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How to grow your business for free

Do you want to grow your business? Step one: move to Wandsworth.

The borough is home to a wealth of successful independent businesses, some run by famous faces: Chicken Shop, from Soho House founder Nick Jones, draws crowds to Balham and Mary’s Living and Giving Shop in Wandsworth Town is the brainchild of high street guru Mary Portas.

A host of successful start-ups, such as  The Feel Good Bakery in Roehampton, have cemented Wandsworth’s status as a magnet for small brands. It is a reputation the council is keen to maintain.

Your Business, Your Growth is a council funded scheme that supports the growth of businesses in Wandsworth. Run in association with Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce, it delivers one-to-one support across a range of areas including HR, marketing, finance and strategy.

The sessions are free, and eminently convenient – clinics run in the Le Bureau office so members barely need leave their desk space to attend. But as a small business, it can be hard to know when, or even if, to ask for help.

At what stage could a business advisor make the difference?

When you hit a knowledge gap.

 You have a healthy income stream, you’ve built a reliable client base and established yourself as a recognisable name within your industry.

Then you hit a wall.

It is common to suddenly find there’s a gap between the knowledge you have accrued and what you need to know to take the next steps.

A business advisor has already bridged the gap. They will share their insight and advise which areas you should focus on next, and eliminate the dead ends.

No question is too stupid. They’ve been there and done it and they don’t want you to make the same mistakes.

When you want to bounce ideas around.

Anyone who has found themselves in the glow of their lamp, alone in the office circa 11pm, will know that running a small business can be a lonely game.

Without colleagues or (whisper it) a boss with whom to discuss your ideas, it can be hard to tease out the good ideas from the ludicrous ones.

Don’t call your advisor every time you have a 3 am brainwave but do use them to trial ideas and get feedback on your latest initiative.

When you need an outside perspective.

Have you ever been moments from completing a crossword, only to have someone shout the answer from over your shoulder?

Infuriating, isn’t it. Entrepreneurs are, by default, problem solvers, which can easily tip over into a stubborn determination to go it alone. This approach will serve you to a point; after that, outside input is necessary to keep perspective.

Your wife/husband/friend/neighbour don’t count by the way, unless you’re spoiling for a fight.

When you need to network.

Business advisors are inherently well connected – it’s part of what makes them qualified to advise you. They meet other small business owners on a regular basis and will put you in touch if they feel it could be useful.

As they consult with a variety of businesses, this is an opportunity to organically grow your reach into previously untapped areas.

The current programme has been running for just under a year and ends at the end of April 2017, though the council is in discussion as to whether this can be extended.

If you are keen to meet with a business advisor, you can find out more about the Your Business, Your Growth scheme here

 

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