Last night I gave the keynote address at my old school’s Speech Day… Apart from being an immensely humbling experience, being back on the platform, this time handing out awards and certificates rather than receiving my (then) very thin envelope of academic achievements, I used the opportunity to remind the graduating class of the importance …
How Exercise Gives You The Edge Regular exercise has numerous benefits for all of us, but one thing that is often overlooked is how exercising regularly can impact your work life. No, we don’t mean the bag of sweaty gym kit under your desk making you unpopular! Exercising regularly can actually improve your performance at …
Thank you to Club Member Derek Hill who shared this short video with me yesterday. It’s a powerful demonstration of how a movement starts, builds and then gains momentum. As you watch it ask yourself these questions; What is your movement/mission or purpose that you are building momentum for? Is it your overall company mission? Your …
“When the cat’s away the mice will play” (meaning when the cats not around to watch, the mice will get up to all sorts of mischief.) So what are your people doing when they’re not being watched? Do they do the same things they would if you were physically there? It’s the ultimate culture test. …
Guy Rigby is the Head of Entrepreneurs at Smith & Williamson, and we were lucky enough for him to attend one of our Club dinners. Guy shared some amazing nuggets of wisdom about his own experience and entrepreneurial journey, along with those he’s helped. Below are some of the highlights… GR: Demand is what makes …
The first decision I made at the turn of the year, which I announced to the Company Shortcuts team at our first strategy meeting – is that from now on we are closing the business from 4pm on the 23rd December until the first working day of the New Year. You can imagine – that announcement …
I thought I would share some wise words from Lara Morgan which I trust you find valuable and take time to read, reflect and act. From Lara’s desk… Now is the time with a single-minded focus to answer the following 4 critical questions… 1. Do you have the right people to drive your researched strategy? …
You’ve heard CS persistently bang on about the importance of… Adapting to your buyer’s changing behaviour (We’re not in Kansas anymore!) The importance of winning the digital ‘mindshare’ of your customers as they enter your buying cycle The age of the customer we now find ourselves in and the importance of the experience of not …
We all know we want a team of A Grade Players for our businesses. A critical part of scaling our companies, but what does the term A Grade Player actually mean? And how do you find them? An A Grade Player is the term used to describe the top performing 15% at any given pay …
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 …
At Company Shortcuts we exist to ‘grow the nation by improving sales performance’ and the growth rates of our client base which averages 140% increase in Net Profit one year after engagement, tell us that we are well on our way to achieving our mission. Yet according to the Scale-up report published in November 2014, commissioned by UK …
Earlier today I was standing in front of 200 young people (Year 11’s) sharing my story from school through to the career I have today, via www.speakers4schools.org, with the intention to hopefully inspire them. I always incorporate the following as one of my opening lines in my talk;“Today, I particularly want to appeal to the students amongst you, …
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 …
Kick Start your business’ new year with a full pipeline. Lou Johnson, CEO of Blue Sky Revenue Generation is a great friend of Company Shortcuts and many of you will have met her at one of our live events. We’ve asked Lou to share her perspective on how business leaders can start the New Year …
If like me you have watched Dragon’s Den you will be familiar with the phrase “this is a lifestyle business and therefore not an investable proposition”. So what is it that you can do to move your business from a lifestyle to a business that is attractive to investors and other buyers? Making this move …
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 …
The first sales hire may slow you down at first but get it right & adhere to these 4 strategic tips and you’ll set your business up for profitable growth. A question that all growing businesses must answer is: When is the right time to expand my sales operation, who would be the best fit and where …
Speaking from personal experience, Patricia Bacon, founder of Bacon Consulting shares insights on recruitment and building culture for a healthy business. As I have grown businesses over the years I have come to realise that recruiting the right people is one of the greatest contributors to achieving success. Everyone counts in the business and plays a …
Having made most mistakes in recruitment, in fact it feels like all, but also having learnt a great deal along the way through trial and alas error I wanted to share with you a few thoughts and sense checks for avoiding recruitment nightmares. Culture firstIt took 17 years of effort to define the process of best …
It’s important to be honest about both the strengths AND challenges different selling styles present. Nicola Cook explains in greater depth what to expect from each style. After reading the outlines in Selling Styles Part 1, do you find yourself associating in particular with one of these styles? The Gladiator The Best Friend The Wizard …