Take action to propel your business forward.

We welcome you back to a new year. And just like that we are now 2 weeks in to the new year where as Business Advisors we always look at business roadmaps for our clients for the coming year. Do you have a robust business roadmap with your vision & strategy in play for 2024?

Have you considered who will keep you accountable this year to your vision & strategy, build your management capability & help you develop your people? Having a plan is only 1/3rd of the success.

Over the last few weeks we have been reviewing our newsletter open rates and its showing the readership going from strength to strength. We had 4417 business owners open our last newsletter 3 times over the last 4 weeks and more so in the last week, likely because business owners were thinking about their return to work. These open stats demonstrate the thirst for credible information, but also means businesses are not alone especially given the modern pandemic of fear and loneliness – let‘s call this vulnerability. Vulnerability when embraced is a business owner‘s superpower! Yes that‘s right – you are all wearing capes!

It is a proven fact entrepreneurs can’t grow their business stonefaced

In her wildly popular TED talk on vulnerability, Brené Brown (watch here) tells us that one of our deepest fears is vulnerability. In the vein of being vulnerable know that problems are great and build resilience + fuel growth. When you share your vulnerability with others your courage is rewarded with bravery & help. However, if you don’t share and wait for things to improve, there is a strong reality the problem will worsen.

Is 2024 the year you take action to be vulnerable & propel your business?

As we enter into the new year, it is crucial to recognise that staying stagnant will only result in remaining in the same place as before. If you want to see growth and progress in your business, it is essential to take action and make strategic moves. The Engine Business Advisors are experienced in business, own businesses and are helping businesses just like yours holistically with the same growing pains – we are here to help you navigate the path to success.

Don’t let another year pass by without taking action. Make this year the year of growth and success for your business and build a business you love. Book a 30 minute session with one of our Advisors to discuss what options from within our services will propel you for 2024. You may be eligible for capability funding (50% up to $5000) to work with us. And if you don’t have a vision or strategy make that appointment a priority with us.

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– Catherine Cooke
Founder and Leading Business Advisor 

Top 5 Requirements for Business Success in 2024

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from The Engine Team.

As we approach the year 2024, it is crucial for businesses to adapt and evolve in order to thrive in an ever-changing tough economic landscape. To help you navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead, we have identified the Top 5 requirements for New Zealand business success in the coming year. Let’s dive in!

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– Catherine Cooke
Founder and Leading Business Advisor 

The Essential Cornerstone of Business Success: The Sales Strategy

Hi, Catherine Cooke, here. As we all draw closer to the end of the year, it’s the perfect time to reflect on one of the key pillars of business success: strategy. Last month, I delved into the topic of losing passion for your business and the importance of strategy. Today, I am continuing the strategic journey, but shift our focus to a topic that’s vital for any business: sales.

The saying goes, “Most businesses don’t plan to fail; they fail to plan.” This couldn’t be more accurate when it comes to sales. Without a well-thought-out sales strategy, your business is like a ship adrift on the open sea, lacking direction and purpose. As the days and months pass, you’ll find yourself running out of ideas and opportunities, unless you engage external experience help or understand the significance of having a sales strategy that not only sustains but also generates profits.

In business, the difference between success and failure often boils down to one thing: cash. You might have heard the adage, “Revenue is vanity, profit is sanity, but cash is king.” This powerful statement underscores the fundamental truth that cash is the lifeblood of any business. Cash flow is a term used in nearly every industry and business context. It’s a concept that should be at the forefront of every business owner’s mind.

One common pitfall is getting blindsided by the allure of revenue. It’s easy to be seduced by the top-line numbers but focusing solely on revenue can lead to financial troubles. Without a purposeful focus on measuring and growing cash, as well as profit, companies risk running short of it. Invest in your business and engage The Engine Limited’s services to ensure your sales strategy is not just a plan on paper, but a well-executed blueprint for success. You may even be eligible for funding.

Lastly, stepping aside as a business owner when tired or lacking energy allows for regeneration, delegation, and a renewed focus, leading to increased productivity and improved work-life balance.

– Catherine Cooke
Founder and Leading Business Advisor 

Read our full newsletter below for upcoming workshops, events, case studies and more. 

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Unleash Growth with The Engine & Defeat Procrastination!

