Author Archives: Jon Stow

Solving the problem. Or not?

We who provide services are paid to solve problems. aren’t we? If a client comes to me worried about an issue she has, it would not help for me to just say “Oh dear, you are in a mess”. She … Continue reading

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Don’t be shy. Be positive.

I met a very go-ahead sort of guy recently, who needed my immediate help. In the longer term I felt that one of my business friend’s offerings would be a better fit. I told my client of my recommendation, spoke … Continue reading

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With a little help from my friends

Joe Cocker died recently, and although he was a prolific recording artist, he is best remembered for his cover of the Lennon-McCartney song “With A Little Help From My Friends”, which they wrote for Ringo Starr. Joe tailored the song … Continue reading

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The leaky tap – are your customers happy?

We all try to do the best for our customers, but do we know if they are happy? There might be something which they see as having gone wrong with our service, and we do not even know about it. … Continue reading

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Small business and swimming out of your depth

  A week or so back I was watching an antiques and collectible show on the TV. It was one of those where people bring along some item in the hope that one of the dealers on the show will … Continue reading

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The value resold

A few months ago I advised a client on some potential tax issues he was concerned about. It took a while to research; well mainly to check as I had good knowledge of the issues. It is always important to … Continue reading

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Ignoring the signs

It is great when our businesses are running smoothly. It is easy to take our eye off the ball, and not think about the future. It might be that there is plenty of income coming in, but are we relying … Continue reading

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Seth Godin and the Time Machine

Seth Godin said recently that we need the drive to want more and to be better. Our businesses and indeed our lives would be no fun if we knew we had achieved all we could, and that there was nothing … Continue reading

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Networking with old friends

I have been in business on my own account for a dozen years, now. In that time, I have met many people, both in formal organised networking and just in bumping into people in the course of business. I enjoy … Continue reading

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Can you network when you are shy?

I am a shy guy. It is just how I am. In those psychological tests they had in the Eighties and Nineties, and even into the Noughties, I ended up on the quiet introvert spectrum. I would have been too … Continue reading

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