014220 Learning and its Trajectories

Scott Humphrey.

Introduction

I have been in St John Ambulance for 35 years where one of my roles for most of that time, has been in training and mentoring the new and existing volunteers of the organization. In 2006/07 I was given the Trainer of the year award which resulted in a trip to Canberra and attendance at our National Conference.

I have helped a couple of RTOs set up their courses and structures to apply for Registration as an RTO the roles I enjoyed.

I have been working over the last 2-3 years in setting a small business that offers a mentoring service to small business owners, which aids in helping them to have the skills required to operate and run a business. However, in recent months, I have been looking at writing training courses to be offered online, to a range of business owners across Australia.

Projects/awards Completed.

1. Advanced Responder Program with St john Ambulance implementation team.
2. Admitted to the order of St John Ambulance Australia
3. Setting up business qualification training resources for a RTO
4. Writing a workplace agreement for a security company
5. Writing training plans for the emergency services

Qualifications.

Adv Diploma of Public safety- Emergency Management

Diploma of Security and Risk management

Diploma of Management

Certificate 4 Training and Assessment

Part A – Part A: Portfolio and Course Learning Plan

My long term plan is to use my skills and knowledge in which I learn in this course to be able to train and mentor new trainers into the VET sector, to ensure we can improve the standards of training into the future.

I want to learn more about training methods to improve my education knowledge

I want to learn more about leading training within the education sector.

Part B Part B:  Subject Learning Plan

I want to better understand the direction ( Trajectory) people take in life, to reach the point they are at now, as they enrol in my courses.

I want to better understand the direction people take in life, to reach their career aspects which can be used to better motivate the participants to improve their learning. I am interested in learning how people take the path they take, and the reasons many start thier own businesses.

Reflection on own learning – if by understanding how I learn, and why I have done the courses I have done, and help me make better choices in the future.

Analyse own professional Context, through this I can better understand myself.

Design Innovative learning scenarios, and to articulate these in our professional context.

Communicate using a range of genre’s, and other formats, definately one area I need to learn and understand better.

Critically reflect on own professional context and the implications on the learning of the students own ways.

Previous Studies Link.

I have completed 3/4 units of the Grad Cert, which has helped with previous learnings including,

In previous units I have learnt a range of digital technologies which be used in the education sector which I was not previously aware of, which can assist me in improving the education knowledge of my participants.

Leading Learning – Digital Age 014221

Introduction For Scott Humphrey

I have been in St John Ambulance for 35 years where one of my roles for most of that time, has been in training and mentoring the new and existing volunteers of the organization. In 2006/07 I was given the Trainer of the year award which resulted in a trip to Canberra and attendance at our National Conference.

I have helped a couple of RTOs set up their courses and structures to apply for Registration as an RTO the roles I enjoyed.

I have been working over the last 2-3 years in setting a small business that offers a mentoring service to small business owners, which aids in helping them to have the skills required to operate and run a business. However, in recent months, I have been looking at writing training courses to be offered online, to a range of business owners across Australia.

Prior to operating my own business, I have had a range of other jobs, which include,

• Property Assistant at St john Ambulance SA- arranging maintenance and other building issues, also overseeing a project of building a new building for the organisation- 800 K’s from the head office.
• I worked for a couple of RTO’ setting up their business training qualifications and preparing for initial registration of a RTO.
• Worked in a Security company as a patrol officer, and worked all my way through the ranks to a position of General Manager of Operations, looking after the recruitment, induction and training of new staff, rosters, accounts, payroll, OHS/WHS etc.
• I part owned a Hair Salon for 3 years which taught me about running a little business.
• I have spent 35 years in St john Ambulance Volunteers as a First Responder, although also had roles including Regional Training Officer, Divisional Training Officer, Leadership program coordinator, State duty Officer- I was part of the team who rolled a new Adv Responder Training Program.
• I am President of the Mid Gippsland Badminton Association and have been since 2014.  I also sit on the Warragul badminton Club committee since 2013.
• I am a current member of the CFA Rehab unit monitoring the health of fire fighters on the fire ground.
• I am a Life member of the Southern Trainers Association affiliated with the Southern Football League in Adelaide.

