Module 3: Strategy
May 4, 2010 by admin
Filed under Articles & Video Tips, Business Growth and Planning
“Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail” this is advice we’ve heard since our school days but how many of us really believe it and follow it in our business. In this video Patrick White discusses just how important it is to have a strategy if you want your business to succeed.
Have you got a Strategy? Is it right for your business?
On Module 3 of the Business Growth Course you’ll be introduced to eleven potential strategies and evaluate which one is right for your business based on your Vision and Goals, and the Diagnostics you created in the previous session. Having the right strategy for your business if fundamental to your success!
What Does Module 3 Include:
The saying goes, “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail”. When preparing for growth in your business, it is essential to know exactly where the business is heading and how you are going to get there.
In this session you will be building on the work you have already done to set your Vision and Goals, and combining that with the in-depth knowledge you now have about your business from the Diagnostics session, to create a realistic plan for growth. During this session, you will start to work on the Strategy Document for your own business.
What you’ll be covering in this session:
- How far ahead can you realistically plan for?
- The key elements of Strategic Planning—Competitive Advantage, Adding Value, Mass markets vs. Niche Markets, Cost-Based Strategies & Market-Based Strategies
- Examining Contingency Plans and Growth Plans
- Corporate Culture—what is it, what drives it and how do you go about defining the culture of your company?
- Integrating your Strategic Plan with your Vision, Aims and Objectives
- Using Analysis tools such as SWOT and PEST within your Strategic Plan
- Porter’s Five Forces model and how this can be applied on a practical level within your business
- The resources that you need to implement your strategy
- 11 Different types of Strategies and how to choose the strategy/strategies that will enable your business to grow and meet your objectives
Find Out More about the Business Growth Course
Module 2: Business Diagnostics
April 27, 2010 by admin
Filed under Articles & Video Tips
There is more to business success than having a great idea. For some people, their ideas translate instantly into a profitable business and for others, years of hard work and study. Often entrepreneurs who find success quickly are considered lucky, but as Patrick tells in this video there is more to it than just luck, and early success does not dictate ongoing success.
For more information on the Business Growth Course and upcoming start dates, click here.
Module 1: Vision & Mission
April 19, 2010 by admin
Filed under Articles & Video Tips
Knowing where you’re driving your business is just as important as driving it. Having a clear vision and mission for your business allows you to make decisions that are right for the long term growth of your business, rather than short term ones that feel good.
In this video Dr Patrick White introduces the first module of the Business Growth Course and explains just how important having a clear vision for your business is.
To find out when our next Business Growth Course starts Click Here
Or call Lenka on +44 (0) 20 7939 9910 to discuss whether the course is right for you.
Fast Business Growth is Not Always Best
April 15, 2010 by admin
Filed under Articles & Video Tips
It can be very rewarding and exciting when your new business takes off and experiences fast growth, but as Patrick White explains in this video, its not always a good thing.
The Business Growth Course, led by Patrick White, takes place over 6 weeks. The 2 hour sessions are perfect for learning the theory and then applying to directly to your business.
To find out when the next Business Growth Course starts Click Here
Or call Lenka on 020 7939 9910 to discuss whether the course is right for your business.
Read Testimonials for this Course
Funding is available via Train to Gain. A Home Study Course is available.
Watch the Full Video by Clicking Here
What Does It Take To Be A Millionnaire?
April 15, 2010 by admin
Filed under Articles & Video Tips
Patrick White, a Director here at SME Academy, opens up about his background and how he learned the skills that have helped him to dramatically transform businesses all over the world. With 14 successful businesses of his own, each selling for millions, he now shares his tools and techniques with you on his unique Business Growth Course.
To find out when the next Business Growth Course starts Click Here
Or call Lenka on 020 7939 9910 to discuss whether the course is right for your business.
Read Testimonials for this Course
Funding is available via Train to Gain. A Home Study Course is available.
To hear the full interview Click Here
How to Follow Up On Your Leads
March 30, 2010 by admin
Filed under Articles & Video Tips, Business Growth and Planning, Sales & Marketing
Do you have lots of leads but no idea what to do with them? Sometimes our desks can become cluttered with business cards we intend to follow up but don’t get round to. Following up on those leads are be vital to your business. You invested time and money gaining them, so don’t let them just slip away. In this video I discuss how you can follow up with those leads and turn them into business.
Bribery & Corruption
March 22, 2010 by admin
Filed under Articles & Video Tips, Sales & Marketing
Having a mailing list for your business is incredibly important as it allows you to keep in contact with your potential customers and let them know about your business. Newsletters are so effective however that now everyone is offering them – so how do you get people to sign up to your offering? With a little bit of modern day bribery and corruption.
In this Video Tip I discuss how you cost effective and attractive things you can offer to entice people to sign up to your mailing list.
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www.GetMoreClientsMakeMoreMoney.co.uk
How to avoid the Feast-Famine scenario
March 8, 2010 by admin
Filed under Business Growth and Planning, Sales & Marketing
Most professional service businesses suffer from the feast-famine syndrome where you’re either busy delivering on the contract or rushing around looking for new business. In this video Hannah McNamara talks about ways that you can automate your marketing and scale-up your marketing activities so that you are using techniques like teleseminars and webinars to maximise the effectiveness of your business development and sales conversations.
www.GetMoreClientsMakeMoreMoney.co.uk
Business Growth Course Feb – Mar 2010
January 6, 2010 by admin
Filed under Events & Training
The next Business Growth Course starts on 18th February 2010.
