Positive Business Development

Coaching and Mentoring for Business

2011-11-07T16:45:00.001Z

Coaching and Mentoring in Manchester and Lancashire.

Leading by example through coaching and mentoring

Have you ever wondered what coaching and mentoring could do for your business?

Carl Bradshaw has spent the last two years volunteering with a Lancashire based charity providing coaching and mentoring for small to medium sized businesses, helping them set and achieve their own goals and targets within their own time-frames.

Here are some of the mentoring and coaching testimonials.

Anon Business Owner, Lancashire - Dear Carl, I thought I would put pen to paper to thank you for your support last week. It has been a bit daunting launching a business in a sector / discipline you have never worked in. I feel a lot more confident and knowledgeable than I did before our meeting. Your time is very much appreciated. A big thank you.

Mentoring

Anon Franchise Owner, Fylde Coast, Lancashire - This process has made me a lot more positive and given me a great deal of confidence. It has taught me that you shouldn’t be scared of the jargon, as with help and guidance like I have had with Carl, you can find your way through and not only keep your head way above the water but hovering above! It helps you look towards the future rather than dwelling in the past, and gives reassurance to be able to meet your future head on. By the end of 2011 I will have signed a lease on my 3rd store.

Coaching

Anon Business, Yorkshire - to further develop some ideas from the 1st meeting before I have to stop work for maternity leave. We had a very wide ranging discussion about the history and all aspects of our business the first time. Carl is very approachable and full of ideas and we definitely want to continue our relationship with him.

For more information on coaching, see coachnw.co.uk

For more information on mentoring, see mentornw.co.uk

Positive Business Development | new blog site

2010-11-07T11:36:00.000Z

Positive Business Development | new blog site

This weeks word is “networking” – remembering to make regular contact with clients, and prospects alike.

TIC – This weeks concentration has been on the retail, shops, office and surgeries insurance needs of Chorley, Lancashire. Bringing in some very interesting leads for new business.

CDA Partnership – have been concentrating on finding good quality writers to exchange articles with so that we can begin to build a guest writer spot on our clients sites.

Weekly Round Up 22 October 2010

2010-10-22T19:18:00.000+01:00

This weeks activity has been mainly "data management".

salesforce.com

Positive Business Development has been developing and maintaining its database by pulling all of it into once accessible place. SalesForce.com, especially the Blackberry app which enables call logging straight into the database.

CDA Partnership has been looking at monetising a clients portfolio this week with the hot debate between the partners about the value of affiliate marketing.

Does Affiliate advertising detract from the value of a website? If it sits within the context of the site and is relevant to the text? Or is it just annoying? Let us have your thoughts by posting comments below. All comments are welcome.

Weekly Round Up 7 October 2010

2010-10-07T20:08:00.000+01:00

This weeks keyword is "anchor text" like this Freelance Salesman, this is how google reads freelance salesman to equal Positive Business Development's website and content specific web page.

I have had fun this week meeting new clients, for mentoring with the NWDA and CB Parters, from Leasing companies, to estate agents and a unique film maker, life is never dull.

I have found a new twitter and social media tool this week that I highly recommend if you run more than one twitter account. It is called tweet deck and you can find it here.

Again I have been writing articles for people with money problems and blog posts detailing how to build a professionally managed email marketing database.

One really good blog I have found this week that I would recommend you follow is Richard Denny this particular post is about improving communictations

T.I.C. will beat your Current Insurance Premium By a minimum 10%

2010-09-23T09:05:00.000+01:00

Great news on SME Commercial Insurance, including Commercial Combined, Retailers, Shops & Offices - We will beat your Current Insurance Premium by minimum 10%

T.I.C. Insurance Brokers believe businesses that are well run deserve to be rewarded which is why we are offering great terms to SME's that meet our standard underwriting criteria, have been in business for 3 years or more and are claim free.

For businesses that meet this criteria and who are on our list of acceptable trades -TIC will give you a quote of at least 10% less than your current insurer's premium.

In addition polices incepted through Towergate Commercial Underwriting (TCU) give additional specialist cover automatically, which include unique added value benefits and services FREE!

Not only could our added value benefits reduce the likelihood of future claims - they provide health & Safety Management tools that could save businesses significant amounts of money and provide access to Employment Advice - especially important in today's climate.

