Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why do you focus on supporting small businesses?

A: We don't only help small businesses - we can also support larger businesses, public sector organisations, trade associations and the charity and voluntary sectors. However, although some general things hold true for most organisations, in our experience, small businesses benefit from a dedicated approach and we wanted to address this.

Q: You offer Business Coaching. Is that the same as Life Coaching?

A: No. Business Coaching has become a widely used term and, whilst some coaches take a holistic approach to help their clients with both their personal and business challenges ("transformational" and "transactional"), others, like us, will focus on business issues only. However, unlike some business coaches, who require clients to sign up to expensive programmes upon engagement, our approach is to offer flexibility in terms of both engagement and scope.

Q: I've already decided on my strategic direction - am I past the point where Next Steps Business Consultancy can help me?

A: No. Whilst some clients are still to define their direction when they engage us, others have already set their course. However, they may not neceassily be heading the right way and reviewing existing plans is one part of the Next Steps programme. Alternatively, if you want to look at one area only, why not undertake a Strategy Review?

Q: I've already got the product development side of things well covered therefore would you leave this out of a Next Steps programme?

A: No. We will always review all of the focus areas within the programme but differing weightings can be given to different areas during the second phase. Similarly, some clients  with a short term focus discover that, by taking a concurrent approach, they can work towards long term goals whilst still meeting short term business objectives.

Q: We've never exported so why should I be thinking about international trade when I'm planning my new product development?

A: Organisations are not obliged to trade internationally but many rule out the possibility of exporting or importing too easily. Market development aside, thinking internationally when planning new products may enable what is developed now to be "export ready" later or give your designers a wider than expected choice of materials to consider.

Q: Do you offer language tuition as a standalone service?

A: Yes. All of our services can be taken on a standalone basis. Although some clients will want to address their language skills as part of a wider programme of international market development, we recognise that others will only require tuition and this can be taken on a "pay as you go" or ongoing basis.

Q: I'd love to look at Interim Management but I can't afford to pay a MD's salary to someone else - is there anything else you can do for me?

A: Although there are some very capable, high calibre people working as Interim Managers, SMEs can be under the impression that using Interim Management is only viable within the corporate sector. However, we believe strongly that smaller organisations should also be able to bring in experienced professionals to support their senior management on a no strings basis and we have configured our services so as to ensure that this is with reach of all organisations.

Q: A free consultation? Where's the catch?

A: There is isn't one. There is no cost and no commitment with our Free Strategy Healthcheck. If you like our approach and find the initial session to be useful, we hope you'll consider us for any future requirements you may have (or maybe say nice things about us to others!) but, as advertised, there are no strings attached.

Q: I like the approach but I'm not sure which of your services would be best suited to where I am. How would I choose which way to go?  

A: Simple - talk to us. We've configured our services so as to provide a range of solutions - we'd be happy to sit down with you and work out what's right for you.