growth spotlight The Thames Valley GROWTH SPOTLIGHT
... continued from overleaf
Claire Edmunds, founder and CEO of Clarify
pipelines and revenues while delivering long-term and transformational change.
“There are so many factors outside of our control that can affect a business. With the present rate of change and level of disruption it’s possible that analysing and anticipating the big opportunities and threats has never been more critical.
“However, in my personal experience it is more often factors that are inside my direct control that have the power to accelerate growth or cause it to stall.
A Theale-based professional services consultancy specialising in strategic business development for enterprise and high-growth start-up clients operating in the technology space. Clarify helps create a systematic way to grow sales
Jason Pyke, managing partner, Vale & West
thinking about how to drive the business forward – progressing not stagnating. “If a business stands still it effectively moves backwards in 21st century markets.
“Businesses also need to invest in their infrastructure and people – for example, having the right modern working environment to attract and retain staff.”
A Reading-based accountancy and business advisory practice that in 2019 will be celebrating 125 years of successfully operating with varying sector clients throughout the Thames Valley.
“Sustained growth enables the confident creation of commercial plans.
“Businesses today need to be responsive to change at all levels – market, legislative, technological, social and even international.
“Businesses need to be forward-thinking, covering current risks while always
To underpin sustained business growth, access to capital and good cashflow are essential. “Business owners who do not invest or retain sufficient cash to fuel growth can often see their business curtailed or miss out on the potential for creating and realising valuable business asset.”
Regulatory requirements, taxation, payroll etc are all key business facets that need to be under control, whether internally or through outsourced professional assistance.
“The greater complexity of the regulatory compliance and red tape burden today can stifle businesses in controlling their preparedness for growth.
“In today’s Internet era you also have to
be more aware and savvy. The magnitude and availability of information means you cannot ignore the potential worldwide influences on a business.
“With service-providing businesses, attitude is especially important. At Vale & West we aim to develop mutual respect for each other’s respective professional skills and views – that’s with all our staff, associates, suppliers and clients.
“We are open-minded, remain ready to be flexible, but we aim to be client- focused and doing things well to sustain our long-term business performance and reputation.
Competency should build confidence, not dogmatism. “We are employed for our compliance, strategic and management services but we provide our professional advice with natural empathy for a client’s business operations, aims and objectives.
“In some scenarios, there are no right or wrong answers. You can only truly find the right advisory pathway for clients by examining all available and practical options with an understanding of a client’s needs to find the best fit.”
“I’ve learnt that when you are running a company nothing ever stands still and in truth the behaviours, processes and knowledge which got us to where we are today will likely not get us through the next phase of growth.
“Looking hard in the mirror to consider what I personally need to change, how I need to grow as a leader and committing to making this happen, is perhaps the most important ongoing area of focus.
“Being vulnerable, seeking feedback and being willing to learn are powerful behaviours. I have found that when I model these, they spread throughout the leadership team and filter into the whole organisation; building trust, improving alignment and accountability.
“I truly believe that our competitive advantage is our culture. Prioritising and investing in our business culture and selecting people who share and live our core values has helped us to unlock potential and growth.”
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businessmag.co.uk THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018
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