Projects/awards Completed.

1. Advanced Responder Program with St john Ambulance implementation team.
2. Admitted to the order of St John Ambulance Australia
3. Setting up business qualification training resources for a RTO
4. Writing a workplace agreement for a security company
5. Commendation through Chubbs on recommendation of SAPOL for observational skills for finding and lost child and monitoring until SAPOL arrived.
6. Commendation through SAPOL for reporting and apprehending thieves responsible for a major break in on Dept of educational buildings over a period of time.

Qualifications.

1. Working towards the Associate Degree of Emergency management
2. Adv Diploma of Public safety- Emergency Management
3. Diploma of Security and Risk management
4. Diploma of Management
5. Diploma of Business – FLM
6. Certificate 4 Training and Assessment

Course Learning Goals.

In completing this unit, I wish to have increased my knowledge in the understanding of designing training sessions for adult participants.

I wish to learn different motivators for understanding how people study to ensure my future courses are written in a suitable manner.

My long term plan is to use my skills and knowledge in which I learn in this course to be able to train and mentor new trainers into the VET sector, to ensure we can improve the standards of training into the future.

Part B

My main goal is completing and receiving the qualification. However I am interested in learning more about this subject and the digital age, when you speak with people in the training industry, they believe digital training is as simple as having a online training platform. I am interested in reviewing what digital programs there are out there to aid and improve myself as a trainer within the VET sector.

Goals.

1. Understand how the digital tools available can assist students/ participants in learning better
2. Understand the digital programs available to assist my Business coaching clients grow their business and expand around the country.
3. Understand how digital tools can help educators within thier business to better educate their staff
4. Explore if there is any link between digital tools and surveys program and how they can work together
5. Explore digital programs to work in the research sector.

. Previous Studies Link.

I have completed 2 units of this qualification, where the previous 2 units have been about learning methods, and relationships between practices etc, which can assist in making me a better trainer and educator, and learning how I can improve the education system with the actions I take.

However, I believe the course will be an extension of the training and development I have done in previous training in regards to the Certificate IV Training and Assessment course, and I believe this course will build on my skills and knowledge to help and improve my training in the future.

Leading Learning Profile- Scott Humphrey

Introduction

I have been in St John Ambulance for 35 years where one of my roles for most of that time, has been in training and mentoring the new and existing volunteers of the organization. In 2006/07 I was given the Trainer of the year award which resulted in a trip to Canberra and attendance at our National Conference.

I have helped a couple of RTOs set up their courses and structures to apply for Registration as an RTO the roles I enjoyed.

I have been working over the last 2-3 years in setting a small business that offers a mentoring service to small business owners, which aids in helping them to have the skills required to operate and run a business. However, in recent months, I have been looking at writing training courses to be offered online, to a range of business owners across Australia.

Prior to operating my own business, I have had a range of other jobs, which include,

• Property Assistant at St john Ambulance SA- arranging maintenance and other building issues, also overseeing a project of building a new building for the organisation- 800 K’s from the head office.
• I worked for a couple of RTO’ setting up their business training qualifications and preparing for initial registration of a RTO.
• Worked in a Security company as a patrol officer, and worked all my way through the ranks to a position of General Manager of Operations, looking after the recruitment, induction and training of new staff, rosters, accounts, payroll, OHS/WHS etc.
• I part owned a Hair Salon for 3 years which taught me about running a little business.
• I have spent 35 years in St john Ambulance Volunteers as a First Responder, although also had roles including Regional Training Officer, Divisional Training Officer, Leadership program coordinator, State duty Officer- I was part of the team who rolled a new Adv Responder Training Program.
• I am President of the Mid Gippsland Badminton Association and have been since 2014.  I also sit on the Warragul badminton Club committee since 2013.
• I am a current member of the CFA Rehab unit monitoring the health of fire fighters on the fire ground.
• I am a Life member of the Southern Trainers Association affiliated with the Southern Football League in Adelaide.

Projects/awards Completed.

