Action Coach Portsmouth

FREE 2 WEEK BUSINESS KICKSTART: Is It Right for You?

Beth Theobald-Morgan — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:00:25 +0000

CLICK HERE to claim your FREE 2 WEEK BUSINESS KICKSTART place

Ask most business owners when they last switched off completely, and you’ll usually get a long pause.

Over time, the business that was meant to give them freedom has quietly taken over their evenings, their weekends and their holidays. Not because they’re doing anything wrong, but because they’re too close to it to see a way out.

That’s exactly why we created the FREE 2 WEEK BUSINESS KICKSTART: free, one-to-one business coaching for owners across Hampshire and West Sussex. Over two weeks, we step back from the day-to-day together, look at your business from the outside, and build a clear game plan to grow it and get your time back. Best of all, it costs nothing, and there’s no obligation to carry on afterwards.

In this post, we’ll explain exactly what happens, and how to tell whether it’s right for you.

Why two weeks of free business coaching?

Put simply, two weeks is long enough to see how your business really runs, and short enough that it doesn’t take over your diary.

After all, a single meeting rarely gets past the surface. Typically, you talk about the challenges you already know about, and you leave with a few good ideas that are forgotten by Friday. In contrast, over two weeks we can meet you, see your business in action, think properly about what we’ve found, and come back with a plan that fits how you actually work.

It also means you get a real taste of what working with a business coach is like, rather than a sales pitch about it.

What happens, step by step

The Kickstart has four steps, each building on the last.

Step one: Connect & Coffee

We start with a relaxed, informal chat over a coffee. This is all about you: where the business is today, where you want it to be, and what you want your own life to look like. We’ll ask what’s frustrating you, what’s working well, and what you’d do with more time if you had it.

Above all, there’s no pressure and no hard sell. It’s simply a chance to get to know each other.

Step two: Exploration & On-Site Insight

Next, we come to you. This matters because seeing your business in action tells us far more than any conversation can. We’ll look at how work flows through the business, how the team operates day to day, and where your own time is going.

In fact, owners are often surprised by what an outside pair of eyes picks up. For example, things that have become “just how we do it” can turn out to be where the biggest opportunities are hiding.

Step three: Virtual Strategy Session

Then, using what we’ve learned, we meet online to dig into the detail. Together we’ll pinpoint the handful of areas that would make the biggest difference, whether that’s profit, sales, your team, your systems or your time.

Ultimately, the aim is focus. Rather than trying to fix everything at once, we narrow it down to what matters most right now.

Step four: 90-Minute Game Plan Session

Finally, we bring it all together in a 90-minute session to build your game plan. As a result, you’ll leave with clear priorities, practical next steps and a realistic timeline, written down so you can act on it straight away.

What you walk away with

By the end of the two weeks, you’ll have:

A clear picture of where your business stands today, seen from the outside
Your biggest opportunities identified, so you know where to focus first
A written game plan with priorities, next steps and a timeline
A real experience of business coaching, so you can decide whether it’s right for you

Most importantly, the game plan is yours to keep, whatever you decide to do next.

Is it right for you?

Generally, the Kickstart works best for business owners in Hampshire and West Sussex who want things to change and are ready to act on what they learn.

It’s probably a great fit if you:

Own and run a business, and feel like it runs you rather than the other way round
Are working long hours and missing out on time with family, friends or hobbies
Know the business could be more profitable, but aren’t sure where to start
Rely on yourself for too much, and want your team to take more ownership
Have a growth goal in mind, but no clear plan to get there
Are open to an outside view, even when it challenges how things are done

It’s probably not for you if:

You’re looking for someone to do the work for you, rather than alongside you
You’re not in a position to make changes in the next few months
You’d only like to talk through ideas, without acting on any of them

On the other hand, if you’re not sure, that’s fine. Mention it when you apply, and we’ll have an honest conversation about whether the Kickstart is the right next step.

Frequently asked questions

Is it really free? Yes. In fact, there’s no cost for any of the four steps, and you won’t be asked for payment details.

