Craig's Little Book of Big Business offers practical advice and techniques for new business owners looking to grow without relying on expensive services. The author shares personal experiences, such as overcoming an injury to innovate a paperless management app, and emphasizes the importance of community involvement and efficient business practices. The book covers critical mistakes to avoid, how to build a great reputation, and effective marketing strategies.

1. Craig’s Little Book of
Big Business
C R A I G A N T O N Y W I L L E T T S

2. C H A P T E R 1
Hello Fellow Business Owner
I have wrote this book to help people who are starting out in Business and who
don’t have hours to read and watch webinars as they are too busy hustling and try-
ing to reach there own goals.
I will provide you with a range of skills and techniques to help you complete
anything your business needs to grow, yourself without spending money on out-
sourcing services
Craig’s Little Book of Big Business is designed to help you understand all the
critical elements you need to know to make your business successful without read-
ing hundreds of pages and spending hours researching. I hope you enjoy it and if
you have any questions on any of the content or anything else then please feel free
to email me Craig@CAWConsultancy.co.uk
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3. C H A P T E R 2
Never Give Up
I have worked for many years as an international standards consultant, designing
and providing companies in all sectors with low cost, Jargon free systems and con-
sultancy.
2

4. In 2015 I had a severe accident and fell through a window which caused me to
sever my artery, vain and nerves in my right arm, this resulted in a complete loss
of the use of my right arm and hand, which still hasn’t recovered, and I can’t hold
a pen or write.
This posed a problem to me when it came to completing critical paperwork
that I needed to run my business and meet the requirements of our own system,
which made me realise that no matter how good the systems we built were, they all
had one inherent flaw, they are paper based……….
I searched the internet and soft wear providers for around eight months and
couldn’t find a way of migrating systems to paperless unless it was attached to a
monthly or annual charge, and thousands of pounds for initial purchase and set
up costs.
So with the help of some friends I’ve met over the years, I designed the new
business mobile app which allows any company of any size to go paperless from
just £750 with No running costs.
Here are some of the things we added to the apps and the benefits we found:
· Embedded E-forms which ensures your staff record all the critical informa-
tion and be guided through each task as per your policies with no additional train-
ing, which reduces issues and improves audit trail.
· GPS Tracking to ensure your staff are safe on the road and working alone
etc
· Cloud Filing to allow you to instantly share information with selected peo-
ple for a duration of your choice to ensure everyone is working on the correct
documents etc, all info is protected and encrypted to ensure total security.
3

5. C H A P T E R 3
Offer Something
Different
We have always delivered our packages in a unique way, because I identified thats
what clients wanted, I have just been awarded business consultant of the month
for our achievements in a variety of industries (including construction, security,
Training, care, cleaning, retail, engineering and many more) and to recognise our
fantastic 100% pass rate with all UKAS bodies, here is the article that will be pub-
lished, thanks for taking the time to read it.
4

