Tim Morris

Want your business to look more professional with just one simple change? This article explains why using an email with your business name builds trust, strengthens your brand, and helps more people take you seriously online. It also shares how it can support your online visibility and customer confidence. Click the link to learn why a domain email is a small upgrade that makes a big difference for your business. https://lnkd.in/gKf3GRbQ

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From Brilliant Technician to Confident Business Owner Most SME owners didn’t start a business to run a business. You were a great accountant/solicitor/engineer… then discovered ownership is a different job. Common signs you’re still “on the tools”: Your diary is full of urgent work, not important work. Sales arrive by luck, not a repeatable process. You fix problems personally because it’s faster. Holidays mean “phone on” rather than “feet up”. The shift (tech → owner) looks like: Doing → Designing: map your core process and standardise it. Busy → Prioritised: ring-fence a weekly CEO Hour. Ad-hoc sales → Pipeline: track leads, stages, and next actions. Heroics → Team: clear roles, simple KPIs, calm reviews. Memory → System: one source of truth for tasks, cash and customers. Quick wins this month Block 60 minutes/week for strategy (non-negotiable). Create a 1-page scorecard (leads, conversion, £ margin, on-time delivery, cash days). Write a 30-60-90 plan for the next hire (or your new sales push). Document the top 5 repeat jobs—then delegate one. Challenge: If you were to disappear for two weeks, would the business keep its promises? CTA: Comment OWNER and I’ll share my 1-page “Technician-to-Owner” checklist (plus a simple 30-60-90 template). #SME #UKBusiness #BusinessOwner #Leadership #Operations #Sales #Process

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What steps do you need to take to franchise a business? Top tips from leading expert Joel Bissitt VFP #businessgrowthtips #franchiseyourbusiness #businessexpansion

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I’ve had several conversations this week about how to increase sales going into the New Year. My answer has been the same to all of them. Strategy and planning help, targets help but if you don’t include training/coaching in your plans then you won’t get sustainable sales. #salestrainer #salescoach #salessuccess

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The first edition of The BFA Magazine for 2026 has launched. This issue explores: • The future of franchising and generational change • How to buy a franchise with confidence • Why specialist franchise solicitors matter • Real insights from BFA members • A practical guide to franchising your business If you are investing, expanding, or advising in franchising, this edition gives you a clear snapshot of where the sector is heading. Read the full magazine here: https://ow.ly/Ev1Z50Yms3t #BFAMagazine #FranchisingUK #FranchiseGrowth

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Which of these aspects of your business is your CRM system currently helping you achieve? - Accurate revenue forecasting on a weekly, monthly and quarterly basis, with indicators of which opportunities to focus your efforts on. - High levels of lead to sale conversion rates - that's good quality in at the start, focused opportunity management through high customer engagement and streamlined sale outcome and delivery. - Continually improving marketing ROI by utilising insights gained through engagement and adapting your lead gen and repeat business approach. - Use of key insights from your CRM use to help improve your team performance at each stage of the pipeline. - Aligning with production demand and finance teams to share and use accurate forecasting for production demand planning. #crm #salesforce #dynamics365 #zoho #hubspot #salespipeline #marketingroi #leadgeneration

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Most businesses only market to people who might buy from them. But what if you started marketing to the people who never want to be your customer……but know 10 people who do? That barista who chats to 200 people a day. That accountant who knows which clients need your service. That mate who’s loyal to someone else but still rates your work. They might never buy from you, but they can send you business for years. IF you’ve got a way for them to do it and a reason to. That’s exactly what ReferUs does. It gives anyone, even people who’ll never be your customer a super simple way to refer others to you… and actually get rewarded for it. Remember: Everyone loves helping, But rewards make people act. Your actual customers are great. But your non-customers? They might just be the goldmine you’ve been ignoring. ReferUs turns that goldmine into leads. #referrals #businessgrowth #marketing #ReferUs #smallbusiness

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How to Turn Enquiries into Paying Customers Without Being ‘Salesy’ If you run a small business, there’s a good chance you’ve had plenty of enquiries that never turn into actual customers. Someone fills in your website form, calls for a quote, or chats to you at an event.  They sound interested, you send the details… and then nothing happens. Silence. It’s frustrating, and it can make you question your pricing, your product, or even your ability to sell. But often, the real issue isn’t what you’re offering, it’s how you’re following up. The good news is, you don’t need to be pushy or “salesy” to convert more of those enquiries into paying customers. You just need to understand the process and apply a few simple principles. Read about these simple principles in my latest blog article here - https://zurl.co/7P7gK #salestraining #smallbusiness #salestips

