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Business travellers are a great source of ongoing bookings for hotels and bed-and-breakfasts. In this blog, we look at how to attract business travellers and why it makes good business sense.

Why should I try to attract business travellers to my hotel?

Business travellers present a fantastic opportunity to hotel owners. Unlike holidaymakers, who often only stay during high season, business travellers need accommodation all year round. If you can become the accommodation of choice when a organisation’s team are working in your local area, you can achieve sustainable levels of occupancy even during low season.

Another advantage of attracting business travellers is that managing one relationship can translate into lots of bookings. Contrast this with holiday bookings, where you have to from scratch with every guest who arrives.

How can I attract business travellers?

To attract business travellers to your hotel, it’s important to market your offering to them in the right way. The marketing you do to attract individuals and families on holiday will not necessarily appeal to your potential business guests. Instead, devote some of your marketing efforts to connecting with businesses.

  1. Adapt and refine your offering

Before you can offer your hotel as the ideal accommodation for business travellers, consider whether it has what a business traveller needs. If it doesn’t, change it! For example, consider offering a streamlined check-in and check-out, so business guests don’t lose valuable time doing paperwork. Be prepared to offer an early breakfast or late dinner to fit in around unusual arrival times. Perhaps you could turn a quiet corner into a dedicated office or meeting space for your business guests. If your internet speeds are slow, invest in an upgrade so business guests can access whatever they need to work during their stay.

  • Create packages

Creating a special package for business travellers makes it easier for procurement managers to see the value you’re offering. Choose the right price point for a room, breakfast and Wi-Fi, maybe with a transport option to connect guests to the station or airport.

  • Target businesses on social media

Once you’re business-traveller ready, it’s time to spread the word! Share dedicated social media posts, not just offering accommodation but highlighting the reasons why your hotel is a great choice for business travellers. You might also consider posting on LinkedIn, the business-to-business social media platform, to connect with the sort of people who might be looking for accommodation for their business travellers.

  • Network

A great way to meet other businesses face to face is to go to networking events. Networking events help you build up your business family, and meet the kind of business owners who might need what you offer.

You could also offer your hotel as a networking venue, giving event attendees the opportunity to see what you have to offer. 

  • Advertise

A carefully placed advert in a business publication could help you attract commercial travellers. And if any businesses have their head office or training centre near your hotel, reach out directly to let them know you’re ready to welcome their employees whenever they’re in the area!

Outsourced support helps hotels attract business travellers

Get Ahead has a strong team of marketing experts who would love to help you increase your occupancy all year round. If you need support with any of the suggestions we’ve made in this blog, we are here to help. We’ll use our marketing expertise to connect you with commercial travellers and gain all the benefits of repeat business.

Explore our site or social media channels to find out more about what Get Ahead has to offer.

Social media for small businesses can be a challenge. Along with selling your products and services, keeping up with the invoicing, answering calls and emails and staying on top of your files, you’re also trying to find time to market your business on social media. It’s a big ask. 

Fortunately, there are several options available to help you post regularly on social media and still keep on top of your core business. In this blog, we’ll take a look at AI and how to use ChatGPT to generate content for your social channels. 

How to use AI to generate social media content

ChatGPT is an artificially intelligent platform that uses existing internet posts to answer questions and create content. This means it can give you ideas for social media posts and even write them for you. 

ChatGPT is free and you can use it by visiting the ChatGPT website and creating a login. Once in, it gives you the option to “message ChatGPT.” This is where you type in your request for information, whether you just want ideas or a whole social media post. So you might start by typing, “suggestions for social media posts for an outsourcing agency.” 

Then see what you get! And if you see an idea that appeals to you, ask ChatGPT to write you a full social media post about it. 

Some social media scheduling tools (e.g. Hootsuite) have artificially intelligent content generators too, aligned to calendars of awareness days. Simply click on the prompt and allow it to write your content!

Whether you used ChatGPT or the AI in a scheduling platform, you should now have a useable social media post. But before you copy and paste it into your social media platform, read it thoroughly and make sure it really is what you want to share with your followers. If it isn’t, you don’t have to ditch it completely – just make a few changes instead. 

How to edit ChatGPT and AI generated content 

Before you post, check the AI generated content. Ask yourself…

Is it really saying anything?