6. Part of the role as a consultant is to improve efficiency, however it seemed no
one had reviewed the process of consultancy its-self. This was my initial task be-
fore I established CAW Consultancy and thus I created CAW’s express accredita-
tion system. I have reduced the time it takes make companies compliant by up to
60% and have reduced the cost for the client by around 65%. This means our cli-
ents get the fastest and most cost-effective solution. I think the consultancy sector
and business in general is changing massively and it’s the responsibility of consult-
ants to not just meet standards, but to lead companies in anticipating market and
industry changes to ensure they can proactively plan and take advantage of devel-
opments before they happen.
We now offer a paperless ISO management system (optional integrated train-
ing platform available) to make compliance issues and admin problems a thing of
the past. We are the only company in the UK to provide a support system of this
kind and it’s made such a huge difference to our clients and standards overall that
Our paperless systems allow our clients to complete all paperwork via any
phone, laptop, or tablet, and best of all there are no running cost and no kit costs.
All data is encrypted and securely stored. This allows accreditations to be achieved
with ease. It will also improve their performance and reduce general admin time
by around 60% whilst providing sound business continuity support that is increas-
ingly expected within business.
Another reason for the launch of the paperless system is that I identified that
labor heavy industries rely more on accreditations to secure business yet they pre-
dominantly have the worst administration, so I came up with an easy to use system
to make completing admin simple and easy, plus as we can publish the system as a
mobile app this makes it easier to train new generations of work forces.
When people ask why they should choose CAW Consultancy I give these five
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7. C H A P T E R 4
It’s ImportantTo Give Back
& It’s GreatTo Help Build a
The articles I usually write are to help improve business owner's knowledge of vari-
ous critical techniques and of course various ISO standards, this article however
has a different purpose; to appeal to business owners to do what they can to help
local causes, this could be a sports club, helping a charity or anything else that you
feel is a worth while cause.
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8. It is no secret that across the UK, the sense of community, basic manners and
respect for others is on a downward spiral and has been for some time. We have
given birth to a generation of millenials who are entranced in social media and
games consoles, and now they need to help to educate them in the benefits of help-
ing others and being part of something bigger. The best way to do this, like in busi-
ness, is leading by example. This will in turn slow the breakdown of society & com-
munity that we are seeing nationwide.
I believe that business owners can make a real difference by doing what they
can to assist good causes, remember this doesn't need to be a cash donation, if you
own a business then why not donate a service, if the only thing you need to give
up is a little time then how can you not help.......
I have put my money where my mouth is and have pledged to donate 2k pack-
ages to 100 great causes over 2017/2018, below is a list of the causes we have do-
nated packages to so far. This will allow them to raffle off the package in a lottery
style competition and make needed funds with very little effort, or use the business
package internally to raise awareness for their cause, whatever will benefit them
most.
The Packages we have donated include, ISO 9001, H&S System, Environmen-
tal Review, 12 months, Consultancy Paperless Management System - worth well
over 2k Our great causes are all nominated by the public as the more people that
get involved, the more word spreads. Sometimes it only takes hearing what some-
one else is doing to motivate you (this is what I'm hoping this article does).
Charities
Sent out 15/02/2017
• Phoenix Stars Stage Company
• St Catherine’s Hospice
• Bleakholt Dogs Trust
• Leeds Children’s Transplant Team
• North West Cancer Research
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9. • Lancashire Women’s Centre
• Direct Transitioning Help
• Round Table Children’s Wish
• Christies
• Derian House Children’s Hospice
• ABF The soldiers charity
• The Bobby Colleran Trust
• Retail Trust
• Cystic Fibrosis Trust
• The Order of St George
Sent 16/03/2017
· Jazzmanelles Marching Display Bank
· HeartBeat NWCC - Sir Tom Finney Way, Preston, PR1 6PA
· Dig In Northwest CIC
· Blossom Tree Project
· S.E.E.D
· 53 Foundation
· Faithworks Wessex
Sports Clubs
Sent 16/03/2017
· Blackbrook Under 15’s Football
· Aberdeen Ladies Football Club Under 23’s
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10. C H A P T E R 5
A Good way of learning an Industry is
to work in it.To lead sometimes you
must follow
Good workers are always in demand, being viewed as a strong indispensable con-
tributor at work will improve the likelihood of your advancement within any or-
ganisation, giving you a better chance of staying in the job, they say you get out
what you put in, well here is where to start.
• Don’t be afraid to take the lead and ownership
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11. • Embrace change. Remember that change provides opportunity
• Always go the extra mile needed to do the work you paid to do. Remem-
ber the difference between ordinary and extraordinary is “extra”.
• Know the company’s bottom line and learn how to add value
• Derive and offer solution to challenges or problems in your area
• Help your boss to reach their goals
• Focus more on the work that matters not just the work that spins the
wheel.
• Aim for excellence in every piece of work you do
• Excel in a few great skills and become the ‘go to person’ for those areas
• Keep your promises and commitments not only to your manager/boss
but also your colleagues
• Network extensively
• Keep up with advancements in your field
• Be a good leader, apply yourself in a way that provides new and valuable
thinking that benefits your team and your company
• Ignore distractors and focus on meeting your objectives and goals
• Take initiative. An indispensable employee doesn’t wait assignments to
land on their desks
• Always share knowledge and demonstrate your worth
• Anticipate your boss’s needs and make yourself invaluable
• Go the extra mile and seek to gain more knowledge. Take classes or at-
tend seminars
• Develop good judgment and don’t be afraid to stand up and deliver
• Stay sharp mentally and have a positive attitude
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12. C H A P T E R 6
OrganiseYour
Workspace
If your like me and have minor OCD then this article will make perfect sense to
you, and if not then you could improve your efficiency with these great tips
Rearrange and purge
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13. A clean and tidy work environment is the first step towards productivity. Start
by clearing out the old to make way for the new.
· Declutter – Empty, shred and remove anything that’s not needed or used.
This will make it easier to find the daily necessities.
· Rethink the layout – plan your office around daily needs and tasks, creating
a fluent workspace where you and your team can work efficiently.
· Find everything a home – all remaining items need a suitable home so any-
thing can be found in a heartbeat.
Renew old systems
Its easy to get stuck in your ways and keep to the same way of working. But as
a change is as good as a rest, now is the time to reinvent and renew vital office sys-
tems.
· Create work zones – decide what happens and were. Whether that is a dedi-
cated non-PC area or a corner for brainstorming, creating zones will reduce un-
wanted crossover and distractions.
· Revise your filing – as the world moves into the digital age, it is important
to decide which documents can be stored digitally and which documents need to
stay physical.
· Keep emails in check – organise your emails into priority folders, from ur-
gent ‘read now’ emails to emails that can be kept until the end of the day – less
time wasted and admin for everyone.
Renovate communication
Though we’re more connected than ever, effective communication can some-
times fall short.
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14. · Keep fresh – don’t solely keep to emails for online communication – try
new apps such as slack for an all-in-one team conversation tool.
· Response folder – whether for co-workers or clients, add any items that re-
quire a discussion to a response folder that can be checked frequently – this means
nothing will be forgotten.
· Be direct – living in the digital age means it’s easy to stay behind our
screens. Restore and encourage direct communication between employees – its
quick, easy and effective.
Renovate desk space
For maximum productivity, it’s vital that every desk is organised – physically
and digitally.
· At arms reach – keep essential everyday items on your desk within reach,
with frequently used items in draws to avoid stationary pile ups.
· Create a system that flows – whether on your computer or in hand, organ-
ise documents into three folders or trays; inbox, in-progress, and complete.
· Expiry dates – avoid the inevitable document pile up by marking filed docu-
ments with an expiry date. Files that are no longer needed can be discarded to
keep your filing manageable and slim.
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15. C H A P T E R 7
StartYour Business on a
Good Base & Live By It
What To Do & What To Avoid In Business
I have worked at management level for many years before I moved into Busi-
ness Consultancy and during my time I have seen many businesses thrive due to
greet management and also crumble due to poor management, I've created this
brief checklist that will help any business grow and reduce the chance of failure,
some of the points are quite simple but critical to survive in todays market place, I
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16. hope you enjoy reading the article and let me know your views or any tips you
have for business owners in the comments sections.
Top 15 mistakes startups should avoid
1. Skimping – OR – over thinking your business plan.
2. Trying to do a start up alone – OR – having too many co-founders.
3. Trying to force a business that isn’t working – OR – failing to spend enough
time researching the business idea.
4. Lacking focus and identity.
5. Being rigid about your idea – OR – Lacking an exit strategy.
6. Underestimating financial requirements and timing.
7. Not asking for help.
8. Spending too much time on product development, not enough on sales.
9. Failing to recognise the gap between sales and profit.
10. Settling for ‘good enough’ instead of pushing towards ideal.
11. Seeking confirmation of your actions rather than seeking the truth.
12. Entering a market with no distribution partner.
13. Trusting experts, rather than your gut.
14. Hiring for convenience rather than skill requirements.
15. Not maintaining relationships.
50 ways to get a great reputation in business
1. Make a good first impression
2. Be consistent
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17. 3. Listen to your customers
4. Design a great logo
5. Represent your business with a brand
6. Always be reliable
7. Establish strong values
8. Be transparent
9. Use a strapline
10. Print your logo everywhere
11. Highlight the benefits of your business
12. Establish trust
13. Convey a clear message
14. Display your brands colours
15. Become an authority in the field
16. Have a long term vision
17. Stand out from competitors
18. Educate employees about your brand
19. Grow your brand with your business
20. Define your goals
21. Create a great pitch
22. Be flexible
23. Repeat your message again and again
24. Give great customer service
25. Display your back story
26. Exceed expectations
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18. 27. Offer value for money
28. Stay in the forefront
29. Be instantly recognisable
30. Make regular contact with customers
31. Be consistent with photos
32. Know your target market
33. Use social media
34. Provide a rounded experience
35. Create a professional website
36. Create relationships with other brands
37. Give out stuff for free
38. Combine marketing strategies
39. Network with peers
40. Get feedback
41. Start a company blog
42. Show off
43. Attend local events
44. Sponsor an event or charity
45. Gain reputation
46. Continue to learn
47. Be professional online
48. Promote your achievements
49. Engage local as well as national customers
50. Be brilliant
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19. C H A P T E R 8
SellingYour Product
or Service
It doesn't matter how good your product or service is, if you can't get it in front of
the people who will buy it then you will never be a millionaire, here is a checklist
of things you should do to ensure you get the coverage you deserve.
1 – Use email marketing - Loyal customers will be interested in seeing your lat-
est products or news. Use email marketing to keep them up to date. Use the mar-
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20. keting to also offer them exclusive deals as this will give them a reason to want to
receive your updates.
2 – Create an affiliates scheme - Affiliates are useful because they do all the
hard marketing for you for a small commission also its a great way of expanding
your operations without any financial risk
3 – Work with bloggers – Bloggers and vloggers are big influences. Use them to
promote your products, you could also ask bloggers and Vloggers to produce yours
in exchange for freebies, also write a blog yourself its important to gain a reputa-
tion as an expert in your field.
4 – Tell the press - Marketing a product particularly a new innovative product
should start with a well written press release to get the word out, a great way of do-
ing this is creating a campaign or charity give away to help get the product aware-
ness up.
5 – Embrace social media shops - Twitter buy buttons, Facebook shops, etc are
a good was to maximize conversions from your social media pages, this is I believe
the best form of mass marketing to increase product awareness and of course its
free to use, look at the age group of your clients and select the right social media
to target them for a for example 25-30yr Facebook is very effective however for the
over 50's Linked in is a much better social media to use
6 – Reward Referrals - Satisfied customers are happy customers, and happy cus-
tomers will recommend your product/brand to others, also its good to give re-
wards to clients that are unexpected as people will always talk about pleasant sup-
prises
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21. 7 – Reward loyalty - Ensure you reward customers who come back to you
again and again. Offer loyal customers special offers/discount or maybe establish
something to help them in business, I set up a number of free directory's which are
free to register on, but my clients get a free priority listing for the entire time they
use us
8 – Blog - Blogging is a great way to show off your products/brands/
company’s personality and a great way to show off your best products, also look at
synergy between other bloggers, find businesses that compliment yours and this
will increase your effectiveness and also reduce your work input requirement
9 – Use images - A picture paints a thousand words..... Customers love visuals
when purchasing a product. Use high quality images to show off your product to
its full potential also images are important to promote on some social media's for
example Pinterest & instogram
10 – Use videos - Having a video on your landing page can increase conver-
sions by up to 80% also when you use search engines like google they will automati-
cally search youtube swell as the web this means it can be used to improve your
page ranking.
11 – Create guides - Guides are a great resource of your customers whilst care-
fully guiding them towards your products and remember all guides can be pub-
lished as books on for example Apple I Books.
12 – Run competitions - Everyone loves freebies, so why not run a competition
to generate hype around your products ensure that you run the promotion for a
good amount of time, for example instead of selecting 5 people to win, select 1
winner a month for five months to maximise the effectiveness of the competition.
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22. 13 – Social media is about timing - Facebook and twitter are excellent platform
for advertising but can be maximised by working them at the right time:
Facebook - 12-3pm (Monday-Friday) 1-2pm (Weekends)
Twitter - 2-3pm (Monday-Friday) 12-3pm (Weekends)
Linked In - 12-1pm & 5-6pm (Monday-Friday)
Instagram - 12pm-1pm (Monday- Friday) Various (Weekends)
14 – Make sharing easy - Social media shares are important for marketing,
make it easy for people to share product information, also thank people who share
and forward as this increases the customer service and builds relationships
15 – Affordable shipping - Make shipping affordable to your customers, a high
postage rate can put people off buying your product, remember in todays world
any business can be run on the web with no rent or office costs, it also opens up
Global Markets.
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23. C H A P T E R 9
Getting the Most from your
Team
Important components to building a productive organisational culture
There are many elements to understanding corporate culture and it’s impor-
tant to be able to identify and understand them. Consider them the essential tools,
materials and equipment necessary to keep the well-oiled machine running produc-
tively.
22

