and an entrepreneur?Let’s start by thinking about how you would describe someone who works for themselves.If you found it difficult to be specific, it’s probably because there are a few different words you could have used. ‘Entrepreneur’ is one.&nbsp;‘Freelancer’ is another.&nbsp;How about that relatively new kid on the block, ‘solopreneur’?These terms are often used interchangeably, but you might be surprised to know that they all mean something different .Here’s what you need to know.<h2>What’s In a Name?</h2>As a Business Mentor who works with side-hustlers (there’s another one!), freelancers, and solopreneurs, I know how important it is to make the distinction.&nbsp;As well as defining your status and the nature of your business, the word you use to describe yourself makes an immediate impression… which is why it’s one of the first things I talk about with new clients.<h2>What is a Freelancer?</h2>Did you know that the word ‘freelancer’ goes all the way back to the early 1800s?It made its first appearance in&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Scott" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">Sir Walter Scott’s</a>&nbsp;classic novel Ivanhoe. A medieval lord talks about his paid army of “free lances” – mercenaries who were ‘free’ to use their ‘lances’ fighting on behalf of the highest bidder!These days, ‘freelancer’ typically refers to someone who exchanges time for money. They use their marketable skills to work on a range of projects for different companies.&nbsp;Popular examples of marketable skills include copywriting, software development, and graphic design.Freelancers work for, and by, themselves, and they’re in control of what work they decide to take on.&nbsp;They support their clients through their time and skills, rather than working on additional revenue streams for their own business.Related Article:&nbsp;<a href="https://littlepiggy.ltd/freelancing-is-a-business-here-are-10-reasons-why/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">Freelancing Is A Business: Here Are 10 Reasons Why</a><h2>What Is a Solopreneur?&nbsp;</h2>Solopreneurs are a lot like freelancers, in that they also build their business around a skill that they sell to clients.&nbsp;However, they will also work on streamlining their business behind the scenes. They create products or services that generate income even as they sleep.For example, a freelance writer is someone who works on different writing projects set by her clients.&nbsp;She may go on to:<ul><li>Write and publish a series of books</li><li>Develop a creative writing course</li><li>Turn that creative writing course into something people can download from her website</li><li>Sell creative writing resources and materials from a shop on her website</li></ul>Then she is a solopreneur.Solopreneurs don’t hire staff (the clue is in the ‘solo’). They might occasionally call on the services of freelancers to help them with specific tasks.Now you know the difference between the two, you can choose which one best suits you and your business.Now, let’s go on to the difference between solopreneur and entrepreneur.<h2>Is There a Difference Between a Solopreneur and an Entrepreneur?</h2>Yes and no.Sorry to confuse you, let me explain …<blockquote>Solopreneurs are Entrepreneurs, but not all Entrepreneurs are Solopreneurs</blockquote>That sentence might seem confusing at first glance (especially if you’re trying to say it out loud!). The main difference is simple.&nbsp;Entrepreneurs focus on expanding their business, while solopreneurs focus on expanding their skills and services.What does that mean?A Solopreneur&nbsp;starts, runs, and manages their own business by themselves. This means they are both founders and employees of their business.Solopreneurs tend to offer a ‘niche’ skill that they hone and develop constantly so they can stay ahead of the competition. This enables them to build a steady customer base that keeps their business profitable.An Entrepreneur&nbsp;is more involved with vision and strategy. They often hire and manage a team to work in the business as they concentrate on the bigger picture.Entrepreneurs are generally concerned with expanding and diversifying their business. They may even want to create an empire that means they can buy a private island to retire on one day!Other differences between solopreneurs and entrepreneurs can include:<ul><li>The way their tax commitments are calculated</li><li>How their business finances are managed</li><li>Where they work – maybe office premises vs the back bedroom</li></ul>So, there are differences between solopreneurs and entrepreneurs but those differences are more to with scale than the need for business know-how and acumen.<h2>As a Single-Person Business, You Don’t Have to Go It Completely Alone</h2>You may identify as a Solopreneur, but that doesn’t mean you’ve got to go through all the ups and downs of managing your own business, completely on your own.Outsourcing certain tasks will help maintain your focus on all the things you’re best at. Meanwhile, working with an experienced and supportive Business Mentor will help you avoid all those common business mistakes… because they’ve already made them for you!I would love to tell you how my Mentoring programmes will help your Solopreneur business grow and flourish, so&nbsp;<a href="https://calendly.com/littlepiggyuk/breakthrough" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">let’s talk</a>.