What’s the catch? There isn’t one. We run the Kickstart because the best way to understand what coaching can do is to experience it. If you’d like to keep working together afterwards, we’ll talk about that. If not, you keep your game plan and we part as friends.

How much of my time will it take? Four sessions spread over two weeks, including the 90-minute Game Plan Session. What’s more, we’ll arrange each one around your diary.

Where do the sessions happen? First, the coffee is somewhere convenient for you. After that, the on-site visit is at your business, and the strategy session is online.

Why are places limited? Each Kickstart gets proper one-to-one time, including a visit to your business. As a result, we can only take on a small number each month.

What happens afterwards? That’s up to you. Some owners choose to carry on with coaching, and others take their game plan and run with it. Either way, there’s no obligation.

Ready to work with a business coach?

If you’ve read this far, you probably already know something needs to change. Often, the hardest part is taking the first step, and that’s just a coffee.

Places are limited each month, so if the FREE 2 WEEK BUSINESS KICKSTART sounds right for you, apply today. It takes two minutes, and we’ll be in touch to book your coffee.

CLICK HERE to claim your FREE 2 WEEK BUSINESS KICKSTART place

No cost. No obligation. Just a clear plan to grow your business and get your time back.

The post FREE 2 WEEK BUSINESS KICKSTART: Is It Right for You? first appeared on Action Coach Portsmouth.

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3 Signs your business depends on you too much

Beth Theobald-Morgan — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 14:18:38 +0000

Most business owners start out chasing freedom: more time, more control, more choice over how they spend their days.

Somewhere along the way, many end up with the opposite. The business grows, but so do the hours. Evenings go on admin, weekends go on catch-up, and holidays come with a laptop.

If your business can’t run without you, you don’t own a business. You own a job, and a demanding one. Here are three signs it depends on you too much, and what you can do about it.

1. Every decision comes through you

Your phone never stops. Your team checks with you before they act, from pricing a job to answering a customer email.

It can feel good to be needed. But when every decision waits for you, you become the bottleneck. Work slows down when you’re busy, and stops completely when you’re away.

Try this:
For one week, note every question your team brings you. Pick the three that come up most and agree a simple rule for each, so your team can decide without you next time.

2. You can’t take a proper break

When did you last switch off for a full week? Not checking emails by the pool, not taking “quick” calls on a day out with the family.

If a holiday needs weeks of planning, or you dread what you’ll come back to, your business is relying on you to keep it running day to day. That’s tiring, and it’s risky. If you were ill for a month, what would happen?

Try this:
Book a day off in the next month and put it in the diary now. Then look at what would need to happen for the business to run smoothly that day. That list is where the work starts.

3. The know-how lives only in your head

How do you quote for a job? Onboard a new customer? Train a new starter? If the honest answer is “I just do it”, the business only works when you’re there.

Without written systems, every task depends on your memory and your time. Your team can’t step up, and growing means you work even harder.

Try this:
Choose one task you do every week and write down the steps, or record yourself doing it. Hand it to someone else and fine-tune it together. One system a month adds up fast.

Building a business that runs without you

Recognise one or more of these signs? You’re not alone, and it can be fixed. It isn’t a time problem. It’s a business design problem.

Through business coaching, we help owners put the right pieces in place:

Systems, so the know-how isn’t stuck in your head
A team who can make decisions without you
Clear numbers, so you know how the business is doing at a glance
A plan, with time off put in the diary first

The result is a business that keeps running when you step back, and more time for your family, your hobbies and the life you built it for.

Ready to get your time back? Get in touch to book a free, no-obligation chat about where your time is going and what would free up the most of it.

Book a call with Matt now!

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Grow Your Business: Fix These 4 Foundations First

Beth Theobald-Morgan — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 10:27:26 +0000

When a business owner tells me they want to grow, my first question isn’t about marketing. It’s about foundations.

In the ActionCOACH Business Operating System, the first stage is mastery: moving from chaos to control. It has four parts, and each one builds on the last. Get them right and growth becomes far easier. Skip them and growth becomes expensive and exhausting.

