SOLO NEWSLETTER 40

April 2010

Copyright Albert Wright

www.successfulsolo.com

The Marcus Di Maria commentary has been postponed to next month to be replaced by:

Thoughts on Voting for the coming elections

This relates to principles/standpoints/philosophy rather than policies.

1 The Generation Game

What we enjoy today is the result of what our ancestors have left us.

The roads, schools, infrastructure, investment and institutions we use today were largely provided by previous generations who left us positive legacies.

There are worrying signs that the new generation of politicians seem intent on simply leaving us debts.

This, to me, is the ultimate political betrayal by the generation who have never had it so good. Having consumed more than we have produced, the final insult is to make future generations pay for what we are consuming today and in the next decade.

Beware those parties whose reforms only 'kick in' from 2012 onwards and are intent on postponing the pain for others to suffer while they enjoy today.

2 Funny Money, Carbon Trading, Green Greed

The current superficial attention on so called “global warming” and governments promotion and support for all things deemed to be green, contains for me the seeds of the next big Global Mistake.

Not yet having understood the role of junk bonds, derivatives and financial instruments, we are off again inventing artificial markets for carbon trading, issuing 'credits' to large companies for stuff that does not physically exist but needs to “financially” exist so we can sell the right to pollute for new paper money backed by nothing.

We are about to convince ourselves through the spurious notion of carbon offsetting, that planting a tree today, which could take hundreds of years to grow and be of use in cleaning the atmosphere, is a good thing, which will allow us to continue emitting noxious gases for years to come.

It seems we will be investing billions in producing electrically powered cars without fully understanding the true costs of producing the batteries and additional electricity production required, yet alone sorting out how we will replace the tax revenues from petrol and diesel when this type of fuel is no longer being used.

3 Public Sector and Private Sector

While huge parts of the private sector today are based on service industry, nearly all parts of the public sector are service based.

The important difference for me is that adding true value in the service sector is much more difficult than in manufacturing or the extraction industries.

Getting minerals out of the ground, turning them into metal and making a car, for me, has obvious added value. Having a taxi to drive me home from the pub is less obvious added value and paying taxes to employ hordes of people to issue me with a Road Fund licence allowing me to drive my car on the road totally fails the test.

Add to this the absence of any 'market mechanism' in the public sector to help decide how much a civil servant, let alone an MP should be paid, also causes me concern.

Overlay the cost of public sector pensions based on final salary, another example of the next generation paying for the pleasures of the current generation, and I am really worried.

Frankly, I can think of no area of economic activity where the public sector is/seems more efficient or effective than the private sector, although there are many areas of the private sector, for example motor insurance, that could do with major reform.

So, when you come to vote, you may want to consider some of the thoughts above.

If you feel strongly you may want to comment on the above and I would be delighted if you did (it would indicate someone was reading this newsletter) and I would print your comments in the next newsletter and / or on the website. Emails to info@successfulsolo.com   

The 4-Hour Week

Timothy Ferris and his book, The 4-Hour Work Week, Escape the 9-5, Live Anywhere and join the New Rich, continues to haunt me.

Away in sunny Madeira for a week I managed a 4-Hour Week and felt I could get used to it.

However, I came back to lots of post and emails and will be forced to be decisive to clear the backlog.

Remember - do the important, ignore the trivial, cut out time wasters and time consumers.

I will be exploring outsourcing to the New World and paying only for each completed task, not paying for time, next month. So far I have gone to Eastern Europeans for the Millionaire Coaching Academy website and for other support with VA – virtual assistant activity.

Next month will also see the Solo newsletter incorporating a video email element, which could become my automated vehicle for generating cash without consuming time, along with the sale of information products, currently in development.

Business Development

I am told one of the greatest indicators to an individual’s future success is linked to the company they keep. It seems we become the average of the 10 people we spend the most time with.

I am spending an increasing amount of time with my wife, Janette, which has to be a good start, and with people connected with ecademy and Entrepreneurs’ World.

The recently formed North London ecademy Blackstar Boardroom is another approach to forming a Master Mind Group of people that will provide mutual support on a regular basis.

The first monthly meeting was in East Barnet in March and the next will be on April 15th.

For FREE help in identifying your own Master Mind Group or the Business Board You Cannot Afford, give me a call on 07973  192712.