Solopreneur versus Entrepreneur – This is What Your Need to Know

“I’m 29, so have I left it too late to be an entrepreneur?”I saw this question recently when I was searching for something on Google.&nbsp;It made me take a deep breath and laugh because I am someone who started their first business at 40+. So, I felt the need to say out loud:&nbsp;“No, sweetheart, you definitely have not left it too late to be an entrepreneur!”I’m a ‘Maturepreneur’ Business Mentor&nbsp;who works with freelancers, solopreneurs, and side-hustlers of all ages, helping them transform their big ideas into brilliant, profitable businesses.But, because I choose to work with one-person businesses, people often make the mistake of assuming all my clients are thrusting young things… bright-eyed, vibrant millennials and Gen Z-ers who have the passion and energy to strike out on their own.Heaven forbid you might want to start a business in your 40s.&nbsp;Meanwhile, if you’ve committed the heinous crime of being over 50, then isn’t it about time you donned a cardi and put those weary feet up with a nice cup of tea?<h2>You Don’t Have to Be Young to Start a Business!</h2>Despite the global media’s obsession with Silicon Valley whizz kids, it’s a myth that all new businesses are started by dynamic youngsters.It’s a myth that&nbsp;most&nbsp;new businesses are started by dynamic youngsters.In fact, the majority of&nbsp;<a href="https://startups.co.uk/analysis/the-average-entrepreneur/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">UK entrepreneurs</a>&nbsp;are in their 40s.&nbsp;The average age of new business owners is rising steadily&nbsp;year on year.&nbsp;According to the&nbsp;<a href="https://startups.co.uk/news/over-55s-to-cash-in-400m-in-pensions-to-start-businesses/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">latest</a>&nbsp;Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, “entrepreneurial activity among the over 50s has risen by more than 50% since 2008.”We maturepreneurs aren’t just starting businesses, either.&nbsp;We’re&nbsp;busy turning them into success stories.&nbsp;For example, 70% of businesses&nbsp;<a href="https://www.silverstartups.co.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">started by the over-50s</a>&nbsp;are likely to survive for at least five years. This compares to 28% of businesses started by the under-50s.I’m not knocking youth in any way.&nbsp;Young people have lots of offer entrepreneurship – they’re often enthusiastic, willing to learn, and tech-savvy.&nbsp;I just think&nbsp;it’s high time society started to appreciate the immense value that older people can bring&nbsp;to the business table too. From life experience and self-knowledge to specialist skills that have taken decades to perfect.<h2>Why Start a Business When Your are Over 40 (or 50!)?</h2>There are all kinds of reasons why you might not be ready to start a business when you’re young.&nbsp;It takes serious guts to turn your back on the 9-5, and if you’re not doing that armed with years of hard-won experience under your belt, going it alone can feel much more terrifying.<blockquote>I was an overnight success all right, but 30 years is a long, long night.</blockquote><blockquote>Ray Kroc, Founder of McDonald’s</blockquote><a href="https://simplecapacity.com/2014/10/12-stories-of-massively-successful-late-bloomers-ray-kroc-until-52-sold-paper-cups-and-milkshake-mixers/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">Ray Kroc</a>&nbsp;spent over 17 years working as a salesman when in 1954, and aged 52, he sold 8 milkshake mixers to Dick and Mac McDonald.&nbsp;The brothers were running a small burger restaurant together.&nbsp;Ray saw an opportunity to turn their simple, high-quality menu into a nationwide success.With the brothers’ agreement, Ray founded the McDonald’s corporation in 1955. By 1958 McDonald’s had sold its 100 millionth hamburger.&nbsp;Ray came equipped with plenty of imagination. All those years he spent at the sharp end of selling to lots of different businesses turned out to be a gift.&nbsp;Not only did they help him spot the vast potential in McDonald’s, but they also taught him how best to realise it.Successful businesses are started by founders who spent years honing specialist skills and knowledge… like the brilliantly named&nbsp;<a href="https://www.yesyesyes.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">Yes Yes Yes Company</a>, which makes plant-based intimate lubrication products.&nbsp;The company’s co-founder, Suzi Lennox, was in her late fifties when she decided to go it alone.&nbsp;She had been working at Pfizer when Viagra was launched, then spent the following years in Drug Safety divisions for pharmaceutical companies.All that direct experience meant Suzi not only understood the need for her new company’s products and how to create them, but how to bring them successfully to market!<h2>How to Start a Maturepreneur Business Yourself</h2>It could be that your own route to maturepreneurship begins by accident (<a href="https://littlepiggy.ltd/meet-kathy/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">like mine</a>).&nbsp;My clients start working with me because they’ve been made redundant, or been ‘persuaded’ to leave their jobs. Many say&nbsp;“It’s now, or never!”With extra time on their hands,&nbsp;they’ve suddenly spotted a business opportunity&nbsp;using their experience, or from a hobby.If that describes you, but you’ve got no idea how to turn your brilliant idea into a business, the good news is there’s plenty of help available.Sites like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.enterprisenation.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">Enterprise Nation</a>&nbsp;offer a wealth of support to new business founders of all ages. While&nbsp;<a href="https://www.startuploans.co.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">The Start-Up Loans Company</a>&nbsp;has been busily helping founders in their 50s and over with low-interest loans.So, to summarise, it’s more than possible to be a success in business, regardless of your age.NO, you haven’t left it too late to become an entrepreneur!If you’d like to discuss turning your own ideas into a profitable business,&nbsp;I can help you formulate a plan of action&nbsp;that draws upon over 20 years of personal ‘been there, done that’ experience.Schedule your complimentary, half-hour&nbsp;<a href="https://calendly.com/littlepiggyuk/breakthrough" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">Breakthrough Session</a>&nbsp;now.

