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To maximise efficiency in your business clearly define specific and measurable goals. These goals should be aligned with your overall vision and objectives. Ensure that they are attainable, time-bound, and easily trackable. Having well-defined goals provides a clear direction and focus for your team, increasing…
When it comes to your exit strategy it is important to explore the different options available to you, such as selling to a strategic buyer, private equity firm, or considering a management buyout. Each option has its own pros and cons, and understanding these alternatives…
Highlighting the growth opportunities, both professional and personal, within your team can lead to great success. Show potential recruits that joining your team will offer them the chance to learn, develop new skills, and advance in their careers. Communicate your commitment to investing in the…
Here is our guide to cultivate a culture of accountability throughout your organisation. Encourage team members to take ownership of their work, actions, and outcomes. Promote a sense of personal responsibility by fostering transparency, clear communication, and a shared commitment to delivering results. Hold everyone,…
Reducing your reliance on key customers, suppliers, or partners minimises risk and increases the attractiveness of your business to potential buyers. Demonstrating a diversified customer base and supply chain can make your business more resilient and valuable. Here are 5 tips to diversify your business…
While character and attitude are crucial, it’s also important to assess for complementary skills and abilities. Look for candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and skill sets that complement the existing team members. A well-rounded team with a mix of skills and expertise can tackle…
Use SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) with your team to set targets that are clear and actionable. SMART goals provide a framework for accountability, as they offer a concrete way to measure progress and track individual and team performance. Here are some tips…
When preparing for exit, build a strong management team and establish efficient processes that can operate independently of your direct involvement. Buyers and investors are often interested in businesses that are not overly reliant on the owner’s day-to-day operations. Delegate responsibilities, develop standard operating procedures,…
Looking for team members who possess the right character traits and a positive attitude requires you to understand what it is you are looking for. Skills can be developed over time, but character is essential for long-term success. Seek individuals who are humble, accountable, collaborative,…
Communicate the cultural expectations to potential recruits and highlight how your team’s culture supports collaboration, open communication, and personal growth. Emphasise the importance of shared values and a positive work environment. Here are 5 tips to develop a strong team culture that aligns with your…
Encourage open and honest communication within your team. Create a culture where team members feel comfortable discussing challenges, seeking feedback, and sharing progress updates. Regular team meetings, one-on-one check-ins, and collaborative problem-solving sessions can all contribute to building an environment of accountability. Tip #1 –…
Establishing clear roles and responsibilities for each team member is crucial. Create job descriptions, establish performance expectations, and outline specific goals and targets. When everyone understands their role and what is expected of them, it becomes easier to hold individuals accountable for their results. Tip…
Regularly review your business’s performance and adapt your strategies accordingly. Utilise key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress and identify areas for improvement. Implement Brad Sugars’ concept of “test and measure” to experiment with new ideas, measure results, and refine your approaches to gain business…
Implement processes and systems that enhance your operational efficiency and eliminate bottlenecks. Continuously assess your operations, seek feedback from employees, and leverage technology to automate repetitive tasks and increase productivity. Tip #1 – Streamline Processes: Analyse your operational processes and identify areas where inefficiencies exist.…
Focus on building long-term customer relationships to increase customer lifetime value (CLV). By delivering exceptional value, personalised experiences, and consistently exceeding expectations, you can increase sales, customer loyalty, and ultimately, your margins. Tip #1 – Enhance the Customer Experience: Focus on providing exceptional customer experiences…
Regularly analyse your costs to identify areas where you can reduce expenses without sacrificing quality or customer satisfaction. Implement cost control measures to optimise your operational efficiency. Tip #1 – Conduct a Comprehensive Cost Analysis: Start by conducting a thorough cost analysis to identify all…
Identify your core competencies and focus on activities that truly require your expertise. Delegate tasks to capable individuals, providing them with clear responsibilities and decision-making authority. Tip #1 – Understand individual strengths and capabilities: Take the time to understand the strengths, skills, and capabilities of…
Relying on a single source of income can make your cash flow vulnerable. Follow Robert Kiyosaki’s advice and diversify your income by investing in different assets or starting multiple income streams. Tip #1 – Expand your business investments: Diversify your business’s income streams by investing…