Millionaire Coaching Academy

Visit www.millionairecoachingacademy.co.uk 

You, my readers, are obviously too well off as no one, as yet, has asked for their £1,000 for referring a client.

Send us the details of someone you know who realistically wants to be a business millionaire, with sales of £1 million a year and you think might benefit from being coached by Millionaire Mentors.

Free Stuff

For more about the Magic Matrix email albert@millionairecoachingacademy.co.uk

Marketing Donut

To subscribe to our Small Business Solutions Marketing Donut monthly newsletter contact info@cushiontheimpact.co.uk

Raw Business

Last month saw the opening of their new offices in Chelmsford but I was unable to attend.

They are expanding the number of Entrepreneur Schools and the distribution of their printed magazine, where I am a regular contributor.

To read my articles www.rawbusinessmagazine.com

Let’s Talk and Robert Craven

As regular readers of this newsletter know, you are entitled to attend Robert’s excellent workshops, held around the UK, at no cost whatever.

Robert’s 'Let’s Talk' half day seminars / workshops, sponsored by Barclays Bank, are worth over £200, for example:

'Let's Talk... More Profit'

Makes businesses re-think how they make their money

Tuesday 18th May, The Menzies Prince Regent Hotel, Woodford Bridge

Wednesday 19th May, Lord's Cricket Ground, St John's Wood.

Thursday 20th May, Holiday Inn London, Kingston-Upon-Thames

Thursday 27th May, Glaziers Hall, London Bridge.

Full details, with June and July dates and all locations can be viewed and booked here BOOK HERE

Next Month

Marcus Di Maria?

PS Don’t forget, as a reader of this newsletter, you are entitled to a 30-minute phone advice session from me to you. 
 
Book an appointment via Andrea by emailing andrea@cushiontheimpact.co.uk or phone me on 07973 192 712.

SOLO NEWSLETTER 41
May 2010

Copyright Albert Wright

www.successfulsolo.com 


At last, Marcus Di Maria.

I came across Marcus several years ago when I attended one of his Free Seminars promoting his weekend Wealth Workout, but it was some time before I actually attended the weekend in 2009 and only this year when I got round to going to one of his other events, Investment Mastery.

The message I get from him is that Wealth has to be Worked For and although this is hard, it’s not difficult.

'Hard but not difficult?' in the same way that walking from London to Newcastle would be 'hard', around 300 miles requiring some planning and preparation, perseverance, fitness, commitment, time, effort and determination but not 'difficult' in that I know where it is, the A1 road goes there, I can buy a map, stay in simple hotels overnight, wrap up warm and dry, take changes of clothing etc and am probably fit enough to do it.

Acquiring Wealth is similarly hard, but not difficult if you have Marcus as your guide.The first thing he encourages you to get right is your attitude to Wealth, Money and Success.

There is a psychology to achieving wealth and success, which includes believing you deserve it and accepting wealth can be a good thing.

Many people have a strange attitude to wealth and Marcus points out that if you believe money is the root of all evil, you are unlikely to achieve it.

If you get your attitude right, you can then move on to creating a passive income or sufficient income to become financially free.

Most people never become financially free, but Marcus and many of his clients do, I’ve met them.

The Investment Mastery weekend builds on the Wealth Workout and you get training, information and practice to successfully trade the USA stock market.

By following the rules Marcus provides you can make money. Personally I have been too lazy to do this and I have not followed up with the webinars and meetings Marcus provides for a small monthly fee to keep you on course and motivated. However, I have seen ample evidence that those who have followed up are steadily making money.

If you would like me to send you a free book or DVD about Marcus and his wealth and investment programmes phone me or send me an email, 07973192712 and albert@millionairecoachingacademy.co.uk

Thoughts on Voting and the recent elections

This newsletter was due to go out much earlier this month and this item is a bit late. Nonetheless it relates to principles/standpoints /philosophy rather than policies and may still be worth reading now we have a “balanced” parliament and a coalition government.

1 The Generation Game
What we enjoy today is the result of what our ancestors have left us.

The roads, schools, infrastructure, investment and institutions we use today were largely provided by previous generations who left us positive legacies.

There are worrying signs that the new generation of politicians seem intent on simply leaving us debts.

This, to me, is the ultimate political betrayal by the generation who have never had it so good. Having consumed more than we have produced, the final insult is to make future generations pay for what we are consuming today and in the next decade.

Beware those parties whose reforms only 'kick in' from 2012 onwards and are intent on postponing the pain for others to suffer while they enjoy today.