Added Value Services Include

Online safety training - including office safety
Online Health & Safety Management - allowing businesses to create compliant Health & Safety documentation
Business Law - a vast library of documents to help every business comply with Employment Law and Health & Safety legislation
Legal Expenses - up to £500K limit including contract and tenancy disputes
Free legal advice & employee stress counselling hotlines

To see if your business qualifies for our added value service deal, why not contact one of TIC's commercial Insurance Specialists for a FREE No Obligation Quotatation call Carl on 07976 586 303 or email or read more

Weekly Round Up 19 September 2010

2010-09-18T13:25:00.000+01:00

Guardian Angel - has been busy with new as well as existing clients this week ranging from a security company to online video entries. It is never dull being a Guardian Angel.

The Insurance Centre (TIC) - Carl is now back in the saddle with Commercial Insurance and looking for new clients, whether you are a man with a van or a Company Director give Carl a call when your policies are due for renewal for an alternative quotation. Direct line : 07976586303

Positive Business Development has been busy writing articles for a clients blog site. In fact this week we have felt more like a journalist than freelance business development and sales management.

GoMy Emails professionally managed email campaigns is now looking for new clients, to find out more about our service take a look at our page turning brochure for more information.

Weekly Round Up 10 September 2010

2010-09-10T16:59:00.000+01:00

The buzz word this week is "CRM or customer relationship management"

Positive Business Development have committed to using Sales Force to streamline data processes and sales orders for the next 12 months and so far it is proving its worth.

Carl Bradshaw Commercial Account Executive has been busy this week with the promotion :

"We will beat your Current Insurance Premium By minimum 5%" - just remember to mention Carl Bradshaw when you complete the referral form or call me direct on 07976 586 303 to arrange an appointment.

Professionally Managed Email Campaigns

GoMyEmails.com - the home of professionally managed email campaigns is ready to launch next week, so look out for the emails in your inbox.

CDA Partnership - have successfully launched a brand new website for National Money Helpline Limited - the ethical money problems company starting the new site with over 100 content rich pages.

Borrowing alternatives when the bank says no.

2010-08-31T16:53:00.000+01:00

In these tough economical times when the banks are tightening their lending criteria there are alternatives to trawling the high street and walking in and out of each bank or building society. The current recession has brought some new entrants to the personal finance market and these non traditional sources of finance are leading the way using technology to control costs.

Did you know you can borrow money against your car? Our loans are usually paid out on the same day! Apply here!

or

Make Today Payday with QuickQuid!

New site launch for National Money Helpline

2010-08-24T10:59:00.000+01:00

Lancashire based money management advisors National Money Helpline has commissioned a new website from CDA Partnership (CDA).

Screen Shot of NationalMoneyHelpline.co.uk

CDA are providing specialist website design and development skills as well as hosting for the website under its brand management package. CDA was chosen for its creative ability, capacity to react to change quickly, and to develop alongside our client’s needs.

CDA have been working hard to create a new website that, contains lots of great new features, along with the usual factual information, and a fabulous new look and an enhanced experience for all its users.

New ‘look and feel’ pages.
Easier navigation throughout the site; each section should be clearly marked.
Increased site-wide search facilities (including all the sites in our group).
An all new Blog featuring, articles on different lifestyle issues as well as the usual news & events.
More interactivity with new sections like Ask Clare, and the new sliders.
Interesting features and top tips for money saving.
Flexible content – if you’re not interested in what we feature on the home page – let us know as all your feedback is important to us.
Upcoming exciting changes to the way you do business with us.

But don’t just take our word for it, sign up to receive the new and exciting newsletters from National Money Helpline

We also invite you to check back from time to time as there are many new exciting money management features coming real soon!

The website is live today and will form the foundation for future online money management services for National Money Helpline.

'Crash for cash' claims soar to record level adding �44 to every driver's insurance premium | Mail Online

2010-08-23T10:19:00.000+01:00

The number of 'crash for cash' scams where drivers stage accidents to claim on insurance has increased around Britain to a record high.

Typically the racket - in which fraudsters claim thousands on pounds on innocent drivers' insurance - has been carried out in the north-west of England.

But parts of London are in the top ten hot spots for the first time, the latest data shows, with east London in sixth position and north London in ninth.

'Crash for cash' claims soar to record level adding �44 to every driver's insurance premium | Mail Online

Weekly Round Up 20th August 2010

2010-08-20T11:49:00.000+01:00

GoMyEmails.com is a managed email service company, our client bank is starting to grow and we haven't even officially launched yet, so we know we are on the right path with the right service. Watch out in your inbox for emails powered by GoMy Emails.