A danger with ChatGPT is that it sometimes generates posts that are all style and no substance. Check whether the content it has created for you is actually useful to your followers. If not, be prepared to add to the post yourself. 

Does it make the right point? 

ChatGPT takes its information from existing internet posts. This means that if you have a different point of view, or a new angle to share, ChatGPT won’t be able to incorporate it. Remember to check that ChatGPT has taken the same line you would. If you believe rising prices in your industry are a good thing and your followers need to know about them, make sure that’s the point that ChatGPT has made for you. And if isn’t, change it. 

Does it have the right tone? 

Check the post for tone too. ChatGPT reads like…ChatGPT. It’s bland, it’s not quite human and all its emotion (the bit that makes the post engaging) is second-hand. Fortunately, you have the power to remove the cliches, tell your followers how you actually feel and maybe swap some of the wording about. Trust your judgement. If you think the post sounds cheesy, it sounds cheesy. Tweak it until it reads smoothly and sounds like you. After all, you’re the person your followers want to engage with! 

A good thing about AI is that it won’t be offended if you change what it has written! Remember that it’s a good servant but a bad master – ultimately, you are the one who has control over your social media channels. 

Outsourced social media for small businesses

Whatever your experience of social media and/or AI, Get Ahead are here to help. Our experienced social media managers can provide as much or as little support as you need. From helping you with ChatGPT basics to setting up your social media platforms, writing content to in-depth analytics, our team can support you to grow your business through social media. 

Here are some of our top resources about social media – check them out! 

Social media for small businesses – long-term solutions – Get Ahead VA

Ten realistic social media ideas for small businesses – Get Ahead VA

How do I create a social media strategy and why does it matter? – Get Ahead VA

Social media is a great free marketing tool for small businesses. It’s quicker and easier to update than your website, and a brilliant way to interact with your clients and customers. 

But social media evolves all the time. What was working for you when you first started might not be as effective now. Maybe a new platform has come along and it’s time for you to get involved. Or maybe you need a new process to help you post consistently without your core business losing out. 

As it’s springtime, we asked our social media manager Natasha to share her top tips for spring cleaning your social media! Read on to find out more.

1. Spring clean your social media accounts

Most businesses use more than one social media platform. However, platforms come and go – for example, Twitter (now X) used to be a busy business hub but now since the platform’s re-branding it’s largely used for political commentary. Businesses change too – maybe Facebook worked well for you when you first started, but now you’re gaining more interaction on LinkedIn. The important thing is to evaluate which platform your own clients and customers use, and make sure that’s the platform where you post most often.

If you have accounts that are getting considerably less traction than others, let them go altogether and enjoy the time and money you save!

2. Spring clean your bios

When did you last update your social media bios? Take a moment to reread them and consider whether they still reflect you and your business. If your business has grown or changed direction, make sure your bio reflects that.

3. Spring clean your social media tools

Take some time (or ask someone like me!) to research social media tools that could be making your life easier. From new scheduling apps to advanced analytics tools, you might find some new tech to help you get more out of social media. 

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the number of options available, but don’t worry – Get Ahead can help. As one of their social media managers, I am often asked to help a business owner choose what tools to invest in. I talk to them about whether they want their posts scheduled in advance or a better understanding of the data, or something else. Then I share my experience to help them make the best choice. Contact Get Ahead to find out more about how we can help. 

4. Spring clean your social media management

Many business owners post on social media in an unplanned way, as and when something social-media-worthy crops up. While this can be delightfully fresh and spontaneous, it can also lead to inconsistent sharing and long gaps between posts. 

Take some time to think about your social media management and work out what you need to make it better. Consider setting up a folder where your team can add photos and stories – this will mean you always have content to draw upon, as well as showcasing different colleagues and different points of view. Making social media a regular agenda item at your team meeting might be another way to gather content ideas and share success. 

5. Spring clean your work diary

If you’re struggling to post regularly, consider blocking off time in your work diary to create and schedule social media posts. 

It’s also a good idea to weigh up whether posting on social media is the best use of your own time. Would you have more time, more headspace and more effective social media if you got someone like me to do it instead? If you think it would, talk to Get Ahead today – the solution you’re looking for might be more cost-effective than you think. 