2 Funny Money, Carbon Trading, Green Greed

The current superficial attention on so called 'global warming' and governments’ promotion and support for all things deemed to be green, contains for me the seeds of the next big Global Mistake.
'Not yet having understood the role of junk bonds, derivatives and financial instruments, we are off again inventing artificial markets for carbon trading, issuing 'credits' to large companies for stuff that does not physically exist but needs to 'financially' exist so we can sell the right to pollute for new paper money backed by nothing.

We are about to convince ourselves through the spurious notion of carbon offsetting, that planting a tree today, which could take hundreds of years to grow and be of use in cleaning the atmosphere, is a good thing, which will allow us to continue emitting noxious gases for years to come.

It seems we will be investing billions in producing electrically powered cars without fully understanding the true costs of producing the batteries and additional electricity production required, yet alone sorting out how we will replace the tax revenues from petrol and diesel when this type of fuel is no longer being used.

3 Public Sector and Private Sector

While huge parts of the private sector today are based on service industry, nearly all parts of the public sector are service based.

The important difference for me is that adding true value in the service sector is much more difficult than in manufacturing or the extraction industries.

Getting minerals out of the ground, turning them into metal and making a car, for me, has obvious added value. Having a taxi to drive me home from the pub is less obvious added value and paying taxes to employ hordes of people to issue me with a Road Fund licence allowing me to drive my car on the road totally fails the test.

Add to this the absence of any 'market mechanism' in the public sector to help decide how much a civil servant, let alone an MP should be paid, also causes me concern.

Overlay the cost of public sector pensions based on final salary, another example of the next generation paying for the pleasures of the current generation, and I am really worried.

Frankly, I can think of no area of economic activity where the public sector is/seems more efficient or effective than the private sector, although there are many areas of the private sector, for example motor insurance, that could do with major reform.

You may want to consider some of the thoughts above as you watch the new government take action.

If you feel strongly you may want to comment on the above and I would be delighted if you did (it would indicate someone was reading this newsletter) and I would print your comments in the next newsletter and / or on the website. Emails to info@successfulsolo.com  

The 4-Hour Week
Timothy Ferris and his book, The 4-Hour Work Week, Escape the 9-5, Live Anywhere and join the New Rich, continues to haunt me.

Away in sunny Madeira for a week I managed a 4-Hour Week and felt I could get used to it.

However, I came back to lots of post and emails and will be forced to be decisive to clear the backlog.

Remember - do the important, ignore the trivial, cut out time wasters and time consumers.

I will be exploring outsourcing to the New World and paying only for each completed task, not paying for time, next month. So far I have gone to Eastern Europeans for the Millionaire Coaching Academy website and for other support with VA – virtual assistant activity.

Next month will also see the Solo newsletter incorporating a video email element, which could become my automated vehicle for generating cash without consuming time, along with the sale of information products, currently in development.

More and Better Business

I am told one of the greatest indicators to an individual’s future success is linked to the company they keep. It seems we will earn and possibly become the average of the 10 people we spend the most time with.

I am spending an increasing amount of time with my wife, Janette, which has to be a good start, and with people connected with ecademy and Entrepreneurs’ World.

The recently formed North London ecademy Blackstar Boardroom is another approach to forming a Master Mind Group of people that will provide mutual support on a regular basis.

The first monthly meeting was in East Barnet in March, the next was April 28th and the next will be Friday June 4th.

If you want to know more, email or give me a call.

For FREE help in identifying your own Master Mind Group or the Business Board You Cannot Afford, give me a call on 07973 192712.

Millionaire Coaching Academy

Visit www.millionairecoachingacademy.co.uk

You, my readers, are obviously too well off as no one, as yet, has asked for their £1,000 for referring a client.

Send us the details of someone you know who realistically wants to be a business millionaire, with sales of £1 million a year and you think might benefit from being coached by Millionaire Mentors.

Free Stuff
For more about the Magic Matrix email albert@millionairecoachingacademy.co.uk

Marketing Donut

To subscribe to our Small Business Solutions Marketing Donut monthly newsletter contact info@cushiontheimpact.co.uk

 
Raw Business
Last month saw the opening of their new offices in Chelmsford but I was unable to attend.

They are expanding the number of Entrepreneur Schools and the distribution of their printed magazine, where I am a regular contributor.

