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Be a specialist guest on BV-TV – keep your visibility

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We’re seeking specialist guests for our network of podcasts and TV channels. It’s a great opportunity for you to help, inform, educate our many viewers and listeners and, in return, maintain or increase your own visibility.

You will be interview by Malcolm Gallagher online in a live video situation. The audio of the video will be used in our podcasts (subject to your approval) and the video in our BV-TV channels.

To apply please e-mail Malcolm Gallagher with details of the topic. Guests slots are limited so please do it soon.

Podcast guest informationDownload the one page information sheet by clicking here or on the image

Keep calm – smile and be kind

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Keep calm says Malcolm Gallagher of BizVision

I got a bit fed-up of all the gloom around and, whilst it is understandable and my deepest sympathies to those who have lost loved ones, I am sensing that there’s aggression building up – especially in the shops. But there’s also lots of acts of kindness happening. Perhaps some people need to look “outside”. As I write this the sun is shining. Okay, it may be still a bit cold, but it is shining! So I decided to make a poster and put it on our gate – what do you think?

Have you witnessed any true acts of kindness? Have you seen any messages that made you smile?

 

Estonia e-Residency attracting 100’s of small UK businesses for Beyond Brexit opportunities

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In a very innovative move, Estonia launched its e-Residency initiative a few years ago to help global businesses have a virtual EU company in the country.

Recently Malcolm Gallagher of BizVision video interviewed Ott Vatter, the Managing Director of e-Residency about how it works for small UK businesses and what are the benefits.

Over two videos on the Beyond Brexit TV channel, Ott clearly lays out both the direct and the side opportunities. For a small investment of  120 euros you can have e-Residency and then form a recognised EU company for a small amount more.

Among the many valuable side opportunities are the ability to connect with the e-Residency’s global community of 70,000.

As you’ll hear in the videos already 100’s of UK micro and small businesses are signing up so they can get “beyond Brexit” access to new and existing customers.

After you have watched the two videos, get further information on e-Residency at www.e-resident.gov.ee

How to win during uncertainty

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It’s time to learn a new skill – How to win during uncertainty

In this post I’m focusing on handling uncertainty. It’s not just the uncertainty of Brexit talks and elements such as immigration rules that’s causing business concern. It’s a pile up of other things such as coronavirus, climate change, floods, funding, supply chain.

Let’s face it uncertainty is the new norm and it’s here to stay.

As a business owner or leader or senior manager you need to develop a new skill and that is the ability to win during uncertainty.

It’s so easy to get into gloomy mood and ignore the opportunity out there. But opportunity is there!

For example, the Coronavirus outbreak has seen UK manufacturers, especially textile companies, get an upsurge in order from retailers who fear empty shelves from their usual China suppliers.

Goods made in the UK can be on the shelves in 8 to 12 weeks whereas China is 5 to 6 months – you know slow boat from China- so just think of the backlog brining opportunity to UK firms.

To get into the positive mindset of winning during uncertainty, think entrepreneurial.

Handling uncertainty - 3 strategiesBelow are 3 strategies to help you win during uncertainty in 2020

Embrace Change – change the way you think about uncertainty. You know that change is happening and that it’s the only constant.

If you want to succeed set your attitude mindset that uncertainty brings opportunity, new markets, new ideas. It is not a problem but an opportunity for you to accelerate growth.

Have 2020 Vision…. Predict Your Future by creating it.

You know it’s coming so don’t wait for it –  invest your time to see it coming. Get talking about the changes happening outside of your industry. What is happening with the economy, where’s the new technologies, and how will they impact your industry, what is changing with customers, who and where are the new competitors?

This gives you the room to prepare. see change coming – see opportunity. choose to ignore it – and you lose.

Build Your Team Talent –  It’s likely that the only thing differentiating you from your competitors is the team around you. No, it’s not your brand, not your product or your service. It’s your team. And I know that only too well from my team building coaching. It’s about the customer experience of your team and your reputation in the marketplace that they have created for you.

The best companies have leaders whose passion is developing, investing in, and building their teams. Are you one of them?

Reflection. Let’s agree that Uncertainty is the new frontier that is here now. And change is needed to manage it. Are you up for it?

Check out my 2020 Success  System where I help you win during uncertainty. Or book a strategy session either online or 1-2-1

 

50 years ago this week news started to change

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Final edition of pathe news 50 years ago

by Malcolm Gallagher

How News has changed in the last 50 years!

50 years ago this week, as you can see from the front page of the #CumberlandNews #NewsandStar I was reviewing the very last edition of Pathe News.

For 50 years previous most people got their visual news at the cinema on perhaps a weekly visit. Now it is instant 24/7 with online newspapers showing video plus Sky News, BBC News, YouTube and 100’s more channels pumping out a mass of media across so many categories and subjects. And it’s also easy to access what you may have missed. It can make your head buzz with what’s happening.

