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Pandemics aren’t for panicking!

June 7, 2021 by charlottenoble

Back in mid-2020, we were all still getting used to the fact that COVID-19 had pulled the rug from under all our best-laid business plans. We’d come out of our first lockdown, it was summer, the sun was shining (occasionally) and the low numbers in the daily pandemic updates rather massaged our mutual sense of community spirit: keep a stiff upper lip and it should be over by Christmas.

Well, here we are a year later. We’ve now emerged from lockdown number three. Mutated and even-more-virulent strains of Covid have put the nation’s heroic care services under unprecedented strain and are currently on the rampage elsewhere around the globe. It’s still cold and wet outside (in May at least), many have either lost their jobs or are furloughed. People are not spending very much money and many businesses are in a real fight for survival. In summary, there has been a pretty grim expression on the faces of most of the good business folk of the UK.

Some statistics suggest it’s not over yet. While the impact of the pandemic on the labour market may be stabilising as vacancy levels increase and redundancies decrease since their peak in September-November 2020, unemployment is still expected to rise when the Coronavirus Job Retention scheme ends later this year.[1]

But the recent news is better, for the UK at least. We now enjoy one of the lowest infection rates in the world and one of the most successful vaccination programmes. All that money that people haven’t been spending over the past year, on holidays, entertaining, travel, and such, is still there in the system, and as businesses cautiously welcome customers back, there’s evidence that people are ready to splash the cash.

If you’ve held out this far, and have made sound business plans for the future, there’s no need to panic. There will be life beyond the pandemic. But to enjoy it, and the things that really matter to you, your business needs to be in shape to make the most of the opportunities ahead.

[1] Howe of Commons Library research Briefing, 30 April 2021: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-8898/

“Joining such a knowledgeable team of professionals made the transition from corporate life so much easier for me.”

February 28, 2019 by charlottenoble

Jim Laslett joined the FD Centre in 2015 and has enjoyed the diversity that his new role brings.
(part of The CFO Centre Group)

After a chance meeting at a Christmas lunch in 2014, Jim decided to explore the opportunity of working with the FD Centre and later joined. Jim’s previous experience in retail and manufacturing has enabled him to look after a number clients from very varying industries – from an electrical wholesaler to a supplier of specialist products to fruit farmers, to a provider of care equipment to homes and hospitals.

He certainly enjoys the variety of portfolio working. And there’s peace of mind knowing that if there’s something he needs additional guidance on, he can always count on his team of colleagues, nationally and internationally, to provide specific industry knowledge. The team is so powerful.

“I get such job satisfaction from helping entrepreneurs reach their business goals. I’m so passionate about working with my clients that I could easily spend double the hours I’m contracted to work with them. The skill comes in prioritising, managing expectations and enabling the team, and I’m always available to discuss their progress if they need me.”

And with a rapidly increasing number of colleagues across 16 countries, it’s great to know that many others are also choosing the same lifestyle.

Are you ready for a conversation? We’d love to hear from you – https://www.thefdcentre.co.uk/join-the-team/

“Being a part-time FD for the past eight years has meant I’ve been able to play a large role in my son’s life.”

December 19, 2018 by Matthew Booth

Neil Methold, portfolio FD at the FD Centre in the Thames Valley
(part of The CFO Centre Group)

Neil, 54 has found the move into the part-time portfolio world beneficial in so many ways. Not only has he been able to enjoy more family and leisure time, but he’s also had the pleasure of coaching and mentoring people working within his clients’ companies. Neil now also mentors new Principals joining the FD Centre to help them at the start of their journey to a portfolio career.

“My greatest satisfaction comes from coaching and mentoring people within these companies so they become self-sufficient and can do more and more of the work themselves.

“I see it as my responsibility to ensure the work is done – not necessarily to do it all myself. I think that has a significant impact on client retention.”

Neil has found the move from the corporate world extremely refreshing.

“You can’t go in and be all corporate. SMEs don’t want that. They want someone they can trust and rely on and build a good relationship with. A friendly face. Not just a very clever big shot. You need to be down to earth and people-focused.”

The relationships you have with clients are what help to make this such a rewarding way of life. Neil talks openly about the genuine respect that he has with his clients, which gives him a great deal of job satisfaction.

Imagine taking your whole self to work. Imagine having the freedom to control your own diary. Are you ready for a conversation? Call us – https://www.thefdcentre.co.uk/join-the-team/