Do Any Of The Following Sound Familiar?
Competing on Price
"We give a better service than our competitors, so why are we always competiting on price?"
Poor Margins
"We work hard, so why are our margins poor?"
Not Enough Time
"How do we develop a clear business strategy, time and cost effectively?"
Where do we start?
"We need to improve the business, but where do we start?"
What Is Strategic Mentoring?
The difference between a good business and a truly great one is rooted in its strategy.
As a strategic mentor, I offer support to business leaders and their teams to help steer them through the process of creating and implementing successful strategies.
"I believe it's absolutely key to create a business strategy that differentiates and engages all your people."
What Does Strategic Mentoring Do?
Everyone likes to be part of a winning team and winning teams attract the best players, so great companies are fun places to work.
Furthermore, with success comes growth and with growth comes opportunities. These opportunities create a positive environment conducive to personal growth and fulfilment, so morale is typically high.
In essence, great companies compete on their own terms, are profitable and, as long as they regularly review their strategy, their future is secure. Motivated and empowered employees are more creative and are therefore more likely to be able to add to the business’s differentiation.
Build Strategic Skills Along The Way
I differentiate myself by providing strategic mentoring that transfers knowledge into the management team and ensures ownership, so that the strategy lives on and is implemented effectively.
My approach is not prescriptive, but one of supporting the priorities of the business at any one time, using appropriate tools and techniques. This often includes confidential 1-2-1 mentoring, competence development and team building. However, it may also include visits to other businesses and informal networking with other business leaders.
Case Studies
BSA Guns Developing Export Markets
BSA Guns was initially founded in 1861 and is famous for the Lee Enfield .303 rifle, of which 1.25m were manufactured during World War Two.
Having had a long history of producing armaments, BSA Guns has an extremely strong brand name in the UK, but had poor penetration into export markets. The key challenge was to determine how the business could grow profitably in both the UK and worldwide markets.
Diamond Engineering Back into the Black and Thriving
Diamond Engineering is a family run business. In 2010, it had undergone some restructuring to reduce its overhead, everyone was very busy, the margins were poor and the business was struggling to grow.
The management team recognised that change was necessary and that they needed a more effective business strategy which could deliver growth, long term security and greater profitability.
Read MoreAllett Winning with Differentiating Products
Allett today is most recognised for its brand of lawn mowers, which are sold all over the world.
In 2010, the company was very different from where it is today. The business decided to undergo a facilitated strategic review in November 2010 and hasn't looked back.
How Is Strategic Mentoring Delivered?
Because every business is different, I use a 3 step process to tailor support for your business.
Step 1
Let's Talk
This is an informal discussion centred around your business goals and aspirations.
One of the primary objectives of this discussion, rather like a first date, is to determine whether the chemistry works.
Step 2
Strategic Review
Some businesses have well defined strategies that are shared and owned by the management team.
However, usually the business opts to have a strategic review, in order to either bring their current strategy up to date and/or to include the management team in the process.
Step 3
Support
A level of support is agreed with the MD and the initial priorities are agreed.
Depending on the individual needs of the business, I then get to work supporting the strategic development process.