Author: admin

Business Development, Project Management and Direct Sales services. Supporting the Contract Cleaning Services, Health and Social Care is the current focus of the freelance services - from start up to the sale of the business

The Paradox of regulation

Governments require businesses to trade freely, however the Government also seek to regulate how the trade is performed.

Now, I work with some great companies who are led by inspirational individuals who demonstrate excellence in their sector. But the Paradox, Government and big sector members seek to supress the growth by requiring regulation or unreasonable standards.

Flat lay of business concept

Regulation

Tax, employment, health and safety, etc., but those inspirational leaders and business owners don’t have those skills, so the mediocre “Professional” services get involved.

The issue is always the same, the small business doesn’t have the resources or the basic skills in regulatory matters to hold the Professionals to account.

The management of tax is one of the worst areas, accountants advise on how to pay as little as possible, yet paying tax on gross profits is a brilliant sign for contracts. The idea that you save money by claiming every possible allowance is seen as a saving, the reality is the business loses access to higher value contracts.

Regulation isn’t design to help small business, it is used to restrict growth, this means when a company hits a ceiling they become commercially viable to purchase.

Regulation is designed to keep the global players ahead of the game, they avoid the regulation and have the power to ignore the regulators.

Solutions

Don’t just sign up for Professional services, get some training first, know what you should be getting and know what you want from an accountant, solicitor, health and safety and quality consultant.

The biggest issue is when the fat hits the fan it was never their fault, the regulator is quite right in saying that a business owner should have known. So as you hit the milestones where regulations apply, get the training before you buy a professional service so that you can ensure you are meeting the standard.

The Paradox? Regulation and regulators should level the marketplace, the reality is distortion.

Here is a very basic example – a personal carer is a family member and has provided the care for years unpaid, however, the local authority agrees the Direct Payment is appropriate, so you decide to pay your carer. Sounds simple, and it is so long as you understand the difference in the relationship, you are now the employer and specific regulatory factors now apply, Insurance, Payroll, Job description, contract of employment and holiday pay.

So the message today is before you take the next step in your business development make certain you have accessed the training in the regulatory requirements. Stress comes from mistakes

Corrupt Systems

So the question I have been asked in the last couple of months is “how do businesses survive Corrupt Systems?”

It appears we live in a world of two forms of business and one form of government. Does it pay to be honest?

Yes! Not because the penalties are draconian, rather because it creates backbone, resilience and loyalty.

It has always been true

In the past it was common for small scale corruption to affect the small business owners, but today it is everywhere. The system is rigged to ensure that those with power attract money. Recent and current scandals demonstrate this.

So the Truth of business – real business is that it involves people, real people. Small businesses employ skilled individuals, invest in them and by extension their family, the community and the nation.

The products and services build on real relationships, I now look at services I buy and ask how long will it take me to talk to a real person? Not the CEO or MD but someone who looks after clients and customers.

If I start out with a chat bot when can I get to a real person – someone who will try and understand.

Business and services are about people, keep it local, stay relevant, be available and be honest. You never have the issue of watching your back or looking over your shoulder and your employees and contractors know they can rely on you.

Success and victory in the mountains.

Be Honest

All forms of deception are dangerous even white lies in business because they open the scope for more subtle forms of omitting information and spinning. Marketing isn’t about telling lies it is filling the buyers need.

If someone thinks a car can turn their life into something its not then their not the customer for you in the long run. We surviving by dealing in reality not social media. Living in the deception is corrupting the system.

So my Monday advice is give it your best. Let your products and services transcend the Corrupt System

Winning by generating loyalty and opportunities. Create your presence and make business pleasurable.

Understanding Finance

Understanding Finance in business there is common approach for an owner to delegate or outsource all financial management to others.

The bottom line is just how much money is there in the bank or stock to sell. As we approach weaking market investment and stagnating grow we need to accept that Understanding Finance is important.

Flat lay of business concept

More than Cashflow

During the early 1990s it was very common to attend business start up workshops that focused on projections built around cashflow. This is a flawed concept because cash can be committed years before it is used, an excellent lever but not a good idea to spend.

How many businesses go into liquidation missing simple things, taxation payments mount, pension costs, new models of core products. One of my employers was caught with £30k old stock in mobiles when we bought each unit in at £1k+. We ended up letting them go for £600 per unit and took the hit.