Develop a well-defined pricing strategy that considers your costs, market demand, and customer value perception. Verne Harnish emphasises the need for businesses to differentiate themselves and avoid competing solely on price. By effectively communicating the value you provide and implementing a competitive pricing structure, you…
Cultivate a high-performance culture of excellence within your organisation. Establish effective communication, goal alignment, and a rhythm of accountability. Encourage collaboration, provide ongoing training and development opportunities, recognise, and reward achievements, and foster a positive work environment that values innovation and continuous improvement. Tip #1…
Your actions and behaviours set the tone for your team. Demonstrate the qualities and values you expect from others. Show integrity, accountability, and a strong work ethic. Be authentic, transparent, and consistent in your leadership style. Tip #1 – Model the behaviour you expect: As…
Identify the key activities in your business that directly contribute to profitability and focus your efforts on optimising those areas. Brad Sugars emphasises the importance of determining your profit drivers and aligning your resources and strategies accordingly. This may involve streamlining operations, reducing costs, or…
It is important to build robust systems and processes that can run your business efficiently. Identify key areas of your business that can benefit from systematisation, such as sales, marketing, operations, and customer service. Streamline workflows, create standardised procedures, and leverage technology to optimise productivity…
It is important to implement systems and automation to streamline your cash flow processes. By automating repetitive tasks, such as invoicing, payment reminders, or expense tracking, you can save time and reduce the risk of errors. Utilise technology and software solutions to simplify and optimize…
To ensure consistent cash flow, it’s crucial to establish a solid financial foundation. This includes maintaining a budget, managing expenses efficiently, and minimising unnecessary debt. Tip #1 – Create and stick to a budget: Establishing a budget is essential for managing your finances effectively. Track…
Start by defining a compelling vision for your business that outlines your long-term goals and aspirations. Use Verne Harnish’s “BHAG” (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) concept to set ambitious targets. Then, create a strategic plan that breaks down your vision into actionable steps. Tip #1 –…
Set clear, measurable goals and create a detailed plan to achieve them. Communicate the strategy to your team, involve them in the process, and ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities. Regularly review progress and make necessary adjustments. Tip #1 – Set clear, measurable goals:…
As a leader, your actions speak louder than words. Leading by example is a powerful way to inspire and motivate your team. By demonstrating integrity, fostering open communication, embracing accountability, exhibiting a strong work ethic, and supporting your team’s development, you create a positive and…
Recognition and rewards should be genuine, frequent, and aligned with the values and goals of your team and organisation. By recognising and rewarding performance effectively, you create a positive and motivating work environment that encourages continued excellence and inspires team members to go above and…
Development is an ongoing process, and it should be tailored to the unique needs and aspirations of each team member. By investing in their growth and providing opportunities for learning, you nurture a motivated and skilled team that can contribute effectively to the organisation’s success.…
By setting clear expectations, you provide your team with a clear sense of direction, reduce confusion and ambiguity, and enable them to perform their best. Clarity promotes accountability, focus, and a shared understanding of what success looks like for the team. Tip #1 – Be…
By fostering a collaborative team environment, you encourage innovation, creativity, and shared ownership, leading to increased productivity and better outcomes for the team and the organisation as a whole. Tip #1 – Build Trust: Trust is the foundation of collaboration. Create an environment where team members…
In this interview, we meet Ryan Hughes from Three Peaks Logistics. Ryan started his business as a courier, but has subsequently shifted his focus to domestic removals in response to market conditions and demand. Ryan shares why his approach best serves his new focus, and…
Stephen Holmes from Holmes Insurance talks about how his business has gone from strength to strength and grown based purely on referral. Stephen talks about, despite being one of the youngest MDs of a commercial insurance broker in the UK, he has grown in confidence,…
When you learn to drive, chances are you hire a driving instructor. Many people have golf lessons when they take up a game that’s there for recreation. Nobody considers that a weakness – it just makes sense as everyone knows that if you hire an…
Business Spotlight Interview with Ryan Patrick from Feast Streat – Presented by Andy Hemming Ryan Patrick from Feast Streat shares how his multi-cuisine street food business has allowed him to offer high quality food at scale with increased benefits for the consumer. His offering is…
