Ten things I have learnt from running a ￡0 to ￡100m plus business

I've been the Managing Director at CXC Global EMEA for almost 9 years now. It has been an exciting journey! Challenging at times, but well worth it. We have an amazing team and amazing partners and customers and I am so grateful for their support. Over the years, I have learnt so many valuable lessons and I would like to share some of them with you:

1. People matter and should be treated as such. It’s ok to treat people with respect, praise them and hold them to account where required. Manners and good manners matter, particularly in a fully remote business.

2. Client’s matter – no clients – no revenue – no money – no business. Look after your clients – they are people and have emotions, needs and results they need to achieve. Help them out, go the extra mile, never leave a problem unsaid or unsolved. Solve your clients’ problems – you can bet that your competitors aren’t.

3. No business is perfect. There is a huge advantage to being imperfect. You can always improve, innovate and be flexible for your team and clients.

?4. Systems are your friend. Systemize, systemise, and build redundancy into your business. Document systems, policies and procedures as you go.?

5. Outsource where you can – this allows scale and flexibility and keeps the cost lower.?

6. Do not let anyone mess with your company culture. If they don’t enhance it or respect it, then they should not be there. Culture matters and don’t lose sight of that. Cherish a great culture.

7. Being nice is a superpower. It doesn’t mean you can’t make, take or implement hard or tough decisions, but nice guys don’t come last.

8. Cash matters – keep it, check it and make sure it’s coming in.

9. Service and excellent service is a key differentiator, particularly in an era of standardisation and automation.

10. Team – simple but true, hire people that have the skills and experience that you don’t have. They will complement you and the business you are building. Don’t be afraid of that- leave your ego at the door. A great team is better than one great person.

?Find out more about CXC at: cxcglobal.com

What are the key lessons you have learnt in business?