Step 2 of Building a Better Business

Anna Stubbs • August 2, 2023

Be open to change and new learning

It’s amazing what we, as humans, don’t even know that we don’t know. New learning opportunities are everywhere, and in this digital world, there’s simply no excuse to avoid new learning.

Consider how many new things a five-year-old learns each day. Children enthusiastically embrace the world of possibility and the desire to learn. Why is it that, the older we get, the more likely we are to close our minds to new learning?

We’re all busy, and sometimes we feel like we just don’t have the time to sit down and read a book. We need to make the time. Set yourself targets and share these with someone who will hold you accountable to achieving these.

Here are five ways to learn more, positioning yourself to run a better business:

1. Read more.
If you struggle to find time to read, set a reminder on your phone to read before bed each night. Start with reading 10 pages, then increase this each week. Mix it up with recreational books and business books. As a bonus, it will help you sleep better!


2. Resist the urge to hang out on your phone.
Unless you’re learning something new. By the way, you’re unlikely to learn on Facebook! Try an eBook, audiobook, podcast, or learning app instead!


3. Enrol in courses or workshops.
These can be online or in person. Choose topics that interest you and will help you in your business.


4. Turn off your TV.
Unless you’re viewing TED talks on YouTube or content that is useful learning.


5. Keep a journal of your learnings.
Review your journal of learnings regularly. Remember, you don’t really know something until you can teach it to someone else.


So, what areas should you be learning more about? It could be leadership, management, sales, or writing skills. Find out the best ways to develop your knowledge and set aside time to learn. Don’t forget to ask someone to hold you accountable. Maybe you could buddy up with someone and meet regularly to share your learnings? Once you begin learning, your hunger to learn will grow.


We can help you take steps to improve your business and ensure it reaches its true potential. Get in touch!

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” - Mahatma Gandhi

Understanding revenue and the true nature of profitability

By Anna Stubbs • July 15, 2026
Healthy sales revenue numbers don't always mean your small business is profitable. It's easy to mistake rising sales and income for profitability. But unless you understand your operational costs, profit margins and net profit, you won't truly know whether the business is making long-term, sustainable profit.

Tax planning helps you do more with your money

By Anna Stubbs • July 15, 2026
Tax planning is a strategic approach to managing your business’ financial affairs, with the aim of legally minimising your tax liability. In other words, you plan ahead to make sure you pay the taxes you should be paying, but not a penny more. Working with your tax adviser, you can look for deductions, credits, exemptions and tax-saving strategies that will help to optimise your company’s overall tax position.

Is your small business up to date with employment law?

By Anna Stubbs • July 15, 2026
“Just 20% of SMEs identify regulatory compliance as an organisational priority, compared with almost a third of larger firms (32%). With little or no HR support and limited guidance, small businesses often lack awareness of employment law and may struggle to comply with the changes.” CIPD Labour Market Outlook, May 2026  The recent Labour Market Outlook report from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) shows that some small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have a poor awareness of employment law and are not prioritising their regulatory duty as employers. But with the Employment Rights Act 2025 introducing several recent changes to UK employment law, it’s vital that your SME is aware of current employment law and your regulatory requirements as an employer. Five recent changes to employment law that came into force from April 2026.