Tell us about your background.
My career started with a multinational organisation in Coleraine. I started as a tyre fitter with ATS Euromaster. I worked with this company for 18 years. During that time I progressed from tyre fitter to Territory Manager covering both Northern Ireland and Scotland. During that time I was privileged to look after 33 sites including staff, premises and plant.
My aim was always to develop the people and to improve our sales and service to our customer base. After 18 years I worked for another company which managed vehicles including major companies across the UK. After a short number of years I ended up with a family business for over 8 years. This was a promotional clothing company which provided everything from the local shop to some of the major running events in Northern Ireland and beyond. During this time I came into contact with BNI which became a significant way to generate new business for the company. Why do I tell you all this? It is with all the experience that I gained over these number of years and companies that was to prepare me for what I personally do now. My business is called The Business Mindset and we cover 3 main areas. These are Business Mentoring, Business Mastermind Groups and Marketing via referral. This has led me into buying the franchise for BNI Northern Ireland in January this year.
Why did you join FSB?
I got to know about FSB from Graeme Weir who is a membership Advisor. Graeme was a member of BNi Waterfront. The more I learnt about FSB and what they did for Small Businesses I found that I had to be part of it and support it. I find this organisation has great resources that you can call on at any time. It is a place to find details on HR, TAX, Legal, Cyber Security as well as other services. Imagine being able to lift the phone and speak to a lawyer for the price of a small membership fee. Over the past 12 months it has been a great place to stay up to date with current regulations for COVID. In my business mentoring I have encouraged people to be part of it or to use it to its full extent.
Have you used FSB Services so far, how has it helped your business?
My main use of the FSB has been viewing information on the website. This has been where I have had questions around legislation or the availability of documents and forms or contracts. One other important aspect of FSB has been their networking events. This gives everyone an opportunity to connect with other business owners.
How did Covid-19 impact your business?
I have been very fortunate with my business over the lockdown period. The first major thing we had to do was to get all our meetings online both in BNI and my Mastermind Groups. It was great to see that in the last financial year that BNI members produced business for each other to approx £3.5m of referred business. This has continued to grow in the rolling 12 months to £4m. COVID from a positive outlook has allowed us to reach further than we would have done. Change is good although it takes a little time to see it all.
What is the single greatest challenge for any SME at the minute?
One of the greatest challenges that we all face is CHANGE and our attitude to it in the current world that we live in. When COVID first struck some people decided that they did not want to change what they were doing. One example was an Independent Financial Advisor who didn't want to use an online meeting facility to meet other business people or his clients. Others in this profession embraced the online and started not only to meet with other business people but to meet their clients and prospective clients. They have now integrated online into their business which will remain for the future. The result for many doing this was that they increased their business from current and new clients. COVID has brought many changes which could remain for a long time. This might include social distancing and the ability to travel. It has also brought much fear into the community. We need to realise that change is going to happen. Some businesses will have to adapt and change to survive in the new world. We will see a greater use of technology used in all our meetings. One area that most of us have adapted to is working from home. It is clear that for many this will continue for a long time to come in some way or other. It is also clear that businesses who were able to adapt online have also benefited for these last number of months. It has been great to watch a clothes business increase their online business as well as training companies increase through online provision of their training. As we face the greatest challenge of change we need to:
- See change as an opportunity
- Embrace technology
- Surround ourselves with positive people
What are the opportunities and positives for SMEs at the minute and how are you embracing recovery?
The Business Mindset and BNI are continuing to embrace technology as a way forward. Technology has the ability to bring people together from people across Northern Ireland and globally. It is possible to Connect, Collaborate and Create business online. At a recent online networking event we were able to connect business people from across Northern Ireland and to bring in a magician from Scotland and a keynote speaker from England. Connections were made and business was transacted. It has allowed us to run Mastermind Meetings with people from different countries. I now have relationships with people from across the world that I never would have had. I am also about to agree to my first piece of business in the USA. Where possible you need to look at the opportunities that are available across the world. The resources are available to reach further and to do business elsewhere. I believe that there will be continued opportunities for people to work from home and the possibility of more regional coworking spaces. This will create a need for home extensions, outside offices and for upgrading technology. There will also be a desire to support local business where possible. We have seen this in the fresh food business.
Of FSB’s key campaign issues at the minute. Which is most important to you and your business at present and why?
One of the greatest needs I see which could really help all is the issue around broadband. This will be a major help to every community and business organisation. There is a massive need for us all to be connected. This will allow us all to work remotely. We will be able to attend online webinars, training events and networking events. It would give us all the ability to reach a larger audience. This helps connect families across the world and it helps businesses communicate with customers and potential customers. Recently I experienced the issue of poor broadband which caused me to buy a mobile data device so I could run meetings online due to the poor broadband delivery form a major supplier. With the right infrastructure we will be able to communicate and connect through email, online meetings and VOIP. It will also reduce costs in travel and it will lead to a greener environment. There will be less driving up and and down the motorways and less red eye flights.
Have you any words of advice to anyone starting a small business?
When I started out in business for myself the first thing I did was join BNI. The reason I did this was to connect with local business people and to generate business. I knew the members and they were people I could trust and I could use their services e.g. I am still using the accountant. My advice to anyone starting a business or running a small business is to find a group of supportive business people who will help your business generate business opportunities. We all need sales! Secondly, surround yourself with people who will support you, challenge you and hold you accountable. They should also be there to celebrate your successes. If you are the smartest person in the room you are in the wrong room. Always have the humility to ask for help from other people. You don't need to do it all on your own.