The reason £600 was acceptable linked wholly to cashflow. He failed to look at product redundancy, refused to supply other retailers, all measures that could have been mitigated by good risk management.

Building Financial skills

Economic performance is more than simply judging the cash value of your business and turnover, social impact and investment are critical to sustainable development.

Know how many times your income supports the local economy.

Learn about the break points in a financial report, know when your accountant or bookkeeper is not firing on all cylinders. Understanding the modelling and planning is one part.

Financial Discipline

If you have all the controls but fail to exercise them you are like so many businesses in for a rough ride. Those affected by seasonal drops or expecting high income for just a couple of months a year are better off looking at a whole asset management approach.

If finance is a foreign language to you or the directors of a company ensure you access some basic training.

I’m not sharing what we do or how we complete a whole company audit and set up your business for future sustainable development. Call us for that information (+44) 07766738799 – leave a message. or use the contact form

Keep your business growing

Understanding Politics

Understanding Politics is a fruitless task. The people who can make decisions that really count and make a big difference aren’t politicians.

For example: the real power behind the throne is money! Money and Power go hand in glove, it is rare to experience one without the other. For those without either it is never to their advantage.

History

Quakers were different, they had the money and access to power but decided to lift everyone with the new found wealth.

Focused on housing, education, health and rewarding work. They changed the UK and Europe.

However, along came the wars, one thing they wouldn’t engage in and their influence and power was lost. Replaced by Mutual Societies and Unions. Again some benefit to ordinary lives.

All short lived and doomed to failure. This is simply because No Good Idea goes unexploited. Government is designed to exploit the people based on a contract of safety and security. Rarely present in any culture.

Business and Trade

Money has always controlled how governments behave from the “robber barons” to the modern global organisations. They want the ordinary people to remain poor and fund the infrastructure they exploit.

So what works? The answer is focus on the three things you control:

  • Investment
  • Spending
  • Time

If we fail to invest in business we fail to invest the future, because it drives innovation and rewards imagination.

Spend recklessly and the big businesses get richer and the local high street closes. People lose their homes because small businesses fail and the government gets bigger.

From the software we use to the food we eat there is real choice but it all depends on how we use our time! 168 hours in every week and the media controls on average 3 to 5 hours a day. Filling minds with despair and depression – just look at the soaps.

The world created can be changed and it will be when people come before profit, honesty and integrity come before income, when food and good housing are truly a “Human Right”.

Open your eyes

50 years of trying to make sense of senselessness is going to make you old, depressed and discontent.

We can’t change the political world or commerce globally but we can invest in a real future by setting accountable targets and personal goals that ask hard questions of others.

Stop following and start searching, Business can make a big difference when there is a commitment to value, to fairness and a balance based on real need. Feed the poor, house the homeless and ensure work is available. We do that not through Politics but through controlling our investment, spending and time.

Free style writing is a relief and after more than 30 years it is good to finally say, “the big con is on and the majority have been sucked in” the sad thing is the pay-off is going to result in more than the effects of global warming and climate change.

So back to my business, I will be available to write documents and sell product, but why not set me a real challenge – ask me for the best social value strategy for business and become the difference in just a few lives. Everyone does it we change the world. No one does it then my favourite Dad’s Army quote rings true “We’re Doooom!!”

1976 to 2026

In 1976 part time early morning cleaning jobs were my way of contributing to family funds. Still in School and although a real strain it set the “Protestant Work Ethic” at the heart of employment.

Wanting to write I also did some work experience in Journalism, that came as a shock, what you write as a journalist isn’t always what is published once the editors had worked their magic. No it wasn’t for me.

First business

After leaving education it became a case of wandering from job to job, nothing really suited. So with my older Brother we decided to work self-employed as window cleaners and contract cleaners.

That was great fun but dangerous for anyone who worked with me as I was reckless. Favourite pass time – step back and admire the work, not such a good idea when you are at the top of a ladder.

Bad weather and a tragic accident meant I changed occupations and headed in doors, but hadn’t stopped writing.

Warehouse and Retail

Looking back it was another occupation I wasn’t cut out for, couldn’t stand some halfwit telling me how to stack boxes or move trolleys. However, I did enjoy the computer work and the health and safety, a chance to train others.

This created the basic understanding I did have communication skills, speaking, listening, writing and presentation. I discovered my transferrable skills.

