BUSINESS MENTORING and coaching TO HELP YOU DEVELOP YOUR BUSINESS

You run a successful business and are exceptional at what you do. Now, you’re seeking a change – perhaps a better return on your investment, more time, or greater control.

From my extensive experience working with business owners like yourself, I’ve seen many reach a certain level of success but then yearn for the next leap forward. You aim to refine your business, elevating it to reflect the hard work you’ve poured into it.

Perhaps you’ve been considering various strategies to develop your business further but haven’t yet found the right model. It’s common to feel stuck or overwhelmed at this stage, grappling with more significant decisions due to increased responsibilities – your team, suppliers, customers, and personal life.

Like many entrepreneurial business owners, you might be experiencing some common frustrations. Business can be straightforward, yet finding that next step is often challenging. What keeps you up at night? What are the hurdles that, if removed, would free you to focus on improving, scaling and growing your business?

In my experience, most obstacles are surmountable with a well-crafted plan.

So, what’s your plan? What’s your purpose?

Let’s discuss how we can tackle these challenges together and set a clear, actionable path forward. Your business deserves that next level of success, and I’m here to help you achieve it.

Don’t reinvent the wheel. Don’t make the same mistakes that others have made. Avoid procrastination and grasp the opportunities ahead of you. 

Would you more easily develop your business with a model and plan that gives you focus, direction and accountability? 

If you had more time and purpose, could your business generate even more revenue and more profit?

Would a fresh, impartial, unbiased, external perspective help you gain control and take your business to the next level?

As your Mentor, would access to my experience, proven tools and models shortcut the improvement of your business? 

I support ‘owner managed’ service businesses, who have the desire to develop their business and often want to add another zero on their revenue numbers.

Mentoring is more than just ‘Coaching’. Yes I will coach you but also share my experience, broad knowledge and expertise to spark or fuel your ideas or contribute to your thoughts.

Whether you need help with business planning, a specific area of your business, accountability, or just a motivational boost to fill your energy pot, I’m here to support you every step of the way.

As your mentor, I’m invested in your success. I am confident that I can help you build on your past success, improve your current assets and in the future have the business you deserve for all your hard work. 

Could my personalised contribution and structured support help you to level up and take your next steps? 

“AN EXPERIENCED BUSINESS MENTOR COMBINING KNOWLEDGE, PROVEN TOOLS AND SYSTEMS WITH ACCOUNTABILITY, MOTIVATION AND GUIDANCE.”

Who helps you make informed business decisions? 
Who helps you deliver new innovative ideas?
Who challenges you?
Who holds you to account?
Who keeps you on track for growth and success?
Who fuels your thoughts and sparks your ideas?
Who helps fill your energy bucket and not your stress pot?

This is some of the impact I make with my mentoring and support, where I help business owners like you to develop or scale up with the foundation and strategy for growth.

I have ran my own businesses, six in fact, and supported hundreds more. As a mentor, I share my experience, proven models, strategies, tools and techniques to help you develop your business and avoid the mistakes I have seen made.

Not one approach suits all. My support is all about you, personalised to your business, your goals and objectives. We focus on what you need to focus on, not what any programme says! 

My Strategic Framework for Your Sustainable Success

Growth is not a one-size-fits-all journey, and my support provides a flexible framework that can be tailored to suit your individual business needs.

Sustainable business growth requires a clear, structured approach that aligns operational improvements with market opportunities. 

My Mentoring approach is to personalise my support to your business and create a focus around 7 key areas:

 
1: Create the strong foundation for growth
  • What is your motivation? Your Why, your purpose? Not just the money!
  • Define your clear measurable business objectives, both short-term and long-term goals.
  • Market research to identify target audiences and why they would buy.
  • Study market trends, opportunities, and threats.
  • Analyse competitors and their value propositions.
  • Know the real numbers in your business and the levers that make improvements.
  • Have clarity of your pricing and profit model.
  • Prioritise areas that drive the most value and profit return.

This provides critical insights into where the business stands in relation to its market. By understanding customer needs and industry dynamics, businesses can tailor their strategies for maximum effectiveness. Clear objectives ensure everyone in the organisation is working toward the same goals. It provides focus and measurable benchmarks for success.

 

2: Develop Your Strong Value Proposition
  • Articulate what makes the business unique.
  • Focus on solving customer pain points effectively.
  • Ensure the value proposition aligns with market needs.

A compelling value proposition differentiates the business in a crowded market, making it easier to attract and retain customers.

 

3: Identify and Build a Scalable Operational Model
  • Create the business model that takes your value out to market and delivers your promise
  • Review your accounts to maximise profitability within your fixed or variable costs.
  • Ensure your productivity, capacity and return on investment is maximised.
  • Invest in resources, tools and technology to scale operations through delegation, outsourcing or automation.
  • Future proof your business by identifying and managing the risks, their likelihood and consequence.

