Me and Owain had a good old chin-wag to try and get our heads around where things are going. In just over four months our tenancy will end at The Innovation Centre where we are currently on the Enterprise Inc scheme. This will mean by the start of July we will have overheads whether it be some kind of shop space or if even if we remain in The Innovation Centre.

I think if we both looked at our business plan now, we would barely recognise it. In the whirlwind of starting up your own business, planning can sometimes be put to the very last minute or if you have planned – completely ignored.

The importance of planning has been drilled into my cranium throughout my whole education. However, I get the feeling that when I plan something I get too comfortable and I can overlook things as we move forward.

I’m not knocking planning. But as I’ve said before, in this game you can have a few people chuck you ideas and have your head completely turned. What planning does do though is keep a record of the things you’ve thought about – even if they are put to one side, they may come into play later.

There are a lot of things me and Owain make decisions on very quickly, sometimes too quickly. Sometimes things just need to be resolved. Sometimes you go with your gut – if you fail, your hailed as an idiot, if you win, you’re a winner!

We have to make a huge decision on where we are going to be come July. It will require planning for sure. However, the decision may be made on gut.

Labels: business plans, decision making, Dominic, fishbowl3, gut reactions

This is not a remake of the acclaimed film with Alec Guinness ‘The Man in the White Suit’. Rather it is evocative of a lesson I learnt. I met up with a member of BNI who whenever I see him, wears a pink shirt. However, this was a one-to-one meeting, and it was a Thursday, so he wasn’t sporting the pink shirt which I’ve known him to wear regularly.

The pink shirt only makes an appearance at any networking event. Why? Well it certainly gets him noticed – this is a bright pink shirt. You only have to see him wearing it a couple of times and you instantly remember him. Finally, if you happen to be in a busy networking room, you don’t have to see where he is, but if you’re looking for him, ‘he’s the man in the pink shirt’.

We finished our meeting and he left me with a few business cards. ‘Why’ I inquired. ‘Because when you’re happy with our services, you’re going to want to tell your friends’. Perhaps some of the oldest tricks in the book, but these are good habits for me to adopt.

Labels: Dominic, fishbowl3, networking events, networking tips

Labels: fishbowl3, january, owain, sales, update

As you may be aware, I have already written a blog about networking. If you’re not, then the title maybe a bit of a give away! I want to take this opportunity to add a few more things I have learnt since.

Recently I attended a different chapter of BNI at Leicester Tigers Rugby Ground. The other chapter I had been to was the De Montfort chapter. Both chapters you might think should be very similar if not the same. However, that couldn’t be any further from the truth.

The BNI networking event at Leicester Tigers had more people, willingness to make connections, develop relationships and make referrals work. It generally had more of a buzz about the place. The lesson learnt here is shop around! The amount of money you can spend on some of these networking events, you better make sure it’s the right one. However, if a BNI event jumps out at you, it’s a good idea to get in there quick. If another company who do suits gets in before I sign up I would be ‘shut out’ of joining the same chapter.

Before that on Wednesday night I attended a ‘Networking Nosh’ evening. This was really informal in comparison to other networking events I had been to. I came out feeling a little unsure how necessary it was attending the event. It was only on Friday after speaking to Owain that I realised it had been a good idea to attend. Owain had met a few of the people I had met on that night at another networking event. Networking is about developing relationships. People are not necessarily going to be interested in you on the first meeting. It may take four or five meetings before someone makes a significant step into a purchase or whatever it may be. Being a familiar face to people installs trust and confidence in you and your business.

I got two referrals on my first visit to BNI and I’m really looking forward to waking up at 6.00am and going along this week! I just have to make sure I’m original in my approach during my minute spiel.

Labels: Dominic, fishbowl3, networking events, promotion

We recently held a suiting event in our office block this week (video 29/01/10). Its our first event this year and our first of this kind. So its important to learn and grow so the next one is 100% better. If this happens after each one then one day we will have the best suiting events ever!!

