Those of us old enough and grey enough will have lived through more than one economic contraction, however it’s fair to say that none of us have ever experienced a worldwide pandemic like the one we’re all currently facing with the COVID-19 virus.By the time this article is published, I guarantee things will have developed …
Jamie Edwards shares with us in a guest blog, his feelings towards the recent events that have unfolded across London and Manchester over recent weeks and the impact such events can have on one’s life. After the impact of the past few weeks in Manchester and London I think there’s a lot of resilience that …
A guest blog by Ed ChallinorIn this article I’m writing a response to Nicola Cook’s insightful commentary in her Company Shortcuts blog for International Women’s Day, ‘Can a man work in his wife’s business.’You can read the original article here. I came across the blog having met Nicola at a mastermind event and agreed to write my …
My Mini Stalking Mission by guest writer, Claudette Dawson When you are on a mission, you have a specific aim with a clear direction and it’s vital to know, own and embrace your “why”. My “why” for wanting to join Company Shortcuts was the fuel that ignited my persistence button. That’s what drove me on …
This week, to huge applause in the office, it was announced that we are finalists at the BESMA (British Excellence in Sales and Marketing Awards) 2016, in not just one, but TWO categories! Company Shortcuts has been selected as a finalist for ‘Training Centre of the Year‘ and Nicola Cook our Chief Opportunity Officer and CEO, is a finalist for ‘Sales Trainer …
You already have a successful growing business, but are you frustrated that your sales team doesn’t follow through all the potential prospects they’ve either self-generated or had fed to them by marketing? While you may have an ongoing email nurture campaign in place to keep leads simmering nicely, perhaps you would really like to elevate some relationships and …
How many times have you been at a networking event and introduced yourself to someone who responds with titles like, Account Manager, Business Development Manager, Executive, anything but admit that they are in sales? I wholly understand the reticence of salespeople not wishing to tar themselves with the brush of other’s poor behaviour in industries …
I considered bringing in a NED on a few occasions as I built my business. In the end, I only ever appointed one – in a major transition phase of the business when I felt utterly certain of him and the value he could and would bring to the business. On reflection, and I may …
Only recently did I appreciate the really immeasurable value of the innovation ability we encouraged as we built at Pacific Direct. Everyday surely a company must surely continually try to improve and grow to outrun the competition. Indeed not only to outrun but to win on every level, as a business grows a company must …
How many leaders continue to ignore the fact that need to invest in self as well as others? How many do not even invest in their own people…Have you ever heard anything so ridiculous as – “If I train my people they might go?” – If you do not train your people they should go… …
Recently I was lucky enough to be asked to do a presentation for the brilliant Julie Meyer at her Entrepreneur Country Event. The conference was all about growth acceleration and – forgive me for stating the bleeding obvious – but too often not focused upon. So I entitled my talk, “Sell More”. Too many people …
How bad are we in Britain at selling? I would suggest pretty poor, and most certainly the majority are weak in the art of persistence and persuasion. Some do not even endeavour to practice these skills and barely make it through the early stages of a several stepped process towards winning an order. I enjoy …
There are many things you can do to maximize your success Always have the top three things you wish to achieve that day at the forefront of your mind – ensure your goals are realistic and make sure one of the three every day is something promoting a new sale. Sales are for the selling …
Valuing Time Time is money? The more productive you can make each minute of the day the more you will make on the return of your invested effort. Being smart about the way you work within the hours you give will also set you apart. Focus on a core goal without distraction, practice and start …
A qualified rant on youth job culture Having no qualifications, I started a business when I was 23, with no funding and having seen a myriad of utterly mediocre, poorly written, mistake strewn job applications over the past 20 years why am I surprised still to hear the pathetic desires of newly graduated unemployed people …
Too many company owners fail, not because they do not have a good product, a willing team, nor good customers but simply because they run out of cash to support growth. The earlier business leaders learn the importance of cash management and cash controls within their business the more likely I think they are not …
The value of delegation but the difficulty of letting go remains a constant strain on most small company leaders, and then their management team as the small company matures and takes the hugely brave but energising steps of accelerating growth potential. The brave pill, of learning to trust others, respecting that other people will approach …
Having and keeping your staff is great but without a steady cash flow your company will not survive, One of my early hires was an accountant. However before that there was just me and as I was building my company I looked at the amount in our bank account every day; I would always know …