1. Delivery mastery

Most owners focus on new customers first. I want to know whether you can look after the ones you’ve already got.

Would you run a bath with the hot tap on and the plug out? That’s what chasing new business looks like when existing clients are leaking away. Keeping a customer is seven times cheaper than winning a new one.

The test: can you deliver on time at least 80% of the time, on budget, on scope, with no negative feedback and no late-night panic? First, score yourself out of 10. Then ask what one or two points better would look like.

A simple way to raise the bar is to imagine your favourite celebrity just became a customer. Of course, you’d pull out all the stops. What would you do for them that you’re not doing for everyone?

2. Destination mastery

Simply put, before you build something, you need to know what you’re building.

We spend more time planning our family holiday than planning where our business is going. Nobody turns up at the airport with a backpack and no idea where they’re flying. And nobody builds a dream house by dumping bricks in a field. Instead you’d hire an architect and see the drawings first.

So take two full days. Decide where you want the business to be, what it’ll turn over and which customers it’ll serve. That’s your blueprint.

3. Financial mastery

If you don’t know last month’s net profit, you don’t really know your business.

Every one of my clients reports their numbers to their coach monthly: revenue, gross margin, net profit and average sale. Together they answer one question: are you on track or off track?

Technology makes this easy now. My AI agent pulls our numbers from Xero every Tuesday morning and emails the team a report. As a result, a three-hour job became thirty minutes.

And if your accountant only gives you year-end accounts nine months late, find one who’ll give you monthly numbers.

4. Time mastery

Fortunately, I only ask for two to four hours a week, blocked out, to work on the business.

If you’re not building your business, someone else is. However, it rarely ends up looking the way you wanted.

Where to start

Score yourself out of 10 on each of the four. Pick the lowest two and focus there for the next 90 days. Finally, once those are solid, you’re ready to grow.

Take Action. Get Results.

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A Strong Start to 2026 with Rebrand and Awards Success

Ellie Lovell — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 15:08:00 +0000

ActionCOACH Portsmouth and Chichester has begun 2026 on a high note, unveiling a refreshed brand identity, introducing its innovative ABOS System and celebrating significant achievements within its client community.

In January, the business hosted a rebrand launch event to officially introduce the ABOS System, a structured business operating framework designed to give owners greater clarity, control and confidence across all aspects of their organisation. The launch marks a renewed commitment to helping local businesses build solid foundations, enhance performance and achieve sustainable, predictable growth. An in-person session is planned for those interested in learning more about how the ABOS System can support their business operations.

The start of the year also brought award-winning recognition for the ActionCOACH team. Sarah Williams (Sarah Williams Coach to Owners, Executives and Leadership Teams), one of our business coaches, was named Business Coach of the Year at the 2026 ActionCOACH UK Conference, reflecting her dedication to delivering exceptional coaching and driving meaningful client results.

Additionally, ActionCOACH Portsmouth received the Best Client Results award, celebrating the successful outcomes achieved alongside one of its long-standing clients.

For businesses seeking guidance on improving performance and building leadership strength, ActionCOACH Portsmouth and Chichester continues to provide tailored support designed to deliver lasting results.

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What Makes a Business Valuable? The 8 Key Drivers

Ellie Lovell — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:55:37 +0000

Creating a valuable business is the aspiration of many business owners in Portsmouth, Chichester, Southampton, Hampshire and surrounding areas.

Understanding business value is critical for attracting investment, preparing for a sale or achieving long-term success. This definitive guide explores the eight key drivers that determine business value, while offering practical steps to increase profitability, customer satisfaction and growth potential.

Building your business as a valuable asset, one that can operate independently and be sold or transferred, should be a core focus from the outset.

Understanding Business Value

Business value is more than just profit.

It reflects the enterprise’s potential to generate cash flow, attract a potential buyer and maintain a strong position in the market. Most people expect business value to be all about financials but qualitative factors, like systems, brand and team, are equally important.

