Monthly Archives: September 2011

And then the bad news

After the excitement of telling you about the good news of the revival of our local airport, I am afraid there are some amongst our local population who either resistant to change or just don’t understand the needs of local business. I can of course understand the concerns of local residents that the airport might…

First the good news!

I went to a very informative and enjoyable business breakfast meeting the other day. The purpose of the event was to update local business owners and other interested parties on the development of Southend Airport or London Southend Airport as the owners like to call it. I like to call it “The Airfield” but that…

Customer service is what makes us different

  Choices Our prospects need to differentiate between a huge number of offerings. How do they know to choose us? For small businesses it is often going to be through recommendation; referrals. How do we get those referrals? It can only be by delivering great service and by perceived as being that bit better than…

Running your business the right way

              Most of us are very serious about our businesses. Many people work very hard but do not use their time well. It is so easy to get involved in matters which don’t make money. Some people try to do all the admin themselves; all that form filling on-line…

Playing at business

I don’t think I am unique in believing that I should take seriously every activity which I undertake. This is whether I do it for fun or for money. I don’t pretend to be an expert in my hobbies. I am going back to photography, which was always one of my favourite activities, and I…

Don’t compare

No one can have missed the incessant TV adverts for car insurance and car insurance comparison websites. They are nearly all very annoying and I think insult my intelligence (no snide comments, please). Discounting the one-in-twelve of British motorists who go uninsured and therefore have no interest in any car insurance, the advertisers are all…

Commuting a life sentence Part 2

All our yesterdays It is almost ten years since I was an employee with a large firm, and at the time they were just thinking about the concept of hot-desking. I must admit I did not like the thought of not having my own space in the office, and having to scramble for one when…

Commuting a life sentence?

Here in the UK there was news recently that commuter rail fares may rise by 8% in January 2012 at a time when the economy is struggling and fuel (petrol / gas) prices are very high. We are told that more people have been travelling by rail, and no doubt that is in part because…

The Frank Sinatra guide to running a small business

The local councillor who couldn’t help me might have been a local version of one of those politicians who think it is sufficient to reach high office and do not have a vision or a plan to do anything when they get there. Perhaps I am being unkind, but I could list you three British…

Monthly Archives: September 2011

And then the bad news

After the excitement of telling you about the good news of the revival of our local airport, I am afraid there are some amongst our local population who either resistant to change or just don’t understand the needs of local business. I can of course understand the concerns of local residents that the airport might…

First the good news!

I went to a very informative and enjoyable business breakfast meeting the other day. The purpose of the event was to update local business owners and other interested parties on the development of Southend Airport or London Southend Airport as the owners like to call it. I like to call it “The Airfield” but that…

Customer service is what makes us different

  Choices Our prospects need to differentiate between a huge number of offerings. How do they know to choose us? For small businesses it is often going to be through recommendation; referrals. How do we get those referrals? It can only be by delivering great service and by perceived as being that bit better than…

Running your business the right way

              Most of us are very serious about our businesses. Many people work very hard but do not use their time well. It is so easy to get involved in matters which don’t make money. Some people try to do all the admin themselves; all that form filling on-line…

Playing at business

I don’t think I am unique in believing that I should take seriously every activity which I undertake. This is whether I do it for fun or for money. I don’t pretend to be an expert in my hobbies. I am going back to photography, which was always one of my favourite activities, and I…

Don’t compare

No one can have missed the incessant TV adverts for car insurance and car insurance comparison websites. They are nearly all very annoying and I think insult my intelligence (no snide comments, please). Discounting the one-in-twelve of British motorists who go uninsured and therefore have no interest in any car insurance, the advertisers are all…

Commuting a life sentence Part 2

All our yesterdays It is almost ten years since I was an employee with a large firm, and at the time they were just thinking about the concept of hot-desking. I must admit I did not like the thought of not having my own space in the office, and having to scramble for one when…

Commuting a life sentence?

Here in the UK there was news recently that commuter rail fares may rise by 8% in January 2012 at a time when the economy is struggling and fuel (petrol / gas) prices are very high. We are told that more people have been travelling by rail, and no doubt that is in part because…

The Frank Sinatra guide to running a small business

The local councillor who couldn’t help me might have been a local version of one of those politicians who think it is sufficient to reach high office and do not have a vision or a plan to do anything when they get there. Perhaps I am being unkind, but I could list you three British…