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I bring insight and external perspective to entrepreneurs and key stakeholders to support the decisions taken by Board and Management. This may be as a member of the Board, a facilitator or advisor, and can be executive or non-executive, based on specific deliverables or more widely based.
Rapid analysis
All businesses encounter pressures to change, generated from within or from market forces. Today’s business climate is particularly testing, with large and abrupt changes created by the effects of technology, globalisation, demographics, and environmental issues. I aim to identify the underlying business issues quickly, and help management teams shape their actions and intentions for the future.
First: Careful examination of the fundamentals – Stakeholder Aspirations, Assets and Attributes of the Organisation, and External Trends are at the core.
Then: The analysis of where these characteristics intersect forms the basis for the fundamental pivot for the management of the Organisation.
Identifying the right strategy
Good management teams put themselves in charge of events and execute swiftly but, in their haste for a plan, often miss the benefits that come from crafting exactly the right method to win in the market. Devising a winning business methodology is vital when threats are often unknown, and market fundamentals may well change while Management is busy with execution. I seek to develop business strategies that are simple yet sophisticated in the way they exploit advantage and mitigate risk.
Entry into new markets
Market opportunity and competition doesn’t stand still, and all businesses must continually assess their environment and the underlying trends to anticipate the right times for action. Formal pooling of information and the application of Simple analysis tools can identify scenarios for detailed evaluation. These techniques significantly improve Management’s ability to be ahead of the game and able to execute well judged plans that take advantage of circumstances that have been missed by others.
Managing High Growth
I specialise in managing fast growth businesses as they build in their chosen markets. Management development and structures, team building and culture, financial information and systems, funding strategies, all need a very particular approach if growth is to continue unimpeded. This is a crucial skill in today’s fast paced environment and I draw on plenty of experience to guide clients through the unique challenges involved.
Building value
Business objectives are often focused on building value for shareholder and enabling this to be realised, perhaps by trade sale, but the pressures of competition and other factors can be just forceful in driving the need for growth. Identifying where value can be added most effectively goes hand-in-hand with pin-pointing natural moments to raise further working capital or enable shareholders to realise value. Developing a precise plan with Management is the key, and Peter has worked with many teams to raise the value of their businesses.
Business model and positioning
The characteristics of the business model and positioning have a major impact on the prospects of every business, be it a new venture, or an existing business needing to change in response to internal or external circumstances. Significant growth in value can be unlocked by choosing exactly the right structure and positioning for the business to suit the circumstances. Peter’s skills have been developed through 25 years of first-hand experience in and around businesses that have been succeeding and many facing life-threatening challenges.