View a copy on line and read my articles www.rawbusinessmagazine.com      

Let’s Talk and Robert Craven

As readers of this newsletter you are entitled to attend Robert’s excellent workshops, held around the UK, at no cost whatever.

www.thedc.co.uk  

Next Month

Right Angle Consultants and Fudge

PS Don’t forget, as a reader of this newsletter, you are entitled to a 30-minute phone advice session from me to you.

Book an appointment via Andrea by emailing andrea@cushiontheimpact.co.uk  or phone me on 07973 192 712.

SOLO NEWSLETTER 42

June 2010

www.successfulsolo.com

Copyright Albert Wright

Right Angle Consultancy

My latest venture is being part of a new partnership of 6 business consultants with specialist skills who have got together to market themselves and provide a more holistic service for their customers.

Setting up or joining such consortia can be a great waste of effort, money and time and I can give several examples of where I have fallen into this trap before, but this time it will be different – or so I believe.

I am already a member of the OMS Group, a great bunch of guys, and you can learn more about them at www.omsg.org.uk  , complete with case studies and individual profiles. We had our quarterly get together in May for more CPD, Continuing Professional Development and to share some new ideas on marketing our services as generalist non-executive senior business advisers – not the easiest phrase to get your head round and a complete dead loss as GNESBA.

Right Angle (not RAC) is similar and different. Here the focus is on our different, individual, specialist skills and experience rather than our similarities. The aim is to market both the individual services and the combined services at the same time, offering a One Stop Shop for established businesses at much better value than better known practices with expensive High Street premises.

We are at an early stage but have big plans. We will be holding an innovative launch event on Monday September 20th 2010 in Oxford, which we are calling a Business Theatre Workshop. Put the date in your diary now.

The event will involve a small business exhibition, including the launch of 6 new mini business books written by the partners linked to their areas of expertise, a networking buffet and a sit down performance in a theatre where the advisers and actors tell the story of FUDGE and make mini presentations on their specialist areas of activity.

Business owners attending will also have the opportunity to sign up for a series of 6 one day business workshops at special rates only available on the day covering; Business Strategy, Sales, Marketing, Finance, Human Resources and Personal Performance and Personal Presentation.

At least it’s novel and exciting. I will keep you posted as things evolve (or don’t) and point you to our new website next month – or if not yet live, I will release the names and details of my partners.

One spin off from getting together is that 4 of us attended a Business Book Boot Camp weekend last month to learn more about writing, publishing and selling our own business book, run by Sarah Williams and two colleagues.

Guru in a Bottle

I am also doing a bit of work with Ardi Kola, CEO of Guru, a business sales, marketing, presentation and communication training organisation offering a new, more interactive and lively approach to business training.

Ardi is a great presenter and a great networker.

For more information go to www.guruinabottle.com  


The 4-Hour Week

I am still bothered by Timothy Ferris and his book, The 4-Hour Work Week, Escape the 9-5, Live Anywhere and join the New Rich, although putting it into practice is a bit slow.

I have not yet got round to studying the business information products I bought the rights to a couple of years ago. They are still in the box, but now in sight and by the end of July they could become my passive source of income.

Remember - do the important, ignore the trivial, cut out time wasters and time consumers.

My exploring of outsourcing to the New World and paying only for each completed task, not paying for time, will also have to wait until next month as will the Solo newsletter incorporating a video email element, which could become my automated vehicle for generating cash without consuming time, along with the sale of information products, currently in development.

More and Better Business

As indicated last month, I am spending an increasing amount of time with my wife, Janette and recently she took me along to meet Royalty at Buckingham Palace and receive her OBE for services to the unemployed and enterprise, through her work at Avanta (incorporating TNG and InBiz), which she grew into a major organisation employing 1,000 people and where she is CEO.

As a lifelong republican with no interest in Royalty, I had mixed thoughts about going to the Palace and my wife receiving an “honour”.

In the end I enjoyed it. The event was very well organised and all the staff were very helpful however, once Prince Charles had given Janette her medal, it got a bit boring as I didn’t personally know any of the other recipients.

North London ecademy Blackstar Boardroom

At our meeting on June 4th we had three new interesting people who I hope will come again as they would be ideal in forming a Master Mind Group of people that will provide mutual support on a regular basis.

The first monthly meeting was in East Barnet in March, the next will be Friday July 4th.

If you want to know more, email or give me a call.