Why It’s Never Too Late to Be a (Mature) Entrepreneur

Does every business need a Business Mentor?There’s a myth that there is lot of guesswork involved in starting your own business.Is it true?The breezy, slick stories we hear about famous entrepreneurs can make it seem as though success is something you achieve simply by working hard, then leaving the rest to fate.But as someone who has started several businesses in the past – with varying degrees of success – I know there’s no substitute for planning and guidance.I just wish I’d learned that lesson sooner!One of the reasons I became a Business Mentor is because I know how it feels to start out with nothing but a big idea, a thirst for hard work, and a bucketload of passion.More importantly, I also know from hard-won experience how to turn all that into a profitable business. It’s why I now spend my days working with fired-up solopreneurs and side-hustlers.My mission is to provide them with the tools, methods, and support they need achieve the success they dreamed of when they made the brave, life-changing decision to go it alone.I’ve made a bold statement with the title of this blog, saying that Solopreneurs and Side Hustlers need a Business Mentor. So let’s get down to some of the nitty-gritty<h2>What Is a Business Mentor?</h2>The origin of the word ‘Mentor’ comes from the ancient Greek poem, Odyssey. In the poem Homer uses the word Mentor to describe the person who guides the young Telemachus into adulthood.Since then, the word Mentor has evolved to mean someone who uses their wisdom, experience, and knowledge to guide others.But a Business Mentor should not be confused with a Mentor. A Mentor will use their knowledge and wisdom to guide you though the pitfalls of life.The role of a Business Mentor is specific. They will use their knowledge, skills and experience in business to help you successfully implement business basics, business development and business growth.They will enable you to avoid business pitfalls and mistakes because they have had their own business(es) previously (and are probably running a Solopreneur, business Mentoring business when they work with you!)Let’s face it: if you had to choose a Mentor to help you start-up or scale-up your business, would you want someone who is supportive and knowledgeable or someone who is supportive, knowledgeable AND knows how to start, run and grow a business?<h2>Business Mentor versus Business Coach: Similar, But Not the Same</h2>While you may hear the terms ‘Coaching’ and ‘Mentoring’ used to mean one and the same thing, there is a key difference between the two:<ul><li>A Business Coach&nbsp;uses goal-setting and questioning techniques to help you develop your passions and ideas</li><li>A Business Mentor&nbsp;uses their knowledge and experience to help you turn your passions and ideas into a profitable business</li></ul>The difference is subtle, I know.As a Business Mentor I use coaching techniques with my clients because questioning and goal setting are a key element in a successful business.However, it isn’t always possible for a Business Coach to provide business mentoring, because they may never have started and run a successful business of their own.So, a Business Mentor can Coach; but a Business Coach may not have the skills and experience to enable them to Mentor.<h2>Why Do Solopreneurs and Side-Hustlers Need a Business Mentor?</h2>I describe my mentoring approach as “a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction.”Those things take on more importance when your business starts and ends with you, and even more besides, if it’s the first time you’ve ever set up a business on your own. Talking your ideas and concerns through with a Business Mentor who’s ready and willing to help can take the weight off your shoulders, and free up more of your precious time.Here are some more benefits of working with a Business Mentor:<h3>They will provide you with an ‘outside’ perspective</h3>I describe this as the ‘helicopter approach’.As a Business Mentor I want my clients to be successful; but it’s their business, I’m not part of it. This means I can take a long, hard look at the business in a very objective way.As a solopreneurs and side-hustler, you have so much to do. It will be almost imporssible for you to step back and look at the big picture. You will always look at your business subjectively.As a Business Mentor I provide objective insights, inspiring ideas you might not have thought about before, and help you identify exciting, new opportunities.<h3>They will hold you accountable</h3>You know those stubborn tasks you keep pushing to the bottom of your ‘To-Do list?Well, a Business Mentor will help you get them done, once and for all.I spend lots of time with my clients helping them set realistic and achievable actions. I bet your To-Do list is full of unrealistic and unachievable activities – which is why they keep being overlooked.A Business mentor should also help you develop time management, prioritisation and delegation skills – so the right things get done at the right time by the right people (and those ‘people’ may not be you!)<h3>They will save you time and money</h3>The two commodities all Solopreneurs and Side Hustlers have the least of – time and money!It may seem counter-intuitive, but although you pay for the expert support and guidance of a Business Mentor, working with one will actually save you both time and money.A Business mentor will save you, as a Solopreneur or Side Hustler, from making costly mistakes while implementing financial management, time management and profit making activities in your business.I always say to my clients that my experience stops them making the same costly mistakes I made when I started out.I help them set up practical systems and processes that mean they can see where their time and money is best spent… so none of either is wasted.<h3>They will support you through difficult times</h3>Having your own business is never a life of champagne and roses.Whatever type of business you’ve chosen to start, there will be plenty of challenges ahead.On bad days (we all have these), you’ll question whether to keep going.That’s when your Business Mentor will step in, with knowledgeable support, gentle guidance, and a listening ear that keeps you moving forwards.<h3>They will widen your network</h3>Any Business Mentor worth the name will network extensively, which means they’ll have a bulging list of contacts for just about every industry you can think of.Not only will your mentor put you in touch with tried and tested ‘people-who-can’ to help with specific business areas, they can also recommend the best groups and events for you to meet more potential customers!<img src="https://littlepiggy.ltd/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Uma-Satkunam.jpg" alt="Uma Satkunam | Kathy Ennis | LittlePiggy" height="944" width="721"><h3>I Was Only Making Feeble Attempts. It Was Not the Cohesive Plan that Kathy Helped Create</h3>I needed help to understand my business. I have no previous experience in this field and was really only making feeble attempts at it. It was not the cohesive plan that Kathy helped create. We outlined my business and how to approach my marketing. I now have more interest and engagement from the group people I want to sell to. I thought that was not possible. Now I actually enjoy doing it!Uma Satkunam –&nbsp;<a href="https://missteasmith.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">Miss Teasmith</a><h2>Working With a Business Mentor Is Your Shortcut to Success!</h2>If you are a solopreneur, side-hustler or other single-person business you will always be at a disadvantage. There is only one of you, but there are a hundred jobs to do and a thousand decisions to make every day.You have to do everything that a business that has ‘departments’ has to do… All by yourself!With a Business Mentor in your corner cheering you on when things go right; helping you up when things go wrong and sharing their skills, knowledge and experience, how can you be anything but successful?If you’re ready to take the plunge, check out my&nbsp;<a href="https://littlepiggy.ltd/monthlymentoring/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(242, 4, 91); background-color: initial;">Monthly Mentoring</a>.

