Recent problems solved
Q.
I’m a women entrepreneur that set up my own business three years ago. The business has gone from strength to strength, but I now really need to focus on driving business growth. The problem I have is that I find it near impossible to secure procurement opportunities with multinationals. How I can overcome this?
Q.
I have designed and developed a prototype for a product I feel is extremely marketable and consumer friendly. However, I’m a bit stumped as to where to go from here. Who should I be approaching with regards to getting the product licensed and finding a route to market?
Q.
I run a one-man band web development company which has the appearance of being a larger organisation than it is. However, it’s always me answering the phone and replying to emails. Is it advisable to go down the route of a virtual office with someone else to field calls and enquiries or should I just be upfront with my clients and let them know it’s just me?
Q.
I’ve been working on a business plan for a new venture for about 9 months and asked a friend for advice on it. He’s now quite keen to come on board with the venture and I think his experience could be really useful. However, I don’t want him to be a co-founder. How can I spell this out to him and what steps can I take to make sure I keep control in the long-term?
Q.
My business hasn’t really felt the affects of the downturn yet and trade seems to be as busy as ever. However, I’m worried I’m taking things for granted and conditions may worsen in the near future. Are there any steps I can take to recession proof my business now?
Q.
My company is losing market share and we’ve looked the same for the last four years. How can I inject some freshness, get a new brand and find the right designer for the job?
Q.
I’ve been running a decorating firm for the last four years and I’m considering bringing a PR agency on board. How do I choose a PR firm and what’s a reasonable budget in terms of percentage of turnover to dedicate to PR?
Q.
I'm trying to start an organic and natural homemade cosmetics company. I want to use FairTrade and organic ingredients where possible. How do I approach wholesalers and is it best to stick with UK suppliers?
Q.
I launched my business a year ago and it’s heavily technology led in both its proposition and how it’s run. Up until now I’ve been able to use automated systems efficiently and haven’t needed to take on staff, but I’m looking to expand and now want to take on a programmer. However, I just can’t find anyone with the relevant skills. Short of employing a head-hunter to poach someone from a competitor, where can I continue the search for a suitable recruit?
Q.
My design agency launched about 18 months ago, and I've got a handful of very loyal existing clients. However, most of them are quite small spenders. How can I encourage bigger orders without making my loyal customers feel pressured?