Outsource social media 

We hope Natasha’s ideas will help you structure your social media and get more from Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok and other channels. And if you think you could benefit from support from Natasha or one of our other social media managers, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us to find out more.

PS – if you’re looking for inspiration for different social media posts, check out our top ten ideas here!

We are delighted to open a new regional office in West London. Louisa Summerfield will be running the West London region, helping businesses from Windsor to Wimbledon to get ahead.

After graduating with a degree in Law, Louisa worked as a corporate solicitor. She soon discovered a passion for business and went on to launch a global fashion brand, specialising in fashion for women in wheelchairs. In 2012, Louisa discovered Get Ahead online and began working part-time with the flexible outsourcing agency, alongside building her fashion business.

In 2017, natural entrepreneur Louisa spotted an opportunity to bring several domestic services, including dog walking and cleaning, into one customer-friendly online solution. Working with a technical team, she developed a unique app that used GPS to match local people with a range of home services, including cleaning, dog walking, handymen, and dinner party assistance. Chores and Paws became a massive success in London, connecting local service providers with local clients.

After six years of developing the business, Louisa felt ready for the next challenge. She completed the sale of her award-winning company and decided it was time for something new.

“Having started several businesses from scratch, I know how exciting and rewarding it can be, but also how tough it can be. This time, I wanted to find a role that offered all the support of working for a business but the freedom to do things my own way.  Becoming a regional partner with Get Ahead was the obvious choice. I know Rebecca and the business incredibly well. I have seen first-hand how well she supports her Regional Directors, who are spread across England. Rebecca genuinely cares about her team and wants them to succeed.”

Over the next few months, Louisa looks forward to utilising her extensive local business network to raise awareness of our services. “Having been a small business owner, I completely relate to the frustrations and challenges of running your own company,” Louisa added. “I can instantly see what support business owners need and pinpoint the help that will make the biggest difference, whether that’s social media support, business development, accounting or other services. I love seeing businesses succeed and helping them on their journey.”

Our founder Rebecca Newenham is delighted Louisa has decided to become a regional partner and open the West London office. “Louisa has a proven track record of growing successful businesses,” Rebecca said. “Coupled with her deep understanding of our business and the value of outsourcing, I know she will flourish as a Regional Director. I look forward to supporting her over the coming months as she welcomes new clients on board. With offices in Berkshire, Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole, East Midlands, Essex, Harrogate, Leeds, North Hampshire, Oxford, Southampton, Suffolk, Surrey, Winchester and York, we are well-placed to support growing businesses.”

Virtual PA services have both similarities and differences from the traditional PA model. Unfortunately, some business owners are reluctant to sign up for support from virtual PA services because they don’t know what they can reasonably ask their virtual PA to do. This means they’re missing out on some great support.

If you’re wavering about taking up virtual PA services, you’re not alone. To help you, we asked one of our virtual PA’s Juliet to talk us through the top tasks her clients ask her to do. We’ll also take a look at more unusual tasks and how to go about finding the right support to deliver them. Read on to find out more.

Top tasks for virtual PA services

Email

Juliet: Email monitoring is one of the biggest areas of my role. With hundreds of emails arriving every day, it can be difficult for business owners to pick out the most important ones. That’s why I manage client’s inboxes, monitoring the emails to make sure that the right people see the most important messages and action them.

I keep my own records as well. If I notice an important email has not been actioned, I follow up with the recipient so it doesn’t go unanswered.

Initially, I send holding emails in reply so the sender knows their email has been seen. As time goes on and I get to know client’s businesses and how they work, I can reply to some emails myself, taking the pressure off the core team.

Outsourcing email monitoring means the clients can focus on their core business, confident that there is a VA looking out for the most important messages and taking the pressure off.

Accounts

Juliet: Having worked with a number of clients, I’ve got to know different types of accounting software! This helps me slot into a new business easily, and makes me more confident about taking on a new accounting platform. I enter the right data into the platform and chase and reconcile invoices.

Many business owners cite finance as their weakest area – if you hate it, you’re not alone! Fortunately, outsourcing means invoices can be reconciled more quickly and business owners don’t have to worry about it.

Reporting

Juliet: Many of my bigger clients have boards of trustees who have oversight of the business figures. Part of my role is to assemble quarterly reports, pulling together information from other sources so the trustees have an accurate picture of the business.