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Building a high-performing sales team can make all of the difference to your business. I recently ran a workshop at my Frating office in Essex for business owners looking to strengthen their sales capabilities, both for themselves and their teams. We covered DISC profiling, VAK communication styles, telephone techniques, and the mindset shifts that separate good salespeople from great ones. Before I became a business coach 15 years ago, I spent nearly a decade in sales and marketing after beginning my career in engineering. I learnt that sales isn't just for "natural-born closers." The reality is that some people seem to sell effortlessly, but for most, sales feels uncomfortable because as humans, we're don't like rejection. The pressure can be intense, deals take time, and hearing "no" never gets easier. Reframing what selling actually means can make a difference. You need to remember that you're helping clients solve problems and make more money. When your customer invests £X in your solution, it should deliver £XXX in value or revenue to them. Whether you're hiring your first salesperson or building a full team, remember that sales skills can be learned and refined. Focus on: - Understanding buyer psychology - Mastering communication styles - Developing resilience and mindset - Creating clear processes and standards. The businesses I work with in Essex and Suffolk often discover that investing in sales training—for themselves or their teams—delivers the fastest return of any business investment. How are you approaching sales right now? Are you building a team, doing it yourself, or somewhere in between? I'm David Betts, a business coach helping business owners achieve outstanding results. I regularly share posts offering tips on this platform. Hit the bell on my profile to see my future posts. 

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We all use IT in our businesses but do we really think about how we use it? Some key things to think about in this article by Chris Hodgkiss in the latest issue of the magazine

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South Manchester Business Owners: What Feels Like “Rocket Science” to Your Customers Is Everyday Work for You As business owners, it’s easy to underestimate the value of our expertise. What feels routine to us can feel impossible, confusing, or stressful for our customers. Your everyday skills — the things you take for granted — are exactly what your clients need and are willing to pay for. Recognising this can transform the way you market your business. 10 Real-Life Examples: Accountants: Understanding tax rules and dealing with HMRC Web Designers: Fixing websites and improving design Electricians: Diagnosing electrical faults safely Plumbers: Stopping leaks and managing plumbing emergencies Social Media Managers: Creating consistent, effective content Tutors: Explaining complex subjects in clear terms Personal Trainers: Designing structured workout plans Mechanics: Interpreting warning lights and fixing issues Bookkeepers: Organising invoices, receipts, and finances Photographers: Capturing professional-quality images What’s simple for you may be overwhelming for your clients — and this is where your marketing should focus. ✅ Show the problems you solve ✅ Highlight the expertise you bring ✅ Communicate the transformation you deliver ✅ Demonstrate the value behind your pricing At Business Coaching Manchester, we help South Manchester business owners package their expertise, communicate value effectively, and attract more of the right customers. 📞 Contact us on 0161-881 2213 to discover how to market your business with confidence and grow sustainably.

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Good News for Small Businesses! 🚨 The UK government has hit pause on proposed changes to Companies House filing rules, giving smaller businesses much-needed breathing room. This means you can continue filing simpler accounts without the stress of additional costs or complex software—for now. Want to know what this means for your business and how to stay ahead? We’ve broken it all down in our latest blog. ➡️ Read the full update and keep your business thriving: https://lnkd.in/eiwuDWrn #SmallBusinessSupport #BusinessTips #FinancialUpdates

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Question for you. Why do so many business owners work harder every year but see little real growth? Because being busy isn’t the same as being effective, most owners spend 80% of their time fighting fires rather than building the business. The difference between surviving and thriving? Clarity. Does that resonate with you? Would love to hear your views. If you’re tired of working harder for the same results, you’ll want to see what we’re doing at the Chamber Business Strategy Day. https://lnkd.in/e_W8wypp

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How to stop attracting low or no fee enquiries. It often starts with your website copy. In this short video, I share the mistakes I see speakers making on their websites all the time — the kind that attract the wrong clients, or scare off the right ones before they even pick up the phone. 👇 Watch and let me know if any of this sounds familiar.

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