1. Advanced Responder Program with St john Ambulance implementation team.
2. Admitted to the order of St John Ambulance Australia
3. Setting up business qualification training resources for a RTO
4. Writing a workplace agreement for a security company
5. Commendation through Chubbs on recommendation of SAPOL for observational skills for finding and lost child and monitoring until SAPOL arrived.
6. Commendation through SAPOL for reporting and apprehending thieves responsible for a major break in on Dept of educational buildings over a period of time.
7. 35 years’ service award with St john Ambulance
8. Trainer of year award with St john Ambulance SA
9. Researched assisgnment for Haiti Earthquake as part of my studies for Associate degree of emergency management
10. Writing training plans for the emergency services

Qualifications.

1. Working towards the Associate Degree of Emergency management
2. Adv Diploma of Public safety- Emergency Management
3. Diploma of Security and Risk management
4. Diploma of Management
5. Diploma of Business – FLM
6. Certificate 4 Training and Assessment
7. Certificate IV Small Business Management
8. Certificate IV Financial Services- Accounting
9. Diploma of Counselling
10. Certificate 3 basic Health Care.

Course Learning Goals.

In completing this unit, I wish to have increased my knowledge in the understanding of designing training sessions for adult participants.

I wish to learn different motivators for understanding how people study to ensure my future courses are written in a suitable manner.

My long term plan is to use my skills and knowledge in which I learn in this course to be able to train and mentor new trainers into the VET sector, to ensure we can improve the standards of training into the future.

Part B

1 Analyse Leading Learning Practices

• Learn and understand more about the topic.
• Understand the difference of learning practices available
• Understand more about the processes involved with learning practices
• Learning to Analyse learning options better

2. Reflect on implications of students own investigations in learning practices

• Learn more about scenario’s-based training
• Learn more about running scenarios for different participants
• Understanding how students think about training practices.

3. Critically reflect on the implications on students investigations into their own learning practices

• Understanding more about this topic in relation to adult education
• Learning how this topic can improve students and their response to training
• Learning different methods of learning practices.

4. Communicate appropriately using genres and technology

• Understand communicating with different people
• Understand the use of the variety of technology available for training
• Learning best methods of communication to adults.

. Previous Studies Link.

I recently only started the Grad Cert course, however I feel this unit will build on what I have studied in the design and develop training, and feel a understanding on students thinking can assist in better training outcomes.

However, I believe the course will be an extension of the training and development I have done in previous training in regards to the Certificate IV Training and Assessment course, and I believe this course will build on my skills and knowledge to help and improve my training in the future.

Scott’s Profile Feb 2022

014222 Designing initiative Learning

Scott Humphrey 0414558261, sales@sghbusiness.com.au

Introduction

I have been in St John Ambulance for 35 years where one of my roles for most of that time, has been in training and mentoring the new and existing volunteers of the organization. In 2006/07 I was given the Trainer of the year award which resulted in a trip to Canberra and attendance at our National Conference.

I have helped a couple of RTOs set up their courses and structures to apply for Registration as an RTO the roles I enjoyed.

I have been working over the last 2-3 years in setting a small business that offers a mentoring service to small business owners, which aids in helping them to have the skills required to operate and run a business. However, in recent months, I have been looking at writing training courses to be offered online, to a range of business owners across Australia.

Prior to operating my own business, I have had a range of other jobs, which include,

• Property Assistant at St john Ambulance SA- arranging maintenance and other building issues, also overseeing a project of building a new building for the organisation- 800 K’s from the head office.
• I worked for a couple of RTO’ setting up their business training qualifications and preparing for initial registration of a RTO.
• Worked in a Security company as a patrol officer, and worked all my way through the ranks to a position of General Manager of Operations, looking after the recruitment, induction and training of new staff, rosters, accounts, payroll, OHS/WHS etc.
• I part owned a Hair Salon for 3 years which taught me about running a little business.
• I have spent 35 years in St john Ambulance Volunteers as a First Responder, although also had roles including Regional Training Officer, Divisional Training Officer, Leadership program coordinator, State duty Officer- I was part of the team who rolled a new Adv Responder Training Program.
• I am President of the Mid Gippsland Badminton Association and have been since 2014.  I also sit on the Warragul badminton Club committee since 2013.
• I am a current member of the CFA Rehab unit monitoring the health of fire fighters on the fire ground.
• I am a Life member of the Southern Trainers Association affiliated with the Southern Football League in Adelaide.

