What was the thinking when you established Business Doctors back in 2004?
When I set up Business Doctors with Matt Levington in 2004, we were reflecting on what a lonely place it can be to be a small business owner. And Matt and myself were also thinking about the big four management consultancy firms and how their customers pay top whack to receive advice from a child in a suit who has never run a business before.
Add in to this mix our awareness of the impact of funding cuts on government led business advice services and we knew we had hit upon a huge opportunity. Scribbling down our initial thoughts on the back of a beermat in our Cheshire local, we starting planning what Business Doctors' unique offer would look like. We knew there was a window of opportunity to provide hands on applications of MBA theory, translated into language that even a hairy arsed plumber could understand!
We knew from the start that we wanted to grow our business through franchising because people who had invested their own money into the business would work harder than employees to help us to grow and succeed.
Where did the experience come from that enabled you to advise stressed companies?
Between us, we have 55 years of senior level expertise with businesses of all sizes and within many sectors.
I've been sales and marketing director of a VC owned greetings card publisher (270 employees) and a packaging manufacturer (990 employees). I've been MD of a flooring company (111 employees) and a paper merchant (25 employees).
During my last company directorship before founding Business Doctors, I was part of a team who implemented the complete turn-around of the business, from an operating loss of £0.5m, to an operating profit of £2.5m within 12 months.
Prior to that, I improved the operating profit of a medium sized company by 300 percent in my first year.
Matt is a highly successful former radio station MD, who turned round the fortunes of three northern stations over a five year period, including reviving staff morale, growing audience share, renewing senior management teams, relocations, raising station profiles and developing strategic partnerships.
What are typical scenarios that would make a company approach Business Doctors and what would your initial response be?
We've always said there's no demand for what we do, but a huge need. What I mean by this is that more often than not, small and medium sized businesses don't actually realise that they need help. Or they do, but they don't know what kind of help.
We work with our customers by building trust through people they already have trusted relationships with. These include Federation of Small Business, banks and local Chambers of Commerce.
Almost without doubt, if a small business is having a problem, it will be related to one of two things: sales and people.
Our approach to solving small business problems always starts with a strategic plan. And the first question we ask is what they want out of their business.
We don't do sticking plasters; we're not here to cover up the cracks. We will get inside our customers' businesses and do whatever is needed to make them start working for them.
Can you tell us the story of your early days?
Starting small and local, we spent our first three years perfecting our craft in the Merseyside area. With the Business Doctors name already trademarked, we drew on our international experience of managing small and middle sized companies to help our clients to grow.
Our own brand of small business support was affordable and jargon free. And it seemed small businesses were crying out for our style of no-nonsense help including sales planning, performance management, recruitment, fundraising and team building. We knew we had hit upon a winning formula.
Stepping back to concentrate on our own growth, in 2007 we raised £200,000 from RBS, NatWest and Merseyside Special Investment Fund and Business Doctors Franchising was born
The plan was always to develop and grow an instantly recognisable brand that small and medium sized businesses turn to for support.
In 2009 we launched our first UK franchise in Bedfordshire and today, that number stands at 40.
With our early days working from above an Indian takeaway just a distant memory, Business Doctors is now headquartered at Mere Grange on the St Helen's Linkway, five minutes off the M62. Five staff work there, including a brand manager.
Is that project ongoing or do you feel the UK is adequately covered by Business Doctors now?
Our five year plan is to have 130 Business Doctors in place across the UK, including full coverage in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
What experience do you look for when taking on new "Doctors"?
Gravitas, presence, scars and war stories. It would help if they could also understand a balance sheet, have top soft skills and real entrepreneurial flair.
Any international ambitions and if so what would attract you to a particular country?
Despite rapid UK growth we always had our sights set on the global marketplace and in May 2014 we sold the master franchise for South Africa. Launched that July in Johannesburg, a further seven territories have since been sold.
And in January this year, the new Indian master franchisor launched his first territory in Gujarat. Business Doctors Malta is due to begin trading in a few weeks' time.
English speaking countries are the most attractive targets to us for obvious reasons and Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the Middle East are on our hit list.
What is the most satisfying achievement you have made during the life of the business?
Within our network, we have made a difference to over 7,000 small and medium sized businesses.
For more information visit Business Doctors