Many businesses underestimate the importance of evaluating these key drivers regularly.

Why Business Value Matters

High-value companies enjoy better investment opportunities, stronger team engagement and smoother succession planning.

Many business owners find that focusing on value rather than short-term profit leads to sustainable growth and long-term success. Charting a clear course for business growth and eventual sale is essential and business owners should expect to address legal, tax and operational considerations to ensure a smooth transition and optimal valuation.

The Eight Key Drivers of Business Value

ActionCOACH has identified eight critical drivers that determine the value of a company.

These drivers directly impact performance, profitability and market appeal, making them essential for any business life cycle.

Growth Potential

A business with strong growth potential attracts investors and future buyers.

Expanding your customer base, increasing recurring revenue and exploring new market opportunities all enhance value. Businesses in Portsmouth and Hampshire can leverage local industry connections to accelerate growth.

Financial Performance

A business’s revenue, cash flow and profitability are fundamental indicators of value.

Accurate finance data, transparent reporting and effective management of costs directly impact how a company is perceived by other businesses and potential buyers.

Scalability

Businesses that can grow without proportionally increasing costs demonstrate strong systems and processes.

Scalable enterprises attract investment and position themselves as leaders in their industry. Owners should assess how dependent growth is on specific resources or personnel.

Customer Satisfaction and Base

Customer satisfaction is critical for recurring revenue and long-term business life.

A loyal customer base reduces risk and enhances the potential for sustained profitability. Companies should measure performance through surveys, feedback and direct engagement to maintain high satisfaction levels.

Diversification

Reliance on a single product, service or client increases risk.

Diversifying revenue streams, expanding services and exploring other factors in the market strengthens resilience and business value, especially in competitive regions like Southampton and Chichester.

Intellectual Property and Proprietary Systems

Assets such as trademarks, patents and unique processes provide monopoly control over your market and create a direct impact on business value.

Protecting these assets is a critical point for firms looking to maximise enterprise worth.

Brand Strength

A strong brand communicates value to clients, customers and potential investors.

Investing in branding strategy, pricing and market presence establishes credibility and attracts more attention in the local industry.

Employee Capability and Team

A skilled, motivated and stable team is a sign of a well-managed business.

Employees influence performance, client satisfaction and operational efficiency. Investing in training and management systems improves long-term success.

Systems and Processes

Well-documented processes and efficient systems create a more sellable business and support scalability.

Streamlined operations reduce dependency on any single individual, ensuring continuity and resilience.

Market Position

A strong market position in your industry, whether local or regional, enhances competitiveness.

Assess competitors, analyse market trends and identify your unique value proposition to secure a more valuable business.

Risk Management

Mitigating financial, operational and industry-specific risks is critical.

A business with managed risk is more attractive to investors and potential buyers, while also ensuring long-term sustainability.

Measuring Your Business Value

Regular assessment of these key drivers provides actionable insights.

ActionCOACH’s Value Builder System offers a structured approach to measure your company’s performance across all areas, including cash flow, recurring revenue and growth potential.

Common Challenges

Many businesses struggle with over-reliance on owners, inconsistent cash flow, limited customer diversification and outdated systems.

Addressing these challenges is critical for increasing enterprise value and attracting investment.

Practical Steps to Improve Each Driver

Growth: Explore new markets, increase recurring revenue, create innovative services.
Financial Performance: Optimise pricing, monitor cash flow, improve profit margins.
Scalability: Standardise systems and processes, reduce resource dependency.
Customer Satisfaction: Engage clients, gather feedback, maintain high service standards.
Diversification: Expand products, services, or client base.
Intellectual Property: Protect trademarks, patents and proprietary systems.
Brand Strength: Invest in marketing, establish industry presence.
Employee Capability: Train teams, develop leadership, incentivise performance.
Systems and Processes: Streamline operations, ensure consistent workflows.
Market Position: Analyse competitors, strengthen unique selling propositions.
Risk Management: Implement safeguards, diversify revenue, ensure compliance.

