Entrepreneurs’ Forum members give their tips on handling expansion

Jan 5 2010 by Karen Dent, The Journal

OVERCOMING your business’s growing pains can be a real challenge once you are over the initial hurdles of establishing your enterprise.

We asked members of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum for their tips on handling expansion:

Rob Mathieson, director of Gateshead web development firm AYO Media:

“Recruiting our first staff member helped tremendously. We carefully picked an experienced employee who we knew could handle what we needed them to achieve.

“We offered a very competitive salary, as the amount of work they could achieve far exceeded that of a more junior staff member.”

Colin Robertson, managing director of Newcastle creative agency Blumilk:

“In our industry, growth comes from the talent within your team. In light of this, it’s about trial and error. I have also learned not to take all advice given by so-called experts – in my experience accountants and lawyers.

“In business you will have more downs than you will have ups so it’s about keeping focus on your own goals and picking yourself up after the downs. You also need the right people to help you through bad times.”

Dave Glynn, director of Boldon Colliery-based web designers Atomic Web Solutions.

“We maintained a sense of humour, outsourced work when we were over-stretched, joined good networking groups like the Entrepreneurs’ Forum and obtained a mentor.”

Staying on track is likely to be one of the next obstacles you’ll face. We found out how some of the region’s entrepreneurs coped.

Jessica McLean, founder of Gateshead-based Garbeau, which makes made-to-measure shirts for people larger or smaller than the norm, such as rugby players and jockeys:

“Failure to plan is planning to fail. That is always in my head. I have a plan of where I want to be and where I want to go with the business so for me that helps me stay on track and work towards goals and targets.”

Chris Taylor, owner and director of Newcastle film producers Superkrush Films:

“As a creative person, I find that having a formal meeting with my business mentor once a month helps me to stay on track.

“He helps to steer the strategic development of the business and has helped me through the transition of running Superkrush as an actual business, rather than as my hobby.”

Colin Robertson of Blumilk:

“I focus on the long-term goal of spending quality time with my family with no financial worries. Weekly, monthly and annual profit targets and a good management team around me also help me stay on track.”

For more How I... tips go to www.ifwecanyoucan.co.uk, which is inspired by the Entrepreneurs’ Forum .