‘Be remarkable’ NW small firms are told
VISION, leadership and focus are the key ingredients for success in business, the first Private Sector Partners small firms’ summit was told.
The event in Burnley, which was attended by many leading figures from the North West business community as well as entrepreneurs, heard from inspiring business guru Robert Craven on what sets successful enterprises apart.
Mr Craven, who began his business career as a market trader in London, before becoming an academic and writer said entrepreneurs should always be asking themselves “what makes me different?”
Customer retention is a key too, he said, and a mistake often made as small firms chase new customers.
“Be remarkable, be simple and obvious or you will get lost. Customer service is so important – stay close at every stage.”
He said successful entrepreneurs had to learn to work “on the business, not in the business” and to find the right balance between marketing, operations and finance.”
Mr Craven, pictured, told the gathering at the University of Central Lancashire’s new facility in Burnley, that he had been criticised by a “small business facista” for saying some small firms deserved to fail.
“Just because you are a small business does not give you the right to trade and succeed.”
He said many were using the downturn to “whinge” and were expecting others – notably the Government and business support agencies to- resolve all their problems.
“My message is to sell something people want, deliver it well – and do it now. Vision leadership and focus will make it happen.”
The event, which was sponsored by Business Link North West and UCLan, also heard from Tony Barnes, chief executive of AIM -listed smart metering company Bglobal, and Peter Watson, managing director of BusinessLink North West.
As well as speeches there were panel sessions where key issues facing businesses such as regulation, education and skills were debated.
Private Sector Partners is a North West organisation founded by veteran businessman Len Collinson. It represents more than 110,000 businesses employing 1.2 million people.