Preparing for board meetings can take up a lot of precious time. Fortunately, outsourcing the quarterly reports gives you that time back.

Events

Juliet: I often organise events, training and conferences for my clients. I’ve built up my own directory of venues and other services to help the practical side of business events run smoothly.

I love being able to share my established contacts with my new clients. Because I have worked with many different businesses over the years, I’ve developed a network of events contacts which I use to support my current clients.

What about other business support?

Get Ahead has a wide range of virtual experts. Even if you have tasks that fall outside virtual PA services, we have the expertise to deliver them. For example, we might match you with Juliet (or someone with similar skills) to put together a conference or stay on top of the emails. And if you have other jobs, like developing a new website or marketing a new product, other members of our extensive team can help. Even if you have more unusual requirements, like collating notes from a workshop, we hope you’ll come to us – we can always find the right support for your needs.

Virtual PA services from Get Ahead

Our team provide back-office support so that business owners can focus on their core offering. And without having to spend their evenings catching up on paperwork, business owners regain the free time and flexibility that they were looking for in the first place!

Want to find out more about virtual PA services? We’ve put together some of our resources to help you – have a read!

One generalist or a team of specialists? – Get Ahead VA

Don’t know whether to outsource? – Get Ahead VA

A hand-picked team for your business support – Get Ahead VA

Hut22 – a flexible solution for a changing workload – Get Ahead VA

If you’re full of plans but think you might struggle to execute your business idea, don’t worry – Get Ahead are here to help!

Christmas is a great time to reflect on the year just gone, and identify profitable areas for the year ahead. If you spent Christmas dinner bending your family’s ears about your new business plan, your new year’s resolution is probably to put it into practice.

In this blog, we look at why it’s great to have new ideas and how to get the right support to put them into practice.

New business ideas are great!

The Get Ahead team are always meeting entrepreneurs and start-ups. We’ve heard some fantastic ideas and we love the enthusiasm of entrepreneurs when they describe their plans.

Without new ideas, the world would grind to a halt. From the wheel to the internet, new ideas have continued to drive civilisation forward, creating new opportunities and new approaches to business and everyday life.

That’s why you should never stop having ideas. Even if you know your limitations, or you know what barriers stand between you and how to execute your business idea, don’t worry. There are loads of resources out there to help you fill in the gaps and realise your dream.  

Barriers to putting your business idea into practice

You probably already know that nothing worth having comes easy. There might well be barriers between you and a successful business idea. For example, you might have had a cool idea but you’ve never run a business before. Or you might be so fizzing with enthusiasm that you’re struggling to focus on writing a business plan to secure the right start-up funding.

Alternatively, you might know your own field very well, but feel less confident about the other aspects of a delivering a project.

Some people are starters and some people are finishers. The starters are often bubbling with ideas, while the finishers are focused and methodical. The business world needs both types of people, and they have to be prepared to help each other.

How do you get over these barriers? Well, we’d suggest taking some time to be brutally honest with yourself. Accept that your business idea will need some hard work as well as enthusiasm. Identify what skills you already have available to you and be prepared to recruit or outsource the other areas.

Plug your skills gap and execute your business idea

If you’re a starter, you probably need some finishers around you to help you make your business ideas reality. Your best mate might be really supportive, but if they’re too similar to you, they might not help you move your project forward. Sometimes it’s better to choose people who are focused on the bottom line, who are not emotionally involved with the plan and simply want it to work for the sake of business success.

Practical support for start-ups

If you need practical support for your start-up, Get Ahead can help. Our team are all experts in their fields, including finance, marketing, admin, and social media. We can put sustainable systems in place, like setting up customer relationship management software and creating spreadsheets for you to populate.

We insist that every team member has at least three years’ experience in their field before they join Get Ahead. Many have more than three years! This means that if you get your business support from us, you’ll be working with someone who has not only built up experience in their particular skill, but also has wider business experience to share.

If you’re starting a business this January, Get Ahead could be the support you’re looking for. We strive to bring maturity, experience and perspective to every project, filling in the skills gaps and to help you execute your business idea.

To see how this works in practice, learn how we filled in the gaps for a team of cutting-edge software developers who needed help to market their latest product. Read our case study here.   

