Cloud-Busting

What a year it’s been! 🎉 As 2024 wraps up, I’ve had a chance to reflect on the whirlwind of a year it’s been for me and Cloud-Busting. And what a mix it’s been—equal parts mentoring, learning, and keeping my coffee cup endlessly refilled. ☕️ ✨ Achievements: Helped X business owners tackle challenges, grow, and dare I say, sleep a little better at night. Hosted strategy days, facilitated leadership breakthroughs, and turned ‘What do we do now?’ moments into ‘We’ve got this!’ plans. Delivered workshops and masterclasses, joined panels, and navigated the joys of exhibition stands (complete with branded pens that seemed to attract more people than I did!). 🤝 People Met: From ambitious start-ups to seasoned family businesses navigating succession planning, I’ve had the privilege of meeting incredible people this year. The passion and determination of business owners never fail to inspire me—and remind me why I love what I do. 🎓 Lessons Learned: A good roadmap solves most problems, but tea and biscuits can solve the rest. Business owners often need an arm around their shoulder, a push in the right direction—or sometimes both at the same time! Growth doesn’t always mean “bigger.” Sometimes it’s about getting smarter, leaner, and focusing on what truly matters. I’ve been humbled, inspired, and occasionally speechless (rare for me!) by the resilience and creativity I’ve seen this year. To all my clients, collaborators, and connections: thank you for making this year such a rewarding one. Merry Christmas To You All.

💡 Are You Prepared for the Employment Tax Increases Coming Next April? 💡 With employment tax changes on the horizon, many small and medium-sized businesses may see costs rise. A proactive approach now could save you financial headaches later. Here’s a simple (as always with me 😉) 5-step checklist to help you plan ahead 👇: 1️⃣ Review Employee Costs Assess current payroll, benefits, and other employment-related expenses. Identify roles or areas where efficiencies could help balance costs. 2️⃣ Forecast the Impact Calculate the additional costs your business will face based on the new rates. Use this information to update cashflow and budget forecasts. 3️⃣ Explore Funding Options If cashflow will be tight, start considering funding options like invoice financing or asset-backed lending. 4️⃣ Communicate with Your Finance Team Share this checklist with them to confirm they’re planning for April’s changes. Ensure payroll systems are updated to reflect the new rates. 5️⃣ Look at Your Pricing Model Can your business absorb the extra costs, or will you need to review pricing strategies? Putting your prices up is most likely an inevitability. However it is important to work through this strategically, and not just a knee-jerk reaction decision. Communicate price changes to customers well in advance to maintain trust. ✔️ Taking these steps now will help you protect your margins and ensure a smooth transition next year. Don’t wait—plan today! What’s your biggest concern about next April’s changes? Let’s discuss it in the comments ⬇️. Or contact us directly and let's see how we can assist you.

Need a break from the business? But want to do something productive? Then here is an invitation to our connections in South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire to visit our exhibition stand at the unLTD Business Expo at Magna, Rotherham on Wednesday 2nd October 2024 #unltdexpo It’s going to be a great day meeting up with a whole host of different businesses from Sheffield, Rotherham and beyond. To get your free ticket please click on this link: https://lnkd.in/eEa5bvRv Looking forward to seeing you there. 😊

🌟 Why a Clear Vision is the Foundation for Business Growth 🌟 Metrics are important, but without a clear vision, your growth journey can feel like sailing without a map. A strong, well-defined vision is more than just a statement... 🔦it's the guiding light that aligns your team, attracts the right opportunities, and keeps your business focused on long-term goals. We work closely with our clients to refine their vision. We consider the 10 Year & 5 Year Vision (particularly if family-owned).. But with us, we focus in on the 3 Year Vision - it is tangible yet far enough away to plan and execute - but not so far it starts to feel like a dream or wish. We close our eyes and place ourselves 3 years ahead in the business, where you personally wish to be. 🤔What can you see, hear & even smell? ⁉️Who is there? 🏢Where is the business located? 🙌🏼How does the culture look and feel? We then revisit the business NOW. Identify the obstacles and roadblocks. And break it down into an actionable 3 Year Strategic Roadmap With 12 month & 90-day goals. This approach not only drives consistent growth but also ensures that every decision is aligned with where they want to take their business. 🛤️ Is your vision guiding your business towards the growth you desire? If you need help clarifying your vision or setting actionable growth goals and strategy, let's have a conversation. #BusinessGrowth #VisionaryLeadership #SmallBusiness #StrategicPlanning