Scalable operations allow businesses to grow without compromising on quality or overstretching resources, ensuring sustainable development.

 

4: Strengthen Branding and Marketing
  • Develop a consistent message and memorable brand identity that attracts more customers and/or greater revenue.
  • Identify the channels and tactics that creates awareness, generates eyes on your business and captures the interest to pull your cold audience towards you.
  • Identify your customers journey to engage your prospect, convert more enquiries to sales and leverage greater revenue from repeat orders, additional sales or referrals
  • Test and measure, using data analytics to refine campaigns.

Effective branding and marketing boost customer awareness and trust, directly impacting sales and customer loyalty.

 

5: Invest in Talent and Culture
  • Establish the accountability model for your organisation.
  • Recruit and retain top talent.
  • Who are your critical key external partners?
  • Promote a culture of innovation and collaboration.
  • Provide training and development opportunities.
  • Identify what needs to happen for the business to be less reliant on you.

A motivated and skilled workforce drives productivity and innovation, which are key drivers of business growth.

 

6: Diversify Revenue Streams
  • Explore the opportunities and impact associated with new products, services, or markets.
  • What can be bundled or packaged to position your revenue model in a way that increases your Average Order Value and Customer Lifetime Value.
  • Build strategic partnerships and alliances.

Diversifying revenue reduces dependence on a single source and mitigates risks, making the business more resilient.

 

7: Execute, Monitor Performance and Adjust Strategies
  • Identify your High Pay Off Activities that drive your success.
  • Track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure your activity and outcomes.
  • Conduct regular reviews of goals and strategies.
  • Be agile and adapt to market changes quickly.

Execute and learn from your outcomes. Your performance is in your data! Continuous monitoring of the right measures ensures that the business remains on track and can pivot effectively in response to new challenges or opportunities.

What’s involved?

My 1:1 mentoring package is an investment of just £495 per month.

Unlike others I do not tie you into any minimum term as I believe in the impact I will make!

No contracted minimum term. I even guarantee that I’ll refund session one if you didn’t feel it was of value.

Could Mentoring help you develop your business? From experience, I think it would.

Give it a try and see what you can achieve!

HOW MY MENTORING WORKS

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RECENT TESTIMONIALS

"Mike has been a fantastic mentor/coach. His past experience running businesses and franchises shines through in his teaching and has been invaluable to us. I can’t recommend him enough to anyone needing assistance taking their business forward."

"Couldn’t recommend you enough Mike, you go above and beyond 👏 it’s been a complete game changer for me to chat things through and plan my business whilst we pivot and make some serious changes. Thanks again for all your hard work."

"Mike has been actively involved in understanding the ins and outs of my business operations. His straightforward communication style is refreshing. He provides honest feedback, and his observations and actions are meticulously documented in a comprehensive report by the end of each day. I appreciate his proactive approach in identifying potential pitfalls early on and collaborating with me to implement effective management strategies.
What sets Mike apart is his exceptional responsiveness. He addresses queries promptly, making the mentorship process smooth and efficient. The regular reviews not only provide valuable insights but also contribute to maintaining accountability."
"I’ve ran my business for many years now and throughout that time I’ve had a number of advisors. Mike is one of the rare few I genuinely respect. Full of knowledge, experience and level-headed wisdom. Has a knack for putting forward ideas I hadn’t ever considered and coming at things from a different angle. A genuinely good guy who goes out of his way to help, always happy to give his time and an absolute pleasure to work with."
"I have known Mike for a few years, listened to his podcast, read his content, watched his videos. During the pandemic, I felt as some might say, lost in the woods. I initially engaged in Mike’s online business development program and resources. I like how Mike works, how he breaks things down. Through my sessions with Mike, my thoughts have become clearer again. Gone back to basics to build confidence in myself and my team. Ensure we consider things from all angles. Think about the team, our customers, and our overall alignment.  It is so easy to get lost in the day, the week, the month, or even the year. (Friends quote) but Mike has been there for me over the last 17 months and continues to be someone I trust, respect, and work with month to month. Keeping me accountable and focused. Thanks for keeping me on track Mike and for the support and awareness you have for my business and team. My choices are improving again, I feel much happier and my motivation and energy are back."

"Although I was sceptical at first, thinking we would have 'homework' to do, Mike does not actually work like that at all. He makes us think about priorities for business goals and then discusses how to make them happen in a realistic time scale. I’d say that if you’re stuck in a rut, working in your business - then give Mike a call.”