24. You get out what you put in, modifying and reconditioning the factors that will
make a difference. Know where to start. Consider these 28 key points for develop-
ing a snapshot of your organisation’s culture.
Culture
• Meetings
Do meetings have purpose? Do they start and end on time? Do participants re-
spect and listen to all voices? Do individuals demand clarity regarding follow up ac-
tions?
• Language
Are people human resources or human beings? Do they talk about headcount,
direct reports and bosses?
• Reading material
What literature is available in reception? Are the mission, vision, values and
principles displayed? Are there professional magazines and journals that align with
the mission and behaviours?
• Innovation
Is everyone free to ideate and innovate? To generate ideas and receive serious,
responsible and appropriate feedback?
Structure
23

25. • Management structure
How many management layers are there? What is the compensation ratio be-
tween the highest paid and lowest paid employee?
• Internal stakeholders
Does everyone have a voice in decisions that affect them? Or are decisions im-
posed from above, with or without input?
• External stakeholders
Does behaviour reflect awareness of the importance of customers, suppliers,
community members, regulators and other external stakeholders?
• Leadership
Is everyone free to provide leadership as circumstances arise? Does the organisa-
tion support and encourage leaders everywhere?
Engagement
• Work/life balance
What do working hours look like? To people typically stay late? Do they go
home at a reasonable hour after a productive day, ready to refresh and return?
• Conflict
Do people maintain trust, working to resolve differences on their own? Or do
they delegate resolution to a third party, let conflict smoulder, or engage in destruc-
tive gossip?
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26. • Happiness
Do people seem happy, friendly? Do they smile? Say hello? Make new col-
leagues and visitors feel welcome?
• Approachability
Do people scatter or scurry when they see a manager? Are people comfortable
approaching others, regardless of level?
• Rewards
Does the organisation compensate approximately and provide engaging work,
or does it brandish carrots and sticks to provide motivation?
• Social glue
Does the organisation sponsor social events that include families, to foster rela-
tionships and goodwill?
• Benefits and perks
Does everyone have access to the same benefits and perks?
Environment
• Physical facilities and layout
Are workspaces for managers separate from others? Are they nicer? Are those
spaces located close to the action, where productive work occurs?
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27. • Environmental and hygiene factors
Does everyone have access to appropriate lighting, heating, cooling, safety, sani-
tation, personal security, comfort?
Relationships
• Professional courtesy
Do people treat each other with professional courtesy? Do they listen? Do they
use appropriate communication channels?
• Credit sharing
Do individuals share credit for success? Do they point fingers when things go
wrong? Do people see failures as learning opportunities?
• Trust
Do individuals fulfil commitments?
Strategies and policies
• Dress
Is there a dress code? Is it related to work conditions and not to management
levels?
• Employee handbook
26

