We really feel like we have salary benchmarking which has been produced objectively and independently. We have a framework to work with going forward.
Ryan Williams, The Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons
Planning for business success
We turn visions into reality through strategic advice, business planning, implementation and continuous improvement.
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Planning is an iterative process
Running a successful business is all about knowing where you are going and how you are going to get there.
It’s the continued and iterative process of business planning that’s important as it helps you to focus, prioritise and make informed decisions. Draw on our expertise. We help you formulate, review and implement your winning strategy so that you achieve your vision and your goals.
Step 1 – plan
First, clarify your business vision and goals. Before developing strategy, make sure you understand the marketplace in which you operate and what resources you have available. If you don’t know where to start or need help with market research then our team will step in with advice and carry out the research and analysis you need. Goals are long term outcomes, so be clear about what milestones you need to achieve along the way. Milestones will help you to identify strategic objectives which can then be aligned to team and individual objectives. We will work with you to translate your goals into objectives and develop strategies to achieve them.
During the planning phase we cover the following:
Keep it simple and keep your audience in mind. Who are you preparing your business plan for? Is it for internal use or for other stakeholders eg shareholders, investors or a grant or loan application? Will it answer their key questions? As a quick guide your business plan should cover:
- your value proposition
- your target market
- who your competitors are
- how you will gain traction
- who is going to make it happen
- what the risks are
- funding
- a financial forecast
- key milestones
- your exit strategy
Our strategy team will guide you through the business planning process and assist with research and analysis, as well as helping you to formulate strategies for your business that will help you achieve your goals.
Before you develop your marketing strategy you need to understand your market place:
- who your customers are and where they are
- how and where they buy
- what demand there is for your product / service
- how big the potential market is
- who your competitors are, how you differ and how you will stand out
Research will help you to validate whether you have a viable product or service to sell, understand how best to sell it and how to manage and minimise risk. But, spend too long researching and someone else will enter the market ahead of you.
If the numbers don’t stack up, don’t go ahead. To find out, start by keeping it simple and high level.
Forewarned is forearmed. We help you to identify and evaluate internal and external risk factors broken down into operational, political and regulatory, economic, social and cultural, and technological. Once you understand how these factors influence your business performance, you will be able to take more calculated risks.
An exit strategy is not just about when to exit your business once you’ve reached your goals, it’s also about having an exit strategy for your worse case scenario. If things don’t work out, then exiting at the right time and before it is too late, could mean the difference between exiting with a small amount of money versus going into liquidation.
Step 2 – execution
Effective strategy execution is all about communication and implementing the strategic plan. It means getting your people on board and ensuring they are committed and work towards the same goals and objectives. We help you tackle these challenges by providing training and people management skills. A strategy is only as good as it’s execution.
Step 3 – review outcomes
Always check whether your business strategy is working. Is your business on track to achieve its goals? Reviewing what is working and what is not working (which we call performance management) is a critical part of the process during which you can draw actionable insights to help you improve business performance.
Step 4 – adapt
Business plans are working documents against which you monitor progress, evaluate challenges and spot opportunities. Our consultants help you to do this, to be proactive and stay ahead of the game.
The outcome – be empowered
When you know where you’re going and why, you feel committed and determined. The right attitude makes a big difference. We help to get you there.
Testimonials
Business Clan have provided invaluable support to our leadership team and line managers in relation to ongoing recruitment activity, planned HR activity and employee relations advice.
Alison Talbot, Induction Healthcare
I love the website. It’s exactly what I wanted. It was a very enjoyable process and you all busted a gut to get it ready in time to promote my Christmas performance.
Sam Devereaux, Flying Pickle
The main difference with my interactions with Business Clan and other marketing and design agencies is that you took the time to understand my business rather than trying to plaster something on from a ready-made box.
Rodolphe Mortreuil, Lares Digital Ltd
I’ve had a couple of direct enquiries from LinkedIn, but above all I think it helps with reinforcement and getting my name out there. The builders I work with say people are mentioning my name when they do their first visit, which wouldn’t really have happened before.
Keith Malone, Malone Architecture
If you want to know about branding – ask Bernice! She is a great teacher with an incredible knowledge all going to add value to your business.
Angus Cunningham, Scotscape Group Ltd
With Delia, the emphasis is on participating and learning. I have found this to be an excellent method to retain knowledge. One-to-one sessions with Delia are first class. Impartial, practical and sound business advice in abundance.
Angus Cunningham, Scotscape Group Ltd
“Business Clan’s Contracts & Compliance team have helped us to get our Shareholders’ Agreement in place and deal with Companies House. We are very grateful for their help.”
Mark Jarvis, Blackstar Media Group
“Thank you for all for your time, effort and patience with us, it is very much appreciated. It’s been a pleasure to work with you and we will keep you in mind should we need further assistance.”
Lauren Cullen, Cullen & Co Ltd
“I was very impressed with the competence, professionalism, and attention to detail of Delia and Debbie. The subject matter was technical and complicated and Delia in particular was on top of it.”
Matt Grogan, Computism Ltd
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