Helping out small businesses
Discussion
I've posted on here before about potentially working for small businesses on a commission only based sales role (charging high rates due to it being free sales). I've recently completed some projects with great success but found that I have a knack for streamlining companies sales/profits etc.
One example - I recently worked for a company with 20 employees with 8 of those based in sales. I went into the company on a commission only role and in 3 months made them a GP of £30k. Now this was higher than 3 of their employees put together over this time frame, all of which had been working at this company for over 2 years. I got on very well with the MD of the company and he asked my opinions on what I thought of the other permanent staff members and their roles and how they could do better and how he could improve things in the company. I structured a report for him and effectively streamlined his entire sales process with a view to upping his annual turnover by 25%.
Now I know there are plenty of management consultants about that do this type of thing but does anyone know how I can go about getting into this area, preferably on my own? I am happy to do a no profit increase don't pay kind of affair but obviously this is a longer term structure than what I've been doing as the commission only sales work at least pays me at the end of every month. I have very limited experience in this field but I know I can be good at it and I’m always one for putting my money where my mouth is.
I'm just looking for general opinions on this and maybe some suggestions/thoughts as how you would get something like this going? I guess if i did it and proved myself in a year or so I would have the references and proof and be able to charge accordingly but I can't afford to live for a year on zero money!
One example - I recently worked for a company with 20 employees with 8 of those based in sales. I went into the company on a commission only role and in 3 months made them a GP of £30k. Now this was higher than 3 of their employees put together over this time frame, all of which had been working at this company for over 2 years. I got on very well with the MD of the company and he asked my opinions on what I thought of the other permanent staff members and their roles and how they could do better and how he could improve things in the company. I structured a report for him and effectively streamlined his entire sales process with a view to upping his annual turnover by 25%.
Now I know there are plenty of management consultants about that do this type of thing but does anyone know how I can go about getting into this area, preferably on my own? I am happy to do a no profit increase don't pay kind of affair but obviously this is a longer term structure than what I've been doing as the commission only sales work at least pays me at the end of every month. I have very limited experience in this field but I know I can be good at it and I’m always one for putting my money where my mouth is.
I'm just looking for general opinions on this and maybe some suggestions/thoughts as how you would get something like this going? I guess if i did it and proved myself in a year or so I would have the references and proof and be able to charge accordingly but I can't afford to live for a year on zero money!
chas100 said:
If your good at running a business, why not start your own?
That's exactly what my post is suggesting - Just looking for some ideas in how i start one in that particular field.
shadowninja said:
why not part-commission and part-longterm consultancy: you get money now and some later on.
Thanks - That's my current option, trying to get some feedback on ideas of how to get into the long term stuff more successfully though. If there are any small business owners on here - would it be something you would use, if you weren't having to pay upfront for the service?
All Public Procurement in Wlaes is done through www.sell2wales.co.uk nothing stopping you signing up for this, you will receive notices of any consultancy work the public purse is procuring, I am sure there are lots of other websites like this.
My only concern is you are self admittedly not too experienced in this field. Do you have the qualifications to help your CV along? Im afraid if you haven't got the Business background, qualifications and or experience then work might be tough. Consultants tend to earn upwards of £500 a day but obviously have the experience to be able to comand this kind of income.
How about offering your services to the Princes Trust? they do a mentoring scheme, you mentor a youth who has had assistance from the trust in setting up their company. This would do your CV the world of good.
My only concern is you are self admittedly not too experienced in this field. Do you have the qualifications to help your CV along? Im afraid if you haven't got the Business background, qualifications and or experience then work might be tough. Consultants tend to earn upwards of £500 a day but obviously have the experience to be able to comand this kind of income.
How about offering your services to the Princes Trust? they do a mentoring scheme, you mentor a youth who has had assistance from the trust in setting up their company. This would do your CV the world of good.
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