Is it good that you know so quickly what is happening or is that more pressure, more to know and worry about than in the “less knowledge” times past? I’m a news freak so I’m happy about it!! What about you?

What’s your favourite way of staying up to date with the news? And when do you do it?

For growth success overcome the 3 barriers to change

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By Malcolm Gallagher

There’s a lot of very nervous workers in the UK at the moment. In fact, one recent survey found that 51% of UK workers fear they will lose their jobs this year.

That alone is concerning for business leaders. A settled team makes for a happy customer experience and the opposite applies.

The recent news on immigration reform has caused great alarm in the hospitality, farming and care sectors so we are about to see big upheaval there. I firmly believe that this will end in predatory poaching by competitors of the best team members from rivals. So take action to protect your talent.

Then that brings the job of recruitment, finding the right new people and getting them onboarded. And people are just one of the many challenges of change on its way to you.

So how to manage change? Well it’s something I have  a lot of experience in with my coaching. I’ve coached on the change needed through compliance, digital disruption, leadership, ownership, procurement, sales process and much more.

In all cases I’ve worked on I’ve found that a few general scenarios exist.

The big one is usually…. well it won’t happen to me. That’s understandable but its ostrich head in the sand thinking.

The other common scenario is to simply address a single change challenge, Again it doesn’t work like that!

Can you remember that fairground game Whac-a-mole where you bash down one mole’s head and another pops up elsewhere? Well, change is like that – you almost have to play 3-dimensional chess to anticipate where the next challenge, or opportunity, will come from.

Again, so how to manage change? Don’t rush into it. First, know and understand the 3 barriers to change.

Let me take you through them.

In my experience, business leaders face a fundamental conflict.  Change requires action but efficient companies tend to have high levels of inertia.

A blue button with the word Change on it

When business is going well, managers and teams generally only pay lip service to change requirements. Knowing that there are three barriers I’ve identified and studied. See if you recognise any of the 3.

  1. The good is the enemy of the better: Efficient, currently successful businesses often slow down necessary change. The usually think why should they change what is successful today? You know the thinking – don’t change what’s supposedly working. But will it keep on being right?
  2. Watch out for your main team: Your most successful managers might be the ones slowing down your efforts to change because they have the most to lose. Change needs to start with the person at the top, BUT…. it’s often those who have grown accustomed to success that finds it most difficult to change course.
  3. Your Business DNA takes time to change: Don’t underestimate the time and effort required to change deep-rooted mindsets and ways of working. Your past and current business exert a natural pull that will stop all meaningful change unless you’re persistent and change at enough pace and scale to break through the barrier.

I trust you found these 3 barriers to change interesting. Do any apply to your operation?

I’ll be bringing you more posts on change from my Changeology Programme as we all progress on our journey Beyond Brexit.

Negotiation Skills Will Be Key To 2020 Success

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The challenging and uncertain times of the 2020s are likely to make greater demands on your “winning skills”.  Changes in trading will mean that in many cases it’s a buyer’s market with suppliers in a fight to be the chosen one.

One key area where skills will need to be improved will be in the art of negotiation. Buyers have been sharpening their tactics, learning the angles used by salespeople and are ready for battle! Far too many suppliers go into a negotiation unprepared.

If you believe in the adage that “nine-tenths of winning is in the preparation” then you should take time to be ready for that negotiation.

The  Free Negotiation Preparation Toolkit has been created for you by Malcolm Gallagher from elements of his proven top Gun Coaching Programme. To request the toolkit click here, complete the details and get instant download.

The toolkit has 3 parts:

  1. The Negotiation Preparation Worksheet which will set you on the right track for your negotiation meeting.
  2. The BATNA Worksheet helps you formulate your Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement
  3. The Countering Buyers’ Tactics worksheet gives you the top negotiation tactics used by buyers and how to counter them.

So get started NOW on sharpening your negotiation skills with the free toolkit.

Click here to request it.

Are you playing it too safe for the 2020’s?

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to the edge strategy at bizvision.co.uk

By Malcolm Gallagher

In these challenging & uncertain times of the 2020’s are you playing it too safe to succeed? Is it time for an awakening strategy?

A lot of businesses are telling me they are struggling or underperforming. In fact, it is estimated that in the UK in 2020, 1 in 4 businesses may go bust.

How to be in the other 3?

With a long history in sales, marketing and leadership (it’s called gravitas!) I can see many of the changes that are happening and for some time now here on my blog and podcasts I‘ve highlighted them. But today I have a strategy to communicate that I suspect many businesses may choose to ignore.

The core business growth problem is, I feel, that far too many businesses are playing safe. You know “same old, same old” – don’t change as it has always worked attitude. However, my rough analysis so far tells me it is those safe players who are having trouble.