Understanding and enhancing the eight key drivers of business value, growth potential, financial performance, scalability, customer satisfaction, diversification, intellectual property, brand strength, employee capability, systems and processes, market position and risk management, enables companies to maximise value, attract investment and ensure long-term success.

Engaging with ActionCOACH Portsmouth and participating in our Value Builder Workshop offers a structured, actionable path toward a more profitable and valuable business.

Introduction to Business Value

When building a successful business, many business owners focus on increasing revenue and profit. However, true business value goes far beyond the numbers on a balance sheet.

Business value is the measure of a company’s worth, reflecting not only its financial performance but also its ability to generate consistent cash flow, recurring revenue and long-term growth potential. Understanding what drives business value is essential for anyone looking to create a company that stands out in the market, attracts investment and can be sold or passed on to future generations.

A well-crafted business plan is the foundation for achieving high business value. It helps business owners identify the key drivers that contribute to a company’s success, such as customer satisfaction, market demand and competitive positioning. Many businesses miss out on their full potential because they overlook these critical factors, focusing only on short-term gains rather than building a valuable enterprise for the future. By prioritising these key drivers, business owners can create a business that is not only profitable but also attractive to potential buyers and investors.

One powerful strategy for increasing business value is adopting the Switzerland structure, designing a business that can operate independently of the owner’s daily involvement. This approach reduces risk and makes the company more appealing to buyers, as it demonstrates that the business can thrive without being dependent on any single individual. In addition to the Switzerland structure, business owners should consider other factors that impact value, such as growth potential, risk management and the strength of their team and resources.

Companies with high growth potential, a strong team and effective systems are more likely to achieve a higher business value. On the other hand, businesses that face high risks or lack sufficient resources may struggle to reach their goals. By understanding these factors and developing a business plan that addresses them, business owners can create a more valuable and resilient enterprise.

The eight key drivers of business value, ranging from revenue and profit to customer satisfaction and market demand, are essential for determining a company’s true worth. Focusing on these drivers and integrating them into your business plan will help you build a successful business that stands out in the market and appeals to potential buyers. In the following sections, we will explore these drivers in more detail and provide actionable strategies for increasing your business value.

ActionCOACH Portsmouth and Chichester, a leader in business coaching, has developed a definitive guide to help business owners understand and maximise business value. By following these proven principles and creating a business plan that addresses the key drivers, you can achieve your goals and build a company that is both successful and valuable.

In summary, understanding business value is critical for any business owner who wants to create a thriving, future-proof enterprise. By focusing on the key drivers, adopting the Switzerland structure and developing a comprehensive business plan, you can increase your business value and set your company up for long-term success. Next, we’ll dive deeper into the eight key drivers and show you how to leverage them to create a business that is truly valuable.

Local Business Success Stories

Several businesses in Portsmouth, Chichester, Southampton and wider Hampshire have applied these eight drivers to achieve measurable growth and higher value, generating significant interest from buyers and maximising the money received from a sale. Preparing to sell a business involves building a management team that can operate independently of the owner, which increases buyer interest. These case studies demonstrate that strategic focus on value creates tangible financial and operational benefits. Buyers are most interested in the business’s growth potential and future income streams, not just past performance.

Why Attend the Value Builder Workshop

ActionCOACH Portsmouth’s Value Builder Workshop on 2nd February 2026 helps business owners understand how these drivers affect company value, with Action Coach and other business coaches guiding owners through the process of maximising business value. The workshop emphasises the importance of understanding how to pay employees, manage cashflow and ensure you get paid for products or services before paying suppliers. Pricing strategies (price) and systematic procedures (process) for root cause analysis are covered to improve business drivers and overall performance.

Reserve your spot at the Value Builder Workshop here: Value Builder Workshop – 2nd February 2026.

Attendance equips you to implement these strategies, measure performance and achieve higher business value.