28. Is it the size of a telephone book, burdened with rules and regulations that re-
quire a lawyer to interpret?
• Professional growth
Does everyone have an opportunity for professional growth? Does the organisa-
tion encourage and support education and training?
• Discipline
Is there a “progressive discipline” system in place? If so, who is authorised to
administer “discipline” and why?
• Termination
Are individuals authorised to unilaterally terminate the employment of an-
other? Who is authorised to do so and why?
• Evaluation
Does the organisation adhere to the annual performance review (which every-
one hates, on both sides)? Or does it allow people to develop and communicate
meaningful metrics and evaluate themselves and their peers?
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29. C H A P T E R 10
TheThree Stages of
Social Media
Stage one – The Setup
Social Media Profiles
Thoroughly fill out the profiles of your social medias. Include:
• Company name
• Company Tagline
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30. • Company Colour Scheme
• Contact Information – a call to action button
• Your biography
• Make sure you add a profile picture
Contacts
Search for likeminded people to connect with
• Facebook – like pages
• Twitter – Create lists of connections
• LinkedIn – Find Entrepreneurs
• Google+ - Create circles
Building relationships
Build a good group of connections by
• Chat with followers – keep them interested in your social media
• Comment on blogs – commenting on other blogs will gain you more fol-
lowers.
• Interact in groups – the more you interact, the more interest you gain
• Share content – sharing other people’s content encourages others to
share yours
Step 2 - Strategies
29

31. Create Quality Content
• Use snappy headlines
• Compelling images that relate to the content
• Short paragraphs – keep the reader interested
• Call to action – make it easy for people to contact you
Share via your social networking accounts
• Make content easy to share – include the easy to share buttons for in-
stance the share button on Facebook, the G+ button on google plus, the Retweet
button on twitter
• Ask questions – ask questions that your readers will participate in
• Spark Discussions – discuss relevant topics on your social media pages.
Continually find groups, pages, blogs and shares the best and most relevant con-
tent from well-respected blogs in your area
• Google Alerts
• Social Mention
• Subscribe to blogs
• Tag blogger in posts
• Comment on posts when sharing
Step 3 – Schedule
Choose how often you post on/to each social media
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32. • Use scheduling programs like Hootsuite – allowing you to keep regular
schedule posts so you don’t miss the allocated time.
• Schedule posts in advance – this allows your readers to know when you
will be posting and to better engage your reader during the workweek.
Share more than you promote
• Share content from the blogs/group you follow – share others content as
well as your own content
• 10:1 ratio on promotion posts – for every ten posts your share make one
promotional post
Periodically post a call to action/contact us
• On occasion link your post/article to your social media’s landing page to
convert your followers into customers.
Different Social Media Platforms
Facebook
A ubiquitous, global social network used by over 128 billion users to share pho-
tographs, videos, links and instant message
Pros – Most likely network to contain the largest number of your connections/
friends. Includes most of the features its competitors that can all be found in place.
Cons – Everyone use it, including people you know. Because of this it lacks and
exclusive appeal. Flooded with brands and advertisements.
Twitter
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33. 271 million active users post links, images, and 6 second videos in 140 charac-
ters or less.
Pros – Instant news source and easy access to public icons.
Cons – High volume of content at a fast pace. Word limit on posts
Instagram
Primarily a mobile app that over 200 million users share images and short vid-
eos
Pros – scroll with ease without being bombarded with text, eye catching photo-
graphs and useful infographs.
Cons – less one to one engagement than other social medias
Pinterest
70 million users, 8-% of them are women use online collaging to share inspira-
tion and bookmarking links
Pros – Great for creating online boards to find ideas around many topics
Cons – hardly any social interactions with others. Topics tends to revolve
around certain categories for instance weddings.
Google Plus
Created to complete with Facebook, Google Plus has 300 million users and
most of them do not even know they are on it.
Pros – Circles are a great feature as well as communities and video hangouts.
Cons – very quiet network and difficult to figure out compared to other net-
works
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34. LinkedIn
Used by 300 million users to share their experiences and resumes amongst
other business professionals
Pros – used to share experiences and resumes amongst other business profes-
sionals
Cons – business/career based. Some of the best features are limited to the paid
subscriptions.
Snapchat
Mobile app for sharing pictures between friends, snapchat is rapidly growing
Pros – young and hip, doesn’t store images automatically so doesn’t use mem-
ory on devices.
Cons – privacy concerns, spamming issues and limited functionality.
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35. C H A P T E R 11
How toWriteThe
Perfect Business Blog
In todays market place blogging is a great way of giving your business and
brand a boost, people like to see that you are an expert in the field before they
commit to becoming a customer, anyone can write a blog just remember you need
to make it worth reading and appealing to as many people as possible - here is
how
34

36. Generate your idea
· Idea should be distinctive in the market
· Try to base the post on
Reader feedback
A known problem in the industry
Competition analysis
· Research the front page of google and your main competitors at this stage
to see how you can improve on what’s out there. If you can’t, don’t bother.
Develop Headline
· Address problem in the headline using fear, or scarcity, intrigue/questions.
· Keep under 65 characters long.
· Ensure SEO key phrase in title.
· Constantly refer back to headline as you write.
· Use websites such as viperchill, boost blog traffic and viral nova as a guide
for headline generation.
· Don’t use a misleading title to grab readers’ attention, you won’t keep it.
Write introduction
· First line of post should re-address your problem, headline and key phrase.
with the rest of the introduction aimed at drawing eye down towards main points.
· Tell people what you’re going to do with the rest of the post, what they’ll
learn etc.
35

37. Catch reader’s attention
· Your readers cannot pay attention to everything – the mind is not wired
that way. To get their attention, readers must be given a reason to focus on what
you want, instead of paying attention to everything else.
· Use strong language.
· Ask questions.
· Be controversial, go against the grain of a topic – but provide logical sup-
port.
· Make information you offer valuable.
List out the main points
· Rattle out your main points of the blog post so you can see the shape of
the article and what you’re going to be covering. This helps to avoid double ups
and omissions.
Open up tabs
· At this point I open up dozens of tabs relating to research, competition
and topics that I want to cover. I then link them as I go and if I get stuck I re-read
information and try to improve on it.
Add bonus material
36

38. · At this point I’ll add extra paragraphs, tips, quotes, videos, photos, click to
tweets, references, etc. in order to take the main content to the next level. This is a
great way of adding volume to your blog
· Try to link influences who have written extensively or well on the same
topic. Make sure you link to your own posts extensively.
Don’t finish topic/pose question
· Don’t quite complete the topic, leave room for discussion.
· Pose a question at the end of the article to encourage discussion.
Select main photo
· I spend quite a lot of time looking for a good photo. I want it to be curi-
ous, involving a human being and something that fits with my brand
· Keep the size down and the quality clear, always make sure they are the
same size and format.
Publish at peak time
· Do a quick read over for spelling and formatting but don’t waste too much
time. Hit publish at peak time. For me that between 8am and 10am on Monday –
Friday.
37

39. C H A P T E R 12
Go Big - Go Global
Understanding Cultural
During my professional career as a business & ISO consultant (both in the UK &
Oversea's) I have had the pleasure of working with some great managers from dif-
ferent countries and cultures, understanding that a countries culture has have a di-
rect affect on the management style and business ethics, can give you the tools to
adapt to ensure that you can maximise your business relationships.
38