Solopreneurs and Side Hustlers Definitely Need a Business Mentor

Being in business means taking risks, but how do you assess them and what’s the payoff? Four entrepreneurs reveal their biggest gambles.<img src="https://media.natwestbusinesshub.com/resize=w:1618,h:1079,fit:crop/output=format:webp/compress/gDZ1gbBsTNKrLSORo6vE"><h2>“I turned down half of our business revenue”</h2>Pete Campbell was just 25 when he started his PR and SEO business Kaizen in London. Within 18 months the business was turning over £250,000 and employing five people, with half of that revenue coming through the agency’s white label SEO services. And then everything changed: Pete decided to stop offering the SEO service that had been so valuable to the company.“I was basically helping other people grow their marketing agencies rather than building my own empire, and I’d started the business to become a leader in the Digital PR SEO space in my own right,” says Campbell. “Also, our profit margin on direct clients at the time was circa 30% versus 10% on outsourcing. I decided we could double our day rate to make up for the potential revenue loss we’d face in the short term.”What followed next were some “awkward” conversations between Campbell and his clients and a company strategy day where he outlined the business’s long-term vision to the team. The risk paid off: “We actually recouped our potential loss in three months and exceeded our initial revenue targets.”Today, Kaizen employs 21 staff members, and projects a £1.2m turnover for 2018. “I can trace this increase back directly to the risk I took three years ago,” says Campbell.<h2>“I sold my house and set up a factory”</h2>Within three years of launching Nim’s Fruit Crisps from her London home, Nimisha Raja’s fruit snacks were being manufactured in Hungary and stocked in Harrods, Selfridges and Planet Organic. Yet despite the success, Raja was ready to give up the business and cease trading entirely.“I started to get the odd complaint about the crisps being soft so I monitored it and decided that the products were not consistent and the quality not always as good as I wanted,” says Raja. “Plus, the cost of third-party production, packing and distribution were just not viable given I wanted Nim’s to be an affordable healthy snack.”After some deliberation Raja decided to keep going by selling her house and setting up her own factory in Kent. “I met someone at a trade show who told me that Kent Council were great at offering grants to manufacturers, I then spoke with a friend of mine who said he’d also invest in the business.”It was the right move. Raja has since secured deals with Tesco, Co-op Food and Ocado and now exports to 11 countries. She remains cautious, however. “By setting up the factory, everything I’d ever worked for all my life was at stake – and to some degree it still is!”<blockquote>“I can trace this £1.2m turnover back directly to the risk I took three years ago”</blockquote><blockquote>Pete Campbell, founder and CEO, Kaizen</blockquote><h2>“I joined a UK start-up from Canada”</h2>Serial entrepreneur Sarah Botham was living as a temporary resident in Canada when a former colleague offered her the role of chief operating officer at Reconfigure.io, a recently launched cloud computing company based in the UK.“It was a risky position to be in at the best of times,” she says. “I had no safety net if Reconfigure.io were to fold, only some depleted savings. On the other hand, if I were to keep my job with a Canadian company I’d have had access to healthcare and all the other good stuff most people take for granted.”Having worked with the firm’s CEO at a previous start-up, Botham decided the risk was worth it and joined the firm remotely in 2017 as one of five co-founders.“I knew right from the off that I wouldn’t take home a lot of money in the first year. I worked full time, on a very part-time salary, and made up the rest of my budget with my savings. In the first year I took home less than £10,000.”Currently in beta, the tech company is growing steadily and the team hope to raise £1.5m by the end of 2018.“Your job should never just be a job, it should support the kind of lifestyle you want,” says Botham. “If I was too worried about what I could lose, I wouldn’t have had a very interesting life by this point.”<h2>“I risked everything to go on The Apprentice”</h2>Joseph Valente was just 22 when he founded his plumbing business, ImpraGas in 2012. Three years later he joined the 11th series of Lord Sugar’s TV show The Apprentice, and was told he’d have to leave his firm completely for up to nine weeks.“Everything was at stake,” says Valente, whose business employed seven people and served 2,500 clients at the time. “My business, my relationship with my team, my pride. But part of being an entrepreneur and business owner is knowing when you need to jump, when the right time to take a risk is and when to measure out if it’s worth it.”Valente’s self-belief paid off and he went on to win the show and the £250,000 investment from Lord Sugar, helping propel ImpraGas to a turnover of above £2m.“First and foremost, risk is essential to building and growing a business,” says Valente. “Create a name for yourself as an entrepreneur who takes risks by staring fear in the face, and doing the things your competitors aren’t willing to do – that will grab the attention of the people who can support you.”Join the Business Builder Facebook Community&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/NatWestBusinessBuilder/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 1, 239);">here</a><ul><li>‘Want to learn more? Register for NatWest Business Builder to view all of their business development tools. Click <a href="https://natwestbusinessbuilder.com/?ref=NorfolkChamber" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HERE</a>’&nbsp;</li></ul>