Business Spotlight Interview with James Cash, Superfast IT – Presented by Andy Hemming James Cash from Superfast IT talks about cyber-security and how it can impact every business, no matter what the size. James shares the learnings from his 21 year business journey: how asking…
Business Spotlight Interview with Stuart Elwell, Dudley Physiotherapy Clinic – Presented by Andy Hemming 5 years into his business journey and Stuart Elwell from Dudley Physiotherapy Clinic shares how the business’ agility during the pandemic has allowed it to create a higher quality care proposition…
James Mattin, MD of Bond Wolfe talks about thinking bigger. Starting with 10 year goals, he shares how he plans backwards to daily goals to ensure that he’s always on track to achieve the future plan and direct his learning towards the achievement of those…
More than the numbers…. Whilst numbers are undoubtedly the language of business, they’re also the effect of the people in the business and their actions. Alex Boulter, Partner at CK Chartered Accountants shares her perspectives on how business success is about more than the numbers. …
“Self-awareness, confidence and courage – the recipe for agility, change and improvement” Adam Wootton from Impact Sales Coaching talks about how the mix of confidence, self-awareness and courage have allowed him to take focused and proactive action to drive his business forward, pivot and adapt…
“How overcoming the employee mindset has allowed me to invest and take calculated risks to grow to 11 team members in under 3 years” Matt Weston, MD of Vantage 365 discusses his journey from employed to the owner of a fast growth, 11 strong team…
Surround yourself with great people and be open…to support, challenge and change. Alison Bradley, MD of Central Business Finance shares how she and her business partners took advantage of a change in economic circumstances and Government to meet an unfulfilled need for small and medium-sized…
The power of shared values…how to overcome imposter syndrome and build great relationships Chris Dowen and Jason Moseley from MoRServ discuss how the values instilled during their time as Police officers have helped them not only to build a strong foundation for the internal and…
Giving away for the community and business When Simon Love needed a break during the pandemic, he realised that he wasn’t alone, and Sponsored Breaks was born as a result. A camper van which is gifted to deserving families to go and take a well-earned…
There’s no failure, only feedback Carl Baker, Managing Director of Nant Ltd shares both his sporting and business journey, demonstrating the opportunities for learning that are gained in times of adversity when there’s a need to take stock and reinvent to move forward. Even though…
Paul Hull, MD of award-winning freight forwarder KMB Shipping Group shares his story of how, despite the loss of two key team members, Brexit and Covid, the business has continued on a trajectory of growth. Paul shares how instilling the right mindset into a great…
ActionCOACH Black Country Business Growth Community– where business owners and their teams think smarter and achieve more Being in business can be a lonely place. We hear the same from our members all the time… ”I thought it was just me…” That’s why we’ve created…
Business Coaching: Why no-one wants a business coach and why every business owner should have one “I’ve met a business coach before…”. In the 15 years that I’ve had the privilege of working with business owners as their coach, I’ve heard that sentence more times…
If your life was a book, would it be a story you would want to read? What started as the motto for a life planned full of adventure took on a different meaning as a result of an unexpected health problem. All this led to…
Daley Thompson, Seb Coe, Steve Ovett, Gerhard Berger, Boris Becker and the England rugby team. Just a small cross-section of the elite individuals and teams that have benefitted from Professor Frank Dick, O.B.E.’s coaching and wisdom. The world of sport and the world of business…
Nella Share, Black Country born and bred, self-confessed recruitment lifer, and the super-powered red-headed Commercial Director of MET Recruitment shares how the business created opportunities from the adversity of the pandemic in 2019. Following the significant decline in the demand for recruitment, Nella and her…
4,732 days to realise a dream… A strong vision supported by the right team, coupled with the ability to pivot and be adaptable is the key message from the owner of Nachural Records, Nachural Events and “The Business Influencer” magazine, Ninder Johal. His belief that…
A great team, resilience and the willingness to adapt. They are the key messages from Deb Lawrence, director of Lawrence Cleaning. Black Country born and raised, and with 35 years running businesses in the Black Country, Deb shares how she and her family have built…
Episode 20. Could you take 3 months out of your business and have it grow without you? What would happen if you HAD to take three months out of your business? Would that business still grow without you? Or does it depend on you to…
Podcast 19. How to build an ‘effective’ business plan Are you looking to build an ‘effective’ business plan for your business? Have you ever built a business plan in the past… for it just to end up in some drawer somewhere. The secret between a…
Podcast 16. How to Increase Productivity & Reduce Stress. Does MINDFULNESS have a place in business? — with Kerry Hopkins Could Mindfulness in business be the thing that gives you that HUGE competitive advantage? What comes to mind when you think of the word ‘mindfulness’?…
