BizVision Hub

Dynamic Business Support for Business Owners and Leaders

Search For Online Support
You are here: Home / Archives for Malcolm Gallagher

Keep calm – smile and be kind

by Leave a Comment

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?

 

50 years ago this week news started to change

by Leave a Comment

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?

Negotiation Skills Will Be Key To 2020 Success

by Leave a Comment

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?

by Leave a Comment

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?

by Leave a Comment

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!

Ready for the new dawn of Beyond Brexit?

by Leave a Comment

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

by Leave a Comment

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.

It’s time to SELL globally!

by Leave a Comment

Brexit is happening! This means its time to AWAKEN yourself and team to new opportunities and grow globally. But success will mean SELLING globally. That’s not just making odd marketing efforts, it’s about true sales skills.  However change is happening in sales and, in this #SellGlobal video #MalcolmGallagher says you may need a Sales 2020 Strategy. Watch the video to see how to start this working for you.

Team Leader Skills GoKit launched

by Leave a Comment

Every leader wants his or her team to be higher-performing and engaged. It’s not easy to achieve but here’s a new way of doing it. As a leader often a little extra, affordable, coaching can help.

Malcolm Gallagher has put created a Sharpening Team Leader Skills downloadable Go Kit. It brings 16 short, incisive videos across the 4 chapters of Understanding, Nurturing, Inspiring & Troubleshooting. For this month you can get the full kit of 16 videos at the early-bird price of just £19 at bizvision.co.uk/store/

Download the videos along with the workbook and support certificate and start sharpening your team leader skills whenever and wherever you want.

Grow your winning team for just £19 (price goes back to £39 after the Leap Year!)

New Daily Achiever scheduling to help your learning

by Leave a Comment

Thanks for so many of you watching The Daily Achiever every weekday on Linked In, YouTube, Vimeo or here at BizVision.co.uk

Now we are into 2020 we’re making some changes to our scheduling.

I know it can be a bit demanding to have to watch every day and you also may have specific interests. So from now, each weekday has a dedicated subject.  These link into our 4 online support channels. You’ll now be able to watch…

  • Monday will be Leadership Plus day including strategies and skills
  • Tuesday will be Sales & Marketing Plus day – win new customers
  • Wednesday will be Team Builder day – including motivation and team management
  • Thursday will be Supplier Plus day to help you win more bids, tenders & proposals
  • Friday will be Weekend Thinker day – something to ponder about over the weekend!

Each day links into our online channels, podcasts and programmes.

And if you miss any day you can Catch Up here at BizVision.co.uk/tv-channels. Just select your channel. Please keep watching!

Podcasting is growing fast

by Leave a Comment

Here at BizVision, we are avid podcasters with our ever-growing collection of titles and shows.  But did you know how fast podcasting is growing? Recent research (though it is US-based) has highlighted who, where and how listeners come from. have a look through the infographic link below for some great podcasting insights. Contact Malcolm Gallagher if you want help with your podcast or want to be a guest on any of ours.

Podcast Statistics Infographic by MusicOomph.com
Infographic by: MusicOomph.com

Are you listening to your business and its own 2020 goals?

by Leave a Comment

How are you helping it achieve those goals?

by Malcolm Gallagher FCIM

You’ll likely have set your personal goals for this new year, perhaps even the decade. But if your business could talk to you what would its personal goals be? After all, especially if it is a limited company, your business is a “living thing” – an entity.

And if you were to give your business guidance on setting its goals (tongue-in-cheek!?) what would be your advice to it?

Let me give you some suggestions to may like to make!

5 worthy and better business goals for 2020.

You could advise your business to aim for the following

  1. Be Caring.
  2. Be Productive
  3. Be Ethical
  4. Be Alive
  5. Be Feared

Let’s consider each of them

  1. Be Caring. Your business wants to play its part in the community, after all it lives there even if you don’t! It wants to “do good” for the community, its people and the environment. A good start is to implement a Living Social Value (LSV) policy. This is not just something to achieve third-party compliance but a truly embedded and enthusiastic activity. Let me know if you need help on understand and creating your LSV.
  2. Be Productive. Your business is not daft. It wants to be around for a long time and knows that productivity feeds profitability. It wants to keep working and relies on you to have a Productivity Improvement Plan in active use. What’s one of those? Well it starts with a simple but thorough “enterprise audit” to identify loss and opportunity. It wants you to be agile in 2020, adaptable and ready to embrace change.
  3. Be Ethical. Your business’s people are important, along with its customers, suppliers and influencers so it wants to trade ethically and with integrity. If you haven’t yet helped it develop a Business Culture then it’s time to do so. A Business Culture goes beyond the typical employee handbook and, properly done , it sets your business soundly apart from others.
  4. Be Alive. Too many businesses have become gloomy. Possibly as a result of global uncertainty and indecision. Possibly as a result of inactive leadership. Your business wants to “be alive” and buzzing. It wants you out there proactively telling its story and giving confidence with a solid communications plan.
  5. Be Feared. Your business knows that if it can achieve the previous four it will not only be resilient but will make competitors tremble when they hear its name. That’s something that will make your business proud!

So there you have it. Your business is likely saying to you “If I could…”. How are you helping it achieve its 2020+ goals?

Click here to watch this posting in video format