NatWest Business Builder: Building a growth mindset

Management strategies: the big risks

Business leaders know that environmental, social and governance issues are increasingly important – to their customers, their people and their investors. This is no longer a "nice to have", but a key part of doing business in the modern world. At Mills &amp; Reeve, we are bringing an ever-increasing focus to our own business practices, and, more importantly, to how we can support our clients in achieving their own ESG goals. Here we consider what this means for the life sciences sector and what steps we are seeing organisations take to make a real difference.A responsible approach to doing business has long been a priority for the life sciences sector. In this highly regulated industry, the risk of harm is intrinsically high. This means that compliance with not just the letter of the law, but also the underlying principles, is at the forefront of minds from the top to the bottom of a well-run organisation. Dealing with products and services that affect the health of many individuals, and with ethically complex issues like genetic modification, means that organisations regularly encounter the need to make difficult choices, and to be accountable for the decisions they make.<h2>What are the E, S and G?</h2>ESG brings in a wide range of topics and concerns, and while there are some universal touchpoints, the main issues will vary from sector to sector.&nbsp;The ESG metric helps organisations to think through all of the issues – including those that they might not previously have identified for attention. Delving more deeply into the acronym:<ul><li>Environmental&nbsp;is all about reducing our impact on the planet and addressing the climate crisis.&nbsp;</li><li>Social&nbsp;looks at the impact that an organisation has on the people that work within it, and within its business partners, and the communities that it serves.</li><li>Finally,&nbsp;Governance&nbsp;focuses on ensuring that an organisation has a strong decision-making structure that is fit for purpose and ensures that the likely end-points are taken into account in any decision taken.</li></ul> <h2>Attracting investors</h2>Investors are increasingly focusing on the ESG perspective when making decisions as to where to allocate capital. Likewise retail investment funds are under pressure from the market to provide ethical options. Public market regulators set standards to be met by larger companies. Falling short in these areas is increasingly seen as a risk factor for investors, exposing a business to the possibility of problems like regulatory sanctions and product recalls. Such is the pressure to move towards sustainability, that some investors find it difficult to identify sufficient opportunities that match their criteria.Analysis by index-provider MSCI relies on a break-down weighting factors by sector. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.msci.com/our-solutions/esg-investing/esg-ratings/materiality-map" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(90, 0, 102); background-color: transparent;">MSCI ESG Industry Materiality Map</a>&nbsp;identifies the following areas as particularly important for its assessment of life sciences businesses:<ul><li>E:&nbsp;carbon emissions, and toxic emissions and waste</li><li>S:&nbsp;human capital development, product safety and quality, and access to health care</li><li>G:&nbsp;ownership and control, board, pay, accounting, business ethics, and tax transparency</li></ul> <h2>New ways to do business</h2>Major pharmaceutical companies have been active for many years in building responsible supply chains. As part of a global industry, they have faced the need to address problems around ethical and responsible business earlier than most. Collaborative projects like the&nbsp;<a href="https://pscinitiative.org/home" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(90, 0, 102); background-color: transparent;">Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative</a>&nbsp;help businesses to collaborate in promoting responsible supply chain management and better business conditions across the industry.For smaller and younger organisations developing and embedding best practice can be a challenge.&nbsp;There are&nbsp;relatively straightforward changes that can be introduced into day-to-day practices. Tightening up auditing and reporting provisions in contracts with commercial partners can, where appropriate, drive better behaviours in your supply chain. It can also help to demonstrate that you are taking action in your regular business activities.Some activities can be updated more extensively, but without necessarily having a detrimental effect on workflow. During the past 18 months, for example, we have seen a much greater use of remote working in clinical trials, with patients able to attend appointments digitally rather than visiting a hospital. Introducing this kind of practice on a long-term basis would see a major reduction in travel requirements for trial subjects. Likewise, the use of digital technologies in everyday clinical practice during the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that remote appointments and use of health technology can enable greater efficiency and reduced need for travel.