It’s tough for many businesses. Many are flying high – sales up – profit up - market share up. Working with, and coaching, high growth SME’s means I see that ‘business is really good’ out there.

The sun is shining, first day of spring and whilst sowing my vegetable seeds I was reminded how similar it is to being a coach. In its simplest form, you sow a seed, nurture it and watch it blossom – just like my coaching clients and their businesses.

I love to learn and firmly believe that this continual learning really does enrich my life. I’m also a compulsive ‘snipper’ – I have lots of articles, notes etc. that I have snipped out of magazines over the years – so much harder now with so many articles on-line…

As a business owner there are so many things to keep under control that something normally gives. And, unless you were an accountant in a previous life, its probably your money management that deserts you.

Technology is great - my typing gets me by, but I miss some of the old-fashioned ways of doing things. So I thought you might enjoy my 15 'must haves' for a great working day; 8 old-fashioned ones and 7 techy ones.

Coaches bring expertise with them, but they also have a great ability to unlock their clients hidden skills, to boost their confidence and up-skill them as well

There comes a time when, whatever it is, you just have to do it. You might be dreading an exam, an interview, meeting the bank manager or making a person redundant, but at some point you just have to JUFDI - just you flipping do it!

How many times during the sales process, do you pitch and then re-pitch; attend client meetings again and again; prepare quotes, tenders then re-quotes etc.  and still not get a positive or definitive answer?

Part one of this guest blog from Steve Jessop has prompted lots of discussion. Prepare to learn some more from an insider's view of  'Where The Rubber Hits The Road'....