40. People in different cultures share similar concepts but can view them from dif-
ferent angles and perspectives, leading them to behave in a manner which we may
consider different or even rude, when in fact they mean no disrespect and are
purely acting in a way that reflect the business culture they come from, Cultural di-
versity is not something that is going to go away. In the behaviour of people of dif-
ferent cultures, there exist clear trends, sequences and traditions which are all
deeply rooted, so in order to thrive we need to understand more that the compa-
nies we deal with but the people behind those companies, as only then will we get
the best results
Great Britain
Diplomatic – tactful – traditional
British managers are diplomatic, tactful, laid back, casual, willing to compro-
mise and seeking to be fair. When the occasion warrants it, British manager can be
just as resilient and ruthless as their American cousin, but less explicitly and with
captivating pose.
America - Democratic – goal orientated – individualism
American managers are assertive, aggressive, goal and action oriented, confi-
dent, vigorous, optimistic and ready for change. They are capable of teamwork
and corporate spirit, but they will always put their own career first.
Latin / Arab - Autocratic – favouritism – social
Leadership within the Latin/Arab culture tends to be autocratic. Authority is
centred on the chief executive and favouritism is ubiquitous among business.
Close family tends to figure prominently in key positions. Employees in general
shows that they ae willing and trusting of their employers.
Russia - Bureaucratic – individualism – no democracy
Efforts made by managers to promote business through official channels only
are likely to founder on the rocks of bureaucracy and Russian apathy. Using key
people and personal alliances, the “system” is often bypassed and a result
achieved.
39

41. Australia - Pragmatic – quick thinking – rapid decision making
Australian managers must sit in the ring with their ‘mates’ from this position,
once it is accepted that they will not pull rank, they exert more influence than their
Swedish counterparts, as semi-Americanised nature of Australian business re-
quires quick thinking and rapid decision making.
Asia - Cultural – rooted practices – consensus rule
Asian countries tend to have deep cultural dynamics embedded in deeply
rooted practices and customs. Business meetings tend to have a section of time al-
lotted for socialising and chit-chat. Leadership is portrayed as a circle, where con-
sensus rule is valued and leaders are seen as benevolent.
China - Consensus – state has final say – favouritism
Consensus is highly valued in China. In companies controlled by the state, a
leadership group will decide policy. In the expansion of capitalist companies, lead-
ers are being chosen for their competence. In family business, the senior male is
the patriarch and tends to follow the nepotistic structure.
Estonia - Individualistic – Prefer to lead – capable
Estonians are very individualistic. Each person feels capable and prefers to
leads to lead rather than be led. They have a deep sense of capability. They chose
incredibly young leaders to guide them through the first delicate years after Soviet
withdrawal. Status is gained in Estonia by achievement, decisiveness and energy.
Finland - Low profile – hands on – leads from the front
Finnish leaders tend to be low profile but are decisive when needed. They
aren’t afraid to get hands on and work well I teams but they sit just outside the “cir-
cle”. Finnish leaders lead from the front and manage to keep the right balance be-
tween authoritarianism and consultative style.
France - Autocratic – Paternalistic – Interdependent
French leadership style tends to be autocratic and paternalistic. For the French
reputation of the organisation, as well as the social and political goals come first
40

42. over immediate attainable objectives. Due to the consolidated power in the chief
executive, opinions of the middle management sometimes fall on deaf ears.
Germany - Formal – hierarchical – sincere
There is a clear chain of command in each department, information and in-
structions are passed down from the top. German management is not exclusively
autocratic. While hierarchy of each department is clear, considerable value is
placed on consensus. Strict rules, regulations and procedures are expected.
India - Humanistic – favouritism – traditional
Favouritism is a way of life in traditional Indian companies. Family members
hold key positions and work in close union. Policy is also dictated by the trade
group, for example fruit merchants and jewellers. These groups work in concert
and come to each other’s aid.
Indonesia - Indifferent – Hierarchy – Family
Under former leaders Sukarno and Suharto, leadership was exercised princi-
pally by the military and was therefore autocratic. The indifference nature of
many Indonesians to the business process has, however, resulted in a lot of busi-
ness management being entrusted to a resident Chinese professional class.
Israeli - Achievement based – direct – argumentative
With no aristocracy, Israeli society attached importance to achievement and dy-
namism when looking for leadership. The Israel-Palestine conflict means leader-
ship choices can’t be separated from political and security-bound realities. Relig-
ious leaders also exert considerable influence on Israeli Life.
Japan - Confucian hierarchy – cultural interdependent
Japanese executives have great power with Confucian Hierarchy, but they actu-
ally have little involvement in the everyday affairs of the company. They always
have the final say. Ideas often originate in the factory floor, these ideas are then
voted on and make their way up the company hierarchy.
Latvia - Individual – Conservatism – Independent
41

43. Latvians are individualistic. Everybody wants to be not so much a leader, but a
manager in his or her own right. However, there is a tendency to respect firm, con-
fident, knowledgeable leadership. Managers address staff in a cool, measured man-
ner, reacting against the former rhetorical style of the Russians.
Lithuania - Independent – National Identity – generous
The older generation of Lithuanian managers has not completely freed them-
selves of bureaucratic habits from Soviet times. Young leadership is developing a
more dynamic style with Nordic encouragement. Lithuanian women are begin-
ning to play vigorous roles in business and politics.
Netherlands - Decisive – consensus – achievement
Leadership in the Netherlands is based on merit, competence and achieve-
ment. Managers are vigorous and decisive, but consensus is mandatory because
there are many key players in the decision making process. Debates lead to action,
taken at the top, but with constant reference to the ‘ranks’.
Norway - Democracy – Centeredness – stubborn
In democratic Norway, the boss is very much in the centre of things and the
staff enjoys access to them most of the time. Middle manager’s opinions are heard
and acted upon in egalitarian fashion. However the top executives rarely abandon
responsibility and accountability.
Poland - Honour – personal integrity – meritocracy
In Polish History, Royals and nobles have figured largely as leaders and organis-
ers. Honour and revenge are on-going concepts in the Polish mind, as are grace,
personal integrity, fearlessness and chivalry towards women.
Spain - Autocratic – charismatic – favouritism
Spanish leaders are autocratic and charismatic. They work less from logic than
from intuition and pride themselves on their personal influence on all their staff
members. Tending to be charismatic, they are available to persuade and inspire at
all levels. Favourtism is also common in many companies. Spanish managers often
see their decisions as irreversible.
42

44. C H A P T E R 13
Schedule your day to make
the most from your trading
To be successful in any business you need to ensure you have good structure to
your day, with the correct time management you can maximise on your effective-
ness and improve your overall performance, here is how to get the most out of
your day.
6:00am - Wake up and work out
43

