The skills that allowed you to open your own business are not necessarily the ones that are now going to make it a success. The lonely road of the business owner can be enhanced through a mix of personal and business coaching. You cannot lead and develop unless you fully understand your operational weaknesses, your preferred way of operating, and your room for personal growth. Finally, you need to know how you can grow the business by delegating and, of course, by planning - the most forgotten aspect of business. Fail to plan, plan to fail.

• Coaching company owners out of their comfort zone to see the solutions and opportunities and improved method of 'doing the do'
• Focusing on the 20% of issues that will deliver 80% of the return
• Business consultancy on recruitment, training and retention of staff
• Business consultancy on marketing and sales planning
• Business consultancy on succession planning and selling the business or raising capital (sub-contracted to fellow business consultant)
• Mentoring of business owner for greater personal growth and understanding of his/her gaps
• Use of Myers Briggs, Belbin Team Dynamics, Emotional IQ assessments for greater team dynamics, personal self-awareness, effective communication processes, managing conflict and inspiring people to perform

Credentials: I have worked on a business coaching basis with Cartridge World head office team and franchisees, Remax Estate Agents, Property Entrepreneurs, Independent Retailers specialists in up market Giftware and Clothing Products, Coaching Companies, Legal Practices and Independent Financial Institutes.

Common Problems of the Small Business Owner

The common working style theme/patterns amongst business owners: Never stopping to think, working in their comfort zone, fear of failure, unable to recruit, retain and manage staff, unable to market and network and unwilling to delegate.

And the greatest pitfall of all is treating staff badly and then wondering why depression, sickness, absenteeism and high staff turnover is a constant feature of the workplace.

However, coaching and an 'open mind' will go along way to achieving the company and work life balance you ultimately desire.