Leading your business

Anna Stubbs • April 14, 2023

Times of crisis are defining moments for great leaders. Consider the contrasting results that different countries experienced with Covid-19, based on the approach their respective leaders have taken.


Great leadership is effectively guiding or influencing your team to work towards achieving your goals. Leadership is always on; there is no place to hide in a time of crisis.


Consider the four quadrants of great leadership:
1. Vision. Clarity of what you want, what the future looks like for the business and team, and how you’ll know when you’ve got there.
2. Energy. Leading by example, with positivity, to inspire and motivate the team to be the best they can.
3. Focus. Sharing the common purpose (why your business exists for your customers), setting clear expectations and defining what a great day’s work looks like for everyone on the team.
4. Empowerment. Providing constant feedback, training and support, and delegating effectively without abdicating responsibility.


Now consider the key responsibilities of a leader:
- Implementing the plan. What is your new plan and how will you ensure that everyone knows their role in making it happen?
- Providing a framework and structure for business improvement and innovation. A crisis is a time to reinvent, re-engineer, innovate, and adapt
- Monitoring performance against the plan. How will you make sure you stick to the plan, celebrate success, and take corrective action when things start to go pear-shaped?
- Motivating and inspiring the team. What meetings and other communication forums are needed to ensure that everyone on the team remains engaged and part of the bigger picture?
- Promoting a great business culture. What are the business’s Core Values and rules of engagement that can play to the strengths of the team and foster a supportive and fun environment?


With the above in mind, what leadership skills do you need to sharpen?

Talk to us about how we can help you get the best from your team and business.

“Anyone can lead when the plan is working. The best lead when the plan falls apart.” - Robin S. Sharma

Basic strategic advice: why your business needs an evolving strategy

By Anna Stubbs • June 2, 2026
“Q: Why do I need an evolving strategy for my small business?” You’re a business owner or CEO. And that means it’s your responsibility to take care of the business, invest in the right places and make the company a success story. However, to do this, you need an agreed business strategy that lays out your goals, your mission and your plan for taking the company to the next level. So, why does this need to be an evolving strategy? “A: Your business strategy is not a static document – it’s a plan and mission that should be fluid, agile and able to react to change.” We’re trading in uncertain times at present. Each day presents a new challenge for small businesses, and having a plan that can react to change is a major competitive advantage.

Cash flow and cost control

By Anna Stubbs • June 2, 2026
More than ever, cashflow is a vital part of staying afloat, whether your business is in recovery or growth mode. Revenue, profit and your bottom line all deserve your attention. But keeping everything running is the baseline. Regular cashflow forecasts help you keep that in focus. Here’s why: Cost control - If you can't reach your targets for income, reining in your costs may give you a little extra head room to manage cashflow while you plan your next move. Visibility on outgoings - Cost control can be a challenge when it’s hard to pinpoint hidden costs or where established ways of doing things cost more money than they should. You may also have been coping with unexpected expenses, as you’ve adapted your business for unplanned circumstances or increased costs. Improving business practice - It's more than only keeping an eye on outgoings (though that's important). It's about looking at each aspect of your business and business systems (or the gaps where there should be business systems) to see if poor practice is driving costs up unnecessarily. It can be useful to break it down - You can look at cost centres such as office supplies or freight. Or you can look at what those costs do for your business. It can help to analyse costs in terms of cost of sale and overheads.

Basics strategic advice: how do accountants support your financial performance?

By Anna Stubbs • June 2, 2026
“Q: How does an accountant support my financial performance?” We’re all used to the idea of a business needing an accountant. But have you ever stopped to think what a good accountant and business adviser can actually bring to your company? Advances in technology, software and AI are changing our expectations of what a basic accountant/business owner relationship can offer. So, it’s important to reassess your expectations and to find out where we can add real, additional value. “A: Your accountant is now a full-fledged business adviser, ready to help you review, manage and transform your finances and strategy.”  In previous decades, your accountant dealt primarily with historical data – the transactions and cash inflows/outflows that had happened in the past. Today, with access to so much smart forecasting, data analysis and forward-looking scenario-planning, we can tell you far more about the future of your business.