Projects/awards Completed.

1. Advanced Responder Program with St john Ambulance implementation team.
2. Admitted to the order of St John Ambulance Australia
3. Setting up business qualification training resources for a RTO
4. Writing a workplace agreement for a security company
5. Commendation through Chubbs on recommendation of SAPOL for observational skills for finding and lost child and monitoring until SAPOL arrived.
6. Commendation through SAPOL for reporting and apprehending thieves responsible for a major break in on Dept of educational buildings over a period of time.
7. 35 years’ service award with St john Ambulance
8. Trainer of year award with St john Ambulance SA
9. Researched assisgnment for Haiti Earthquake as part of my studies for Associate degree of emergency management
10. Writing training plans for the emergency services

Qualifications.

1. Working towards the Associate Degree of Emergency management
2. Adv Diploma of Public safety- Emergency Management
3. Diploma of Security and Risk management
4. Diploma of Management
5. Diploma of Business – FLM
6. Certificate 4 Training and Assessment
7. Certificate IV Small Business Management
8. Certificate IV Financial Services- Accounting
9. Diploma of Counselling
10. Certificate 3 basic Health Care.

Course Learning Goals.

In completing this unit, I wish to have increased my knowledge in the understanding of designing training sessions for adult participants.

I wish to learn different motivators for understanding how people study to ensure my future courses are written in a suitable manner.

My long term plan is to use my skills and knowledge in which I learn in this course to be able to train and mentor new trainers into the VET sector, to ensure we can improve the standards of training into the future.

Part B

1 Analyse Learning Design Context and Processes

• Learn and understand more about the topic.
• Understand the difference of learning designs available
• Understand more about the processes involved with learning design
• Learning to Analyse learning options better

2. Identify and Articulate a Learning Scenario

• Learn more about scenario’s-based training
• Learn more about running scenarios for different participants
• Learn more about the: what if training, and how that can change things
• Learn ways of better communicating scenarios to ensure people understand.

3. Design an Innovative Learning Initiative

• Understanding more about this topic in relation to adult education
• Learning how to manage this process if overseeing staff
• Learning different ways of designing training, either PowerPoint or other materials for participants.

4. Communicate appropriately

• Understand communicating with different people
• Understand the use of the variety of technology available for training
• Learning best methods of communication to adults.

. Previous Studies Link.

I have only just started the Grad Certificate of Adult Education and therefore have not studied any other units in this course as yet.

However, I believe the course will be an extension of the training and development I have done in previous training in regards to the Certificate IV Training and Assessment course, and I believe this course will build on my skills and knowledge to help and improve my training in the future.

Wrap Up

It was difficult for me to meet my goals earlier, as really my goals were more about completing the 4 units/ course rather than each unit.

Think one of the important I learnt was the importance of time management skills when you study etc, as without time management it can be difficult to fit everything. The other aspect I liked is learning about different design principles for example ADDIE and the other ones in order to know there are different methods to plan the training and course, something which I had not considered in the past. I actually discussed ADDIE in a course creator group which I am part of on Facebook, and many liked the concept and in fact there was a process they could use to develop their course.

Starting a Business Part 4

Many of you reading this, would have either started your business or being in business for a few years, although there will be some who this can be shared with who are considering starting a business.

I know there will be several people who will read this and debate the process I will talk about, and like anything in business, you need to find the method that works for your business.

Often we talk about Niche and your business, if you niche your business owner it can be a way to differentiate you between you and your competition which can be a bonus.

When we niche our business we either niche as far as the services or products we provide or by the potential client in which we target in our marketing.

Whilst when you first start your business understanding how to Niche your business idea can be beneficial, as this also helps you get a name within the business industry which helps with your reputation, of course this depends on your background.

However, please ensure you have the availability to offer other services, products, and can work with other industries, or other potential client base, to ensure you will always have work.

Think it is one thing we have learnt from this current Health Pandemic, also known as COVID-19, is any industry or business can be shut down basically over night, and with no fault of your own, it is just one of things which legislation can affect your business.