Lessons Learned

1) More than two pieces of correspondence with the invited people is likely to bring more people
2) Have more suits so people can look at a wide variety
3) A range of media is probably more appealing (if people have more to do and play with they are more likely to be intrigued)
4) Have attractive members of the opposite sex wearing our clothing and conversing with potential leads
5) A little bubbly... I should think a relaxing glass of something sparkling next time will make everyone feel more comfortable and that’s what it’s all about.

We did take away some great feedback and have some interesting ideas to work on so things are likely to be moving on quicker. The likely changes

- More content on the site
- More manikins at suiting events
- Free consultations for anyone interested
- A range of support videos for people intending to buy suits and shirts

Labels: fishbowl3, lessons, promo event

Just before promo event held in The Innovation Centre

Labels: fishbowl3, networking events, owain, promotion, video

Dom summarises the mood, work and opportunities at Head & Griffiths.

Labels: fishbowl3, january, morale, sales, video, video diary

Thoughts on meeting with local magazine and how they can help us spread the word...

Labels: fishbowl3, magazine, press article, video

Labels: 2010, fishbowl3, launch party planning, owain, priorities

• Getting investment
• Setting solid foundations for the company
• Being involved with many networks in Leicester
• Having at least 50 company contacts
• Website set up running and ready for orders
• Testing our sale system and suppliers
• Having a clear 6 month plan for 2010
• Made some money!

• Test suppliers thoroughly
• Have clear plans from the beginning to keep focused
• Have clear financial plans to be clear on required amounts of investment
• Be more clear with developers and set financial and time targets
• Search around for best service and best value in all suppliers
• Set ourselves sales targets with bonuses and reviews

Labels: 2009, achievements, fishbowl3, owain, plan and review, review

The Head & Griffiths packaging finally arrives so that suits can now be sent to customers...

 

Labels: fishbowl3, packaging, video

Pre-meeting...



Post meeting...

Labels: fishbowl3, meeting, video, web designers

After the meeting....

Labels: de montford, design, fishbowl3, students, video

‘Walk before you can run’ is fast becoming our mentor’s phrase of choice. I think it’s used a least a couple of times when we meet. It’s not that we don’t listen to him; I think more so that we have all these different ideas which we want to try and do, were blind to the fact that what we need to focus on is to continue to build on the brand’s image and values. Or as our mentor said today, ‘ trees that have roots that spread out tend to fall over. Trees whose roots grow deep, grow stronger ’. He really is a pinstriped suited version of Gandalf! I think he’s going to write a book!

However, I couldn’t agree with him more and in a way it’s pretty obvious. We don’t want to be considered as a jack-of-all-trades who does nothing well or successfully (might I add, like some of our competitors?!). As much as this is our business, I think sometimes you need to get a different perspective and not necessarily abide to it rather, take it on board and perhaps apply it.

The other day we had our first non-family/friend client who found out about us through the Nottingham Post in an article about our involvement in Fishbowl. We’re reaping the rewards of being involved in Fishbowl already! He was also an entrepreneur and was very interested in our concept, and as first clients go, was the perfect customer. He offered us plenty of useful advice and words of wisdom which as a start-up is always useful, however yet again it was a case of listening intently and thinking whether it applied to your business model, not just doing it because somebody had told you that’s the way to do it.

We now have to start writing different plans and strategies, taking on board the advice given but, ultimately doing what we believe is right for Head & Griffiths.

Dominic

Labels: advice, Dominic, fishbowl3, head griffiths, mentor, press article

Well, not entirely successful but not by any stretch a failure! I think for the people who were there, it was a night enjoyed by all, and a lot of people have told us what a lovely night they had. We came away with some potential leads which we just need to confirm fittings with, so that was a big positive.

I think one of the things we perhaps should have done was have invited more people we didn’t know and maybe gone into different businesses – solicitors, letting agents etc – to let them know what was going on. I think as much as it was an opportunity to thank people for their support so far, it would have been a good chance to spread the Head & Griffiths name a bit further. Perhaps it’s just a small thing but it might have been of greater benefit to have had the night during the week as people are generally committed to other things on a Friday. I think if it were on a weekday you’re more likely to getting people talking about it the next day in the office.

The venue and ambience was spot on, and I think it’s given us loads of ideas in terms of holding future events. It’s now a case of reviewing the successes and failures of the event whilst it is still fresh in our heads and chasing up those potential leads!

Labels: Dominic, fishbowl3, launch party lessons, marketing, promotion

Its comes to a time in all young businesses where you want to get onto rooftops and tell everyone you've finally arrived. I think the best way is to throw a launch party but where to get started?

The idea came to me when I was chatting to a business advisor about the next steps for Head & Griffiths. We discussed why it would be beneficial and what I should hope to gain from it so this is what I did to plan it:

1) I wrote a plan including possible times and dates, venues and preferred entertainment. We also gave ourself s a budget so we didn't spend a fortune but came across in a way that suited us.
2) We spoke to our mentor to make sure we had the right plan of action.
3) We then chose a suitable venue our thinking was close to where most our guests work and with the right sort of feel for the company. As soon as we decided we got in touch to book it and sort out nibbles and drinks for our guests.
4) We thought about 'what's in it for us' from the perspective of the guest and when getting invitations printed off we also printed some vouchers for discounts for all who are invited.
5) We booked the entertainment that we thought would best fit the venue and guests invited.
6) We sent out invites and gave out as many as we could personally as we thought that would give us an edge over other invitations. It also meant people have a chance to put a face to the name, as some of the people were recommended for us to invite.
7) We made sure we chased up the vip's who we wanted to come, to ensure that they were.

That's where we are right now. The part is tonight and everything seems to be going relatively smoothly!

So next time I blog it will be about the success or not. Optimist to the end!

Owain

Labels: fishbowl3, launch party planning, owain

It can be a bit daunting going out to different events and networking with complete strangers for the first time. Maybe it’s the added status - ‘networking event’ - that give people the heebie jeebies! However, once you’ve got a few under your belt, networking can really work for you if you go about it in the right way.

It has been another whirlwind week at Head & Griffiths HQ, and a week in which already we can begin to see the benefits of networking and speaking to people. On Wednesday we were at an event where the Pro-Vice Chancellor of De Montfort Vicky Vass, gave a talk on how the university is great for producing enterprising students. We created our first bespoke women’s suit for Vicky to sport for the occasion (which looked fab!) in front of the critical eyes of Jimmy Choo and Karen Millen! We got to chat to them about Head & Griffiths and Karen was absolutely loving it! So you imagine we were both buzzing!

We’ve also received our first corporate contact enquiring about a possible fitting with also the view to purchasing more suits for some of his more regarded employees. All this (and more) was made possible through networking. However, networking isn’t just about turning up. Turning up is just the start!

So if you are going to start networking you might want to keep in mind these few things,

• Be prepared. You have to know your business and have the confidence in your business and in what you’re doing.
• Be yourself. (This doesn’t mean how you would be at home in your Winnie the Pooh slippers eating fast food and watching Corrie!) It’s always best to get across some of your personality. People will feel more comfortable around you and remember you are essentially the face of your business so you don’t want to come across as a robot!
• Try and meet a few different people. You don’t want to drive somewhere for 45mins and only come away with one contact.

One thing I’ve particularly taken into account is that you don’t need to shout to be heard. If you tell one person about what you’re doing, they’re likely to tell others, and then you have that whole snowball or domino or whatever you want to call it effect!

Dominic

Labels: Dominic, fishbowl3, jimmy choo, karen millen, networking events

Have you ever had one of those weeks where you thought you could see the finish line? Only to realise that the finish line is as thin as the pinstripes on the jacket I'm wearing now! I certainly have. It's been a particularly hectic and draining last couple of weeks. My main focus has been working on the website and managing the project. It's been (and to some extent still going) through a rigorous testing period. However, since I designed the website well over the month ago and have passed it on to our web developer I question whether my time has been used in the best way. If I could do the project again, I would certainly invest in a team of developers and designers rather than rely on a lone ranger.