Podcast Episode 15. Putting Your Strengths To Work! How to recruit the RIGHT people and stand out from the competition, with Jeremy Conrwall (Bell Cornwall Recruitment) What if you were to take the leap and build a business that was totally aligned to your strengths?…
Podcast Episode 14. HR, Resilience and Business Growth with special guest Michael Doolin Ever thought about leaving your corporate career to pursue your vision and put your strengths to work in your own business? Today’s guest Michael Doolin has done just that! Listen to this…
It’s no secret that some businesses have had a rough ride this year. Not surprisingly, 2020 was a year that the value that business coaching can bring was more recognised than ever before. But at a time when some businesses are struggling to keep their…
Podcast Episode 13. BUSINESS OWNER vs COACH (special episode): 6 Challenging questions every business owner wants to say to a coach! What happens when the coach is put on the spot by a business owner and asked some of the most challenging (yet truthful) questions…
Podcast Episode12. Interview with Corin Crane, CEO of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce Welcome to The Black Country Business Podcast. This week we interview Corin Crane from the Black Country Chamber of Commerce where we discuss the impact COVID19 has had on Black Country…
What did you get into business for in the first place? More money, more time, more freedom? These tend to be some of the answers we hear from people when they say why they went through all that hard work and effort to start a…
Episode 10: Understanding GDPR and how getting it right can make you A LOT more money — with Una Brown How many times in the modern business world have you had questions around GDPR? It all sounds like a bit of a minefield right? Well…
9: Communication & Behaviour. How to get what you want from every conversation using DISC profiling Have you ever wanted to become more influential? What would happen if you could have a conversation with someone and know exactly what words to say next based on…
Ep.8 Work Life Balance. Getting more from your business so that you can have the life you want! Is your business working for you, or are you working for it? Have a think about that for a second… This week is ‘National Work Life…
Ep6. Will the “New Normal” make you more successful? What does the “new normal” have install for your business and your success? In this episode of the Black Country Business Podcast, top UK business coaches Lewis Haydon and Andy Hemming discuss the impact COVID19 has…
Ep7. Lessons in Leadership and How to be Successful at Networking with Peter Higgs BNI People do more business with people they know, like, and trust. In this weeks episode, we interview the man of networking himself Peter Higgs. Peter Higgs is the BNI area…
Ep5. How to Stand Out From the Business Competition Ever wondered why some companies just seem to stand out and dominate their market place? In this episode top UK business coaches Lewis Haydon and Andy Hemming discuss how great companies make an impact. In this…
Ep4. Digital Marketing Secrets with Steve Hooper — And, what I would do differently if I did it all again… What would you differently if you were start your business again? This is the question we ask to Digital Marketing expert Steve Hooper in today’s…
Ep3. Coach vs Manager vs Leader: Who is better for your business?… There has never been a more critical time for business managers, leaders, and coaches to step up! With the change that has being going on in the world, businesses need managers, leaders, and…
Ep 2. How to get MORE SALES into your business… WITHOUT BEING A MARKETING EXPERT! How much money is your business leaving on the table because your marketing and sales process is not where it could be? When we think about how to get more…
Episode 1: Higher Vision, Higher PROFITS! — How to build a business vision that will inspire your team and lead your business to higher success! Ever wondered what takes a business from GOOD to GREAT? In this episode we help business owners in and around…
What are your business’ ‘rules of the game’?… In this episode, we talk about how businesses tend to form an accidental culture (i.e. culture just happens) rather than purposeful culture that aligns to high performance and their unique strengths. Do you have an accidental…
Mindset Monday. Episode 49: Saving a Wage is Costing You a Fortune! Why did you go into business in the first place? More money? More time? The definition of a business is a commercial profitable enterprise that works without you. However, how can you ever…
Ever thought about why we rave on about about Business Vision, Business Mission, and Business Culture?… well it’s because they are critical for businesses to SURVIVE and THRIVE in the future. Here is a short 3 minute clip from a seminar a few weeks ago.…
“I Was Completely Skeptical!… I Thought Coaching Wasn’t Needed In My Business” — Andy Hemming Client Testimonial In this video managing director Pete Wharton answers the question ‘what is business coaching?’. Pete talks about his experience with business coaching with Andy Hemming. At first Pete…
The Secret to More Freedom and More Money From Your Business How well is your business rewarding you? In this episode of Business Friday Review, we discuss how business owners could be thinking about business growth in the wrong way. We go into business to…
Episode 46: How to Get More “Luck” in Business How do you get more lucky in your business? Is luck even a thing? Watch this episode of Mindset Monday for how you can harness new thinkings around luck and mindset in your business.