In my circumstances, as a small business mentor, the clients i had back in March, I was doing okay, however as the world started closing down, many of my clients, cancelled their service, as they wanted to save their money for a month or two just to see what was going to happen.

I started thinking, wow there goes some of my work, what will I do, then I thought well whilst it is not money coming, in, I have wanted to offer a training service to business owners I thought I could use the time for that, although it did not bring money in, so this was a slightly concern.

However, within a week, I have other business owners talking to me about Business Continuity Plans which was something else I knew about, I was able to help business owners to quickly test and evaluate their Business Continuity Plans and then look at implementing them.  This went on for a few weeks, which was a relief as it starting bringing money in again.

I then looked at my calendar and bookings were looking a little lacking at the times, and I was starting to think what will I do.  I was then fortunate enough to have the phone ringing again for Security Advice and Risk Management work in Victoria as I am a licensed Security Advisor in the State, so again I knew their was money coming in.

I fortunate that the rest of the country outside Victoria, starting opening up again, and I was able to pick up a few interstate mentoring clients, which was a relief again.

The moral of the story, is take any opportunity you can in life, especially when it comes to training and development, as you never know when that training will be useful, or even if it learning more about products and the type of products which will go with your other products, and you can sell as a package, just learn and learn.

Often in business the owners will see Training and Development as an expense rather than an investment in your business, and you never know at some point in the future it will pay for itself.  It is amazing what you can achieve even with the extra little bit of training and development.

Good luck in your business, however if you can think of different services/ products with your business before you start it might even help with the name you choose. It was was on the reason I chose Business Services as part of my Business name at the time, was because it is a service and I can add any service to what I offer, without it affecting the name as such…….Although many do ask what does Business Services mean- especially if they think of the term of car services.

Please if you are unsure on what other products or services you can add to your business, think about speaking with your Business Mentor, Business Coach about it, and they will be able to help you complete a SWOT analysis, and guide you in the direction to take.

 

 

Business Resilience 3

Business Resilience 3

 

From time to time we are reminded we need to ensure our Businesses are building resilience to any outside or inside forces that could occur from time to time.  Basically, how do we keep our business running during an incident/ disaster, or how do we get our business back up running after a disaster. It also might be the training of our staff to ensure they are resilient in the workplace and in their tasks/ job roles.

Being resilient is no more important than it is now, with the COVID-19, also known as Coronavirus, however, this one will definitely be once the disaster – Health Emergency is over, as we know it has been a difficult couple of months since the first case of COVID-19 landed in Australia, and as the infections rise, it is only going to get a little harder for another couple of months as yet, they are expecting peak period to be the end of April, early May, and could possibly go on for another 5-6 months, therefore finishing around Sept 2020.

Think a lot of businesses with their Business Continuity Plans, had thought about a range of incidents which could happen within their business, and many probably thought that there was nothing which could wipe out there the whole workforce, even often the flu only gets a certain smallish % of infections throughout the workplace, where through a pandemic, like the COVID -19 whole industries have been wiped out, or basically cancelled by the Government closing down industries, to try and limit the spread of the infections and slow them down, so the Hospitals have more time to plan and prepare to respond.

 

What I have learned with the COVID-19 and communicating with Business owners about their Business Continuity Plans,

• Businesses thought a Medical condition e.g. Flu would wipe out less than 50% of their staff allowing the business to continue.
• Sole traders thought if I get the flu I will take 2-3 weeks off work but then I shall be able to continue to run my business.
• Businesses not having a Business Continuity Plan in place
• Businesses have not tested their Business continuity Plans to know if they work or not
• Businesses have never thought about industries being stopped by the Government,
• Businesses have not thought about what else can they do, should something happen to their industry
• Coaches, Mentors have niched themselves to industries, and suddenly an industry is closed down, they don’t have the clients to work with as easily.
• An industry can be completely shut down by the Government and overnight.
• Unfortunately, people don’t want to follow the Governments recommendations and therefore the Government is forced into legislating the requirements to ensure they happen
• Business owners need support to help them implement their plans or to help clarify the implementation of the plans

In general terms, the BCP is important at any stage, and I believe with having something like the COVID-19 pandemic is 2020, it will only help to improve Business Continuity Plans/ Crisis Plans in the future which might be a good thing.

