Articles

  Whilst I’m often called in to help clients when things go south with a lease negotiation, getting commercial property advice earlier in the process – when you’re still thinking about taking on a commercial property and before you get stuck or worse, committed – is actually a much wiser investment as a business owner.  […]

Having been in business for over 35 years, I am very lucky to be in a position where a good number of my clients come via referrals. I never know where my next referral is coming from, but I connect regularly enough with my network in a variety of ways to nurture my contacts and […]

They say first impressions count and nowhere is that more important to your business than the building you occupy. But first impressions are just that – impressions. To ensure your business premises accurately reflect your brand and provide the best possible experience for your staff, suppliers and clients, you need to carry any improvements you […]

With the current business failure rate in the UK at around 60% (according to Startup Genome) there can be no doubt that running a business is ‘a risky business’! However, I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase ‘no risk, no reward’ so it’s also clear that if we aren’t prepared to take at least some risks, […]

There are many ways to reduce costs or save money in a business. The most important thing to remember is to quantify what you “don’t know you don’t know”. Ensure you have a budget, you’re closely monitoring your income and expenses, and you regularly set aside time to educate yourself in areas that affect your […]

If your business is growing and doing well, moving premises can be an inevitable side effect. If you’ve exhausted all the options to adjust the configuration of the space or the lease terms in your current premises, it’s time to move on. When you do decide to move your premises, although you’re likely to be […]

Despite the doom and gloom of the global marketplace, I’m speaking to many businesses that are thriving at the moment. Of course, for many this will inevitably result in a requirement for bigger premises. Or so you might think! Whether your business is expanding, contracting or pivoting right now, it may seem like moving premises […]

How are you feeling about your business premises for the coming 12 months? If you’re rapidly expanding or pivoting into a new offering and your lease expires or you have a break clause option in the near future, you may be considering whether to stay or go. You may even be considering relocation to benefit […]

Residential vs commercial property: is what you know transferable?  If you’re thinking of taking on premises for your growing business, you may find yourself thinking “I’ve bought and sold plenty of houses – I’ll be fine” or perhaps “Does buying a commercial property make more sense than renting?” The common assumption in British culture is […]

Let’s be honest: when was the last time things weren’t tough for business owners? Looking back over the last few years, I would suggest that we accept difficult business trading conditions are just the new normal. I like to use the analogy that if you’re sitting in a boat in the English Channel, you should […]

Many a consultant, coach and guru will promise to help you grow and scale your business, but what does that really mean? What is the difference between growing and scaling and which one is right for you? In this blog we’re going to look at why growth and scale mean different things, and how to […]

As we face (yet another) period of economic uncertainty, many business owners I speak to are asking what they need to do to weather the storm. As a business owners who has been through two big recessions and lived to tell the story, I wrote this blog to share my experiences and some top tips […]