If you want to survive and thrive you need to move away from the “deadly” safe zone and into the danger zone. Move to what is called To The Edge

To get to the edge you first need to Agree…

  • That calculated and managed risk is good
  • Change is happening and will impact you no matter what
  • Safe is NOT safe -its soft in this challenging and uncertain world.
  • Innovation is needed
  • And finally, agree to consider creating  a To The Edge strategy

How do you get such a strategy?

Well, as I know from my coaching work,  there is no generic “to the edge” strategy template. It requires a customised framework.

I do know that first of all it needs integrated team effort. That’s sales working with marketing working with finance working with production.

A clear vision and focus are needed which demands sound and committed leadership.

It also embraces the two words of EXECUTION and EXCELLENCE

So the question is will you continue to play Safe or will you move to the Top Gun edge?

For a quality answer get details of my premium Top Gun coaching collection. It’s focused on helping you and your team compete to win in the 2020’s. Go to the page link and download the information and learning details.

BizVision.co.uk/topgun

Do it soon and let’s get you far ahead of your competitors!

Time to toughen up to move forward?

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It’s a new dawn. Is it time you were toughening up to move forward?

I’m Malcolm Gallagher, creator of the new TopGun Coaching Collection here at BizVision.

Now that Brexit day has been and gone what are you doing about achieving growth in this new dawn?

These last few years have caused a hiatus in sales momentum in many companies. You may even think that teams have slackened through confusion and there has been a lack of sales strategy on moving forward.

It’s all part of the new dawn and those who want to win will have to toughen up and compete

These are just 4 of the key challenges that leaders need to face

Sales Change

Too many businesses are trying to win on old sales skills. The 2020’s demands new skills , new thinking , new ways. To-day’s buyers are value seekers and your sales team may need to sharpen up to meet these change demands. Are they as sharp as they need to be?

Digital Impact

Too many business leaders are forgetting that  their customers are now just a click away from their competitors. And those competitors may be sharper, more agile and more conversant with using digital technology to deliver a compelling message. Have you undertaken a digital marketing audit?

Customers

To-day’s customer are less loyal and more promiscuous. They are more demanding in levels of customer experience, more expert in buying, especially through the emergence of procurement departments. Today’s salespeople need to know how to handle these changes

The Global Economy

Yes the UK has the Beyond Brexit challenge along with tariffs. But the world is also facing challenges such as uncertainty being the new normal and climate concerns plus others. Today’s salesperson cannot be blinkered and so must be able to knowledgeable and equipped to respond correctly to these possible sales barriers.

Which of the four areas do you think affects you most now or will do in the future? How will you meet the new dawn challenges?

For a quality answer get details of my premium Top Gun coaching collection. It’s focused on helping you and your team compete to win in the 2020’s go to the page link and download the information and learning details.

BizVision.co.uk/topgun

Do it soon to be ahead of those pesky competitors!

Are you about to lose a vital team member?

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New research shows that around 46% of all UK workers fear they will lose their job in 2020. This is according to job search engine, Adzuna. This uncertainty could be damaging to your business if you have an “unsure” team member who is starting to look elsewhere.

According to the research 2 in 5 of your team may be concerned about their future. It varies across the UK as you will see in the video but the average is a whopping 46%. That alone demands your attention let alone the cost you have incurred on training them and the new cost of recruitment.

However, it could also be an opportunity for you if your competitors are facing the same challenge! Their team may be weakened and their ability to efficiently service a customer put in jeopardy. Time for you to step in! You need to make certain you have an efficient “knowledge” system in operation so you can be agile and react quickly if this happens.

In this short video #MalcolmGallagher gives you the details for each of 10 UK cities and suggests action to may want to take now to reduce business risk and possibly put you in a stronger position.

Ready for the new dawn of Beyond Brexit?

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It’s day one of the official UK exit from the EU and the possibility of a new dawn of opportunity for your business. The questions is are you ready for #beyondbrexit? In this short video #MalcolmGallagher of #bizvision reminds you that Brexit is is “not over until it’s over” and that you’ll likely still face a lot of uncertainty amidst that opportunity. He gives you a way to successfully move forward.

Seizing the Beyond Brexit opportunity

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It’s the run-up to Brexit and so this week we have a focus on our new BizVision business programme #BeyondBrexit.

Whilst the official exit on Friday 31st is a momentous occasion it also signals new challenges for most businesses. Too many think that life will suddenly be rosier on the 1st February 2020. That’s very unlikely especially as Brexit is not over until it’s over! There’s transition, trade agreements and tariffs to name just three “T”’s to overcome.

Business Beyond Brexit or #BeyondBrexit aims to be your coach and guide through these challenges. The Daily Achiever presented by #MalcolmGallagher will be bringing you suggestions and strategies to help you Thrive Beyond Brexit.

The BizVision.co.uk platform also hosts Beyond Brexit TV, the Brexit Resilience Plan, the Get BrexFit podcast and the support services at www.bizvision.co.uk/BeyondBrexit page.