Practical ‘How to’ business guidance and advice

Straight-talking tips and advice on a wide range of business and entrepreneurship topics from an experienced expert.

Trust Builds Business
Trust builds business but how do you build trust? Building trust in business is everything, but how do you do it? Here's a starting point. Can you recall a moment where someone you didn't know well demonstrated real trust - in a risk situation? What happened next? In little time strong bonds may have developed, sometimes at surprising speed. And the relationship changes for the better. The same is possible in the workplace, although the 'risk' catalyst is less commonplace (hence the need for Outward Bound courses). Read More

When Customer Demand Dies: What to do?
What to do when demand dries up? After 5 long hours stood by the roadside that hot summer's day back in 1988, I was beginning to doubt my lift chances. Bank Holiday traffic joining the M50 showed no interest in me. Could I get home? Could I even get out of Wales..? Read More

How to Shape Your Business
After several years working very hard on my first venture, an experienced mentor and friend drew me a simple diagram to demonstrate how to run a much more effective company. "It's all about knowing how to shape your business and getting the direction right" Chris said, taking his pen off the paper and sitting back in his chair. I peered at the illustration. None the wiser I looked up at his smiling face and asked him to explain. What he told me influences my thinking everyday... Read More

Figuring out pricing
Avoid guesswork when figuring out pricing Many start-ups wrongly copy the hitchhiker when it comes to figuring out pricing. An outstretched thumb works by the road, but a finger in the air almost always plucks financially flawed figures. Pricing products or services (especially the first time) isn't easy, but considered calculation based on some key principles can make all the difference between business success and failure... Read More

Playing the Business Dating Game
Playing the business dating game requires excellent communication skills This article may be about playing the business dating game, but it is accompanied by a warning: Networking is a very important activity for people running start-up businesses, but it can kill you..! Read More

The Thick-skinned Entrepreneur Goes Further…
Rejection hurts but the thick-skinned entrepreneur goes further... Even as a thick-skinned entrepreneur, at the start of any day hitchhiking, there was always a feeling of nervousness. It typically happened just before sticking out my thumb or holding up a sign. This is the moment of truth. You’re declaring your presence and your reason for being to all passing motorists... Read More

How the entrepreneur can read minds
Find out how the entrepreneur can read minds Developing an insight into the behaviour of others is a powerful advantage in entrepreneurial life. Some find building relationships easier than others. But regardless of your ability, understanding how the entrepreneur can read minds requires practice and some understanding of behavioural theory... Read More

Rugby Legend Stops for Hitchhiker
We gather critical information in the first 7 seconds The car stops. You open the vehicle’s passenger door and eye the driver. In those first 7 seconds you’re tuning into one thing… A short conversation ensues about direction and destination. But the verbal exchange masks the important stuff. Because… Read More