Managing partner Jane Parry says: “All of this means we have first-class work and global connections, but unlike our city centre contemporaries we are in easily accessible modern offices, with free parking outside the door and where our team can live in many of the lovely surrounding areas and be within just a short commute of the office.”
Oliver Burton
He adds: “Looking ahead, I think that despite the challenges of the pandemic, there’s many exciting opportunities to be had. Innovative, forward-thinking firms will adapt and thrive in the new economy and we’ll see the county’s firms bringing in more business from outside the north.”
We’re seeing
more and more clients moving away from places like Manchester
Stephen Robinson, director at Champion Accountants’ Preston office, agrees. He says: “Lancashire businesses have always been keen to buy from within and reinvest back into the local economy, which has been a driving force behind our success.
“Yet Covid-19 presents a real opportunity for firms to extend their reach beyond the county’s borders and win business regionally, nationally and even internationally.
“Social distancing measures have upended our way of life, meaning locality may soon present less of a priority in some business’ decision to appoint a new advisor.
“While Lancashire firms must work to retain our foothold within the county, we are also well poised to capitalise on this thanks to our cost-effective services and cultural values.”
Elaine Hurn, managing and commercial partner at Blackburn-based Taylors Solicitors, also believes that being a Lancashire-based practice has many advantages.
She adds: “We’re seeing more and more clients moving away from places like Manchester, as they no longer see city centres as ‘the place to be’.
“People are becoming more aware that quality work is available on their doorstep”.
Forbes isn’t the only Lancashire-based professional services business with a global outlook. Blackburn-based PM+M is part of Praxity, the world’s largest alliance of independent accountancy firms.
That offer, she adds, helps to recruit and retain staff. “Employees in many sectors are now realising that they do not have to be based in a city centre to get the best work. That was once the case but things are changing, and fast.”
Pennine Wealth Solutions (PWS) is a model portfolio manager based in Chorley. In an industry normally associated with the City of London or Edinburgh, how well does that work? Founder George Critchley answers: “Incredibly well”.
He adds: “All the technical behind-the- scenes research and statistical work is done online. The key part of the equation, is then to connect directly with our market.”
Michelle Mercer Director
@TEC_Training totalexcellencecentre
/company/total- excellence-centre/
LEADERSHIP AND THE TRUST EQUATION
Have your business relationships changed in the recent months? Did you need to trust more?
Trust is having a balance of warmth and competence with others. ‘The Trusted Advisor’ by Maister, Green & Galford discovered ‘The Trust Equation’, three components of our behaviour that enhance trust.
Research shows that when people seek to gain trust, they use credibility and reliability but then wonder why they aren’t trusted. Often it is a lack of intimacy.
Credibility: We may have the qualifications and experience in what we do and how we present ourselves. Think about the doctor that says and does the right things whilst sticking to the facts, but lacking emotion.
Reliability: The repeated experience of promises and actions. How consistently tasks are completed and the manner they are done.
Jane Parry
Sean Fisher, business development manager, adds: “We bring in expertise as we need it. Most people skills we need, are here in the local community. We can easily import in specialist skills when required.”
Ross Shine, head of the Preston office at law firm Brabners, says major projects that would previously have used advisers from Manchester, Liverpool or London are now being serviced in Lancashire.
Most people skills we need, are here in the local community. We can easily import in specialist skills when required
He says: “The proposed £85m Eden Project North is a great example of this where we, a Preston-based legal team, working with Lancaster City Council are helping to secure the prestigious seafront development in Morecambe.”
LANCASHIREBUSINESSVIEW.CO.UK
Intimacy: In this context, intimacy is enabling others to feel comfortable to discuss difficult issues. Talking about emotional issues concerning the issues at hand. Greater intimacy has its risks, but means more issues are discussed and may be resolved more quickly.
Self-orientation: Self-orientated people tend to focus on themselves over others. Minimise self-orientation and follow behaviours that bring a state of focus on others.
Consider the three areas above C-R-I. How do you measure up?
Think about the area you need to work on? How can you enhance your “trust equation”? Notice the positive effect this has on your relationships and enhances your leadership qualities.
Raising your self-awareness whilst practising these behaviours, will give you a great insight into maintaining your levels of trustworthiness with colleagues and help you maintain stronger and more productive relationships and this is needed more than ever in today’s unprecedented times.
To find out more contact us on: 0161 274 9292
training@tec-uk.com
www.totalexcellencecentre.com
15
SECTOR VIEW
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