How to solve staffing issues is not the first question you want to be asking when you reopen after Christmas. Unfortunately, it often is. Christmas gives many people time to think and re-evaluate, with the result that January is often a key time for employees to give notice and start looking for other jobs.

If you’ve been thrown into a staffing crisis because a key team member has decided to move on, you’re not alone. In this blog, we talk to virtual expert Louisa about the problem and consider different ways to solve staffing issues.

Why is January a key month in staff turnover?

Louisa: I like to use my Christmas break to reflect on the past year and make resolutions for the next year. Lots of working people do, and it’s an important time in goal setting. Unfortunately for employers, it can also lead to employees deciding to take a different direction, leaving your business with a skills gap.

How can we solve staffing issues in January?

Louisa: It’s always a shame to say goodbye to someone with skills and experience that have benefited your business – fortunately, there are a number of solutions available. Above all, stay positive – remember that someone leaving always creates opportunities. For example, filling the skills gap could mean a promotion for the right team member. You could also change a process or introduce an efficiency.

When I encounter businesses with a skills gap, I usually suggest the following solutions:

Training and promotion

Depending on your business and your team, training up another member of staff could fill the gap. This can be a cost-effective solution, as well as creating an opportunity for an established member of staff to develop their skills. Opportunities like this can make your staff members feel valued and could help minimise future staff turnover.

On the other hand, if your existing team are already at capacity, you will have to bring in outside help.  

Recruitment

With an obvious gap in your team, you could also recruit a new member of staff. This is a good solution if you’re confident that the role you’re recruiting for is very similar to that held by your outgoing team member. It’s also good if your business is secure and you’re confident you will have the budget to cover the role.

The downside of recruitment is that there are costs associated with advertising the role, as well as time lost from core business while you follow the recruitment process. It’s also important to remember that your new recruit won’t necessarily be able to bring value to the business straightaway. They might need to learn the ropes before you’ll see a return on your recruitment investment.

Outsourcing

Outsourcing is when you pay an outside person or organisation to provide a particular skill or service. It’s a great solution if you have a short-term skills gap…or if you don’t know how long you’ll have the skills gap for. Unlike using a temp, outsourcing is completely flexible and you only pay for completed work. For example, if you outsource the outgoing team member’s responsibilities and then find that some of them are no longer relevant, you can simply turn off that part of the service.

If you outsource to an agency like Get Ahead, your local regional director will hand pick a team of experts to cover all the support you need. This means that you could spread one person’s hours across three people, and get an exceptional standard of work from each one. And if your virtual support shows you a more efficient way of doing something, you are welcome to adopt it – this could change the whole outlook of your business.

Whenever I’m asked to slot into a new business at short notice, I’ve learned to quickly pick up on the culture as well as delivering the best work I can. This means – like all Get Ahead’s virtual experts -I can hit the ground running when I start working for a new client.

Best of all, there’s no long contract, so if you unexpectedly fill your skills gap with a permanent staff member, you can simply switch off the outsourced work while keeping within your staffing budget.

Outsource support to Get Ahead

If you think Get Ahead could be the solution to your skills gap, we’d love to help! Get in touch today or explore our site to find out more. You can also find us on LinkedIn where we share loads of news and tips for business owners.

 

 

 

Outsource finance admin, bookkeeping or accounting and you could find your business running more smoothly.

There is lots of support out there for business owners who need help managing their finances. From a day-to-day finance admin service to in-depth accountancy, there is a solution for every situation and every type of business.

In this blog, we look at the different levels of finance input available, and how to work out what’s right for you.

What outsourced roles are available to help with finance?
Finance administrator

The finance administrator’s job is to raise invoices, answer queries and chase payments on a daily basis. They manage expenses, ensuring that outgoings like petrol, phone bills and coffee (!) all have their corresponding receipt so you can see where your money is going. Most finance administrators are familiar with accounting apps like Xero and Quickbooks. They can use these to generate reports so you can see your profit and loss at a glance. A finance administrator will also submit financial records to your accountant at regular points doing the year.

Unlike bookkeepers and accountants, finance administrators don’t usually hold formal qualifications. Instead, they’re usually highly organised people with a head for figures. They combine their natural abilities with experience to provide the finance help your business deserves. 

