The Week That Was

Back in July '21 I shared a video per day to highlight a week in the life of a business mentor https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzpP1GPKRp6min3jtsM7C5QotT2HBvNVG

Today I thought I’d summarise the week that was = last week.

Firstly what was I up to and then some client session highlights.

I do love a plan! As I encourage with all my clients my week always includes my own planning including my content plan for social media, blogs, website etc and also building my To-Do priorities into my diary ahead. This way I can just focus on the diary and my high pay off actions get executed.

Early last week I went live via a number of platforms for my latest Q&A session. I answered some questions from those attending and looked to share some thoughts to help business owners to start, develop, scale and grow. You can catch a recording of this Live Q&A at https://youtu.be/Kv6N-1ug8us

The previous week was mental health awareness week so I committed some time last week to have conversations about how I can continue to pay back the local support community in this area.

Many of you will know that I am a football coach for a youth football team in Harwell & Hendred. We’ve been on a good run of results this year which ended with a loss in our u10 Trophy event final. A tough one for me as a coach. Primarily helping the team to take the hard knock and look to the next match. For me also to reflect, learn and develop as a coach. But don't panic we were back to winning ways at Sundays tournament in Abingdon!

On Friday I enjoyed contributing to the #HatsForHeadway campaign to help raise awareness for the work of this critical charity here in Oxfordshire who are filling a void in healthcare. Take a look at my social post and I'd love to know your favourite hat!

I continue to enjoy co-hosting the Business Brunch with Ben on Get Radio and we’re really pleased with the guest line up and topics programmed for the next couple of months. Please do support the show and tune in on DAB or via www.getradio.co.uk each Sunday at 11am. All past show recordings are available on the website.

Last week I also attended a networking event was not my own from OBCN. There was a buzz and it was so enjoyable to hold conversations as an attendee rather than the host or lead. Thanks Howard. However, it was not quite the same for me given the number of direct sales approaches made or attempts to access my black book without providing me with any reasonable value. Maybe they already knew what I did?! :)

In terms of OBCN I’ve been focused on our events, speakers, planning and especially around the return of The Oxfordshire Business Dinner that is open to any business in the Oxford business community. You can find more details and book your at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-oxfordshire-business-dinner-2022-tickets-269010566847 As of today we are closing in on our 50th ticket. All at cost only to support #networking locally in Oxfordshire.

The biggest pain of the week………….literally. For sure this was my sports massage with Andy Attwood as treatment for my calf and achilles injury. 100% I recommend Andy but when he asked me to provide a pain scale from 1 to 10 then I was already at 11! As I said in one of my recent video snippets you have to give yourself permission during “working hours” to look after yourself. When you are at the best you can be then you are that for others also.

There were also some headlines from my client work last week:

I was pleased to be invited and attend a client’s team meeting which was a day of face-to-face interaction, brainstorming, feedback and developing the business together in a joined up manner. It was great to again see flipchart paper around the room, post it notes and hear reflective conversation.

A client has also enjoyed a breakthrough with the tough recruitment market to find the talent that their fast-growing service business wholly deserves. With a foundation established I’m excited to see where this business rockets to next.

Another client, has not been so lucky in their talent acquisition. They came up with a list of 7 other resourcing options to take the business forward.

I enjoyed a conversation with the client who is now positioning their business for sale as part of their semi-retirement plans. I shared my exit experience and observations whilst also reflecting on his business, the valuation and interim actions needed to best position his offer in the eyes of potential buyers.

It was also good to catch up with a client who is progressing the franchising of their business. This is a prime example of why I position myself as a mentor, as much as a coach. It is a relationship where I can share my experience of franchising my bookkeeping business a few years ago to spark or fuel their own ideas.

Many conversations recently have been in relation to teams, whether that’s recruitment, retention or productivity. A conversation last week highlighted how the cost of living and employment market opportunities for team members to move has brought the focus more and more on the take-home ￡’s over other sometimes forgotten benefits.

A client has progressed their outsourcing plan that developed from a conversation about a potential internal part-time business development role. We considered what role holder would be responsible for, which led to outsourcing their cold calling, relationship development with prospects and digital marketing for lead generation.

I love to help my clients celebrate their achievements. It was great to see a client smash their 10 minute networking presentation after developing the theme and content ideas in a past session. They took it to another level.

A further celebration moment was a client completing their financial year end and reflecting on a 3x increase in their 6 figure revenues for the year, having already grown during the pandemic.

I also enjoyed further conversation with Oxford Brookes University around my support to their scale up programme ‘Fuel’.

It was great to end the week with the confirmation of two new clients.

That’s an overview of the week that was for me.

If you’d like to have a conversation in the coming weeks about how I may be able to help you and your business to develop, scale and grow then do drop me a line or why not book some time in my diary online at https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/[email protected]/bookings/