Stage one done of the start-up

Back on the 1st of June, I started a consulting project with a start-up in the financial services sector. Over the last month, I've put together an Implementation Plan- essentially a business plan without the sales and marketing. Here's where it started.

I delivered the final today. And now await feedback and the next steps. It appears that the owners are keen to move it forward.

It has been a great learning experience on several levels for me. First, on how to juggle two projects at once. Second, how to move from being perceived as a content expect to more of a trusted advisor. Third, how to balance the nitty-gritty of running a small consultancy with the strategic issues of where we fit in the marketplace.

Redundancy is now over

I started a new consulting project last week, so I think we're in the clear for a little while. More on that later.

I thought a quick wash-up about how I handled the three month redundancy time would be in order.

First, the business high points:

• I started a LinkedIn group, with a supporting webpage- UK Charity Trustees.
• I contributed significantly to a strategy project at RBMIND and event for the Ashridge Alumni.
• I wrote a proposal for a long-term consulting project within my past industry.

Second the lifestyle highlights:

• We spent a month in the US with my parents. Invaluable.
• I kept to a regular routine with the kids and exercise.
• We cut back on most of the extra spending around the house.

The learning points:

• Networking is by far the most valuable thing you can do for work.
• Staying focused, involved and in a routine during the redundancy is paramount.
• Get a good support network around you and use it.

A One Page Proposal

One of my consulting projects is with a start-up in the financial services industry.

We're early in the process and need to get buy in and clarity of next steps from the others involved.

To do that, I put together a one page proposal and circulated it today. Essentially, this is a business plan that has been distilled right down to the core.

I've used this template and book before and found it very helpful.

UK Charity Trustees on Squidoo

One of my projects for this time away from work is to set up a networking group on LinkedIn. I've done that now for UK Charity Trustees.

This is a group for current trustees to share resources and better help the charities they serve.

To support the group, I've set up a squidoo lens- UK Charity Trustees- to act as a resource hub.

The next step is to build the membership on LinkedIn.

Next steps

What do I do now?

Where can I find resources?

These are the questions I came up against in mid-March. Here are some answers.

In the early days, I put together a plan and goals. Nothing too complex, but enough to keep focus. I thought that perm work would be hard to come by in this environment, so project work and pro-bono work would suffice for the time being. More on that later.

I've kept the same daily routine, for the most part. Up with the family, take C to daycare, work during the day, knock off for the kids dinner. Shave and good clothes 5 days a week. Keep up the exercise.

Here is the most complete redundancy resource I've found.

The Second Start

I'm back.

And I'm unemployed.

I've been feeling since the beginning of the year that I needed to get back to business blogging. Now that D, born in June 08, has grown a bit, I can find some time.

Also, I was unexpectedly made redundant in March. As part of my search-for-the-next-opportunity routine I'll begin collecting thoughts here again.

Baby due

My wife is due with baby number two today, so posting may be a bit light over the next month.

A focus group outcome

One of the confusing results of the focus group was this:
Customers told us that their decision making was based almost entirely on price. They also said that they didn’t compare us to any other service providers.

There’s a dis-connect here.

Our conclusion was that everyone must say price is really important, but doesn’t actually do anything to support that view. And that is fine with us, because we’re considered a premium price point in the market.