<h2>Premises and property</h2>While life sciences organisations may not be among the top contributors to the environmental impact of construction, they often have complex and sophisticated premises requirements. Purpose-built R&amp;D and manufacturing facilities may have intensive energy needs. As an organisation grows and evolves, it is likely to need a different size and combination of facilities, moving from research towards manufacturing scale-up, for example. This will often mean a change of location.Organisations can make a positive impact in their selection of new premises. While there are many factors for an organisation to consider when finding a location for expansion or relocation, adding the environmental impact of a building to the list can be a straightforward way to make a substantial, long-term change. Science park specialists We are Pioneer Group, for example, have specific environmental objectives for their sites – such as the Nottingham BioCity Garden. Read more about the environmental agenda for real estate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mills-reeve.com/insights/foresight/mapping-the-future/sustainability" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(90, 0, 102); background-color: transparent;">here</a>, and access our report on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mills-reeve.com/insights/foresight/building-towards-net-zero" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(90, 0, 102); background-color: transparent;">Building towards net zero</a>.&nbsp;<h2>A diverse talent pool</h2>We find that businesses that take a lead on ESG are more likely to be seen by prospective job candidates as good places to work and so these efforts support both recruitment and retention.Hiring and developing people from across the community can be a challenge for life sciences. The level of education and specialist skills required may limit the pool of talent available. But considered and well-developed policies for staff can make it possible for organisations to attract and retain diverse individuals who might not otherwise have been able to fulfil their potential. Beyond that, many business leaders are looking far into the future, with mentoring programmes enabling those still in education to build towards a career in life sciences.<h2>Biotechnology as a driver of sustainability</h2>Life science innovation is an important driver of change. Take one example. Agriculture and food production are widely recognised as a major contributor to carbon emissions and environmental degradation, with agriculture and land use change thought to be responsible of 23% of manmade greenhouse gas emissions. Pressures to increase production while reducing environmental impact mean that progress is slow.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/4edcd747-en/index.html?itemId=/content/publication/4edcd747-en&amp;_ga=2.186434607.746739757.1631610937-2052909645.1631610937" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(90, 0, 102); background-color: transparent;">OECD data</a>&nbsp;on the period 2005-07 to 2015-17 showed an increase of 3% in greenhouse gas emissions to 1.47 Gt of CO2eq. About half of this total was in the form of methane, mainly from livestock sources and rice production, with a similar amount in the form of nitrous oxides originating mainly from the application of organic and inorganic fertilisers. Alternative approaches to agriculture – new crop cultivars developed through breeding or biotechnology, novel microbial animal feeds derived from waste, and methane reduction strategies are identified by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/srccl/chapter/chapter-5/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(90, 0, 102); background-color: transparent;">IPCC</a>&nbsp;as potential contributors to both mitigation and adaptation. Likewise, replacement foods such as laboratory-produced meat are gaining in recognition and commercial viability.<h2>Where next?</h2>So we can see that ESG is hugely important to the life sciences sector. Embedding ESG within your business can make the business both financially and environmentally sustainable in the longer term, making the business more attractive to funders, employees and customers alike. And the industry also has a huge part to play in helping solve some of the biggest problems faced by the planet.These are just some of the themes that we are seeing as the sector embraces the ESG agenda. We will be exploring these, and others, through a process of engagement with our clients, and will share these perspectives in the months ahead. We would welcome your contributions.There are immense challenges before us but now, as never before, business is reaching out to meet them, and to find solutions.At Mills &amp; Reeve, we have recently appointed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mills-reeve.com/people/neil-pearson" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(90, 0, 102); background-color: transparent;">Neil Pearson</a>&nbsp;as head of ESG and social value. Neil, previously a partner in our corporate tax team specialising in impact and social investment, will be heading up our own ESG initiatives and strategies, to put ESG and social value at the centre of how we run our own business. Neil explains:“ESG is no longer a “nice to have”. All organisations, large or small, and whether public or private sector, need to look at how they could embed ESG into every aspect of their operations. However, whilst this is a real challenge for all of us, the benefits of getting this right are huge, both for us as organisations and businesses, and for society as a whole.”&nbsp;Learn more about our life sciences team&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mills-reeve.com/sectors/life-sciences" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(90, 0, 102); background-color: transparent;">here</a>.<h2>Further reading</h2> You can view the original Mills &amp; Reeve article <a href="https://www.mills-reeve.com/insights/publications/environmental-social-and-governance-life-sciences" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here </a>

