FAQs
How much do you charge?Show answer
First of all our initial meeting with you is free; the intention of which is to learn more about your business, establish our credibility with you and see if there is anything that we can help you with. At that point we will agree a commercial rate with you. Typically this is based on a daily rate appropriate to the service we are providing.
Sometimes it may be a fixed fee for a given project. The cost will be no more than you will have paid for plumbing, accountancy or garage services. Our experience is that we can quickly recover our costs through the impact we make on the profitability and performance of your business.
If you would like a free, no obligation meeting with an experienced business advisor, please email us now – me@paulgreen.biz – letting us know what the issue is and how you think we can help.Hide answer
- Who are your services for?Show answer
Our target audience is managing director/owners of businesses with 5+ staff and/or a turnover in excess of £250k. Having said that, we do work with start up companies and have successfully raised funds for new ventures. Essentially, as a commercial organisation, any company needs to be able to afford us (see above).
- Why would I use you?Show answer
It’s the old adage of working ‘in’ a business rather than ‘on’ it. If you’re the boss, you are probably dealing with (fire fighting maybe) the daily issues that are ending up on your desk – because the buck ultimately stops with you. By working with us, you are accessing a businessman/woman who knows what it takes to run a business, with the benefit of being able to take an unbiased, ‘helicopter view’ of your organisation and work with you ‘on’ the business. It can also be a lonely place to be and having an experienced ear to use as a sounding board will impact your business and help relieve some of the day to day pressure that you may be experiencing!
Please take a look at these relevant links: Case Studies, Testimonials
- What’s he difference between you and Business Link?Show answer
Business Link (BL) are a government funded body that have access to various grants and funding schemes to support the SME sector. BL do not provide any direct business support and from November 2011 are an online support organisation only. This means there is no consistency or quality control in terms of the person that will be providing support for your business. We are an independent, commercial organisation providing direct, hands on support through members who have a proven track record with many years of business experience.
- What’s the difference between you and consultants?Show answer
We deliberately use the words “business advisors” as opposed to consultants to convey that we are experienced, hands on, practical and passionate about working with clients. We are definitely not about writing lengthy reports telling you what you already know about your business, charging you hefty prices and then leaving you to it. Our philosophy is action based plans that deliver results.
- I use my bank manager/accountant for business support – why would I need you?Show answer
Whilst bank managers and accountants offer valid, professional advice – it is limited to their core competences. Would you really use them for support on sales, marketing, operations, HR and many other issues – all of which are important to the successful running of your business? It’s best to ask an expert and that’s who we are.
- Aren’t you trying to be a ‘jack of all trades’?Show answer
Some independent business advisors work with companies on all aspects of a business; be it sales, marketing, finance, operations, etc. – no one is an expert at every single aspect of business. Through my extensive network, I have access to many hundreds of independent business advisors based across the UK (and internationally) with a variety of skills and industry sector experience – therefore the right person for the job in hand can be found to help.
- What credentials do you have?Show answer
All my associated colleagues have a proven track record of working within the SME sector. As well as some being accredited by the Institute for Independent Business (IIB), many hold other credentials from recognised bodies relevant to their field. Most importantly, all have had direct experience of running their own businesses – we know what it’s like!
- How do you guarantee your services?Show answer
We are as good as our last job! We are confident in our ability to provide you with a service that will significantly impact your business, therefore, for most of the support we provide, there is no long term contract and you are able to cancel at any time. In addition, you may want to talk to an existing client to establish what we can do – this can be arranged by request.
Please take a look at these relevant links: Case Studies, Testimonials
- Do you cover the whole of the UK?Show answer
Personally I tend to work in the East Midlands as this where I am based. However, via the UKBA and Effective Business Group, there are over 200 advisors based throughout the UK; therefore we can usually accommodate any geographical location by using this extra resource.
- If you’re that confident in your services, why don’t you work on a no win, no fee basis?Show answer
As we are a commercial organisation we have overheads and ongoing costs, hence the need to charge for our services. There are some cases where a no win, no fee arrangement is possible – for example when raising funding, grant applications and some legal areas. You should be wary of any organisation offering free services.
If you’re question is not here, please use the comment box below to ask what you need to know:
