What’s the best piece of advice you’ve had in your career?

We are bombarded with advice from every quarter. 

Inspirational quotes on Social Media from business leaders and life coaches, occasionally from our peers and colleagues, from TV and the print media. Some of it’s good and relevant, sometimes its froth and a distraction.

It got me thinking about the best advice I have ever received. What really stuck and made a difference? 

For me there is one nugget that stands out. it relates to my most recent venture as a business owner of an accountancy practice.

When I left my previous role as an accountant (and latterly project manager) at Tesco head office I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to meet with an ‘Outplacement’ consultant to help me decide what to do next. I was pretty clear straight away that I didn’t want to get another job but wanted to set up my own business. Talking this through with someone was a big help. One bit of advice my consultant gave me which stood out and stayed with me was, ‘Use your network’.

What she meant was keep in touch with people you already know, let them know what you are doing and ask them (directly or indirectly) to spread the word about your new direction. 

I did this. 

One or two of my ex colleagues came to our launch event. We had no clients so it was friends, family and people who knew us. 

My first tax client was an ex work colleague. My first business client was a chap starting a building firm that had just won a project refurbishing a building where I was meeting some ex work colleagues. I was introduced and he decided to work with us. This pattern continued in the first few years of my new business. Old work colleagues either became clients when they decided to change career and start their own consulting businesses, or they introduced me to someone they knew in a similar position.

16 years on my business has branched out in different directions and we have business clients covering all sectors spread far and wide. I’ve developed and nurtured new networks with business groups, clients, new work colleagues and so on. I still get referrals from old work colleagues though - more typically now these are second or third contacts rather than someone I knew personally. 

A network is a wonderful thing and the tentacles run deep and can be long-lasting.

So I am incredibly grateful for that piece of advice.

It got me started with my new business and has helped to sustain it and keep it growing.

In my current position I see many people starting on a new business venture. Along with advice on business structure, finance, tax registrations, setting up accounts etc I always throw in, ‘Don’t forget to use your network’.

It worked for me.

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