Mills & Reeve

Environmental, social and governance – the bigger picture for life sciences

These top ten tips are not&nbsp;rocket science, but they will put a rocket in your profit and make 2022 a truly sensational year for you and your business.Top tip 1 is all about why you have to communicate with your customers; why you have to communicate often and why you need to be easy to reach.<h2>How Regular Communication with Your Customers Could Save You Money</h2>How much does it cost you to run your business?Whatever that number is, that is the amount it costs you to create customers. So why would you want to be continually attempting to find new customers when they are so expensive.Doesn’t it make better business sense to nurture your current customers? After all, it’s easier getting someone who has already demonstrated that they know, like and trust you to buy from you again.One really simple way of regular communication with your customers is via email, so building your email list in imperative.Want to know how? Check out this blog –&nbsp;<a href="https://littlepiggy.ltd/how-to-use-email-marketing-to-keep-your-customers-coming-back/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: initial; color: rgb(242, 4, 91);">How to Use Email Marketing to Keep Your Customers Coming Back</a><h2>The Value of Your Current Customers</h2><ul><li>You have already paid for them</li><li>It is 6 to 7 times more expensive to gain a new customer than it is to retain one</li><li>Repeat customers tend to spend 67% more on subsequent purchases than they do on the first</li><li>After 10 purchases / engagements a customer has already referred you to at least 7 people</li></ul>Communicating with your customers on a regular basis is&nbsp;the&nbsp;surefire way of ensuring they remember you so that you are their supplier of choice when they choose to purchase again.<h2>Practical Do’s and Don’ts for Ongoing Customer Communication</h2>DO&nbsp;remember to ask for customer details – at the very least name and email addressDON’T&nbsp;just add people to a mailing list – ask permission, you could always offer an incentiveDO&nbsp;have a systematic way of dealing with contact details – if you have a system it is far less likely that you will ‘mislay’ a customerDON’T&nbsp;have more than one mailing list – keep everyone in one place (an Excel spreadsheet is absolutely fine), you can always split the list into smaller groups for specific purposesDON’T&nbsp;leave a pile of business cards on your desk with the intention of ‘one day’ doing something with them, do something or bin them!DO&nbsp;keep in touch with your customers regularly and remind them about what you do and how you do it – don’t assume, just because you have said it a couple of times, that people remember what you do because until they need that ‘thing’ they will forget<h2>Next Steps?</h2>If you’re unsure about how to implement any of the suggestions I have made in this article, why not take advantage of my free, half-hour mentoring session?<a href="https://calendly.com/littlepiggyuk/breakthrough" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: initial; color: rgb(242, 4, 91);">Book here</a>What have you got to lose? You can view this original article by LittlePiggy <a href="https://littlepiggy.ltd/communicate-with-your-customers-top-ten-tips-for-a-sensational-2022/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>