Positive Business Development - I have mainly spent my time with one client over the last two weeks, developing a marketing & sales plan / strategy, we started by looking at his existing client back and planning a way forward with the type of client he works with best.

CDA Partnership - we have been putting the final touches and tweeks to our clients main "mother" site, and are looking to launch the new look and feel site within the next few day - watch this space.

Weekly Round Up 06 August 2010

2010-08-08T13:43:00.000+01:00

GoMysites.co.uk - the home of web design, creation and SEO

What a busy busy week, writing content, publishing content, articles, blogs, pages, and websites for one of our clients. Can hardly wait to showcase the new site when its ready to go live.

Positive Business Development - freelance sales and management consultancy

Positive Business Development

Is enjoying getting back into financial services with The Insurance Centre (TIC), and is now actively looking for shop owners, motor traders, and commercial sites that want a competitive quotation at renewal. Or any new business start ups that want to discuss, the risks involved in their businesses that can be insured against.

Guardian Angel Entrepreneurs Network

Carl is looking forward to starting a new relationship with a security company in Lancashire, and assisting his existing clients in moving forwards with their businesses to achieve their goals and aspirations.

The David Brent nation: Survey reveals the country is full of bad managers who think they excel | Mail Online

2010-08-06T12:19:00.001+01:00

In the comedy series The Office, David Brent thought cracking terrible jokes and making cringeworthy motivational speak was the best way to get the most out of his staff.

Now it has emerged that his deluded management style is actually being replayed by bosses in real-life places of work.

Most UK managers believe they excel at managing their staff - when in fact only a fraction are any good at it.

The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) polled more than 2,150 bosses and - although just 14 per cent said they believed they were born to lead - almost half boasted that they 'excelled' at managing people.

However, when the institute invited the same managers to use a diagnostic tool designed to put their strengths and weaknesses to the test - just 14 per cent came out as excelling at managing their staff, a result which the CMI said 'strongly contradicted' their own judgment.

The 'strength-perception' gap of British bosses was due to years of inadequate training for those in management roles and the fact that many higher earners simply 'fell' into management positions as their career progressed, the CMI added.

Of the bosses questioned a staggering 68 per cent said they were 'accidental' managers, who had no desire to lead a team or firm when they embarked on their career.

Weekly Round Up 03 August 2010

2010-08-03T13:08:00.000+01:00

Positive Business Development - freelance professional services

Tim Craig Independent Loss Assessor

Activity this week has been centred around Loss Assessing with Tim Craig Loss Assessors. I have been covering Lancashire and North Manchester, with call outs for subsidence, escape of water and break in / property damage all in one week.

A very busy varied week in the shoes of an independent loss assessor who works on behalf of you the client to make sure that your claim is settled promptly, and any works done to an A1 standard.

If you have a claim (excluding motor) give me a call and I will put you in touch with Tim.

Weekly Round Up 26th July 2010

2010-07-26T19:56:00.000+01:00

The buzz word this week has been "content management"

GoMySites for web design creation and ongoing service

I have spent the majority of the week updating and adding news articles / testimonials and case studies to the following sites for our client National Money Helpline Limited.

http://www.debt-manage.co.uk/ Debt Help for Hotel and B&B Owners

GoMysites.com

http://www.debtmedical.co.uk/ Dedicated to Medical Professionals

http://www.militarydebt.co.uk/ For the serving and ex-service men and women of Armed Forces

http://www.policeofficerdebt.co.uk/ Taking care of the money worries of our boys and girls in Blue.

http://www.helpwithstudentdebt.co.uk/ See our 5 point guide of what to do when you fall into debt.

Positive Business Development for freelance sales in Lancashire and Greater Manchester

Is pleased to announce that Carl will be starting with The Insurance Centre as a Commercial Account Executive at the beginning of August 2010. So please feel free to email me your renewal dates for your commercial insurance.

Two New Experienced Account Executives Join T.I.C.

2010-07-19T17:33:00.000+01:00

"Carl Bradshaw will be joining the Euxton team from Monday 2nd August. Carl will be responsible for commercial new business development in the South Lancs, North Manchester area. Carl has worked for many years in both insurance broking & financial services at local, regional & national level gaining many qualifications along the way. Carl is an expert at dealing with both general commercial insurance to large corporate risks. Carl has also gained extensive knowledge in risk management & industry regulations."

Two New Experienced Account Executives Join T.I.C.:

Weekly Round Up 16 July 2010

2010-07-16T11:58:00.000+01:00

The keywords for this week has been "connections" and "communication"

Impetus Wealth Group (Bolton) - a group of professionals who get together to help each others businesses grow. If you would like an invitation to the next group meeting contact Carl. See the presentation at the bottom of this post.

