December Talk with Paul Holmes

It's the last week of December and a week of restrictions for the second Christmas in a row. Let's take comfort from the words and experiences of some dynamic business owners and managers across the UK. Today we're talking to Paul Holmes who is managing director of PCH Business Support – soon to become PCH Business Consultants - based in Swindon and operating across the South of England. Paul manages a team of business consultants focussed on growth for larger organisations.

It’s December – is this a busy time for your business? 
It does tend to get slightly quieter this time of year. I find businesses are usually starting to contemplate next year, however clients are still busy and still cracking on, which is always good to see.  

Christmas has come and gone – what does Christmas mean for you? 
It’s a great time for reflection on how the business has weathered the last 18 months - two years, and then also having the time to think about what lies ahead. 

It’s also a perfect opportunity for a little down time to re-charge the batteries ready for the year ahead. 

Which really is going to be an exciting time, not only with PCH Business Consultants going live in January, but also the Veloci-Tech Business Accelerator, which PCH is one of the partners which will also be launching in January, a definite big year for PCH ahead!

What’s on Santa’s List for your business in 2022? 
My main focuses will be on building the team and presence of PCH Business Consultants, increasing our clients, and to overall grow the organisation. 

And what’s on your list personally?  
Well unfortunately I’ve been told the £900 Star Wars LEGO AT-AT is just not going to happen! 

Seriously though for me it’s all about finding the time and the chance to grow businesses, overcoming any challenges that have arisen, and growing the PCH team next year, starting with 20 consultants and lots more to follow means we can provide a very wide and comprehensive service to almost any business and sector. 

What has been your greatest business lesson this year? 
I guess it’s two things really. The first one being the need to follow my advice and to stop working ridiculous hours. The second being not to get too complacent.

We had a brilliant first half of the year, the second half was a little quieter, as clients have started to report seeing a later than expected impact from the pandemic, but overall a good year focussing on the launch of the new business.

What have been your business highlights in 2021? 
Launching PCH Consultants and creating the associates team has definitely been a huge highlight in 2021. Helping to create and launch the Veloci-Tech Business Accelerator is also certainly up there for me in terms of my business highlights. 

What will be your personal highlights in 2022? 
Certainly the growth and development of PCH Business Consultants, beginning with new clients starting in January and already seeing lots of possible innovation projects that will run along-side that. We have some very interesting client projects that are happening. A big highlight will be finding a better balance of working hours as the new model develops.

What will you do differently in 2022? 
For me personally it will be having a big reliance on the team. We also have an exciting introduction of some more innovation style projects, taking clever things to market. 
 

Is ‘giving back’ important to you?
Yes, very much so. I run lots of free 1:1s helping start up and small businesses, have been a member of Round Table for 20 years and helped run numerous community projects over the years 

I am also currently involved with the Pimms In The Park - Platinum Jubilee, looking at fund-raising and key people for the event too. 

I have also been working with Gloucester based Heart Heroes charity, who work with children with heart defects. 

Will you have a nominated charity for 2022? If so, tell us about it and what you plan to do to support that organisation? 
Yes I will, Heart Heroes. We have already had discussions on how to help build the charity, putting structure in place and possibly expanding it.

They have created a series of regional hubs in the south west that help the families of children with heart defects and hope to eventually have national coverage. 

Like most businesses when growth happens it's easy for the person running the company to become overwhelmed and that’s happening now in the charity. Kelly has done a stunning job creating the organisation and to be able to do more needs support in building the team and operational structure – PCH will help. 

If you are planning to recruit in 2022 – share a little of your hopes around the growth of your team. 
The PCH Associates Team will continue to expand. To date we already have 13 announced, with seven more that will be announced shortly, starting January with 20 and more into the New Year. An exciting 2022 for all involved with PCH.

Have you got any special offers or deals you’d like to mention? 
Free consultation within anyone who wants to discuss their business and who is interested in finding out about how we might help.

What would be your best piece of advice for anyone in business for 2022? 
Find the time to think about your business not just work in it, make time to sit down to think and plan and ask for help! 

2022 is time to avoid being ‘just busy’, find time to ‘think smart’. 

The effects of Covid19 are clearly  not going away and who knows how it may continue to affect your business - think about alternative products and services so you are not just reliant on one revenue stream.

And finally:
A ‘BIG’ thank you to everyone that’s been involved with business to clients, friends, family, associates and all the people we have worked with that has made everything possible this year.

Special mentions this year must go to Claire Weaving, Nicki Kinton, Sophie Davis, Fiona Scott, Vicki Gray, Robin Waite and Martin Croft. 

For more information visit https://www.pchbusinesssupport.co.uk