Communicate With Your Customers: Top Ten Tips for a Sensational 2022

These top ten tips are not rocket science, but they will put a rocket in your profit and make 2022 a truly sensational year for you and your business.Top tip #2 is all about managing customer expectation. It’s based on the old saying<blockquote>You must under promise and over deliver</blockquote>This is not a ploy to fool your customers. It is about&nbsp;managing the expectation your customers have about you, your products and your services.Your task?To surprise and delight your customers by exceeding their expectations.<h2>Why Managing Customer Expectation Gives You a Competitive Edge</h2>Many businesses think that to compete with their more successful, or more long-established competitors, they have to promise their customers that they will beat prices, deadlines etc.It is important to understand that not all customers are driven by cost and speed.Most customers rate the quality of a product or service, and the feeling of being cared for, understood and nurtured, over cost and speed.<h2>The Outcomes of Over Promising and Under Delivering?</h2>What happens to customer perception of your business if you fails to deliver and all the promises you made are not met?Well, to put it simple, those customers will tell their friends and – more importantly – people they don’t even know.How?Word of mouth and online reviews.When was the last time you booked a hotel or visited a new restaurant without checking the online reviews?I know I can’t remember the last time I just booked something without checking.The old saying was&nbsp;‘give great service they will tell 10; give bad service they will tell 100’. Now add social media and review sites into that mix the ‘tell 100’ can very easily become ‘tell 100,000’Perhaps the ‘under promise’ should be more ‘realistically promise’ and the ‘over deliver’ could be ‘exceed expectations’?<h2>Next Steps?</h2>If you’re unsure about how to implement any of the suggestions I have made in this article, why not take advantage of my free, half-hour mentoring session?<a href="https://calendly.com/littlepiggyuk/breakthrough" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: initial; color: rgb(242, 4, 91);">Book here</a>What have you got to lose?

LittlePiggy 

Managing Customer Expectation: Top Ten Tips for a Sensational 2022

What can be are the people that use the skills incorrectly. These folks bring the criticism that we often find levied at sales people. We fear the connection and engagement often. We believe that we will be sold something we don’t want or need.There are two things here immediately. How can we be sold something we do not want? We are not hypnotised by sellers in some Derrien Brown style as at anytime we can say No. If we do not say No then we are willingly purchasing a product or a service by choice. So that’s on us. If we don’t need something why are we looking? So maybe we do want to buy but not from that person or outlet.See selling is about relationships. It also of course involves a commodity too. That thing we are wanting to solve the problem we are looking to fix. So we have a ‘thing’ we need or want. That’s one part of the transaction and it has an approximate or fixed value that we are willing to meet. So it is now about the process of the sale and the person or people managing it. Do we like them? Trust them? Want to be in their company? Did we find them or did they find us? Do we know people we trust who trust them? And I am sure a number of other questions.Some of those questions are front and centre conscious thoughts and some may be slightly deeper subconscious thoughts. All of which will stop us proceeding should they be unresolved. See to buy we must first know where to go. Then we must engage with a brand and the people representing that brand. We must feel that the value meets our expectations and that we are comfortable with the aftersales service.Some brands are really good at not actually selling you anything and instead supporting you to buy it. They don’t need your money it seems and are quite happy to let you ask what you want answered&nbsp;and decide what you want to do. Others will seemingly oversell the product and keep at you until you buy. Think about which approach you prefer?Could be the exact same product with a different sales approach and the whole process is completely different.And then we have the nailed down importance of selling. Just think for a moment of all the companies you can mention that don’t sell anything. The brands you know that have shelves full of stuff nobody wants or buys…..exactly! So everyone needs to sell. We produce a product for £X and we sell it for £Y and the profit allows the business to survive and thrive. Without selling there is no business.We now know the importance of selling, so why do we consider it such a negative activity and why do so many business owners fear it and never develop their skills in sales? Weird isn’t it. I meet many business owners who do not consider themselves as ‘sales people’ and often are annoyed that they can be viewed as one. And I work with sales people who have never been invested in and developed by their employer. So given the reluctance to develop skills in sales can we wonder that too many people practice it poorlyAnd I work with organisations that have no sales strategy in that they do not know who their customer is so may end up trying to sell to people who don’t want or need their product or service (refer back to paragraph 3) so the issue increases. There is also the simple equation that aiming to sell a product to 10 people who need it is far more productive than trying 1,000 who absolutely don’t.Selling is about numbers as we hear often and it is orders and not leads that matter. If we flood the market harassing folks that don’t want to buy we not only negate our brand we develop the negative issue of sales.So lovely people to improve the sales impression outlined above do it better. Know the market and your ideal customer and understand your product or service fully. Excel at what you do. Ask existing customers what they expect and then meet and exceed that expectation. Advertise and market yourselves to people that want/need your offer as doing otherwise is pointless and wastes their time and yours and therefore your profits. Employ people who sell with purpose not just profit in mind. The two can live wonderfully side by side.Brian is a growth specialist and works with organisations to develop their sales strategy and connect them directly with opportunities from his own extensive networks.Contact Brian <a href="https://bbushonline.co.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here </a><img src="https://bbushonline.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Brian-Bush-Email-1.jpg" height="224" width="300">https://bbushonline.co.uk/

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Environmental, social and governance – the bigger picture for life sciences

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