I've suddenly had to draw my attention to potential packaging options and I'm now aware that we have a launch party we have to start planning as well as planning and shooting content for the website! Sometimes you feel so close but when you start to think about it, you realise there are going to have to be some serious hours put in next week!

Dominic

Labels: fishbowl3, juggling, launch, start-up, website design

My business partner Owain and I have a very close business relationship. Perhaps in some cases it’s a little too close – we live together, eat together and even did the shopping last week together!

My way of working is completely different to Owain’s. Like any relationship, you have to get to know the person, understand how they work on a day-to-day basis. At the start we had a lot of differences, some ‘artistic differences’ and a fair few heated debates! So for us it was a case of setting some ground rules.

Firstly, like most people, business folks are deadline driven. Secondly, they like to believe that things can get done at the drop of a hat. So, what they like to do is set pretty short deadlines. You don’t want to disappoint so you agree that it’s feasible to design a website in three days. It’s possibly the worst thing you could do. You have to be realistic because in your attempt to not disappoint, if you miss that deadline, all you’ll end up doing is disappointing that person.

Some people will just want to know how long the job is going to take. But if you get a slightly baffled look when you suggest the timescale, it might be an idea to take them through what you have to do to reach the objective. At the end of the day, they have absolutely no clue as to what you do!

Contact is a must. Lack of contact is usually the reason for most of our bust-ups. Even if you have nothing positive to say, they would rather hear from you than hear nothing at all.

Stick to your guns. Business people are not creative. You know better. By standing by your idea, when they get positive feedback in what you’ve done, this is only going to install their confidence and trust in you.

Dominic.

Labels: creative business, Dominic, fishbowl3

After many months of planning it is now time to actually start selling. This critical stage has been delayed due to a lengthy wait for our website which we wanted done correctly. It started to dawn on me the other day that all the planning, preparation and procrastinating was coming to the end and the days of “we are just in the process of setting up” were over.

I think it’s fair to say that it came as a bit of daunting realization that my main job is now to be selling and working on new avenues to market and strategies that increase sales. I have always enjoyed making sales and the ‘test sales’ have been great but the general public are not as forgiving or as understanding of a startup.

We have decided on five ways to begin the process of selling:

• A launch party – to get the word out there to people locally who can give feedback and pass on the company to potential customers
• A social media publicity push – this is a very cheap way of increasing people viewing the website and hopefully making sales
• Joining networking groups – This is a great way to meet lots of people and specifically for my company its likely to be my target market. Its also a great way to get people putting your name around
• Publicity stunts – Low cost stunts like standing in the city centre with a roller banner is usually free and gets people knowing we’re out there and hopefully checking us out! Just need to make sure we get the go ahead from the right people.
• Use our connections – Ask all the contacts we have accumulated over the planning process to put the word out.

Owain.

Labels: fishbowl3, owain

If you have ever heard the phrase “you’re a walking advert” well this is sooo relevant as a start up business as I found out the hard way today! I would have to say that I like to think I am a pretty good face of Head & Griffiths I go to lots of networking events and speak to as many people as possible about what’s going on, always wearing one of my suits.

So why did I let my guard down today when meeting a well dressed and respected business man! I found out we were meeting early this morning while in the office but instead of rushing home to get a suit and shirt on I thought “naaa it will be fine”.

 I met the extremely well dressed entrepreneur at their workplace and immediately felt out of place dressed in polo shirt and jeans (which very soon after leaving did I realise has a split in, yup crotch). Never do I meet new contacts without a suit on and in future I will make sure that I am going to be wearing suits or at least a shirt of mine every day just in case! Gutted!

Labels: fishbowl3, owain