This essay (9 of 10) highlights the challenge for fast growing businesses who fail to build a strong foundations Growth enjoys an almost mythical status in business. We celebrate it enthusiastically. Investors pursue it relentlessly. Leadership teams build strategies around it. Newspapers rank it. Awards recognise it. For many organisations, growth becomes the unquestioned measure […]

In this 8th of 10 essay, we consider the strong link between leadership judgement and business growth. When people talk about business growth, they usually talk about numbers. Revenue, profit, market share and investment growth. The language of business has become the language of accumulation. We measure success by what grows because growth is visible. […]

Welcome to essay 7 of 10. Every board meeting is attended by the same familiar voices. Shareholders expect their return. Employees bring their concerns. Finance reports the numbers. Sales explains the pipeline. Operations discusses delivery. The latest problem demands immediate attention, while the loudest issue usually consumes the greatest amount of time. Every important stakeholder […]

Thames Water will run out of money in 6 months. Denby had traded for 217 years and despite flagging this issue and the company went bust 6 weeks later. When will your business run out of money? This is a critical question for start ups developing a disruptive products and services. But as businesses start […]

One of the biggest gripes I consistently hear from businesses is “the banks just won't lend money any more, they are no help at all”! But they are very helpful when they have the facts. You spend hours, days perfecting a 9-slide pitch deck to attract money from equity investors, you have a sales plan […]

- even though you’re working hard! You’re not disorganised. Your business just isn’t clear. Most small business owners I work with say some version of this: “I just need to get more organised.” But when we look a little closer, that’s not actually the problem. They’re not lazy. They’re not lacking discipline. And they’re definitely […]

Companies fall into two camps, they either plan for the calendar year or for the tax year. For those on the calendar cycle, this is the half-time whistle. Time to regroup for a much improved second half. Just watch England’s first round World Cup match to see how 2 halves can be very different. For […]

It’s planning season. And in many businesses, the process still starts the same way: The FD sets a number. A percentage up.A percentage down.Or a target that needs to “fit the budget.” But here’s the real question: Is that number based on a plan—or is the plan being built around the number? Budget Led Planning […]

I'm jumping on the 2016 bandwagon! What was happening in 2016 for small businesses? Does 2016 give as an idea on how current trends may play out...?