As a country we rely on China to supply a lot of things, which also helps us to pay minimal for products, however many did not have plans in place for another supplier once china was closed down due to the Pandemic of this nature, therefore many companies have not been able to get supplies in to ensure they can continue to offer the full range of products in which they normally do. None of us would have planned for Freezers to sell out in the majority of retail outlets, not many of us would have thought about Hand Sanitisers running out of supplies in a short period.

What the Services Australia- Centrelink debacle showed us, was to ensure the systems- websites are ready to receive all the extra usage which it may get when something like this happens, although for business owners it might be a Promotion you are running to get extra clients and extra people to your website if your website can’t handle the extra visitors and keep crashing it won’t help your business.

 

In summary,

I think it demonstrates our BCP’s need to be better planned, and all business owners need to spend the few hours one day to think about the Hazards, risks, etc to their business and take time to understand their risks, and what can happen to their business and how they can minimize or eliminate these risks from affecting their business.
Business owners need to test their BCP’s to ensure they can work and will work during implementation or make any slight tweaks they need to in order to improve them, similar to testing your fire alarms each year, although this is mandated where a BCP is not, but should make no difference.

Business owners need to have a better understanding of workplace legislation, or at least Identified a consulted they can call on at short notice to help them understand their requirements during a disaster of this nature, as it helps you to respond and one less thing you need to consider at the time.

People in general but also Business owners need to take directives better from the Government before they are legislation, and for this sort of thing the café’s/ Bars, etc which were allowed to remain open, but did not restrict the social distance between patrons which was recommended by Government, etc, for example, the big tables and seats which normally have 8 on a table, still allowed 8 on the table and during the restrictions should have been reduced to 4. I understand social distancing was a new term to many people, and it can be difficult for many people to judge distance by the naked eye and tape measures do need to be used, however, whilst limiting the people in your venues would have reduced your income for a short period, you are now having no income because a lot of people, including business owners/ Management thought the recommendation did not need to be followed if people did not want to, and it has now affected a lot of businesses.

Whilst I am concerned for many business owners, including myself, I am hoping the economy will start to improve soon and businesses will be given the all-clear to return back to operations, in the near future, however, in the meantime may Businesses owner and former employees who might get jobs back just need to ride out the next 2-3 months before we see any change in the situation.

If you are one of the lucky businesses still operating at present, now is the time to quickly assess what else can do to help your business, service or product,  ensure you can work from home, this includes yourself and your staff, do they have everything they need to work from home in a safe manner.

Good luck, stay well, stay positive, and reach out to someone if you need assistance or to talk, whether you are currently able to run your business or not, there are plenty of people out there ready to assist you in some way.

 

Refer or Not

Whilst meeting with a couple of clients this morning in a group Mentoring session, I was asked about whether someone should keep referring work to another Business, despite that business never referring work back to their referrer.

This one is a difficult one for me to answer, as I know within most Business groups I refer or tag names in the relevant industry so people know where to go for help. However for me, it is not as much about getting work back as such, however, it is more about helping the Business owner asking the question and ensuring they get the help they need.

So before referring any work to anyone, I believe you need to work out what is the purpose of you referring work to someone, is it only to get referrals back, or is to help someone out of your generosity as such.

I know at times, I have been tempted to stop tagging people, as they don’t tag me, or refer to work back to me, but then I stop and think who does this really affect? As i discussed with my mentees for me, it is about helping others, whether there is always a financial return or not, and the only times I have stopped referring work to someone is in the following circumstances,

1. I have heard from people, that they are not professional, good at what they offer to do, therefore not being able to do what is required
2. When they have Bled me for free information, and then have mentioned on facebook or in other forms of Social media, that they have bought the services from someone else, without giving me the ability to quote or anything.

There could be a reason why someone does not refer work to you, which could include,

• They don’t have confidence in what you do
• You have not convinced them about what you do
• They may have a paying client which offers the service in which you do
• They don’t meet with clients who can use the level of services that you offer.
• Do they have all your contact details?