We can’t get to where we want to be with old ways of thinking. Are your old ways of thinking holding you, your team, and your business back? The difference between employee and business owner isn’t just a status, it’s a mindset. Too often when…
It’s easy to avoid tough conversations, simply because it’s the easiest option. However, what is it costing you and your business? What does being ‘NICE’ really stand for? Well it means ‘Nothing Inside Cares Enough’. It’s surprising how many business owners we work with that…
In this episode we get very philosophical about what gets the top 2% business owners in the world where they are today. Everything around you is possible and was once just a thought from someone just like you. So here’s the question… if someone else…
Why did you start a business in the first place… To be more busy… or to be successful? When we start with a client we often hear the same excuses to why business coaching doesn’t work with them and why they are super special! Most…
Who is Really Sitting in the ‘MD’s Chair’ in Your Business? Episode 39: Who is Really Sitting in the ‘MD’s Chair’ in Your Business? In this episode of Friday Review, we talk about something we hear quite a lot as business coaches… “we haven’t got…
What’s stopping your team from achieving the results they should be achieving? What’s stopping your team from achieving the results they should be achieving? In this week’s Mindset Monday we talk about the underpinning psychology of why we (and our teams) don’t achieve the goals…
The top 2% business owners are at the forefront of business enterprise. At one point they were also growing a small business from the ground up. So what makes them different and got them to where they are today? A lot of people go into…
Business Owners, Why Are You Taking All The Pressure Of Your Business? In this episode we talk about business growth, employee growth and performance management. Most often when growing a business it’s the business owner that constantly feels the pressure of the business as it…
Where is your business heading? Are you employing people (the right people) that are aligned to getting your company where you want it to be? Most people we speak to say that it’s really tough to get good people. But perhaps we need to start…
When growing a small business, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day activities in your business. But… where is your business REALLY heading? What is your business going to look like when it’s finished? 80% of businesses fail in the first five years.…
“Monday Blues” – How much is it costing your business? In this episode Andy and Lewis talk about how team and employee motivation levels that impact the performance of your business. -How much does the Monday blues cost your business? -What triggers motivation? -What can…
How Excited Are Your Prospects in Doing Business With You? How good is your marketing and sales strategy? Are your potential customers, leads, clients excited to do business with you?
Business Owners, STOP BEING SO NICE! What does “NICE” stand for… Nothing Inside Cares Enough. Being “nice” is an ineffective way to running and growing a business. To see what we mean by this be sure to watch the full video above. It could…
The 18 most asked questions about how ActionCOACH can take your business to its NEXT-LEVEL! 1. WHO IS ACTIONCOACH? ActionCOACH is the world’s number one business coaching firm. Started in 1993 by Brad Sugars, ActionCOACH is the largest Business Coaching Company in the world, with offices and Business…
Are you getting EVERYTHING you want out of your business? In this episode of Mindset Monday, we discuss the mindset of top performing business owners (and their teams) and how they take responsibility for the results that appear in their business.