For FREE help in identifying and setting up your own Master Mind Group or the Business Board You Cannot Afford, give me a call on 07973 192712.

Millionaire Coaching Academy

Visit www.millionairecoachingacademy.co.uk  
You, my readers, are obviously too well off as no one, as yet, has asked for their £1,000 for referring a client.

Send us the details of someone you know who realistically wants to be a business millionaire, with sales of £1 million a year and you think might benefit from being coached by Millionaire Mentors.

Free Stuff

To subscribe to our Small Business Solutions Marketing Donut monthly newsletter contact info@cushiontheimpact.co.uk

Raw Business 

Entrepreneur Schools will be back in a new format in September

Free copies of their printed magazine, where I am a regular contributor, can be ordered from the web site www.rawbusinessmagazine.com  

Let’s Talk and Robert Craven

The excellent workshops, held around the UK, at no cost whatever o SOLO readers can be booked via www.thedc.co.uk  

Next Month

More on Right Angle

PS Don’t forget, as a reader of this newsletter, you are entitled to a 30-minute phone advice session from me to you.

Book an appointment via Andrea by emailing andrea@cushiontheimpact.co.uk or phone me on 07973 192 712. 

SOLO NEWSLETTER 44
July 2010

www.successfulsolo.com
Copyright Albert Wright

The 4-Hour Week

My Information Products have been identified and marketing begins next month with the intention of creating the passive income to support the new aspired lifestyle.

Remember - do the important, ignore the trivial.

For me this involves a refocus onto supporting high growth businesses and reducing the time spent with start up and lifestyle businesses, other than referring them to fellow members of the National Federation of Enterprise Agencies (NFEA), other Business Support Agencies and Business Link.

Millionaire Coaching Academy

Video emails will go out to MCA members next month and I have a new, one page marketing piece to give anyone I meet, encouraging them to refer me to my ideal clients.

Referrals for Customers – the BNI Approach

I recently attended the BNI Referral Marketing workshop and the big UK National Members day with founder, Dr Ivan Misner and hundreds of other BNI members and I have been to more breakfast meetings, studied some literature and the website and am booked onto even more training courses – time for some observations.

For some businesses it seems to work very well indeed, but like most marketing takes time to have an effect. To get the return on your investment you have to put in (time and effort) before you get out and you have to educate your team of potential business promoters / referrers like you do any potential customer, employee or associate.

The easier to understand businesses, like tradesmen, do get referrals nearly every week. It helps if they are reliable, good value and competent at what they do – like Peter, our chapter painter, who most members have used themselves and can, therefore, recommend from personal experience.

Peter did a good job for me, is a very nice guy and will shortly have my written testimonial and has already had a verbal one he asked me to do by talking to a prospective customer who wanted to speak to a former client.

As yet I am not quite sure how it will work for our man selling oil well investments in Texas, or some others, as I am yet to be fully educated on what makes them different and better and in some cases I am unlikely to buy the product or service directly.

Meeting for breakfast and following and participating in the structured presentations, systems and procedures every week does seem a good way to build trust with a group of 25 others and learn a bit more each week about what they do and about them as people.

It is becoming clear who has the best reputations within the group for what their businesses do, who is generous with referrals, hard working on behalf of the group (some are regularly bringing in new potential members as visitors for a week, which puts us all on our best behaviour, introduces a potential client for each of us and a potential supplier).

So far, I’m glad I joined and if you are thinking of joining your local chapter go ahead and visit it – a further up date in the New Year.

If you want to talk to me about it first pick up the phone 07973192712.

Readers and Writers next month Grant Leboff 

Newsletter feedback

I asked for comments and a reader’s response on public versus private sector will appear next month.

Right Angle Consultancy

My book, Elements of Finance for Growth Businesses, to be published as part of the Series of Six under the RA umbrella is progressing slowly.

The launch event is on Monday September 20th.

The Special Six are meeting more frequently for bullying and support.

Guru in a Bottle

Guru has been shortlisted for the National Training Awards for work they did with the Royal Navy.

For more information go to www.guruinabottle.com  

North London ecademy Blackstar Boardroom

If you want to know more about joining or setting up your own Master Mind Group or the Business Board You Cannot Afford outside or inside the ecademy network, give me a call on 07973 192712.

Free Stuff
To subscribe to our Small Business Solutions Marketing Donut monthly newsletter contact info@cushiontheimpact.co.uk   

Raw Business

Entrepreneur Schools will be back in a new format in August.