45. Working out early in the morning doesn’t just help you meet your fitness goals,
but it could even give you more energy that those few extra minutes of shut eye.
6:45am – Get ready for the day ahead
Time to hit the showers, eat a healthy breakfast, take care of family responsibili-
ties, and get people where they need to go.
8:30am – Do the most important stuff
The first thing in the workday is your core production time, when you should
focus on the day-to-day priorities that need to get done for your business to stay
afloat.
12:30pm – Eat a social lunch
Use your lunch break to cement relationships with people you know or would
like to know better, whether they be employees or people outside your business.
1:30pm – Learn something new
Read, take an online course, or use resources to learn a new skill or bone up on
something you already know. As an alternative, you could also spend this time pros-
pecting new projects.
2:30pm – Make yourself more visible
It’s important to establish yourself within you industry and local communities.
Get out there, mentor, and give back to the community to build your external ca-
reer capital.
3:30pm – Take a walk
Getting natural sunlight and a little exercise are great ways to boost alertness
and add to your energy level during your midday break.
4:00pm – Leave this time open
Things will crop up throughout the day that need dedicated time for addressing
– now’s the time to mop up anything that needs attending to.
5:00pm – Plan for what’s ahead
44

46. Figure out your top-three priorities for the next day and if you need to realign
anything. Or, if you plan to do work later in the evening, know ahead of time your
strategy for getting it done efficiently.
6:00pm – Disconnect from work
Whether you want to spend time with the family, hang out with friends, volun-
teer, or relax by yourself, your personal time shouldn’t involve any work.
8:30pm – Log back in, briefly
Some small business owners, and working people in general, find it hard to
completely log off after work. Take an hour for mop up work, creative thinking, or
reading for work.
9:30pm – Shut down
Close the laptop, put the phone down, and take a little more personal time be-
fore bed.
11:00pm – Sleep
Sleep needs vary from person to person, but a solid seven hours may be a good
point.
I hope you have found these schedule tips useful and if you have please share
this blog, remember everyone is individual so tweak this plan to suit you and your
needs
45

47. C H A P T E R 14
Learn to manage stress in
business, it rarely goes away
Stress and life go hand in hand and no matter how good you are, at some point
you will feel stress of work, for some this can be a momentary thing but for others
it can cause real problems, every profession has its own stress factors, here is how
to help manage a few of them
General tips
46

48. How to recognise warning signs
· Eating to much or not eating enough
· Insomnia
· Not being able to relax
· Being moody, agitated or restless
· Always worrying
· Not being able to concentrate
· Feeling overwhelmed
How to take care of yourself
· Exercise daily
· Eat lots of nutritious foods
· Stay away from coping mechanisms ie alcohol, nicotine or caffeine
· Get a full night sleep
· Organize and priorities your tasks
· Learn to laugh
Customer service jobs
People who deal with customers face to face on a daily bases can take its toll on
employees’ wellbeing as the constant interaction may become draining over time.
Mixing this with the exhaustion of other job responsibilities creates a perfect
storm for stress. Here are a few ways to cope at the end of the day…..
47

49. Take a breath - when you finish work do something each day to help your mind
and body associate this task with you finishing work, this will help you switch off,
this could be as simple as listening to your favourite music on the way home, going
to the gym, visiting a friend.
Relax - Schedule into every night your time to relax before you go to bed, this
could be have a soak in the bath, reading, social media, whatever makes you relax
and mentally switch off.
Challenge Yourself - Set goals outside of work for yourself that you think may
be fun and less stressful for instance learning a new instrument, or a new language.
Continual learning empowers you with knowledge and becomes more active than
other areas of life.
Exercise - Exercise is a great way to relieve stress, it helps you clear your head
and sometimes helps you find a solution to whatever is causing your anxiety.
Volenteer - “The more you give, the more resilient and happy you feel”
It doesn’t have to be time consuming or a big gesture, start small. Do a favor
for some each day.
Health care jobs
Jobs that are devoted to to improving the wellbeing of others can be stress-
inducing. This type of job requires great problem solving, time management skills
and a great deal of sensitivity to others. How can you eliminate the stress in the
field of healthcare without sacrificing the quality of your work?
Take a Breath & Relax (as above)
48

50. Prioritise, don’t compromise - Prioritise your time at each day. Tackle the most
important things first. If you cannot finish everything during your shift avoid stay-
ing late everyday. Consistent overtime only aggravates your stress and in the long
run makes you less productive.
Be positive - Make a habit of of bringing to mind the things you are grateful
for. If it helps write them down, have pictures to hand to help you remember and
put things in perspective when you are stressed and your workload feels impossi-
ble.
Do things you enjoy - By adding some YOU time at the end of each day helps
you to rest and recharge ready for the next day. Make a point to do the activities
you love on certain days of the week. This helps you avoid working overtime on
those days and gives you a ‘break’.
High Stress Jobs
Some jobs have such a high demand on your personal time that they become
your life. The pressure and unpredictability of these jobs make it difficult to find
time to relax and be you. So how can you reduce stress in high stress job?
Take a Breath & Relax (as above)
Take control - If you think ‘I cant do this’ then you won’t be able to do it. If
you think positively and take charge of the situation it contributes to your overall
wellbeing.
49

51. Accept what you cant change - On the other hand, when something happens
that you have no control over, do not get frustrated and worried. Instead, recog-
nise you can’t change the situation and focus your attention on areas where you
can have an influence.
Connect with people - Sharing burdens with a loved one or someone close to
you is a great way to take the weight off your shoulders. After a hard day unwind
by talking to a friend or family member, they may be able to give you some good
advice on how to cope.
Working Alone
Many people work hard on their own, separate from other coworkers. So what
is the best way to cope in stressful situations by yourself?
Take a Breath & Relax (as above)
Socialise - Whether it is with a coworker, friend or family socializing with oth-
ers helps to eliminate stress. Getting someone else’s opinion and view on a stressful
situation can help you tackle the matter in hand. Also, focusing on others helps
you take your mind off your own problems.
Avoid unhealthy habits - If you are extremely stressed, substances like caffeine,
alcohol and nicotine may help in the short term, however over a period of time
they create problems of their own. Seek help from friends and loved ones instead.
Be optimistic - Don’t focus all of your attention on the negative things. If cer-
tain situations or circumstances regularly trigger your anxiety try and change your
perspective of them and be more optimistic.
50

52. C H A P T E R 15
Website Building
Here is How to Make a Great
How to set your website apart from the rest
Have an about page
About pages are one of the most viewed pages on a website as users visit them
to get an idea of how trust worthy a site is. Use this page to connect you your visi-
tors and show them what you are offering.
On the page –
51