A finance administrator is usually the cheapest option. 

Bookkeeper

The roles of a bookkeeper and a finance admin overlap, and most businesses have one or other. However, the bookkeeper’s role is a little different from that of a finance admin. Bookkeepers have usually undergone specific finance training and may hold qualifications in bookkeeping. This means they can analyse figures as well as generating them, and can often contribute to decision making.

A bookkeeper’s hourly rate may be higher than that of a finance admin, because the bookkeeper holds more qualifications and responsibility. 

Accountant

Accountancy covers financial reporting and compliance, including tax, VAT and auditing. Accountants look at business finance in detail and check you’ve followed all the regulations you need to. Unless your business finance is complicated, you might only use accountancy services once a year.

Not all businesses need an accountant, particularly if your turnover is below the VAT threshold. 

This is the most expensive option, but you might pay for it as a one-off service.

What type of business finance support do I need?

The first thing to say is that you don’t necessarily need any support in this area at all. If you’re confident keeping your books and reconciling your accounts, and your business is straightforward, carry on! 

But if finance isn’t your forte, or you’re procrastinating about it because you secretly hate it, or you just don’t have time to do it, outsourcing financial admin is a good place to start. 

If your business has straightforward income and outgoings, a finance administrator will probably be enough for your needs. But if you need more input and advice, having a bookkeeper play a regular part in your day-to-day business is a good idea.

If you have a high turnover, or your finances are complicated, it’s a good idea to engage an accountant. For example, if you are a charity and have to account for your spending, or your corporate social responsibility gives you tax breaks, you might need some more in-depth help. 

Outsource financial admin

If you feel it’s time to outsource your financial admin or find a bookkeeper or accountant to work with you, Get Ahead are here to help. Our experienced regional directors can help you identify the right level of support, giving you the service you need and value for money too. Get in touch to find out more.

PS – we’ve put together an infographic on the key differences between a finance admin, bookkeeper and accountant – check it out here!

If you sell products on Amazon, you’re probably aware that it’s a great opportunity but one that’s hard to stay on top of. Continual changes and paid advertising are just some of the challenges AMZ retailers face on a regular basis, all of which can eat into your time and profits. 

Fortunately, help is at hand. At Get Ahead, we understand the opportunities offered by Amazon, but also the challenges. We’re committed to supporting businesses of all sizes, helping them secure an efficient, affordable solution for their needs. That includes helping you sell products on Amazon! 

In this blog, our virtual expert Leo shares some of his insights as we look at ways to support you with your Amazon shop. 

Why do retailers ask for support with Amazon selling?

Leo: Most retailers want to sell through Amazon because it’s the largest online marketplace. It’s a no brainer! Unfortunately, the size of Amazon also creates problems. Sellers have to compete to have their products seen by shoppers, which involves including the right keywords in the right places and other strategies. Without proper attention, pay per click (PPC) advertising might not give value for money. In addition, account management can be really complex, especially as Amazon continually changes its rules and expectations. 

For many of the sellers I meet, these problems translate into neglected Amazon accounts and listings. Some retailers know they should be on Amazon but haven’t even been able to get started. Usually, retailers know they need to take action but ultimately it’s too daunting. And because of the time involved, taking action with their Amazon account doesn’t seem worthwhile. Instead, retailers are getting on with selling through easier channels.

I completely understand why retailers do this. But I also know that, by neglecting their Amazon accounts, they’re missing out on considerable sales. 

Sell products on Amazon with support from Get Ahead

Leo: I’ve been helping retailers get the most out of their Amazon accounts for a number of years. And now, a collaborative team made up of myself, Get Ahead regional directors and our retailer clients, Get Ahead has put together a package to simplify the Amazon process in an affordable way. We’ve also come up with optional extras so you can get exactly the right support for your needs. 

