1. Tell me more ... I have a great commercial proposition and have been busy "advertising" this, but have had very little success. Can you advise me as to what it is that business leaders want to hear? They want to hear something that is unique, fits their strategy, or enhances it, or on a personal level - that will give them a personal edge. If the product delivers this, then the pitch needs to reflect this. 2. A typical day? I am about to become the MD of a small business, and want to make sure I always have the most productive day possible! What is a typical day for an MD and have you any advice on time management? There's no ideal time sheet - however, my advice would be only fill your day with Strategy ... Execution ... and People. 3. Be Direct I have developed a new product which is ideal for the retail industry - what's the best way to get it launched? Should I approach the buying departments direct? Is there another way to launch my product within the industry? Write to the CEO's direct ... if it's a good idea they will pick it up and get the organisation to take a look. 4. Stuck in a rut I am a middle manager who feels his career is stagnating. I want a fresh challenge, but in a new vibrant company - what do you suggest? It totally depends on your personal motivation ... only you can decide what you want to do ... but remember you learn more from the people you work with, than from the company you work for. 5. Who wants to be a ... success? What's the key to being a success at what you do? Success is all down to learning something every day ... no matter where in the organisation you are. Hard work and learning are it! 6. Satisfying shareholders How do you balance, with shareholders, what you consider to be ‘value' decisions, with what may look like commercial nonsense to them? Shareholders always need a glimpse of the "end in sight". What will the business look like in say 3 years? You have to show that the value is there, or arrives in that timescale. If you have a good strategy, and that means demonstrating uniqueness and strong management capability, then you execute well and show progress, shareholders tend to stay with you. 7. Profile How can I raise the profile of my company? First start in your local community. Local press is a good vehicle and they are always hungry for local stories - and of course perform. Companies that do well always raise their profile — their satisfied customers raise their profile. Also, use your employees … if you communicate well with, and look after them, they become your best ambassadors. 8. Desperately seeking investment I am wanting to launch a dotcom, and am obviously in need of investment. I am aware that the dotcom climate is not the best at the moment - but my idea is my dream! Should I continue in my quest for investment? You're right, it's pretty tough out there raising internet funds at the moment, so you might have it tough until the sentiment changes ... which I'm sure it will, but not for another 12 months. The most important thing is that you are determined to make it happen ... if you stay that way, it will! 9. A niche in the market I have a fantastic idea for a retail business and reckon I've found a niche in the market, but I need to raise a considerable amount of funding - where do I start? And is sourcing from the Far East the way to go? For the sort of money you need it's best to start close to home with family and friends ... a group of say 10 all chipping in some money for a share. If you can raise half the money yourself, then the banks are more likely to help too. As to sourcing ... the Far East is good when you have a lot of volume ... so it might be better to be more local to start with - until you know the size of the opportunity! 10. Attention! Attention! To attract attention for a marketing campaign, is it best to be controversial or take a sensible business approach? Be both!