Who is your main source of business advice?
- Thread starter DanMartin
- Start date
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Dan the two most important ones aren't on the poll, the only two places I go for business advice are, me and UKBF, in that order
I thought your main source of advice would be Eastenders. "Nice cuppa tea?"
I've voted for accountant. I'd be amazed if anyone voted for their bank.
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#4 for immediate ideas and then the relevant pro to check it is not rubbish that is being talked about. It's a shame that #Trade, business associations don't get the Tinternet thier knowledge bases could be real draws in terms of clients but the people that run these outdated organisations don't understand the modern world.
For anyone who still hasn't got it and doubts the power of the Tinternet. You are loOOOOOOOOOOOosing business and money and your competitors love you for it, they call you stupid.
For anyone who still hasn't got it and doubts the power of the Tinternet. You are loOOOOOOOOOOOosing business and money and your competitors love you for it, they call you stupid.
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So so so short sighted Earl!!
I put Accountant cos he is, but on a good day he is a friend too!
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Could you tell us why you are asking?
Normally this sort of question finishes up as a PR puff - 'a survey of leading small businesses says that blah blah blah' which is fine - just like to know what game we're playing.
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- Original Poster
- #21
I'm happy to explain.
It's all part of a ongoing story I'm working on about small business owners' attitude towards Business Link. Some comments I made recently about figures I uncovered in a government report have been picked up by quite a few other media outlets including the FT. I've also been commissioned to write an article on the subject by another website for which I'm also seeking comments from UKBF members. It certainly appears to be a issue of interest to everyone particularly here on the forums.
I will admit that it is possible we'll go for some PR out of the poll results
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ps. I am shocked that accountants are not higher.
Our poor suffering but favourite brummy fella gets frequent calls from us asking for advice that ranges from areas such as "friends" who own a company that may have accidently employed a person who does not have the correct work visa, right through to successfully managing growth of the company.
Our poor suffering but favourite brummy fella gets frequent calls from us asking for advice that ranges from areas such as "friends" who own a company that may have accidently employed a person who does not have the correct work visa, right through to successfully managing growth of the company.
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For the professional advisors out there, I voted for the forums.
As a small business owner I no longer feel comfortable seeking general business advice from professional advisors because:-
1) It seems to cost a small fortune nowadays just keeping up with various Government requirements etc. most of which I employ professionals to deal with. This is on top of payroll software, accounting software etc... In return for my efforts I am inundated with more bureaucracy reminding me I must have this and that just to retain my trading licences (I'm a CORGI/OFTEC registered heating engineer) along with various letters informing me of the fines I might face for not adhering to some government regulation or other. The last one was a potential £10,000 fine for employing an illegal worker. Funny that one, seeing as most employees on my current site are Ukrainian (didn't know they were in the EU) and the letter came at about the same time as the Home Office was found to have numerous illegals on their own staff. Bet they don't have to worry about fines.
2) What little money and time I have left should be available for seeking professional advice with a view to expanding my business. Trouble is, all I hear is the clock ticking, chink, chink, chink. Half the meeting seems to be taken up reminding me what the meeting is going to cost me and the final quarter reminding me that the allocated time is nearly over. Advice received - rarely useful and full of various disclaimers.
I have a number of lawyers and accountants on my client list and when I jokingly suggested to one of the lawyers that I should charge for every phone call, often made at the most unsociable of hours, he seemed quite offended. It was taken for granted that I should pay for every minute of his time and that I would receive no warranty on his work. Competent Persons Schemes (of which I currently have to enroll with five) require me to offer a six year warranty. CORGI requires me to give this warranty and they don't expect me to charge the customer extra for the privilege.
On a forum I can get real advice from real people. The advice may not always be good but it does stimulate a lateral thought process and might help you see another point of view in the case of a dispute for example. It also allows people to share their thoughts/concerns/experiences anonymously without fear of repercussion. In short forums offer comfort and reassurance. Cost financially nothing, just a polite understanding that you might share your experiences for the benefit of others.
As a small business owner I no longer feel comfortable seeking general business advice from professional advisors because:-
1) It seems to cost a small fortune nowadays just keeping up with various Government requirements etc. most of which I employ professionals to deal with. This is on top of payroll software, accounting software etc... In return for my efforts I am inundated with more bureaucracy reminding me I must have this and that just to retain my trading licences (I'm a CORGI/OFTEC registered heating engineer) along with various letters informing me of the fines I might face for not adhering to some government regulation or other. The last one was a potential £10,000 fine for employing an illegal worker. Funny that one, seeing as most employees on my current site are Ukrainian (didn't know they were in the EU) and the letter came at about the same time as the Home Office was found to have numerous illegals on their own staff. Bet they don't have to worry about fines.
