Tag Archives: planning

A successful small business owner learns by experience

Posted on February 18, 2013 by Jon Stow

  Confession I used to work for a large firm of accountants once. They actually called themselves “Accountants and Business Advisers”. The firm held itself out as specialist accountants for small businesses and “SMEs” (Small and Medium Enterprises”). Quite honestly. … Continue reading →

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Lack of success and the blame game

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Jon Stow

Excuses It is easy to lay the blame for business failure at someone else’s door, but usually it is an excuse. Sometimes bystanders to a disaster blame other businesses. It is not so long ago that from the early hours … Continue reading →

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The decline and fall of a successful business

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Jon Stow

  Sun roofs Once upon a time there was an entrepreneur (except they weren’t called entrepreneurs in those days) who had a brilliant idea for a business model. He put it into action, offering a type of franchise and took … Continue reading →

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If a tree falls on your business…

Posted on December 10, 2012 by Jon Stow

Are you on top of your business finances, managing your cash flow, your sales takings ratio to money going out? Are your orders coming in well? Are you attracting new business? Do your staff have any issues? Are they happy? … Continue reading →

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Run too fast, fly too high

Posted on November 16, 2012 by Jon Stow

Many successful people in business are prepared to take risks, which is why they get ahead of the game. I admire some who have take calculated risks to be a huge success. I guess Richard Branson would be one example … Continue reading →

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Keeping your business safe – Part 1

Posted on November 1, 2012 by Jon Stow

The high wire Most small businesses rely heavily on the boss. That’s you and I. We may have great managers upon whom we can rely when we are away, but sooner or later, we have to be available to make … Continue reading →

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Quantum hop

Posted on September 17, 2012 by Jon Stow

  Regrets, we have a few I guess most of us remember certain points in our working lives where we think we could have made a better decision. When it is a question of our own careers as employees we … Continue reading →

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Do you really have a business? Part 4

Posted on September 10, 2012 by Jon Stow

A few years ago I said I would help a friend who was thinking seriously about buying a nightclub or “venue”; that is one which had live entertainment. Of course I was happy to help my friend, and said she … Continue reading →

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The writer of letters

Posted on July 26, 2012 by Jon Stow

  The writing habit Quite a lot of my work involves writing. I write to clients, and I write to tax authorities and I write to service providers on behalf of my clients. I write articles and I write web … Continue reading →

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Low value clients

Posted on July 19, 2012 by Jon Stow

When you start out in business for yourself and are providing a service, there is a temptation to take on any client thinking it is all grist to the mill. Each new client will bring in a bit more money. … Continue reading →

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