Sales

What a rubbish sales person I started out as, I learnt all the so-called successful techniques but couldn’t bring myself to use them.

Somehow I hit my targets so only sacked twice but I suddenly realised to sell effectively I needed to let the person buy. Talk less, point out more reasons to take sometime, then they bought! If we didn’t sell the product but it could lead to repeat business, I found them the product and a safe supplier.

It was all about relationships and building trust.

Writing and employment

Following a prolonged period of illness I moved into a period of employment training with a local authority, they needed a researcher for economic projects and my writing began.

Fill the page with facts, directions and clear reasoning that led to conclusive outcomes.

The career jumped about from there but involved writing everyday in my unique style. Self educated and driven by a desire to make a difference bid and tender writing filled 20% of my time.

Winning large project funding from EU and UK sources, raising money for the voluntary and community sectors.

Finding the means to deliver in so many fields, the niche of writing National Occupational Standards, foundation qualifications and management tools.

Dilemma

In 1994 the fundraising and competitive tendering market place began to attract so called “professionals”, by 2000 these individuals out numbered the core volunteer writers who had been successful for years and marginalised them.

My dilemma, I crossed both sides, writing as a volunteer and being paid by local authorities and national charities to write for them. It was clear by 2004 I had to make a decision.

Dropping into freelance and self employment I slid away from the issues. But now after 22 years of freelance work it’s time to ask the hard questions.

Did I do the right thing by avoiding the confrontation? In hindsight? No.

The marketplace needs fresh ideas, maverick contributors, not people like me who hide as authors of blogs, and content. We need the market disruptors.

So if you are reading this and thinking I have something to say or write, don’t wait find the right audience and communicate.

We change things when the majority stop being silent. Minorities run the world because they are permitted, they dump unfounded guilt on the developed world.

Reparations – example

If you go back 300 years and look at the average life of anyone who wasn’t rich they understood graft, poverty, exploitation, a singular sense of futility.

They didn’t enslave anyone, they didn’t exploit or sell people to get rich, that was a minority across all cultures.

These groups benefited from the social reforms, better housing and the beginning of education. Society changed because a religious few addressed the unfairness of the world.

Whilst reforming at home, they challenged slavery, moved to get it abolished and paid individual ship owners to intercept cargo to release those being transported.

Now those who were benefiting from the reforms in Europe are now managing the communities they live in. Many starting without the advantages of benefactors who gave them much. These ones are being asked for reparations, the rich who maintained their riches remain untouched, the royals keep their special status but the people are asked to pay.

In 50 years I have learnt there will always be injustice so focus on what is right today. Write or speak from your heart and never let others shut you down because you are speaking truth.

Truth is based on unassailable facts the rest is fake, used to scare and control. A few more years to go but I have come to agree with the writer who said – everything is futility!

Social Care Mindset

Working with business owners in the Social Care Sector it is clear that so many are stuck in a mindset. They require the Local Authority and NHS approval to attract clients.

The adjustments to the procurement process for 2026 have some surprises in store. A recent Pre-market Engagement event with one of the local authorities dropped the bombshell – all providers must have a CQC rating of “Good” or better.

The CQC First Inspection backlog runs to the thousands, note the post by Homecare Association. The problem will get worse.

Three Simple Steps

Once registration is achieved a Care provider can build the market confidence with three actions:

  1. Prequalification using SSIP accreditation for Health and Safety
  2. Complete PAS91 compliance
  3. Social Value Accreditation

All available for Health and Social Care Providers, the investment creates clear rewards and generates market confidence. We recommend using service providers like PQS (Prequalification Scheme [SSIP])

Quality Assurance Accreditation

Tailored ISO 9001 accreditation is limited and costly but worth the investment. The assessment process is designed to capture both Good Practice and Key development needs.

When small businesses look to punch above their weight the primary tool is demonstrating the quality of the service.

Social Media

The growth of online Brokerages has created a second marketplace and here you are looking at paying for referrals.

How do you beat the Brokers? simply put work harder at the online profile and footprint. Therefore, use AI tools to ensure that your prospective clients are engaged quickly, that they can speak to the right person.

Consequently, Facebook; Instagram; Bluesky; Community Directories and local advertising online create opportunities.

Additionally, use feedback sites and request testimonials that automatically link to Trust Pilot and similar services. Use Online Forms to feed the local reference sites where your business is listed.