NWDA Mentoring - had a great meeting this week, with a fantastic company that is positive about moving forward and planning for future sales.

GoMy Emails - Professionally managed email campaigns. Is going from strength to strength. I think this is going to be the biggest activity in my diary for the remainder of 2010.

The Insurance Centre - Carl is back in the saddle of Insurance Broking and really looking forward to getting stuck in - Commercial Account Executive - looking for motor trade, and shops/office insurance enquries throughout the month of August.

Is this Britain's unhealthiest snack? Chip shop launches calorie-laden deep fried ECCLES CAKE | Mail Online

2010-07-15T18:55:00.000+01:00

The deep-fried Mars bar has been making health campaigners feel queasy for years.

And this week's launch of the lasagne sandwich won't have gone down very well either.

But now there's a new contender for Britain's most calorie-laden snack - and it's not in Scotland.

Is this Britain's unhealthiest snack? Chip shop launches calorie-laden deep fried ECCLES CAKE | Mail Online

Obscure book by British adviser becomes cult hit after Warren Buffett tip - Telegraph

2010-07-11T13:43:00.000+01:00

Mr Buffett, known as the Sage of Omaha because of his shrewd investments, apparently told friends that When Money Dies illustrated what could happen today if European governments attempt to spend their way out of the downturn.

Written in 1975 by Adam Fergusson, a one-time adviser to Tory minister Lord Howe, the book charts how the German economy was ruined by hyperinflation after the Weimar government allowed public spending to run out of control.

The collapse of the Weimar Republic cleared the way for Adolf Hitler’s Nazis to seize power in 1933.

After Mr Buffett tipped off a Dutch financier friend about the wisdom of Fergusson's analysis, his book became the talk of right-wing blogs and economics websites, with copies changing hands for up to £1,600.

Old Street Publishing, a small British publisher, has rushed out a new edition to meet demand.

Fergusson, who worked for Lord Howe in the Foreign Office from 1984 to 1989, said that he hoped the renewed popularity of his work would bolster the case for swift budget cuts and fiscal conservatism.

His book emphasises how hyperinflation affected the lives of ordinary German people, not just the political and business elites.

The 78-year-old said: "In Britain today there is this debate between neo-Keynesians who want to postpone any tightening of the economy and those who say it should be done at once.

"To my mind it is a nondebate, because politically now is the only time tightening can be done. In a year or so it won't be possible, politically, any more.

"When governments are not strong or brave enough politically, finally the economy goes to pieces anyway.”

Mr Buffet who has amassed a fortune estimated at £30 billion

he financier to whom he recommended the book has not been identified, but claims to have bought hundreds of copies to send to the Dutch government and the European Central Bank.

Weekly Round Up 9th July 2010

2010-07-09T16:45:00.000+01:00

This week the buzz word has been "website content" & "SEO"

CDA Partnership - has really got its teeth into writing content for a clients soon to be launched website this week, along with submission of dozens of news articles for various satellite sites, from business news in Cumbria and Blackpool, to articles on the over 75's not being able to draw a lump sum from pension.

An interesting and informative week.

Positive Business Development is close to finalising a deal to get Carl Bradshaw back into Commercial Finance Broking following a four year break.

GoMy Emails - will be moving forward with the addition of new clients next week, and the launch of the site - so keep your eyes peeled.

Motorists face huge bill to get radios ready for digital switch | This is Money

2010-07-07T19:39:00.000+01:00

Millions of motorists will be forced to spend hundreds of pounds replacing or converting their car radios to take digital broadcasts.

The Government is pressing on with plans to switch off FM and medium wave radio in favour of digital - leaving much of the nation with no option but to pay out for new equipment at home and in the car.

Despite concerns that the public neither wants nor is ready for the change, Culture Minister Ed Vaizey is to announce he will stick with Labour's plans for a switchover in the next five years.

The move will cost consumers hundreds of pounds as they are forced to update their analogue radios at home and in their cars, before they become obsolete.

As many as 100m analogue radios will become largely redundant-after 2015 and around 20m-car radios will be useless. There is, however, likely to be a phase out period where FM, MW and digital run alongside each other.

Around 20% of all radio listening happens in cars but only 1% of all cars have the capability to receive digital stations.

Motorists will either have to replace their car radios at a cost of some £300 or buy 'conversion' kits which could cost more than £100.

