I wish I had a pound for every time I've heard that. It's a common reason given by people who dislike networking because they see the banality of talking about nothing ... ...

What makes a happy retirement when you've been in consultancy for years? It's less about stopping work and more about designing your identity, boundaries and next mission. Here's a clear, friendly way to exit well without bec ...

As Artificial Intelligence continues to reshape the workplace, many organisations are focusing heavily on technology itself. Discussions around AI often centre on automation, efficiency and productivity, with businesses racin ...

Conceived on your kitchen table, down the pub, after a particularly frustrating meeting with your boss, or that awful moment when you were told you were being made redundant, your business became your baby ... ...

If you're running your own small business, sooner or later, you will go networking. And when you do, you will quite quickly discover that some network groups thrive whilst others flounder ... ...

Over the past few years, I've noticed a clear shift in how people talk about business, work and financial security. More people than ever are exploring self-employment, side hustles and small business ideas, and it's not just ...

My blog post this week shows you how to make networking work for you without forced small talk. It focuses on trust, follow-through, and simple habits that turn professional connections into something useful. The result is ne ...

Passive Aggressive Behaviour is a way of expressing negative feelings, such as frustration, resentment or anger, indirectly rather than openly. Instead of stating what is wrong, a person may appear polite or agreeable on the ...

After years of working as a coach, mentor, and referral marketing specialist, one of the most common conversations I've had with my clients has been about visibility. Not the flashy kind, not ''look at me'' marketing. Just th ...

Over the weekend, someone shared with me a poster that compared running a business with an iceberg. The author wanted to make the point that all other people saw was the success ... ...

Thinking about retiring from your business can feel a bit surreal. For many small business owners in the UK, the line between 'work' and 'life' has been blurry for years - so stepping back takes more than just choosing a date ...

Once again this week, I was drawn into a debate about whether to appeal to a wide range of clients or focus on a tight target market. It's a fundamental networking skill to know what you want ... ...

I had a lovely email when I first published this blog post from one of my clients, a graphic designer of many years, but new to running his own business and feeling lost in how to generate clients ... ...

If you grew up in Britain in the 60s, 70s and 80s, the chances are the words ''through the round window'' will take you right back to the wonderful world of Play School ... ...

Leaving the corporate world after many years can feel a little like stepping off a high-speed train into open countryside. The pace, structure, and predictability you've known suddenly give way to freedom, and perhaps a touch ...

'Added value' - it's a phrase we hear all the time, isn't it? And almost always, when consultants talk about it, they're thinking about their pricing or their Unique Sales Proposition. Then they can't differentiate their serv ...

Are you self-employed and trying to navigate the pathway to happiness? Understanding the dynamics of success and self-perception can significantly enhance your well-being and fulfilment as an entrepreneur ... ...

In June, I published this blog post, which started out asking the question, Why are you in the business you're in? Then it went on to list everything that needs to be done. It's a pretty daunting list. I'm pleased to say life ...

Here's a fresh look at saying thank you as a strategic habit. It's festive, human, and surprisingly profitable. Make gratitude your consultancy's quiet advantage ... ...

After the initial hype of starting your own consultancy, the weirdest thing can happen. It may creep up on you gradually or hit you all of a sudden: You feel disconnected from others ... ...

Walking into your client's business isn't just about offering solutions; it's about understanding the environment you've stepped into. Before you try to influence anything, you need to get a feel for the culture ... ...

If you're an independent consultant, you don't just deliver client work - you also run marketing, sales, finance, and operations. With so many responsibilities, it's easy to lose track of what's actually driving your business ...

I recall a fellow attendee at my first sales training course, when I was preparing for my own transition from employee to consultant. She confided in me that before her first sales meeting, she threw up in the car park ... ...

Speaking to your ideal clients works when your process is simple, repeatable, and human. Keep your strategy clear, your messaging calm, and your next steps easy. Do it regularly, and you'll build a steady, compounding pipelin ...

Here are the five steps I took to develop my business's value proposition. I hope they will give you a template for structuring your business to get the best value for you and your clients. ...

This started with some client feedback. Whilst they were delighted with the client-led approach I offered, they wanted more structure and processes to help them with the sheer volume of things they had to address as a solo co ...

Most consultants sell hours to their clients, but did you know you can 'productise' your services to replace hourly billing with clear, repeatable offers? Build trust, reduce decision fatigue, and scale delivery. Start with o ...

As you can imagine, I meet a lot of people who are nervous about networking and, in particular, joining a regular membership group. They give many reasons, but there is one very common networking fear ... ...

The early days of setting up your consultancy present unique challenges and opportunities. Embrace self-development, cultivate resilience, and transform your mindset from employee to entrepreneur for a successful start ... ...

One sunny day, when my son was about 4 years old, he'd been naughty, and I was telling him off. I suddenly noticed that he was copying my hand gestures, body language and facial expressions. When he saw my realisation, he bur ...

Jack Welch's philosophy of 'false kindness' teaches that by retaining underperformers, organisations and individuals can hinder growth. Crucial insights for consultants and business leaders reveal how to assess and refine per ...

People who meet me in Northampton and Milton Keynes often say that I seem to know everyone who goes out networking for their business. It's not true, of course ... ...