Exploit Website Potential

Therefore this year I have offered all clients web traffic analysis. The majority found this interesting as they paid maintenance services and SEO only to find the unique visits generated each week were low.

Also the website design is just the same as everyone else, take a look, same photographs, AI generated text and links that didn’t help them to inspire anyone to call.

Looking at my website you will say “you can’t talk” however, my website isn’t designed to encourage a large number of enquires. The blog is all that is focused on as all services and support are bespoke, designed and then tailored to your needs. We make ourselves redundant.

So act over the holiday period launch these actions:

  • Analyse the website
  • Check your credit score as a business
  • List the accreditation that would give you confidence
  • Design a marketing plan
  • Action plan for the second week in January

If you need assistance in completing any of these tasks or want this done independently then contact us or subscribe to the blog.

Prepare your business for 2026 and secure a positive approach to market growth and development

Be The Difference

In the early 1990s I was told “Be the Difference”. One person can change everything! Social Justice is achievable and equity is possible.

The people who shouted the most about the skills I had to create change gained a reputation, financial security and prospered. Pointing the team I worked with at so many projects.

My role was strategic fund raiser. Success followed easily and the money for projects began to flow, first thousands, then millions and hundreds of millions.

We weren’t the best, there are so many worked from the 1940s to today in this field who are now in need of that support.

Why? Because we forgot that the “Poor”, disadvantaged and ordinary have to remain with us if society is to get rich.

The Moral

Don’t forget about your personal future. Plan for a period of financial restriction. Life is about understanding that the rule of unintended consequences. It affects us all. Life gets in the way and time flies.

The Impact

Past triumphs don’t count, no one rewards you for what you did 10 or 20 years ago. People define you by what you do now. Society is ungrateful. People assume they have rights and its another persons responsibility to ensure them.

Here is a simple example, the DWP Jobcentre appraisal is you can not work and you need to receive Universal Credit. However, PIP is not accessible because a person on the end of the telephone decides you’re OK. The Assessor tells you it is not their decision but the truth is the information they provide forms the basis of a judgement call.

Put enough layers of decision making in place and everything can be excused as someone else should have picked it up.

The systemic failure of society is based on failure – failure to apply the “Golden Rule”. There’s no need for global poverty, but when the rich have revenue sources from exploiting others it prolongs poverty.

Solution

Surprisingly its not focus on what you need or want, its be content, understand that Governments come and go, they affect and effect very little and change nothing. So we need a new style of government.

One that can’t be corrupted. One that offers the essentials to all and guarantees education, food and shelter.

Better days are coming – however, all things that work for the benefit of society today are futile. We will always have the poor with us, the homeless, those deprived of an education.

Find your way – I read the Bible and look at the best life can offer now and although for all the years spent trying to fix society my family have little to show for it, we have a real hope for the future.

Small Business economics

For Small Business owners the prediction for 2026 is quite bleak. An investment poor macro economic profile depresses the headline rate of economic growth.

However, this is an opportunity for business owners. Growth is over emphasised in business because sustainability and durability are key.

We work with those “we know, like and trust”, therefore, it is the opportunity to get to know your market and potential customers.

Health and Social Care

We’re told the health and social care system is failing. That’s not accurate. Demand out strips the structure to respond. Yet the market place is deluged with small providers who do a great job.

The problem? Simple, the Public rely on the Local Authority and Government, NHS and established Health Care sector to shop for them. This creates problems.

We don’t send others to shop for very personal services, choose where we do our weekly grocery shopping or buy petrol. Yet we rely on people who don’t know us to find the care provider.

Remedy! Care providers get known in your community, be there first, one off support. For example, this month thousands are down with a particularly difficult strain of influenza. Ask what support could you provide? Many care providers shop for their clients, is this a one off service you can introduce?

For example, in Liverpool, Birmingham, Essex, Nottingham, Leicestershire you have access to top care providers like:

All local care providers and working in their respective communities.

Therefore, Look for opportunities to be seen. Use social media and offer support. Don’t hide your business.

Trading Through Recession

The global reality is that market growth now depends on reducing globalisation, breaking up international companies and starting to operate within national boundaries.

However, the multinationals who move most of the money out of economies control Governments.

A radical solution is turn the income tap off. Require all businesses to operate under the same rules.