53. • Clarify who you are
• What you do
• Increase your readers trust
• Help build your brand
• Contact details (even if you have a separate contact us page)
• Make sure it is not a dead end, provide links to your most important and
popular content
Have links to your about page on other parts of your site and name it clearly.
Good names for your about page – Our story, Who we are, About us. Bad names
– Exploration, The inner circle, control center.
Don’t start at the beginning for instance “our company started in 2008…”,
grab the readers attention for example “the most important issue facing the
world…” or “my passion is…”.
Once you have the readers attention expand on your statement, explain what it
all has to do with you and integrate the reader into the story.
Tell the people who you are.
You don’t need to talk about childhood traumas, however humanise yourself or
your company. Include your name(s) and photographs to show the reader you are
real.
Tell people what you can do for them
Usually readers already know what your website is about before coming to your
about me page, they usually come to it to see how credible you are.
Let the reader know why they should spend time on your website.
End with a strong closer. It should go back to where you started but with a dif-
ference. Have a ‘sign up for more information’ or ‘sign up for a newsletter’, a con-
tact us page, read some of your articles, links to your social media, buy your prod-
52

54. C H A P T E R 16
SEO for beginners
GreatTips and tricks to Master SEO
SEO is critical in todays market place and can be expensive to outsource, with this
in mind I've put together a list of what you should and shouldn't do to improve
your SEO and ultimately gain more business, I hope the article helps and as al-
ways any questions my email is on the bottom of the article.
On-site SEO
53

55. Things to stop working on
• Putting a list of keywords in the page title instead of making it descrip-
tive or using your brand name
• Jamming Keywords into the Meta Description instead of making it a
call-to-action. The Meta Description is not used for ranking. Its only benefit is that
it displays below your link in the search results. This shouldn’t be surprising, but to
some it is.
• Using meta keywords. These have been useless for quite some time. they
serve no purpose whatsoever. It is still good practice to include a meta-keyword
here or there for certain tools that may still use them, but the search engines don’t.
• Including your primary keywords in H1 tags and secondary keywords in
H2, H3 and so on. Fit keywords into these tags if it makes sense, but don’t waste
time trying to get them into every single page or especially every single subtitle.
You should almost never plug a keyword directly into these tags without additional
words for context and shareability.
• Keywords in the alt tags of images. Use a descriptive alt tag or none at
al.
• Keyword-rich URL naming conversations. If your URL is a bunch of
junky letters and numbers this really doesn’t matter anymore.
• Cloaking. Just don’t do it. If a page is optimized for today’s search en-
gines, it should already look very nice for a human.
• Stuffing keywords or using a specific “density” of keywords. Like the
Meta Description, this has already been useless for many years. Just write about
the keyword and you should be on the right track.
• Low quality, poor, or duplicate content on your site.
• Repeating navigational links in both the header and the footer.
• Excessive internal linking using the keywords as the anchor text.
• Updating your blog with ZERO value content.
54

56. • Building a website for search engines; not for users.
Things to focus on
• SEO Friendly Website Architecture – Use all the new mark-up that is
available to make your listings in the search result stand out like relauthor,
schema.org and so on.
• Use descriptive titles that consider branding and shareability. When a
user sees your title they should be excited and want to click on it because it sounds
interesting, not because they notice it has the same keyword that they typed.
• Use a call-to-action in your meta description with close to no focus on
keywords. Just as with the title, the meta description should be exciting and compel
the reader to click though and find out more.
• Write content for users; not for search engines, this should be a no-
brainer at this point, the pages you build should be designed to solve the specific
problem the users were searching for.
• Consider UI, UX and Accessibility as primary aspects when building
your website and your pages.
• Use calls-to-action and make it easier for visitors to connect with you. Fo-
cus on boosting your conversion rate.
• Lower page loading time.
• Use social badges so users can share your website socially and easily.
• Update your blog with content that should sound fresh, useful and
unique. Visitors should love to share with others.
• Use legitimate elements on the website – real address, phone number
and featured badges which make your visitor understand your business presence
and legitimacy.
55

57. • Put real case studies, customers’ experiences, and video testimonials
which help convert more visitors into customers and eventually help decrease the
bounce rate.
Off-Site SEO: (Link Building)
Things to stop working on
• Unrecognised Free Directories (Use ones like Yell.com instead)
• Low Quality Social Booking Marking Websites
• Free Articles Directories (use relevant blogs)
• Link exchanges
• Paid / Sponsored Links
• Links from Spun Content
• Unnatural links (links from irrelevant websites)
• Participating in link schemes
• Link from duplicate content. (If scrapers link to you, no problem. If you
go out of your way to rank using them: BIG PROBLEM)
• Links from banned/penalised websites.
• Any or every manipulative link building practice.
• Excessive use if exact match keywords as anchor text
Things to focus on
• Niche – get links from sites that are relevant. The links don’t have to
come from an extremely tight niche. (In fact, that is often a sign of a low quality
site), but the connection should make sense.
• Advanced – your link building techniques shouldn’t rely on something
that anybody could do easily.
56

58. C H A P T E R 17
DealingWith
Compalints
In my younger days I was in sales and the one thing to this day I hate is bad cus-
tomer service, inexperienced, nervous sales people can sometimes make the situa-
tion worse.
Here are a few customer service phrases that will reduce the number of flash
points that you have, and will overall improve your customers experience which is
what breaks or builds any business.
57

59. 1. "Let me look into that"
This is too vague, and makes the customer feel put off. Instead, provide a clear
plan of action, and when the customer can expect a solution.
What to say instead …
“I’m going to do some more research. I will call you back with a solution by
3pm today”
2. “Unfortunately no”
There’s always a better way to say no, besides just saying no. When people hear
“no” they instantly tune you out.
What to say instead …
“Although we can’t provide that here’s a better/similar option”.
3. “There’s nothing I can do”
There’s always something you can do, even if its offering a listening and under-
standing ear.
What to say instead …
“I understand your frustration, what can I do to help?”.
4. “Let me correct you on that”
This statement makes you sound like you are on the defence, which automati-
cally sets you up to be the bad guy.
What to say instead …
“Let me just confirm what i understand, to ensure we are on the same page”
58

60. 5. “They’re must have been a miscommunication”.
This is a passive aggressive way of placing the blame back on the customer. It
will escalate the situation and does nothing for problem solving.
What to say instead …
“we seem to have our wires crossed, now i understand what you need let me see
how i can help”
6. “I’m sorry”
If you made an honest mistake, apologise. But don’t use this as a filter for effec-
tive communication. Instead, work towards a solution.
What to say instead …
“I apologise you had to experience this, but don’t worry, we’ll make it right”.
7. “I Have another call coming in, can you hang on?”
Avoid this whenever possible, as it makes the customer feel like his or her prob-
lem doesn’t matter.
What to say instead …
“If you don’t mind, I’m going to put you on hold while I get the information I
need”.
8. “I don’t have any record of your purchase/account”
This statement will easily make the situation 10 times worse.
What to say instead …
“Did you order under a different name/address/phone number? While I look
for your account, how can I help you today?”
59

