Consulting services for start ups

[Anonymous]

Dear all

My name is Fernando Ortega and recently, with a couple of friends, we have created a consulting firm targeting small and mideum companies. After working in big multinationals and studying in tiop class universities, we realized that small companies are in a better possition to compite in several market due to the commitment of thier employees and their flexibility in adapting to market conditions. The only problem is that sometimes small companies do not have the access to high class advisoring.

With this in mind, we decided to provide those services, which include market research, market validation, financial modelling and business plan preparation.

In this forum I expect to be known by people starting their business in order to be able to provide advisoring in the early stages of their ventures.

Please check my website (http://www.thamesconsultants.co.uk) and do not hesitate to contact me regarding our services.

Best regards,

[gj]

Hi Fernando

Welcome to the forums

Like the way you have picked up on the marketing etc aspects of starting up, as well as the business plans.

Many of the start ups we act for just seem to have this blind faith that they will achieve the level of sales they predict!

I always try to get the client to ask themselves the questions they should be asking themselves before they start.

In one case where sales just seemed to me totally unachievable, I kept asking the client what made him think he culd achieve the level of sales he had in his forecasts. It transpired that he had worked backwards - what he needed to live on plus all the overheads and direct costs, got him to the sales figure. I still pressed him on what made him think that he could achieve that level of sales. Eventually he said "Well I have to otherwise it isn't a viable business proposition for me"

EXACTLY!

Anyway, good luck. If you think there is any way we could work together, let me know

Regards

Graham

[Anonymous]

Dear Graham

Your story is very real. It would be a pleasure if we had the opportunity of working together.

Heep in touch!

[kyber]

Hi Fernando,

Welcome to the forum. It is good to see this market being catered for by experienced hands. I do not think small companies and startups are well served by the consulting industry. Whilst there are many firms that will help with the standard elements of incorporation, those able to offer good, solid, relevant advice on building and managing a business are few and far between. Consultancies such as my employer really cannot offer good value to smaller firms.

Good luck.

Stuart

[Anonymous]

Thank you Stuart.

[Frank-f]

Fernando,

I visited your site, it looks great. My doubt is about pricing because I have always heard that consulting services could be really expensive. In my case I have a small record store in Bristol and I want to get a loan to extend my stock and do some improvements.

I would thank you for your advice.

[Anonymous]

Dear Frank

We try to keep prices low by giving clients what they specific require. For example, if someone ask for a tailored business plan, I focus on requiring the client which specific use is he going to give to the business plan and focusing only on what they want, not crossselling other stuff that they really don't need. Maybe they just want a Business plan of 15 pages to show to a supplier and not a 50 pages business plan. And I can assure the price difference in sustancial.

Cheers

[Claire]

Dear Fernando,

I was wondering if you or maybe some other users of this forum would be able to give me some help with free online advertising?

[Anonymous]

Dear Claire

Sure. Send me and email telling me what you need. Include your phone and details, so I can call you afterwards.

Cheers

[nuttytart]

Hi Fernando

Like your website, very clear! The only question I have is what can you offer a small newstart business with a very (and I mean very) small budget for online advertising/promotion?

So far I've been trawling the free online directories and submitting the site there, but appreciate this is no real way to get big hits. What would be your suggestion, at what sort of cost?

Many thanks, and good luck with your business :)

Nutty Tart

[Anonymous]

Thank you.

I will send you tomorrow some ideas in a private message.

Cheers

[Ozzy]

Hi Fernando,
Welcome to the forums. You clearly have a lot of experience to share with everyone here so I am sure you will be a great asset to have around.

I like how you offer the Companies House documents for download from your website - I wish I had thought of that first ;) They do some very useful information for people to consider.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Richard

Your web is also very impressive!!!

cheers

[Frank-f]

Fernando, thanks for your answer.

[lcharton]

Hi, my name is Leslie and I own a small lingerie shop in South London. My sales have been growing steadily the last year, but they have started to experiment a slowdown and I would like to have advice on how I could revert this process. I read your post and I was wondering if your firm offers that kind of support.

:D

[Anonymous]

Dear Leslie

We can help you telling you what you do wrong and good, and to design a sales and marketing plan you. We can also help in telling you what your customer wants and what they think about your product/business. However, I don't know what exactly are you looking for. Please give me more information.

cheers

[VeryMark]

I think many SME's need som esort of agency, clearing-house and/or business concierge service they can go to, to point them in the right direction generally. Unfortunately, Chambers of Commerce just don't deliver.

By the way, we specialise in offering cost effective advice to start-up's on clearing and protecting their identity and name.

[victoria]

Fernando, I have read your message and I one question. When you mention affordables prices: How affordable htey are? Does the level of prices impact in the quality of the work?

Best regard
Victoria

[Anonymous]

Dear Victoria

We charge a fare price for our services. They are lower than big consulting firms due to we only sell you what you really need. We try not to cross sell services that the client does not require.

We assure the quality of our work. If a client ask for a discount that could affect the quality of the work, we do not take the project.

I hope I have answered you question.
Best regards

[daveashton]

fgogalli

Welcome to the forum and good luck with the business. Having worked in this sector for the last 2 years ( we now have a team of 20+ and hence demand is high) as small tip. If you can get your first order for sales and marketing development work under 1K you will find that it is easier to sell and if you are good the repeat business is what will make your company a success.

For small businesses every penny is a prisoner but when they see results are love to refer and place repeat orders

[Anonymous]

Thank you. I will take your advice...

Cheers

[daveashton]

Just wanted to say good luck with the business and hope you have as much success as we have over the last 15 months.

PS would also like to hear from you when you have a few more clients behind you/ track record if you are interested in leads for the south of England