Go to www.rawbusinessmagazine.com  if you want to receive a free printed copy of Raw Magazine or read my articles in issues 11 and 12 on line.

PS Don’t forget, as a reader of this newsletter, you are entitled to a 30-minute phone advice session from me to you.

Book an appointment via Andrea by emailing andrea@cushiontheimpact.co.uk  or phone me on 07973 192 712. 

SOLO NEWSLETTER 45

August 2010

www.successfulsolo.com

Copyright Albert Wright

The 4-Hour Week
Finally my initial Information Products have been identified. Marketing begins next month with the intention of creating the passive income to support the new aspired lifestyle. I shall keep you informed of how much this generates (if any) – so much for confidence and a positive attitude.

You will all be receiving an e-shot (email version of a mail shot) promoting the products and directing you to new web pages.

Remember - do the important, ignore the trivial.

Millionaire Coaching Academy
Next update in September.

Readers and Writers this month Grant Leboff
Grant published a new book a couple of months ago.

I first became aware of Grant through fellow business adviser Michael Martin and shortly after went to hear him speak at a north London ecademy Swiss Cottage event and subsequently bought and read one of his books, ‘Sales Therapy Effective Selling for the Small Business Owner’.

The book was first published in 2007 and basically said that traditional marketing and selling no longer worked effectively for small businesses and success in selling in future needed to be based on a new relationship with prospective customers.

The idea of a sales presentation, having prepared ‘open ‘ and ‘closed’ questions, selling benefits, handling objections and moving to a ‘close’ approach was increasingly not working.

I certainly agreed with the analysis and that selling had become more difficult for new small businesses.

Supplier centred selling, good for the seller and transaction based has had its day, according to Leboff and is being replaced with relationship selling and a true focus on the customer. The supplier needs to become a trusted partner, putting the client’s interests first, to succeed.

Leboff believes that a buyer generally buys to solve a problem and our focus should be on problem solving and the value to the client of having the problem solved. Identify this and provide the cost effective solution and you should get the sale.

To help he suggests we create and use a ‘Problem Map’ to act as a discussion document to engage the client and get a deeper insight into their issues and also explore ‘emotional’ aspects as well as the more obvious mechanical / operational problems they face.

In the chapter on building a customer pipeline, he explores the importance, particularly for service providers, of ‘building and telling a story’ to engage prospective customers and become more memorable to them.

Later on he covers different ways to develop conversations with prospective clients, how to let them feel they are in control of the process but at the same time provide you with the answers you need to understand their problem, decide if you can solve it cost effectively and then present this solution in a way that gets them to want to buy from you.

Understanding the context, they way the buying decision is affected by emotional, personal and professional issues, as well as the practical, are essential. Grant provides a series of specific questions that might be used to tease out the information you need in a gentle yet assertive manner which shows professionalism and not aggression and leaves the client at ease and positive.

The question I liked best was ‘Anything else?’ and reminded me of some of the coaching training I have done and particularly the work I did with John Niland around ‘value conversations’.

If you want an interesting read about a modern approach to selling and marketing, I recommend this book.

Newsletter comments Public v Private Sector from issue 42

SOLO NEWSLETTER 46

September 2010

www.successfulsolo.com

Copyright Albert Wright

The Changing Face of Business Support

As many of you may know, I have worked in this sector since 1991 and once again this month, I will be attending the annual National Federation of Enterprise Agencies (NFEA) meeting, now in association with PROWESS.

The sector has changed greatly in the last 20 years and will soon see even more changes as the policies of the Coalition Government become clearer and are put in place.

It is increasingly likely that there will be a massive reduction in publicly funded support and if the existing providers of this support do not change the way they work they may become extinct.

Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) will have gone by the end of this year, in many cases, and their part replacement, Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) are not likely to be in place in time and will, in any event, have less, if any money, to spend on local, subsidised business support.

Some funding may become available via the new Regional Growth Funds, (RGF), which will be spending around £1 billion over the next 2 or 3 years. However, the application date for submitting proposals to become a LEP only ended last week, along with the date for comments on how the RGFs might work.

There is no sight yet of any detail of the Coalition’s long awaited Work for Yourself programme. Many now believe this will be a very cut down version of the original ideas and may restrict publicly funded support to those who are on state benefits and / or in 'disadvantaged communities'.