Need a break from the business? But want to do something productive? Then here is an invitation to our connections in South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire to visit our exhibition stand at the unLTD Business Expo at Magna, Rotherham on Wednesday 2nd October 2024 #unltdexpo It’s going to be a great day meeting up with a whole host of different businesses from Sheffield, Rotherham and beyond. To get your free ticket please click on this link: https://lnkd.in/eEa5bvRv Looking forward to seeing you there. 😊

The Elephant in the Family Business Room 🐘 In many family businesses, there's an unspoken question that lingers: ❓When is Dad (or Mum, or both!) going to step down from running the business❓ It’s a tough topic, and often, no one wants to be the first to bring it up. But avoiding the conversation can lead to bigger issues 🤦🏻undermined plans 😕confusion among the team 📉a noticeable impact on business performance. 🛑 Are you starting to see cracks in your strategy? 🛑 Is decision-making becoming slower or more complicated? 🛑 Are key employees or customers starting to feel the effects? Clear leadership, strategy, and direction are essential for any business, whether family-owned or not. If succession planning and leadership transitions aren’t addressed, you risk losing good people, loyal customers, and the momentum you’ve worked so hard to build. The good news? 😃 There is a way to tackle this challenging issue without causing upset or conflict. It’s about creating a plan that respects the past, honors the present, and prepares the business for a strong future. If your family business is facing this challenge, now might be the time to start the conversation. If you need a trusted and experienced person in family-owned businesses, to sensitively broker these discussions and escort you on the transition journey to the next generation of leadership - get in touch for a confidential chat! Whatever you do, don't allow that elephant in the room still be there six months from now.... #FamilyBusiness #SuccessionPlanning #Leadership #BusinessStrategy #ClearDirection #CloudBusting

Can you let go? To scale your business, you need to delegate. To effectively delegate you need to build a team. To build your team - you need time + a plan. If you are short on time... Or the plan needs some clarity.... Or both Consider joining The Business Owners' Club. An online community of like-minded business owners, twice monthly meetings, guest speakers on topics which are critical to effectively running and scaling your business. And exclusive group mentoring & coaching with Mel Archbould. Sounds a good place to start? Click on the link below to REGISTER your interest. Is your

Finding it hard to let go? No one you can trust to do it as well as you? Not sure what to do? No one to talk things over with? Then consider joining The Business Owners' Club. Monthly Membership, online group of like-minded business owners all sharing an ambition to grow their business and make an impact on the world. This is where you start to develop your strategic thinking, your business know-how and build your community. Interested? Get in touch for details and reserve your space for September launch. #TheBusinessOwnersClub #strategicgrowth #onlinecommunity #support #businessmentor #successionplanning #exitplanning

Running Your Business? Feeling stuck? Employees, customers & suppliers taking up all your time? No one to discuss things with? The Business Owners' Club launches in September. To learn more & reserve your space, get in touch. #TheBusinessOwnersClub #Support #Guestspeakers #onlinecommunity #strategicgrowth #successionplanning #exitplanning

We are delighted to announce the first of four Free Taster Sessions for The Business Owners' Club. Thursday 18th July 12 noon to 1pm Online (Zoom) The club launches in September. But before you decide to sign up, we want to make sure we are right for you, so join the first free event to learn more about the club and how this could be the catalyst to you strategically moving your business in the direction you want it to go. #strategicgrowth #businessowners #exitplanning #successionplanning #secondgeneration #trybeforeyoubuy https://lnkd.in/ex_PeHBi