Simple steps to boost cash flow - audio interview

Bob Kearsley interviews Alan Hargreaves on Business Essentials

We are all familiar with the maxim that "cash flow is king" but that doesn't take us very far when we're engaged in a constant battle to keep sales and revenue up and costs down. What can we do in practical terms to go beyond simple acknowledgement of the importance of cash flow and actually improve it? And what benefit will achieving that improvement actually bring us? Alan has some very clear ideas on that, as well as many other aspects of running a modern business. He has distilled a lot of them into a new book called 60 Second Recharge: Work and Life made Simple. That straightforward approach underpins his advice on cash flow as he tells Bob Kearsley.

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Why Brand Consistency Counts - audio interview

Bob Kearsley interviews Alan Hargreaves on brand consistency

Building a successful brand depends on consistency, says author and longtime business coach Alan Hargreaves. If your customers know what to expect from your product or service - and your people - they'll feel comfortable about coming back to you. Think of McDonalds - they know their market and their customers know what to expect, whichever outlet they go to. Alan recommends building up a manual that sets out every aspect of how you do business - it will help new and existing staff understand what's expected of them and why, and be an invaluable tool when you come to sell the business.

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Cash Flow Strategies For Bootstrapped Businesses - audio interview

Bob Kearsley interviews Alan Hargreaves on Cash Flow Strategies

2012 could prove to be as tough a year as the one just gone. It will be more important than ever to keep the cash flowing in, and the business lean and ready to take advantage of any opportunity that offers itself. Veteran business coach Alan Hargreaves recommends a "back to basics" approach. Recall how you did things when you were starting out and resources were scarce. Think of doing more with the assets you already have, and getting rid of anything you don't need.

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Recharge Your Batteries - audio interview

Bob Kearsley interviews Alan Hargreaves on Business Essentials

Running a business can be like running a marathon, and just as exhausting. So what do you do when your energy's flagging and inertia is setting in? People are relying on you to show leadership and keep things moving forward, but you're becoming stuck in a rut. Longtime business consultant and author Alan Hargreaves has some sound suggestions, distilled from his book "Recharge".

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