"Working with Mike has been transformational for my business. He has helped me create clarity in my processes, my message and my purpose. With a relaxed and yet still dynamic approach he guides you through the practicalities of building a strong and sustainable business whilst ensuring you take the actions you need to grow."

"Mike combines a calm focus with incredible enthusiasm. He challenges my motives for doing something and more importantly for NOT doing something and then works with me to find the best solution.
Mike has helped me to articulate my personal brand and given me the confidence to develop this.”

"I've had the pleasure of working with Mike for the past couple of years with my own business and I cannot recommend him enough. His calm manner to any situation or conundrum really helps me focus and stand back and assess the situation properly. His commercial knowledge and experience means he can approach a topic from many an angle to which I have been blinded and I find that invaluable. He is a great cheerleader, supporter and friend. I know he always has his clients' interests at heart and he regularly goes above and beyond the call of duty. The support has been immense and I always look forward to our sessions. "

"I started 1-2-1 mentorship sessions with Mike earlier this year. His practical and pragmatic nuggets of wisdom in all aspects of business make him stand out from the crowd. Mike is super-fast in responding to all queries, and the regular reviews keep one accountable. Highly recommended."

"More than Mike's experience is that he is an incredibly generous and supportive individual. He provides guidance and critiques our current and future business plans, he challenges us on 30 & 90 day goals, in particular making sure that we do not overwhelm ourselves. He is also very positive. I am very confident that with Mike onboard we will achieve our goals."

"Mike’s ability to actively promote others, and provide a seasoned approach to business and the development of those businesses is second to none"

"Mike has been invaluable in helping me find calm and clarity in the hustle and bustle of entrepreneurship. I highly recommend him for all things: Strategy, Business-mentorship and Business Development."

"Mike's flexible approach is invaluable. He very skilfully guided me through areas I was vague and uncommitted on. The result has been that I've made significant progress on defining a new business which is authentically me. Moreover, the process he's taken me through has helped me build my confidence and certainty."

"It was a pleasure to have you lead the workshop Mike Foster! 😁 Your energy, expertise, and practical advice made a lasting impact, thank you for inspiring the next generation of professionals! 🙌"

WeNetwork @ University of Westminster

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“Mike was instrumental when I first started up, providing valuable tips that had I not learnt early on would have cost me dearly. Mike's an excellent coach if you're looking for someone to tell you how it is and provide you with a non-biased view on your thinking. He can genuinely help to steer your business down the right path and help it flourish."

"I attended one of Mike’s excellent workshops, and then a follow up 1-2-1 session, which was incredible. Like many business owners, I hate being dictated to but equally often need advice from experience. For me Mike is a highly experienced and successful entrepreneur acting almost as a business partner."

"I was at a crossroads. Since that time Mike has been my rock; a voice of reason, listening, challenging, and ensuring I consider as much as possible in my decision making and keeping me focused. I’m now taking my business where I want it to go, not just getting by working in it."

"I engaged with Mike to enable him to 'kick my butt'. He’s supported me from when I first became an employer to where my business is now and how proud I am of my great team. He likes to play devil's advocate now and again and can always see a positive when some days I can't!"

"As a business owner, it's easy to procrastinate. Enter Mike... I’m getting results and achieving more than expected. Mike’s a good listener, a great sounding board and a meticulous action note taker! I would highly recommend any business owner booking some time with Mike."

"Mike has been a great support to me over the past 18 months. I have really valued his insights; suggestions; and tackling issues from another angle. He is generous with his time and will go out of his way to help a client’s business with his considerable network of trusted professionals.
Being a solo director, bouncing ideas off Mike has been invaluable and he has been a great source of encouragement, motivation and ideas.
Thanks for all your help to date!"

"Mike has helped me consider my marketing and how the business is presented. The sessions with Mike have brought clarity; consolidated my thoughts and clearly defined what needs to be done. Overall, this has helped me make huge stride in my business."

"I leverage Mike's business mentoring as a solid sounding board for my ideas. He is great at allowing me to collate my thoughts and ideas and ensure I stick to my plan. Great for those who feel a lonely founder sometimes."
"We met with Mike Foster yesterday, and as always, it was an incredibly insightful experience. His depth of knowledge continues to be a game changer for us. Mike has played a crucial role in our growth and development, and his advice is always incredibly valuable! He brings a wealth of knowledge to the table and has been instrumental in helping us fine-tuning our services."

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"Mike has become an integral part of our business management. He’s guided, supported, listened, and provided outstanding advice. We’re moving forward as a business in so many areas thanks to Mike's support.”

"I found it difficult to prioritise my ambitious growth plans, struggling to find time to plan for our next growth phase. Mike’s pragmatic, wise advice and his extensive knowledge has been invaluable and has helped me to scale my business. I can’t thank him enough."

"When I started my business, I was fairly sure I didn't need a mentor. I have discovered that it is hugely beneficial to have a mentor that has many years' experience in starting and running successful businesses. Mike is patient, non-judgmental and good fun to work with and I would highly recommend him to anyone. He has already helped me to clear the chaos that inevitably comes in the early stages of developing a business. He has helped me to prioritise what is important, and he has an impressive bank of useful hints, tips and knowledge at his fingertips."
"For over a year now, Mike has been guiding and mentoring us here at Ginger Digital, consistently delivering immense value. We've known Mike for some time, and we selected him because of his genuine commitment to supporting and assisting his clients. Mike helps us in both longer term forward business planning and also focusing on the 30-day High Performing Activities necessary for our business's growth.
His extensive business experience often leads to insights that bring clarity to a topic or offer a fresh perspective. He serves as a truly valuable sounding board
Neil and I highly recommend working with Mike and we know he will continue to help our business grow."

"Mike has a wealth of experience and knowledge which shows in every meeting and phone call we have. He has helped me plan and map out the journey to the life I want and how my business will get me there. What’s more, he’s keeping me on track and accountable to achieving it. If you’re looking to take your business to the next level, speak to Mike!"

"Mike is different to the other coaches that I have worked with. He will ask me questions, but also challenges me on some of my responses. He has a much more commercial outlook than other coaches and is someone I trust as another pair of eyes. A perfect sounding board for me. Certainly recommended."

"Mike’s support and guidance have been invaluable since the start of the first UK lockdown. He understood the growing pains I was facing in my business and provided excellent advice during a very difficult time for many. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Mike to any business owner ready to take their business to the next level."

"Mike was excellent at getting me to focus on what I needed to change straight away and what would be more long term changes to make. He really drilled down and got to the crux of the matter. He was very patient. I would definitely recommend using Mike"

"I chose Mike because of his genuine desire to support and help his clients. I have worked with many respected senior leaders, and Mike still manages to bring new ideas and approaches. He’s good at encouraging me to focus on high impact activities which don't form a natural part of my skill-set."

"Mike is an excellent business coach and mentor. He actively listens, asks thoughtful questions, and gives practical advice when needed based on his vast experience running other businesses. Mike has been incredibly helpful in my journey, and his support has been invaluable."

"I would highly recommend working with Mike, especially if you need focus, accountability, direction and simplification, but have an enormous to-do list and are not sure where to start. Mike will help you achieve what you want, whilst making you feel like you did it all. Thanks Mike!"

"Having known Mike for a number of years, at events, networking and both being in Oxfordshire. I went to one of his events and thought 'this guys really does know his stuff'. I have been working now with Mike for 12+ months and would recommend him to any business owner that needs some clarity on there journey. Accountability reports weekly certainly work for me. Thanks Mike"

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"I wanted to take my business to the next level and Mike is the man to do that. Mike's phone is always on and he is not precious with his time. Most importantly my return on investment has been huge, not only the increase in new clients but the development of my business for the long term."

“Mike is well networked in the area and will actively connect and promote the people he knows. His experience with small businesses, generosity with his time and ability to actively promote others will help you develop your business in the way you want to. I am glad I chose Mike.”

"I had a business plan but was struggling with what my value proposition was and what my pricing structure should be. I was immediately impressed by Mike's enthusiasm for my new venture, and the vision and passion with which he approached each aspect I was struggling with. Our session together brought me immediate clarity. Thank you Mike."

"Mike is a brilliant sounding board. I highly value his perspective on things I am pondering in my business. I can rely on Mike always to come up with an alternative way of looking at things, he has a knack of saying something unexpected which has, more than once, completely altered my thinking. Having someone who has the courage and insight to point these things out is absolutely critical as a business owner. I highly recommend Mike as a coach and mentor."

ONE-TO-ONE

Working together on a one-to-one basis, preferably face to face, or by telephone or Zoom/Skype/Team etc.

I only work with a limited number of non-competing businesses at the same time to ensure I can provide my best attention, commitment and value at all times.

group coaching

If you prefer developing your business in a peer group environment, then my group offering may be best for you.

6xR

A strategic review programme: an option to help you establish or confirm your areas for focus without the need for any ongoing mentoring 

mARKETING & sALES SYSTEM

…. the Proven Step by Step Framework To Get & Keep More Customers

The Questions you may be asking

THE IMPACT I CAN MAKE

GROUP MENTORING & Support

Options to develop your business in a group of like minded business owners

My Mastermind group perfectly blends my mentoring and peer group learning.

My support within a peer group and trusted community all designed to help you improve your business.

the entrepreneurs bootcamp graphic

Two day event
For entrepreneurs to step back and work on their business.