Small business looking for business advice

T

TMI

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I own a small franchise in Dublin/Co Kildare and I am currently doing quite well for over 18 months now. But I am snowed under with admin & general duties. I run my office from home, so it is small and currently I run/do everything myself. But I think I need to make this business bigger, maybe take on someone, do up an official (not basic) business plan, but just do not know where to start with all of this. I just need a business advisor, prefarably someone who has ran a successful business themselves, rather than a business coach, who can think outside the box and take my business to another level rather than just making a 'nice' living out of this. I did meet with someone (advisor) a few months ago who was very positive that I had a 'great little business', were going to help a little with some marketing, put a proper business plan together and give some serious advice. But what do ya know, I never heard from him again. Maybe he was just too busy to deal with small fry like me?
Does anyone know someone who they would recommend with confidence to help a tiny little (I think) successful business grow? TMI
 
[broken link removed] if your Business is restaurant or Café related,maybe they can put you onto some of their colleagues if that is not your sector. Good luck.
 
Hi,
you say you are a small franchise,why not ask the main franchise company for advice on business plan & marketing,not trying to be unhelpful here but isnt that the idea of having a franchise,been in business for yourself but not by yourself.Or is it that you are the franchiser ?
 
Hi TMI

If you post what you do it might help people be more specific

For accountants who specialise in management consultancy but aren't technically coaches see [broken link removed] (Kildare) or www.omnipro.ie (Carlow).

They are accountancy/consultancy - one is a member of RAN one - the other of Harris Walters - www.harriswalters.co.uk which would be 2 fairly big consultancy networks that sell software, training etc... to members.

You'd get a really comprehensive report at the end of it that would hopefully help you do the next thing. I've seen the software of both companies and used it myself, I think you could do alot worse - but I personally would do the business plan myself and review with a normal accountant and see if they have any strategic advice.

Best of luck and congratulations on the gift of a decent business!
 
Have you tried the enterprise boards? They do a mentoring programme to help start ups and also help people wanting to grow their business. They can have some pretty experienced people such as Krishna De, who do the programme.

Here is the link for South Dublins Enterprise Boards mentoring programme, its wsell worth the money as its all subsidised so doesnt cost the salt of the earth.

http://www.sdenterprise.ie/services/mentoring.506.376.html
 
Hi TMI,

Good to here someone is still doing well.

Definitely the Enterprise board is a good place to start. Am I allowed ask what sector you are in, might help us all offer you some advise.
 
Many thanks for all of the advice posted. As I do not want my clients to know that I am 'so snowed under' and having difficulty getting to the work, I dont think it is a good idea that I give details of my business although I am sure it would be a good place to show a link for future business, but I guess I am just going to have to take a 'prudent' approach to this one.

I have already approached some of the companies that were posted here to see which one would suit my needs (and that would like to take me on!) and will see how it goes. Getting started is the hard part, making the decision how to proceed and make the best of the business, well, once I am getting the right advice I can take it from there. So thanks, most of them look great and a great place for me to start.

Yes, I am a franchisee of a UK franchisor (and franchisor for Ireland) but the business model is fairly basic, and to be honest, without blowing my own trumpet, I dont think they thought I was going to do as well as I have, and were not prepared for the increase in business so quickly, therefore, their advice is a bit basic. I havent become a millionaire overnight or anything, (far from it!) but specifically for the small business that I have, I think they are not the best ones to take advice from and they are UK based so slightly different business environment! The product, technology, software and expertise, Yes, they are great for that end of support, just not taking it to the bigtime here in 'nearly in a recession' Ireland!

Maybe I am being too ambitious here and could be told to continue with the basic's but no harm trying! Just one woman trying to make a few more Euro's I guess, in these very gloomy Irish business days so thanks for the very valuable input! TMI.
 
Yes, I have run it by my accountant and they have advised to stay small, take no risk and continue as I am. Not sure if I should do that, even though they are the accountants after all and what would I know, but as it happens, I am not a risk taker, becoming self employed after 16 years being employed was very big to me, but I just need to at least speak with someone who is a little more positive than that? TMI
 
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