Time for a change?

[LordHaveMurci]

Been running my own small Company for over fifteen years, running other peoples small Companies for several years before that.

Various external forces such as recession, internet sales etc mean the current business is no longer as viable as it used to be. After fifteen years I think I may also be ready for a change. I am not an expert in my industry, we are a small wholesaler dealing with trade customers so technical knowledge is not really required.

My accountant set up a meeting with a headhunter/recruitment bloke, he referred to me as 'generalist' ie no speciality, just 20+ years experience of running small businesses. He was talking about General Manager / MD positions but my main worry is that these may be larger organisations than I have been used to & I may find myself out of my depth.

I have been thinking that taking some business courses/qualifications would be a good idea, for my own personal growth as well as future potential career prospects, my main question I guess is what courses to look at, there seem to be so many! I have no formal qualifications to talk of, a few 'O' Levels over 25 years ago, so have no study experience, this would impact on my choice of learning I'd imagine? I'm early 40's if that makes any difference.

I'm guessing my Limited Company could pay for any courses I took if they are related in any way? The Co. doesn't have unlimited funds though, this is also an important factor!

[mr_spock]

Would you be able to spend a few months maximising your business value, sell it as a going concern, then use the funds to invest in another business?

[LordHaveMurci]

mr_spock said:

Would you be able to spend a few months maximising your business value, sell it as a going concern, then use the funds to invest in another business?

The current Company has a certain amount of cash in it, we have looked at moving into a different area but can't find anything that catches our fancy so to speak. That & after 15 years of limited time off etc thinking it may be better being a paid employee again.

Either way, further learning won't do me any harm so still very keen to look at what's available.

[rog007]

Without delving any deeper in to your circumstances, motivation and existing competencies:

- CMI Chartered Manager

- IoD Chartered Director

Then some other short courses (Google will help) to give you some currency and tickets around governance, risk and finance.

Short & sharp!

Good luck!

[LordHaveMurci]

rog007 said:

Without delving any deeper in to your circumstances, motivation and existing competencies:

- CMI Chartered Manager

- IoD Chartered Director

Then some other short courses (Google will help) to give you some currency and tickets around governance, risk and finance.

Short & sharp!

Good luck!

Something for me to look at over the weekend, many thanks

[gerradiuk]

Lordy read your initial post( not the rest)& it reminds of my tale.
Made redundant in 1990 & thought "Sod working for anyone else" my thoughts were at least if I try I'll know i did my best! So it lasted until 2005, then the flood had turned into a trickle, which sounds a bit like your current situation. I was sort of lucky etc, but I had a few shops from the busines I was the leaseholder so obvious thing was to let them out while I sorted myself out. Well as i said that was 2005 & I still haven't sorted myself out I have a few houses & flats & yes my shops. I bump along with the whine's about rent & maintenance clauses in the lease's etc etc which always seem to come at the same time but I manage to bumble along & keep head level with the water lol. Can you lease your premises out for a short while ?
Like anything it can be a major hassle at time's & you wonder why bother but...if you think you can get into it start looking at the property auctions etc get it into your head & also search out some (older -reliable) tradesmen/builder's who just want steady work.

Good luck & keep that optimism alive

[LordHaveMurci]

gerradiuk said:

Lordy read your initial post( not the rest)& it reminds of my tale.
Made redundant in 1990 & thought "Sod working for anyone else" my thoughts were at least if I try I'll know i did my best! So it lasted until 2005, then the flood had turned into a trickle, which sounds a bit like your current situation. I was sort of lucky etc, but I had a few shops from the busines I was the leaseholder so obvious thing was to let them out while I sorted myself out. Well as i said that was 2005 & I still haven't sorted myself out I have a few houses & flats & yes my shops. I bump along with the whine's about rent & maintenance clauses in the lease's etc etc which always seem to come at the same time but I manage to bumble along & keep head level with the water lol. Can you lease your premises out for a short while ?
Like anything it can be a major hassle at time's & you wonder why bother but...if you think you can get into it start looking at the property auctions etc get it into your head & also search out some (older -reliable) tradesmen/builder's who just want steady work.

Good luck & keep that optimism alive

Thanks for the reply

Sadly we don't own the premises, they are leased although we are out of lease at the moment making a possible exit that much easier.