Faceless multinationals are at a disadvantage, they exploit convenience, price is rarely a factor because Wish, Alibaba and Temu compete on price but it is delivery times that let them down

Consolidation creates growth

Learn from the natural world, plants have seasons for growth, eventually everything stops growing but still functions.

Want to establish a market position that naturally develops in your community then contact us

Learn from the great surviving enterprises, who grow in favourable seasons, consolidate and trim to ensure continuation of trading. Business owners are not at the mercy of the marketplace they can drive it.

Stay Visible; Stay Local; Stay relevant!

Consequently, we see this as the time for real development. Create a plan, start by calling us.

Presumption

There is assumption and presumption, note the difference:

An Everyday Affliction

Authority presents information as truth, big companies and advertisers do this and the majority never raise any questions about the veracity of any statement. They take things at face value.

The reality is that little truth is written or spoken. For example requesting credit when the borrower knows they will never be able to pay. Or the public lender who is borrowing from a future source of money they haven’t yet received.

Corruption and dishonesty permeate all parts of life and business.

Neither a Borrower or a Lender Be

Having always developed businesses with zero access to borrowing, no loans, nor overdraughts has meant that every opportunity opens and closes without doing damage to others.

There is good sense in operating within the means of the business. In the early 1990’s I joined a firm based on a lie, deception, that there was at least enough money in the bank to get through the first years operation. It became the money didn’t exist.

30 people lost their jobs because I took things at face value. It never happened again.

The clear message

Expect to be deceived, learn the language of those who promise what they can’t and often have no intention of delivering.

Business Independence relies on those Six honest serving men:

I keep six honest serving-men
   (They taught me all I knew);
Their names are What and Why and When 
   And How and Where and Who.

I send them over land and sea,
   I send them east and west;
But after they have worked for me,
   I give them all a rest.

These are our tools for checking the veracity of others therefore, we all need to use them. The economy tanks because of macro policy adjustment small business collapses because of micro decisions.

Taking things at face value leads to disappointment therefore, aggressively challenge all news sources, hence checking for yourself. There’s nothing that substitutes

Need to know how to use the tools Contact Us

Update

The media are now telling everyone what a mistake the British People made, it doesn’t matter. Those who provide the information others make decision with are culpable.

Consequently, Its time to settle and graft, small business faces the micro end of the economy. Therefore without small business big business can’t function because we are the supply chain. Skip the media and politics and focus on the business.

Success and victory in the mountains.

    Feeling Left Behind

    The struggle to keep up with technology has caused some to feel they have been left behind.

    The race to the top is always competitive, therefore, the breathing felt on the back of the neck should spur us on. However, there are many businesses that see the race passing them, inaccurately perceiving the market advantage is lost.

    The media companies need us all to feel this is the only route to market. Thus the pricing of simple tools, core software programmes reaches a point that we are already feeling the pinch before anything is sold.

    Smoke and Mirrors

    Last week I had the opportunity to review a business that still used the person to person method of building business.

    Focused on great service and a good reputation. No online reviews and a very small digital footprint.

    Success was built on maximising the tools and resources and not getting sucked into the clouds. Simple systems well managed, good products and great sales with high quality after care.

    The point made to me was the Media is just smoke and mirrors. The illusion of personal interest designed to strip the customer of every penny.

    Solutions

    First point made was have real people around, get to know the customer and understand their business.

    Second point tailor the product or service, ensure it is unique and developed with the customer.

    Third point, develop repeat business and referrals, this creates genuine leads.

    Fourth point, value everyone in the supply chain by keeping things personal.

    Action Point

    Based on some of these points I looked at all the software and subscriptions we use. Our action was test the concept, therefore, shut down Microsoft and Google on a couple of new jobs.

    Impact no subscription but the same high quality tools accessed like Libre Office – you can find loads.

    Consequently, returning to home run servers and data storage that is turned off when not wanted proved advantageous.

    The more we rely on Cloud and Global Corporations the more vulnerable our data and resources become.

    Another key point, Software Giants want us to spend money when they watch the free ware and firm ware developers take the leaps forward and just copy them.

    Is it time to explore the options? Could your business do everything differently by simplifying the dependency on Global Software companies?

    Hence, we learn from our clients. As a result we share interesting outcomes with readers. So subscribe to the posts and in coming months explore what can be done to make simple tools work effectively.

    Contact us for a ‘no obligation’ conversation about reducing core costs. Stop sacrificing your data security to a third party.