This course is designed for directors and owners of small businesses who are going through periods of change. It will give you the practical business knowledge you need to get through changes positively. All the course content is relevant whether you are growing, restructuring or rationalising.
For some people, recession is good for their business. For others, it causes uncertainty and worry. Either way, the Business Growth Course helps you to analyse what’s going on in your business right now and work out a plan for what to do next.
Topics covered:
- Goal Setting & Vision
- Diagnostics
- Business Strategy
- Marketing Strategy
- Business Planning (including Financial Planning & Forecasting)
- Project Management
Session Dates & Times
February – March Thursday afternoons 3-5pm
Session 1: Goal Setting & Vision 18/2/10
Session 2: Diagnostics 25/2/10
Session 3: Business Strategy 4/3/10
Session 4: Marketing Strategy 11/3/10
Session 5: Business Planning 18/3/10
Session 6: Project Management 25/3/10
Session 7: Individual Coaching Set by you
Session 8: Individual Coaching Set by you
Number of Group Workshop Sessions: 6
Number of Private Coaching Sessions: 2
Course Fees: £1,200+VAT
Funding Available? Yes – certain businesses qualify for a grant of up to £1,000 to help part-fund the course. Please contact us to find out how to access this grant.
You can find full details at Business Growth Course.
Contact Hannah McNamara for a free, no obligation discussion on whether this course is right for you and to find out about the funding options available.
Contact details: 020 7939 9910 (+44 20 7939 9910) or email hannah.mcnamara (AT) smeacademy.co.uk – replace (AT) with @.
Recession: Sales Problem or Growth Opportunity?
August 7, 2009 by admin
Filed under Events & Training, Featured
Watch video about this event
Free seminar delivered live via your computer
Time: 9.30-10.30am
Date: Tuesday 25th August 2009
Can’t make it? Don’t worry. A recording will be available if you are unable to attend.
Right now a certain kind of small business is thriving. While their competitors scratch around for sales leads and a magic bullet to solve their short-term cash-flow problems, these canny businesses are systematically building solid foundations for growth – often flying completely under the radar of their competitors.
Find out more about what makes these businesses grow in a recession and what you can do to make immediate changes in the way you run your business.

Hannah McNamara
====> Click play to hear a message from Hannah McNamara (right)
Audio lasts approx 1 minute
Join Patrick White and Hannah McNamara as they show you how to maximise the opportunities for growth in a recession
Topics covered:
- Why your business plan is useless and could be damaging your chances of increasing turnover and profitability
- How to weigh-up short-term gain against long-term growth
- Exactly what to look for when prospecting for business – you could get a MUCH better conversion with certain sections of the market, we’ll show you how
- Why you need to watch your back now more than ever before – while you focus on new leads, your competitors are getting ready to poach your most loyal customers
- How to turn your customers’ fear of recession into a selling tool
Patrick White will be previewing material from his forthcoming Business Growth Course starting on Thursday 10th September, which is also available as a home-study course.
Register now to receive details on how to attend this seminar.
About Patrick White

Dr Patrick White
Dr Patrick White is a Consultant and Trainer specializing in Business Strategy, Business Finance, Marketing Management and Organizational Behaviour.Initially qualifying as an accountant, he then obtained his Master of Finance and subsequently his Master of Business Administration (Marketing Major) In 2000 he completed his PhD which was focused on Business Strategy and Leadership. Mr White is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (New Zealand).
After a successful international corporate career in a variety of industries across 13 countries with responsibilities for up to 14,000 staff he then went on to become a serial entrepreneur owning businesses in the hospitality, retail, IT and food and beverage industries. His last business covered fuel and oil distribution and had a turnover of $US 2 billion and 600 staff.
For the last 12 years while owning the above businesses, he has also worked as a high level management consultant in various business sectors as well as an international public speaker and trainer on a variety of business and people management topics.
What people have said about Patrick White:
“Just setting aside time to focus properly on planning was a major benefit.”
Ian Cockburn, Managing Director, Rescue IT
“The right mix of practical working, listening and learning, and I felt it was truly value for money. The tools will be useful, and I have already scheduled regular review sessions into my diary to work on my business not in it. I will certainly recommend Patrick to all my business associates.”
Michael Gottlieb – The Smart Information Consultancy Ltd
“The course was great and I really appreciate all the work you did and the enthusiasm you generated which was a great inspiration and has spurred Belderbos Landscapes on to bigger and better things.”
Ed Belderbos – Belderbos Landscaping
“I found the Business Growth Course to be a valuable learning experience, particularly because of the flexibility of the course material to suit my individual needs, and also because of friendly and informal atmosphere that made for a comfortable learning environment that was rich with anecdotes and nuggets of shared experiences. The course content included some really useful tools and templates – all of which were of exceptional quality and will serve me well for years to come.”
Mark O’Brien, Head of Retail, Richard House Children’s Hospice
“The insightful presentations and workshops were led by friendly Aussie ‘serial entrepreneur’ Patrick White.”
Rebecca Parker – Into English Ltd, comments taken from her blog
http://intoenglish.blogspot.com/2007/11/seminar-report-business-link-win-win.html
Register now to receive details on how to attend this seminar.