Our basic package has the following features:
  • Daily account monitoring      
  • Bid adjustments   
  • Brand registry support  
  • Budget adjustments      
  • Unlimited campaign launches   
  • Unlimited keyword research   
  • Unlimited ASIN research 
  • Stock management – weekly     
  • Account health compliance and support 
  • Keyword tracking  
  • Competitor analysis     
  • Reports analysis and implementation   
  • Email communication (up to 24 hours response time)    
  • 1x Monthly Loom video update – For Ads and Account Management
  • Listing optimisation    
  • Graphic design – product images, A+ content 
Retail clients also have the option to add on:
  • Monthly in-house visit
  • 1x weekly Loom video update  
  • 1x bi-weekly Loom video update  
  • 1x weekly video/telephone call
  • 1x bi-weekly video/telephone call
  • 1x monthly video/telephone call
  • Brand storefront 
  • Close communication (WhatsApp, Skype, Slack, etc)
  • Other support as required

Like all Get Ahead services, you can turn support on and off as you need to. However, I would recommend committing to the basic package for at least three months to give it the chance to take effect. 

Get in touch to find out more

If you know you need support to sell products on Amazon, you’re not alone. Fortunately, we can help. Explore our site to find out more about how we work, or contact your local regional director today for an informal chat.  

Feeling overwhelmed is increasingly common. Modern life (and sometimes social media) can have us worrying that we’re expected to be dynamic business owners, committed parents, interesting members of society and willing volunteers all at the same time. But the truth is, there are only so many hours in the day. No one can do everything. 

The worst thing about feeling overwhelmed as a business owner is that we can’t see the wood for the trees. But that’s where Get Ahead comes in. Of course, we’re there for people who phone us up and ask us for straightforward social media management. But we also love it when business owners come to us to say they know they need help but they don’t know where to start. When this happens, our regional directors draw on their own knowledge and experience, as well as the expertise within our team, to help a business owner find a way through.

In this blog, we talk to Sarah Yandell, one of our regional directors, about how to manage feeling overwhelmed and how Get Ahead can help.

Why do business owners feel overwhelmed?

Sarah: Running a business is hard work! No matter how experienced you are, there will always be responsibilities you love and others you struggle with. 

Another problem with running a business is that you don’t get paid holiday, sick leave or compassionate leave – I’ve met people who are trying to keep going when it’s really time to take a break. These pressures can leave you feeling overwhelmed. 

If you’re really overwhelmed, you might not be thinking very rationally and it can be difficult to get your priorities in order. 

What to do if you’re feeling overwhelmed as a business owner

Sarah: Be strong and take a break. It can be really hard to do when you’ve got an ever-lengthening list of jobs, but remember that you’ll work more effectively if you recharge your batteries. Often, stepping away from work can give you the sense of proportion you need. It can help you see where the problem really lies; it can also help you work out “what will make the boat go faster.”

Talking to someone can also help. Depending on the structure of your business, you might be able to talk to colleagues. And if you work alone, talk to a friend – a different perspective can be very refreshing. Remember, talking about difficulties and asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. You might be surprised at where the help comes from too. 

Often, talking to someone can help you find your priorities. Once you’ve found them, don’t try to fix everything all at once. If you’re overwhelmed at work and you’ve got other commitments too, focus your efforts on the most important thing first. For example, you can’t move offices, employ new staff and experiment with a new social media channel when your invoicing system isn’t effective. Put everything else aside and get on top of the invoicing first!  

How does Get Ahead support business owners who feel overwhelmed?

Sarah: When a business owner client comes to me because they’re feeling overwhelmed, my first instinct is to help. I ran a variety of businesses before I joined Get Ahead and I know from experience that it’s not always easy. When I meet a client for the first time, I always start with an informal chat. This is because trust is so important if we’re going to get you through this crisis and running your business effectively – locking you straight into a contract is unlikely to help your stress levels. 

Once we feel we can work together, I listen to you describe your business, the challenges you’re facing and how you feel about them, and start to put together a proposal. Like you, I’m not an expert in every area of running a business, so I also ask Get Ahead’s team of virtual experts to help me identify the best solution for your needs. 

It’s worth noting that the proposal is very flexible. I often start by offering a basic service like diary management, and you can add to that over time if you want to. And if we start off providing a service that you later don’t feel you need, you can simply switch it off. I manage the relationship with the virtual experts, so you don’t have to worry about an awkward conversation if you feel it’s time to bring the support to an end. 

Resources to help you when you’re feeling overwhelmed as a business owner

Sarah is our regional director for Suffolk and Essex, but her supportive approach is what you can expect from any of our team. Get Ahead are here to support business owners in any way we can – here are our top resources to help you when you’re feeling overwhelmed:

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