61. C H A P T E R 18
Manage Any Project
Learn from Great Project
To be a good business owner you need to be able to project manage, and there are
great transferable techniques used by project managers that can benefit all busi-
nesses however the number of different methodologies (and acronyms) can be
mind boggling, here are some common project management methodologies bro-
ken down into bite-sized pieces to help you choose the best approach for your next
project.
60

62. Adaptive Project Framework (APF)
This improves the project at every stage by learning from previous stage’s re-
sults. By defining the projects goals and regular reviewing project’s scope, manag-
ers can deliver the highest possible business value for the customer.
Agile
Adapt to change, capitalise on trends and create a dynamic team through col-
laboration and flexibility. Shareholders review the project at each stage so teams
can make the right adjustments, creating high-quality products that meet the cus-
tomers need.
Benefits Realisation
Define success by achieving your desired benefit. - For example: If a client
want to increase the sales by 15% and hire you to develop new CRM software, the
project isn’t complete until the sales are up by 15% - even if you deliver the de-
sired CRM on time and within budget.
Critical Chain Project Management (CCPM)
Avoids project delays by identifying a ‘critical chain’ of tasks, reserving re-
sources for those tasks.
Since schedules are built around resource available the project timeline may be
longer, but there’s less chance of missing important deadlines.
Critical Path Method (CPM)
Determines your project’s shortest timeline so you can adjust to any changes in
the deadlines.
By identifying the project’s most essential tasks, you can estimate completion
dates, dependencies, milestones and deliverables. Compare what should be hap-
pening with what is actually happening every day.
61

63. Kanban
Produce a slow and steady stream of deliverables through continuous workflow.
Managers often use a whiteboard or sticky notes to represent progress and un-
dercover process problems. By understanding where time is wasted teams can im-
prove productivity.
Lean
Delivers high value, high quality work with less manpower, money and time.
Lean cuts waste by eliminating bottlenecks, focusing on customer value and
continually improving the process. Use lean to cut budgets, meet quick deadlines
and get big results with a small team.
Lean six sigma
Combines leans efficiency with six sigma’s statistic based process improve-
ments.
By defining how work gets done, the team eliminates the waste and freeing up
time to focus on delivering the highest possible value to the clients.
Process-based Project Management
Guarantees every project furthers the companies mission.
Before the project kicks off analise the pan to see if it will live up to your mis-
sion statement. If it doesn’t then adjust your strategy and goals. Every action
should add value to an organisation’s strategic vision.
Six Sigma
Improves process and product quality by reducing defects or bugs.
62

64. C H A P T E R 19
HowTo Conduct Effective
Internal Audits
Internal audits are critical in any business not just to comply with standards the
business have in place but also to ensure the company is providing a good service,
meeting legal requirements, reducing waste, increaseing profits, also a clear outline
of the internal audit process can help engage stakeholders and manage expecta-
tions along the way
63

65. 1 – GET TO KNOW THE BUSINESS
REVIEW:
· Financial reviews
· Business and process documentation
· Meaning of industry specific terms
· Risk inherent in business activities
2 – CONDUCT INTERVIEWS AND RESEARCH
UNDERSTAND:
· Who the stakeholders are
· Incentives for risk taking
· Current and anticipated business changes
· Financial/transaction significance trends
· Current control environment: resources, systems, processes, policies, and cul-
tural changes
3 - ASSESS CONTROL ENVIRONMENT
ESTABLISH:
• Staffing
• Regulatory obligations
• Regulatory reporting
• Risks due to strategy, physical environment, IT, financial crime, fraud, finan-
cial exposures and customers
64

66. 4 - DEFINE INTERNAL AUDIT CHARTER
OUTLINE:
• Responsibilities
• SLAs
• Expectations
• Methodology
• Audit Universe
5 - DEVELOP INTERNAL AUDIT PLAN
DOCUMENT:
• Risk-based priorities
• Resource requirements
6 - EXECUTE INTERNAL AUDIT PLAN
CONDUCT:
• Kick off meeting
• Activities within agreed scope
• Work on time and on budget
• Issue identification and validation
• Issue tracking
• Audit progress and issue updates for auditees
7 - GATHER FEEDBACK FROM STAKEHOLDERS TO IMPROVE
SERVICE DELIVERY
65

67. 8 - KEEP UP TO DATE WITH BUSINESS AND REGULATORY NEWS
UPDATE RISK ASSESSMENT AND INTERNAL AUDIT PLAN
IDENTIFY POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS
9 - CONCLUDE AUDIT, ESTABLISH REMEDIAL ACTION PLANS
AND ISSUE REPORT
CONCLUDE:
• Closing meeting
• Action planning
• Draft report
• Reviews
• Distribution of final report
• Audit performance review
• Audit certification & follow up
I hoped you found this brief article helpful, please remember this is advice for
general audits and some companies may not allow you access to all the informa-
tion listed, in this case you would have to try and research with external sources
for example companies house for financial records etc, always remember never to
exceed your authority when auditing, if anyone has any questions on internal
audit programmes or needs assistance in building the documents, please feel free
to email me Craig@CAWConsultancy.co.uk
66

68. C H A P T E R 20
Make sure your
making a profit
Profit is the main figure you should focus on in any business as if there is no
profit, then whats the point, here are some basic forms you should have in place to
make sure you keep making money well profit.
Complete these monthly and at the end of the financial year will give you a
snapshot of your financial health:
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69. 1 Balance sheet
2 Profit and loss statement
3 Cash flow statement
Balance statement Your balance sheet will show the financial health of your
business on any given day. It will tell you what your business is worth.
Profit and loss statement Your profit and loss statement will show your business’
income and expenses over a period of time. It will let you know if your income is
no longer meeting your expenses.
Cash flow statement Your cash flow statement will show money coming into
and going out of your business for a set time period.
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70. C H A P T E R 21
Thanks for Reading
Thanks for taking the time to ready this Little Book of Big Business, I hope you
have found it interesting and if you have any questions please feel free to email me
here - Craig@CAWConsultancy.co.uk
If you would like to read my articles first and receive free templated documents
throughout the year then please visit my blog and subscribe to our the free newslet-
ter here:
http://craigwillettstheisoandbusinessexpert.weebly.com
Many Thanks
Craig Willetts
ISO & Business Expert
I would like to dedicate this book and also say a huge thanks to all my team at
CAW Consultancy Business Solutions & FusionConsultancy Worldwide, I couldn’t
of achieved what we have over the last six years without you.
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