Increasingly, would be and existing business owners are going to have to pay the private sector for face to face help in setting up or growing a business.

Many people will rejoice at this news, arguing that we already have enough businesses in the UK and most of the new ones that start fail within the first 3 years, particularly those who have received no, or only publicly funded support and the way publicly funded support has generally been delivered has been wasteful and inconclusive in terms of value for money.

Some, like me, have found the idea of Gross Value Added (GVA) a totally inappropriate measure for evaluating the success of publicly funded business support and even question the concept of 'market failure' that allegedly justifies such support.

The balance of publicly funded support given to start ups versus (potential) high growth businesses may also change under the Coalition and it is in this area that the private sector has most affected the market place.

Organisations such as Jonathan Jay’s National Association of Business Owners (NABO) and James Caan and Bev James Entrepreneurs Business Academy (EBA) are only two of the many businesses now targeting ambitious business owners to offer their help and support, for a fee.

Their focus is mainly on marketing – a well needed change in emphasis from many of the former publicly funded programmes, which tended to favour finance readiness and business planning and business compliance.

However, although the FREE / loss leader introductory events are very good and very good value, the ongoing programmes often charge substantial fees which, for those who become successful will not be a problem, but for the less determined and less able may prove to be the wrong investment.

Many will say the sooner small business owners realise the real market can be a harsh place, the better and it is true that the most adaptable businesses are the ones who generally succeed.

The future looks tough.

Information Products and 4 Hour weeks

There has been a delay in launching the first product; this will now be in October.

Remember - do the important, ignore the trivial.

Millionaire Coaching Academy

The last MCA News, for the time being, will go out this month.

The project is being scaled down to focus on helping business owners achieve sales of £1 million a year and business will be handled through Small Business Solutions Ltd, which will soon have an updated website. See www.millionairecoachingacademy.co.uk  and www.sbsltd.net 

Readers and Writers – No One this month.

Right Angle Consultancy

The 'Business Theatre' event will now take place in February 2011 at St Hilda’s College Oxford.

Tickets will be available for £27 for each of the two performances but if you email me before the end of September I will send you a complimentary ticket.

My book, Know Your Numbers, Elements of Finance for Growth Businesses, published as part of the Series of Six under the RA umbrella, will be available to buy on the day.

Work on the related presentation to be given at the launch event and my follow up half day Finance Workshop is progressing OK.

The two related websites will be up and running for both Right Angle Consultancy itself and the sister site for FUDGE next month. (This is pretty much what we said last month).

North London ecademy Blackstar Boardroom

SOLO NEWSLETTER 47

October 2010

www.successfulsolo.com

© Copyright Albert Wright

FREE copy of 'Fix IT' – the e-book that explains why Most Marketing does Not Work and How You Can Fix It

This 100 page e-book, sold for £15 and potentially worth over £5,000, (if you read it and act on the contents), is on offer to SOLO readers FREE until the end of November 2010.

All you need to do is email albert@millionairecoachingacademy.co.uk and I will attach an electronic copy to my reply.

Each chapter analyses one of the 8 the mistakes, saying why it’s made and what you can do about it.

Chapter 2 looks at Sharing Your Message with the Wrong People and how focussed, niche marketing may be your answer, giving real examples of what has worked before and could work for you.

The Changing Face of Business Support

I attended the annual conferences of the National Federation of Enterprise Agencies (NFEA) and PROWESS last month. Both spent some time looking at this issue with two great presentations from Emma Jones of Home Business and Penny Power of ecademy.

As a result I have a new interest in Twitter and Facebook and am about to get in closer touch with my digital and social media sides.

Information Products and 4 Hour weeks

Our first product is Fix It – see above. More next month – but not FREE.

Remember - do the important, ignore the trivial.

Millionaire Coaching Academy

The focus is now on helping ambitious and able business owners achieve sales of £1 million a year within 24 months. For more information see www.millionairecoachingacademy.co.uk

Readers and Writers – Mindy Gibbins-Klein

24 Carat Bold The Standard for REAL Thought Leaders

The central issue is 'We need a new batch of real thought leaders, people who can take our society into the next phase of its evolution and bring the kind of transformation that is so sorely needed'.

However, it’s not just the thinking that’s important but how that thinking is disseminated and who these leaders are.

