Train to Gain

LEADING OUT OF RECESSION TIME FOR A FRESH PERSPECTIVE

“In the business world today all is not quite as it seems.”

THE RULES OF THE GAME HAVE CHANGED BUT MOST BUSINESSES ARE STILL TRYING TO PLAY BY THE OLD RULES

Cost cutting, as a survival strategy, is potentially very dangerous and almost invariably harmful.

Focusing on profit is a bad way to generate high profitability.

A sales strategy based on purely on maximising sales to your customers is almost always counter productive.

A policy of reducing stocks, WIP and debtors generally leads to a growth of all of them.

The popular media and, unfortunately, many professional advisors including the largest banks have been peddling cost cutting, working capital reduction, profit focus and discounting prices to maximise sales because they are superficially attractive. And unfortunately the majority of business people have simply accepted them.

The majority of business people have also simply accepted that they have to weather the current economic storm.

The perceptive, pioneering leaders have recognised the fundamental changes and are using them to win new customers, improve their profits and build their companies!

These perspectives have made it easy for them to identify ways to exploit what most see as problems and turn them to their advantage.

W ILL

YOU JOIN THESE PIONEERING BUSINESSES OR FOLLOW THE HERD ?

Essence of Business is a team of advisors accredited by the Institute for Independent Business. We are working with the Train to Gain Leadership and Management Team to help you access government funding to develop the leadership skills to lead successfully out of Recession. If you employ between 5 and 249 people you are probably eligible for a grant of ÂŁ1000.

L EADING

OUT OF

R ECESSION

This unique programme will introduce you to a new look at business fundamentals. Based on this appreciation, you will develop a clear understanding of the opportunities open to you to build profitability and stability. You will formulate a new, radical and exciting vision for the business and produce a blueprint for fulfilling that vision.

The programme is divided into three phases, each separated by about a week. The first phase is a one to one session with the MD/Owner.

Subsequent sessions can involve additional members of your management team. Each session will last about three hours. The programme will be tailored to your company and is adjusted as you progress through each stage but however you progress through it the outcome will be the capability to produce:

HIGHER PROFITS STABLE GROWTH GREATER SECURITY A ND

BEST OF ALL , PRODUCE IT VERY FAST !

The Programme Session 1: Objectives and Opportunities You will review your objectives and goals in the context of the current business environment. We will introduce you to a range of fresh approaches and challenge some of the widely held misconceptions that drive companies to decisions that fail to fulfil their potential. Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

Examine the challenges facing the business Develop an overall view of where the business is SWOT and PEST analysis Market segmentation and market analysis. The issues faced by each segment Identify the constraints facing the business - both internal & external Personal and business goals. How and why they have changed?

Understanding the misconceptions accepted as valid by most.

Understanding the new objectives and goals

Session 2: Constraints and goals This module can be conducted with the Managing Director or Owner and his senior managers. We will flesh out the current constraints to identify the core problem. By addressing the core problem you will be

able to identify new objectives which can be achieved fast. At this stage we will test the thinking in preparation for the third stage. Ÿ Flesh out all the undesirable effects or symptoms Ÿ Establish the cause and effect relationships between the issues Ÿ Identify underlying causes and the core problem Ÿ Solutions to Core Problem Ÿ By relieving the core problem, how does this change the undesirable effects? Ÿ What new undesirable issues may result? Ÿ Review these implications Ÿ Adjust the goals and objectives to these new perspectives Session 3: The blueprint for the future - Planning the Implemetation You will set out the way forward in the context of the new understanding, fresh objectives and goals. Together we will produce a detailed plan. The plan will be examined for to ensure that all the likely contingencies are allowed for and that its logic makes sense. Actions, responsibilities and timescales will be established and the means of monitoring progress will be put into place Ÿ Define how you will operate in the future Ÿ Develop a clear picture of what needs to be done to achieve that future vision Ÿ Produce a plan for the implementation F What F When F Who

Ÿ Confirm all the actions for the way forward. Ÿ Agree time-scales and next steps

If you want to develop a truly transformational plan for the future contact either David Willox or Keith Atkinson on:

020 8133 9333