2) What little money and time I have left should be available for seeking professional advice with a view to expanding my business. Trouble is, all I hear is the clock ticking, chink, chink, chink. Half the meeting seems to be taken up reminding me what the meeting is going to cost me and the final quarter reminding me that the allocated time is nearly over. Advice received - rarely useful and full of various disclaimers.
I have a number of lawyers and accountants on my client list and when I jokingly suggested to one of the lawyers that I should charge for every phone call, often made at the most unsociable of hours, he seemed quite offended. It was taken for granted that I should pay for every minute of his time and that I would receive no warranty on his work. Competent Persons Schemes (of which I currently have to enroll with five) require me to offer a six year warranty. CORGI requires me to give this warranty and they don't expect me to charge the customer extra for the privilege.
On a forum I can get real advice from real people. The advice may not always be good but it does stimulate a lateral thought process and might help you see another point of view in the case of a dispute for example. It also allows people to share their thoughts/concerns/experiences anonymously without fear of repercussion. In short forums offer comfort and reassurance. Cost financially nothing, just a polite understanding that you might share your experiences for the benefit of others.
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J
jnathawes
I have a vague notion that I would benefit from the input of (the right) mentor to stimulate my business decisions. The web is great and you know that info/advice that is given freely is going to be impartial. It is then just a question of sorting the wheat from the chaff. I'm on a 'marketing excellence' mission at the moment and I have found the info e-mailed to me and the stuff available on the web priceless. I'm not here to promote Steve Gibson or Chris Cardell but they continue to send me some useful and thought provoking stuff...
I just feel that I need someone to force me to jump off the roundabout once in a while and guide me in some of my strategic thinking. Business Link, I believe match business mentors with individuals, but I have yet to investigate this - been too busy...
I just feel that I need someone to force me to jump off the roundabout once in a while and guide me in some of my strategic thinking. Business Link, I believe match business mentors with individuals, but I have yet to investigate this - been too busy...
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As a small business advisor in Kent I guess I should be a little scared that business advisors didn't make it on to the list in Dan's poll.
I just try to be a trusted advisor that businesses bring in as and when they need me. Hopefully I can offer a fresh pair of eyes to the issues facing businesses. My slogan is jargon free, straight-forward business advice at a price you can afford.
Yes, consultants have got a bad name and the really bad ones are just after your money. If I thought I couldn't make a difference I'd give up and get a proper job, but I like the challenge.
I think the real issue here is not just price, it is also about pride. Business owners are often reluctant to 'let some smart alec in to tell them how to run their business'.
Can you blame them for that?
I just try to be a trusted advisor that businesses bring in as and when they need me. Hopefully I can offer a fresh pair of eyes to the issues facing businesses. My slogan is jargon free, straight-forward business advice at a price you can afford.
Yes, consultants have got a bad name and the really bad ones are just after your money. If I thought I couldn't make a difference I'd give up and get a proper job, but I like the challenge.
I think the real issue here is not just price, it is also about pride. Business owners are often reluctant to 'let some smart alec in to tell them how to run their business'.
Can you blame them for that?
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D
devoicircle
Hi,
I am a partner at a Finland based company called Devoi Ltd. We have developed a completely
new approach and methodology to develope and operate "open source" learning and gaining insight through cross-industrial
peer communities. We have found that once people begin the process of open sharing within a "community"
the new business opportunities begin to multiply and ideas and insight is taken to the next level. It is
great to note that the awareness of the possibilites created by open innovation is increasing.
These communities are my best source of future business information
I am a partner at a Finland based company called Devoi Ltd. We have developed a completely
new approach and methodology to develope and operate "open source" learning and gaining insight through cross-industrial
peer communities. We have found that once people begin the process of open sharing within a "community"
the new business opportunities begin to multiply and ideas and insight is taken to the next level. It is
great to note that the awareness of the possibilites created by open innovation is increasing.
These communities are my best source of future business information
Upvote
0
D
devoicircle
Hi,
I am a partner at a Finland based company called Devoi Ltd. We have developed a completely
new approach and methodology Devoi Circle to develope and operate "open source" learning and gaining insight through cross-industrial
peer communities. We have found that once people begin the process of open sharing within a "community"
the new business opportunities begin to multiply and ideas and insight is taken to the next level. It is
great to note that the awareness of the possibilites created by open innovation is increasing.
These communities are my best source of future business information
I am a partner at a Finland based company called Devoi Ltd. We have developed a completely
new approach and methodology Devoi Circle to develope and operate "open source" learning and gaining insight through cross-industrial
peer communities. We have found that once people begin the process of open sharing within a "community"
the new business opportunities begin to multiply and ideas and insight is taken to the next level. It is
great to note that the awareness of the possibilites created by open innovation is increasing.
These communities are my best source of future business information
Upvote
0
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