10 things you didn't know about the garden pea - Telegraph

2010-07-05T17:42:00.000+01:00

The most random news story I have seen in ages !

The garden pea has been around since 4800BC, according to archaelogists. Here are some other odd pea facts you might not have known.

1. The average pea weighs between 0.1 and 0.36 grams.

2. The earliest pea is thought to have dated back to 4800BC to 4400BC in the Nile Delta area. Early peas have also been discovered in upper Egypt around 3800BC to 3600BC - some of which were discovered in Egyptian tombs. This has led archeologists to suggest the pea originally came from the near east in countries like Turkey, Jordan and Syria with the vegetable's popularity spreading from there.

3. The pea is only green when eaten because it is picked when still immature. A ripe pea is more yellow in colour. Eating peas when they are green became fashionable in the 1600s and 1700s but was described by the French as "madness".

4. Pea leaves are considered a delicacy in China.

5. Peas are said to give relief to ulcer pains in the stomach because they help 'use up' stomach acids.

6. Only five per cent of peas grown are sold fresh. Most are either frozen or canned.

7. Bioplastics can be made using pea starch.

8. A 100-calorie serving of peas (three quarters of a cup) contains more protein than a whole egg or tablespoon of peanut butter.

9. In the mid-19th century Austrian scientist Gregor Mendel observed the pea pod leading him to create his principle of Mendelian genetics, the foundation of modern genetics.

10. The word pea is believed to take its etymology from the Latin pisum which taincame from the Greek pison. When it was initially adopted in English the vegetable was called pease, as in pease pudding. This was shortened to pea later due to people incorrectly confusing the 'se' ending in pease as the 's' in plurals.

Read the original article here: 10 things you didn't know about the garden pea - Telegraph

Weekly Round Up 25th June 2010

2010-06-29T20:39:00.000+01:00

Wow its been a busy fortnight, both personally and business wise, so first off apologies for not rounding up last week.

Keyword for this week has been "activity" again, you will find that activity repeats itself on a regular basis in the sales arena. Because without activity we have empty diaries and order books.

In the last fortnight we have seen, the first coalition budget from Mr Osborne, with the theme of "getting Britain back to work" - I must admit I had been steeling myself for a tougher outcome, so don't forget to get your major purchases in before Jan 2011, and beat that rise in VAT.

England have dropped out of the world cup, our sporting hopes now rest with Andy Murray in his quarter final on Wednesday at Wimbledon - Come on Andy!

NWDA Mentor Programme - I am looking forward to meeting some new clients this week, bringing with it new and exciting opportunities and experiences.

CDA Partnership - A new horizon for me, in co-operation with two partners, we are looking after a clients online branding, from web design, Social Media Marketing, Professional Email marketing, SEO, Online brochure / literature and digital product placement. July is looking fully booked already !

Positive Business Development - Online Content Management, also had a project for analysis of the franchise market in the UK for two clients, the costs, principals, and demands of becoming a franchise.

Feel free to comment on any of my posts using the comments form below:

Budget 2010: Review sees end of contractor tax hurdle

2010-06-23T11:32:00.000+01:00

Budget 2010: Review of small business sees end of contractor tax hurdle

Contractors are to see a "permanent" change to the way they are taxed as part of a wider review of small business taxation.

Freelance Sales

Individuals selling their services through small companies have their taxable income policed by the so-called IR35 legislation. This will now be abolished, small business minister Mark Prisk said.

"We want to make sure that we could undertake a comprehensive review of small business taxation in a way that makes the need for the current IR35 legislation redundant. But we want to make sure whatever we change is a lasting settlement. One of the problems with IR35 is that it's a constantly changing set of rules."

The review, which will affect 1.4m freelancers, is expected to be launched later this summer.

The Professional Contractors Group, which represents freelancers, said that the review was needed. Anne Redston, visiting professor at King's College London, added: "In this Budget the Government has set out the big picture; now they can start colouring in the details."

Weekly Round Up 11th June 2010

2010-06-14T16:29:00.000+01:00

This week I have been busy with my NWDA Mentor clients, some old some new, all exciting new prospects on the road to success.

I have also spent my time reconnecting with old colleagues and making the most out of Social Media Marketing - to be honest, mainly tweeting during the England v USA world cup game.

Although the result was a draw - I am generally impressed with the desire of the England team to win, and now we have first match nerves out of the way I am hopeful of a good run in the tournament and who knows maybe 2010 is our year ! Come on England !

To follow my tweets check out my Twitter account