Welcome to a new monthly column in which business coach Tracy Pepper gives you business advice.  Tracy is an experienced business coach working with individuals and teams in small to medium-sized companies. Her aim is is to help get your business to where you want it to be quickly and effectively.

Whether you want advice on business planning, employing people, increasing your profits or simply getting started she will answer you questions. She will share with us her insights into successful businesses, the things they do and more importantly the things they don’t do. Email your questions to Tracy@piu.ltd.uk and we get you a reply in the following newsletter.

Column 1 - What makes a business successful?

The question I am asked most often as a coach is what makes a business successful.

Every business is of course different but for me the essentials are:

• Having a passion for what you do - if you love what you do your enthusiasm will come across when communicating to potential customers that will buy your product or service.

• Create a Vision - picture what your business will be like in 12 months time - create a collage or write down in detail describing the various areas, what you are selling - to whom- how much you are earning, where you are working etc. By creating this rich picture you are rehearsing in your mind your plan.

• Know how to communicate what it is you do/make/provide- when asked – “what is it that you do” don’t say I am an architect say I am an architect that specialises in modernist city centre designs, or I hand-make handbags with unique designs that appeal to most teenage girls.

• Know your customers - know who your product/ service will appeal to and target that market first. Do research if you can to confirm your view - sometimes you are wrong.

• Have a business plan - it is essential that you get what you want to achieve out of your head and down onto paper. Once it’s written down it takes you a step nearer to committing to do it. It also gives you the confidence and clarity of taking steps that move you forward. I will cover this area in more detail in future columns.

• Network and get as much help as you can - being part of networks like CIN give people working on their own and small companies the opportunity to hear from others the challenges and solutions they face. Mostly your challenges are similar to others. Networks are great places to explore funding opportunities and employment issues.

• Have patience and persistence - in business things can move slower than you would like and rarely happen first time of asking. Don’t give up at the first or even second delay.

Finally an old cliché - enjoy what you do - we spend far too much time working to not!

-----------------------

If you want 1:1 coaching support please contact Tracy direct at the same email address above.

TOP OF PAGE