I believe if you are concerned about why this is occurring, is maybe try and meet with the people who you believe should be referring to you, and ask them why do you not refer anyone to me, and this might give you some insight on what you need to do to rectify the issue. The important aspect is not to take it personally, that they are not referring work to you, and it might be something simple.

Hopefully, this blog gives you something to consider, especially if you one of those people who are referring a lot of work to others, but not getting a lot in return from any of those people you are referring others to.

Good luck.

Operating on Price Alone

Welcome to this week’s blog.

Today, I wanted to look at the old comment out there, I have competitors who offer the same service or product at a cheaper rate than me, they always undercut the competition which makes it difficult for others to survive.

I just wanted to reassure everyone, this is normal in a lot of Businesses, especially in the service industry although can happen in retail and products.

However in keeping in mind the ones who do this, and always undercut their competition, often over time they won’t survive, or they rack up a large debt etc, but often whichever it is they will eventually go out of Business.

If you are one of the many businesses who are doing on business based on price alone and thinking you need to compete with the competition, in order to get the client, then you 2 won’t be doing well in a year or two.

Next month is the time to stop operating this way and set your prices to the Value in which you place on your knowledge and expertise in the industry in which you have chosen to operate in. Remember you have probably taken years to learn your craft either through on the job or training and qualifications neither which are cheap.

As a note your service/ Product is worth as much as anyone is willing to pay for it, and what value they see in what you are offering.

Now you have taken the time to set your new prices whether you have done this on your own, discussed it with your Accountant, mentor, coach, it is now time to start marketing this to your potential clients.

Think about what do you do which is different from your competitors, why should clients choose you rather than others in the industry.  Do you need to add anything else to what you do to add the value, e.g. a industry-based report, a better reporting template, etc.

So what are you waiting for, now is the time to review your prices, look at your packages, hourly rate whichever you use, work out what you need to do different is anything.  Update your website, your advertising material etc, and get out there and promote your business with the new motivation and direction you have.

Check your terms and conditions and change them if you need, minimal due dates on invoices, refund policy in line with consumer law, include an annual price rise at the start of the Financial year, then it is an automatic increase.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and good luck, happy business.

Business Health Check

I should thank William Siebler for the thought of this blogs topic, as it was after his post on facebook that got me thinking.

One of the things William mentioned was service providers being like Doctors, in people go to them for assistance with their medical problems, whereas here for Businesses it is like going for a medical issue which needs assistance. We have a problem with our Business we need to find help for it, and therefore service providers need to resolve a problem for the business owner.

However, although I know males are probably worse than females for seeking the doctor’s help, however we must learn all genders need help from time to time, and the earlier we get that help the better it will be.

For me personally, as someone who has had a couple of skin cancers in the past, I need to attend my doctor’s clinic for a skin check at least once a year, however, whilst this is being done we also do all the blood tests and other health checks as well.  Basically every January or February I make my appointment with my GP for these health checks to occur, as we believe in finding medical issues early they are easier to treat and can have the least effect on my body.

My recommendation to Business owners, is they treat their Business more like their health or the health of their family, something which needs to occur annually.

Although I am a mentor, I am not saying that everyone needs an on occurring service of a mentor every month, or coach, advisor, analyst, SEO consultant, or any other service provider, although it does help keep me in business when people do. However, I recommend that Business owners make time every year, to meet with a mentor, coach, advisor, analyst, or other service providers at least once during the year for a health check of your business.  During this time, you can discuss what has worked, what has not worked and where you can go in the future 12 months. They can assist you in being your sounding board each year and guiding you to the future, with something which you may have missed.

Any help we can get with our Businesses can only improve the growth and the operations of the business, and the experience of others who we may speak to from time to time can give us guidance on how Business, it might be more of what not to do rather than what to do, which saves you from making those mistakes.

The beauty about a 2-3 hour appointment each year, is you have time to think about the non urgent issues, what you want to do, and also budget for the consultation, and remember you can obtain quotes for the service prior to doing your planning and budgets so you know what costs you need to include in the budget and for when. It is something I offer my clients, and I have some who do take advantage of it, as they can’t all afford the ongoing fee every month.

Happy for members to comment on their thoughts of having a health check for their business.