I'm compiling a book and looking for contributors give views on running a business. Can you help?
As a small business owner affected by the recession I am compiling a book offering small businesses practical advice for success during difficult economic times.
I am looking for business owners who would like to contribute their advice or offer positive stories of success achieved during the recession to be included in the book.
It's easy for you to add your own gems of wisdom to this project. Simply e mail me at guy.heaton@live.co.uk leaving your contribution and preferably name and business you own. Alternatively, you can leave contact details if you wish to speak with me.
You can contribute as much or as little as you like from a few lines to a page or three. Any part you wish to play will be greatly appreciated in making the book a reality.
I look forward to taking the opportunity to share your knowledge, experience and positive stories of success with those who would benefit and prosper from them.
I am looking for business owners who would like to contribute their advice or offer positive stories of success achieved during the recession to be included in the book.
It's easy for you to add your own gems of wisdom to this project. Simply e mail me at guy.heaton@live.co.uk leaving your contribution and preferably name and business you own. Alternatively, you can leave contact details if you wish to speak with me.
You can contribute as much or as little as you like from a few lines to a page or three. Any part you wish to play will be greatly appreciated in making the book a reality.
I look forward to taking the opportunity to share your knowledge, experience and positive stories of success with those who would benefit and prosper from them.
Asked by Guy Heaton,
October 2009 - Contact this person
4 Answers
-
Guy,
You may find this summary from Doug Richard, ex Dragon and Chairman of VentureNavigator useful for your book:
Rules for Survival in an Economic Downturn (www.venturenavigator.co.uk/survival)
1. Cash is King
2. Collect With Passion
3. Don't Depend On Anyone
4. You Can Always Cut More
5. Talk To Your Lenders
6. Business Survives On The Bottom Line. Not The Top Line
Each rule is expanded upon in more detail elsewhere.
For example:
- Cash is king: collect with passion:
--- www.venturenavigator.co.uk/content/cash_is_king_collect_with_passion
- Don’t slash and burn in the drive for cost savings:
--- www.venturenavigator.co.uk/content/dont_slash_and_burn_in_the_drive_for_cost_savings
- Business Survives on the Bottom Line:
--- www.venturenavigator.co.uk/content/business_survives_on_the_bottom_line
Best wishes for your book - and let us know when it's available!
Arthur. -
Hi Guy,
My comment is:
"Beware of people who will spend (waste) your time and money quicker than you can! They are often in "comfortable", salaried jobs!"
An example is a the type of person who leads you on for a long time making you think they will place an order, when they don't even have the authority to do so!
Interestingly I found this blog through following Venture Navigator on Twitter, so I will add another point: "Learn about, keep up to date and use social media in your business."
Although I agree with the majority of what Arthur and Doug Richards say, I am not so sure about their point 3. I have often found the I had to depend on other people, for example my wife and children for their support during difficult times.
I think that you should get some excellent information from the answers to this blog, but if you want to contact me to ask further questions or discuss anything, please do so.
Good luck with the book and as Arthur says, please let me know when it is published.
Best regards,
Nigel Adams
Programme Director - BSc Business Enterprise
University of Buckingham Business School
BSc Business Enterprise - Start a business and achieve an honours degree in just two years: http://www.buckingham.ac.uk/business/bbe/
Buckingham - the UK's top University (National Student Survey 2006, 2007, 2008 AND 2009)
Buckingham - one of the UK's top 20 Business Schools (The Guardian, May 2009)
and
Managing Director
Nigel Adams & Company Ltd
Welton, Northamptonshire, NN11 2JJ
Helping UK companies to establish business operations in Central & Eastern Europe.
Website: http://www.nigeladams.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/nigeladams
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/nigeladams
Ecademy: http://www.ecademy/user/nigeladams -
Hi Nigel,
The point 3, "Don't depend on anyone" is more about suppliers and people in your supply chain than anyone else. It refers to being able to swap out suppliers in a hurry in situations where either they fold or become uneconomic. It’s true that many businesses would not survive the early stages without being able to lean on family and friends from time-to-time!
Phin -
Totally agree with the earlier answers. Having started a business a year and a half ago, I would add:
do your research, build a rapport with prospects and clients, listen to their needs and be mindful of your reputation. Word of Mouth is very powerful. Be flexible, treat clients how you would like to be treated. A client, if treated properly, is a client for longer than one sale. Get your pricing right.
Your biggest client is not always the best. Measure and monitor.
Working with small businesses, I have noticed that often the basics are not in place, hence do your research and work on getting your process right.
There is plenty of help out there for start ups - make use of it. Finally never stop learning.
Margo Lumby
Website: http://www.toolkitmarketing.co.uk
Twitter: http://twitter.com/margolumby
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/margolumby
Share this question:
