Local business review - strategic business planning

Organic store grows in strength thanks to Business Link review.

Business Link is encouraging local enterprises to take advantage of its FREE Small Business Review to get a fresh perspective from external experts on how their company is running and how best to add value going forward.

One business that has benefited is Garlands organic shop in Pangbourne. Run by Innes and Hannah Ballantyne, Garlands offers over 1,500 organic products, including fresh and frozen produce, beauty products, vitamins and supplements.

Having acquired an existing business their focus was on ensuring their ongoing success so the Ballantyne’s approached Business Link for advice on how to make further improvements, signing up for a Small Business Review. Important first steps in the process involved providing their company financials for review during the session, and giving a clear understanding of what they expected to achieve as a result of the Review.

They were visited by a Business Link adviser who spent three hours in their shop and time with them talking about their specific issues. Following the session they received a full report, outlining a number of specific recommendations of how to change their business for the better.

“We’d installed an e-pos system when we first bought Garlands to some success,” says Innes. “But by implementing the recommendations in the Review report of how to get the best from e-pos we’ve revolutionised our stock processes. I can now regularly review what’s selling and what’s not, allowing me to make changes to how we promote items and remove slow-moving lines to free up space. We now have a faster turnover of stock and the opportunity to bring in new brands. Customer feedback has been fantastic and it’s all from getting a fresh pair of eyes into our business.”

Free Small Business Reviews are available to businesses located in Berkshire that have been trading for two years or more. Business Link must engage with business owner, partner or director to carry out the Review.

REQUEST A SMALL BUSINESS REVIEW, click here

If you are a consultant Business Link suggests that you join the FREE Supplier Matching Service, www.suppliermatching.co.uk, which offers the potential to service Business Link client needs throughout the South East of England.

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[ Organic business review ]