Founders often embrace the mantra “fail fast, fail often,” yet as the year nears its end, it’s crucial to ask: do you have your strategy in place for the coming year, or have you deferred it once more to the new year’s backseat, where you know it will be again overlooked? Perfectionism and procrastination may seem intertwined, but remember, progress in your business doesn’t demand perfection; it thrives on continuous effort.

Embrace the Present: As we near year-end, seize this last quarter as your opportunity to infuse fresh energy into your business and prevent passion from fading away due to procrastination.

Chart Your Success Path: One often-overlooked aspect is crafting a robust exit strategy. Consider it your guiding compass toward a thriving future, whether you aim to sell, transition, or retire. This strategy not only charts your course but also maximises your business’s worth.

Elevate Your Business’s Appeal: Your value proposition is your ticket to reaping the rewards of your hard work. It’s what sets your business apart, making it truly unique. Without a strong value proposition, your business is like a puzzle with missing pieces. Invest time now to enhance it, making your business irresistible to both customers and potential successors.

Seize the Year-End Opportunity: Don’t wait until you feel stuck or lose your passion. The end of the year provides the perfect moment to set goals, refine your exit strategy, and bolster your value proposition.

Seize control of your business’s destiny today! Partnering with The Engine for a Business Warrant of Fitness which will deliver a comprehensive action plan and a compelling value proposition, guaranteeing that your passion remains ablaze.

– Catherine Cooke
Founder and Leading Business Advisor 

Read our full newsletter below for upcoming workshops, events, case studies and more. 

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Business Warrant of Fitness Audit

Can you afford to lose all you have worked hard for?

IS YOUR BUSINESS OPERATING AT ITS FULL POTENTIAL?

Are you confident you are meeting all the necessary legal & regulatory requirements under New Zealand Law? Would your business pass an annual Warrant of Fitness?

Our Business Warrant of Fitness (BWOF) Audit will identify blind spots & deliver action plans. In today’s competitive business landscape, it’s essential to ensure your small business is operating at its best. Just like you get a warrant for your car or building to ensure they meet safety and performance standards, your business needs one too.

That’s where The Engine’s Business Warrant of Fitness comes in.

This comprehensive assessment is designed to evaluate every aspect of your business, from operations to compliance, financial health, and growth potential. By giving your business this thorough check-up, you can identify areas for improvement, mitigate risks, and unleash its full potential for success.

Don’t leave your business’s performance to chance; give it the boost it deserves with the Business Warrant of Fitness. Start 2024 with purpose and a plan.

Our Business Warrant of Fitness is tailored to provide you with actionable insights and strategies to enhance your business’s performance. Join the countless small businesses that have already taken the step towards improved performance and long-term sustainability. Start 2024 with BUSINESS CONFIDENCE.

– Catherine Cooke
Founder and Leading Business Advisor 

Read our full newsletter below for upcoming workshops, events, case studies and more. 

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Clarity in Business – Are You Lost?

Seek first to understand, then to be understood.

At some point in our life we’ve all been camping and used a compass to point us in the right direction. That compass in business is called clarity. Every week we are approached by business owners lost in the barbed wire, confused and spinning and without a connection of love and purpose for their business. In fact knowing they can engage us as a Co-Pilot (Hire an Interim CEO) is proving to be the hidden gem for many business owners.

If this sounds like you then you are ‘normal‘. Your business will be more sustainable if you have clarity & build it around what you love. Clarity helps you determine the best strategies for success, identify your target market & communicate messages effectively, be it with marketing campaigns, communication to your clients, employees or stakeholders, and most of all make better decisions.

For every business that we work with, we really unpack where everyone attached to the business is at and define if the current journey is applicable; or even if others are aware of what that journey is. You simply can’t expect others to walk with you if you don’t even know what that journey looks like.

Become a force of nature. Be the change your business needs. We are working with others like you. Clarity brings purpose. Passion fuels persistence. Having an experienced Co-Pilot will give you a different perspective and accountability.

Procrastination and other stakeholders holding you back is bad for business. Don’t use it as the reason to hold you back.

Take action and achieve success.

– Catherine Cooke
Founder and Leading Business Advisor 

Read our full newsletter below for upcoming workshops, events, case studies and more. 

Navigate by clicking on the far right or left of the pages below.