A thought leader is defined as 'A futurist or person who is recognised among their peers, mentors and market for innovative ideas and demonstrates the confidence to promote and share those ideas as actionable distilled insights'.

Perhaps not quite the words I might have used but you get the message, someone with innovative ideas, which they promote and share and become recognised for so doing.

They accept their message is both important and urgent and work to get it heard.

The REAL bit relates to Reach, Engagement, Authority and Longevity.

The idea of going wide and deep is promoted – being a specialist in a niche (bigger than a crevice) but seeking wide geographic coverage, and ways of doing this are then suggested.

They include effective networking, having a 'Constant Visibility Strategy', a great elevator pitch, educating, promoting, speaking, writing and publishing.

Mindy believes that '..only a printed book can help you achieve your goals of credibility and authority'and this is where her role is – to help you get that book written, published and promoted. Mindy is the 'Book Midwife' with around 300 babies so far mainly through Ecademy Press, which she co-founded.

As a major player within ecademy, Mindy believes in Visibility leading to Credibility and then Profitability.

Mindy encourages thought leaders to be BOLD and not afraid of polarising people, Be Marmite – either loved or hated.

Blogging, speaking, becoming the 'go to professional'; Recency + Relevance+ Reference = Longevity are all covered, plus, of course, writing your own book.

Reading Mindy’s book has encouraged me to get my own book 'Know Your Numbers Grow Your Business' finished and my e-book 'Business Wisdom'.

If you want to become similarly enthused I suggest you read Mindy’s book.

Right Angle Consultancy

The 'Business Theatre' event will take place in February 2011 at St Hilda’s College Oxford. Tickets will be available for £27 for each of the two performances but if you email me before the end of October I will send you a ticket for half price.

My book, 'Know Your Numbers, Grow Your Business' will be published next year and available to buy on the day.

The two related websites, RAC and Fudge will be live later this month.


North London ecademy Blackstar Boardroom

Our last meeting was Friday 8th October 2010. We meet at Chez Ton Ton East Barnet from noon to 3.30pm – price for lunch, wine, coffee , networking and being in the Issues Spotlight only £29.50.

Our next meeting is Friday November 10th. See the Black Star Boardroom section on ecademy for details or, if you want to know more about joining our Master Mind Group or the Business Board You Cannot Afford call me on 07973 192712.

Free Stuff

To subscribe to our Small Business Solutions Marketing Donut monthly newsletter contact info@cushiontheimpact.co.uk

SOLO NEWSLETTER 48

November 2010

SOLO NEWSLETTER 49

December 2010

www.successfulsolo.com

© Copyright Albert Wright

Raw Business TV

http://www.rawbusiness.com/tv/schedule.html

On January 25th at 6.30 pm tune into Raw Business TV where I will be joining Raw MD, Bradley Chapman, in a live broadcast.

My subject will be “How Best To Grow Your Business” with Business Wisdom Plus – Practical Tips to Triple Your Business.

Business Wisdom – the e-book

From January 1st order your copy of Business Wisdom for £10 plus receive your FREE copy of “Fix IT” – the e-book that explains why Most Marketing Doesn’t Work and How You Can Fix It.

Business Wisdom, over 120 pages, is an e-book update of my first paperback book published in 2008, in association with Rapid Results Marketing, The Serious Business Owner’s Guide To DOUBLING YOUR BUSINESS SALES AND PROFITS, Tips, Techniques and Strategies for Growing Any Business Even In the Toughest Economies.

The new version of the book doesn’t claim to be a major breakthrough in new business thinking but is a timely reminder to focus on basic principles and concentrate on marketing.

For most small businesses, success is as much about the attitude of the owner as anything else and the attitude needs to be one of innovation, hard work and perseverance.

It also helps to do the right things and do them right in a timely fashion.

Speed of response is an increasingly important aspect of customer service.

To obtain a copy of the e-book you will need to email me, albert@millionairecoachingacademy.co.uk and request your copy and pay in advance through my pay pal account at albert@millionairecoachingacademy.co.uk

Once payment is confirmed I will attach an electronic copy to my reply.

Each of the 7 chapters of Business Wisdom analyses one of the major themes in business success:

•  Personal Qualities and Abilities that will Help You to Succeed
•  How do Your customers see You?
•  How Much Are You Worth?
•  Why people Buy
•  The Main Purpose of Your Business
•  The Three Primary Ways To Grow Your Business
•  How Much are Your Customers Really Worth