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ActionCOACH Portsmouth & Chichester Launches ABOS System at Rebrand Event

Ellie Lovell — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 10:09:01 +0000

ActionCOACH Portsmouth & Chichester recently hosted a rebrand launch event to mark the introduction of its new operating framework, the ABOS System, signalling an important new phase in how the organisation supports business owners across Portsmouth, Chichester and the wider South Coast.

Held nearly two weeks ago, the event welcomed over 65 business professionals from across the South Coast, bringing together local business owners, leaders and decision-makers to celebrate the next evolution of ActionCOACH Portsmouth & Chichester’s approach to business coaching.

A Strategic Rebrand Focused on Business Growth

The launch represented more than a visual rebrand. It highlighted a renewed and strengthened commitment to helping businesses build structure, improve performance and achieve sustainable, predictable growth.

At the centre of the rebrand is the ABOS System, a structured business operating system designed to help owners gain clarity and control across all areas of their organisation. The system supports businesses in creating strong foundations, scaling effectively and building long-term value.

Throughout the evening, attendees learned how the ABOS System enables business owners to move away from reactive decision-making and towards a more strategic, data-driven approach. Key themes included operational consistency, leadership accountability, team alignment and scalable systems that support growth without compromising stability.

Supporting Business Owners Across Portsmouth and the South Coast

The event also reinforced ActionCOACH Portsmouth & Chichester’s ongoing commitment to the local business community. By bringing together professionals from a wide range of industries, the evening demonstrated the value of collaboration, shared experience and access to proven business coaching frameworks.

The positive engagement and energy throughout the event reflected a shared ambition to raise standards of business performance across the region. Attendees left with a clearer understanding of how the ABOS System can support businesses at every stage of growth, from early development through to scale and exit planning.

Looking Ahead

ActionCOACH Portsmouth & Chichester would like to thank everyone who attended and contributed to the success of the rebrand launch. The strong turnout and level of discussion made the event a fitting introduction to this next chapter.

For business owners who were unable to attend but would like to learn more about the ABOS System, the new brand, or how ActionCOACH Portsmouth & Chichester supports leadership teams, further information is available on request. The team looks forward to working with more businesses across Portsmouth, Chichester and the wider South Coast as they move forward with clarity, confidence and control.

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Celebrating ActionCOACH, Team Wins and Upcoming Workshops

Ellie Lovell — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 15:16:45 +0000

This month marks a time of celebration and reflection, as we recognise two significant milestones. 32 years of ActionCOACH and 18 years of delivering business coaching excellence locally in Hampshire and West Sussex. These anniversaries serve as a reminder of the impact that focused business education and leadership development can have on individuals, teams and communities.

We also share updates on our continued growth, upcoming events and the achievements of our dedicated team. From our upcoming GrowthCLUB 90 Day Planning Workshop, to our ongoing partnerships with Shaping Portsmouth and the latest professional development milestones within our team, we’re proud to showcase how we continue to deliver value to business owners across the region.

Thank you for being part of our journey. Whether you’ve been with us for 18 years or just joined us recently, we look forward to continuing to support you and your business in the months and years ahead.

Celebrating ActionCOACH Milestones

This August, we are proud to celebrate the 32nd anniversary of ActionCOACH Global, the world’s number one business coaching firm.

Founded by Brad Sugars in 1993, ActionCOACH has expanded across more than 80 countries, helping business owners achieve sustainable growth and long-term success. The organisation was built on a clear mission: “World Abundance Through Business Re-Education.”

At the core of ActionCOACH are values such as Integrity, Abundance, Ownership and Excellence, which guide every interaction and coaching engagement. With decades of proven results, the ActionCOACH model continues to deliver practical strategies for business owners to grow revenue, develop leadership, and build better teams.

In addition to the global anniversary, ActionCOACH Portsmouth marks a significant milestone: 18 years of coaching and transforming local businesses across Portsmouth, Chichester, the Isle of Wight, Southampton, and surrounding areas.

Founded in 2007 by Gary Mullins, the team has built a reputation for results, helping hundreds of local businesses navigate growth and overcome challenges. Over the years, the firm has evolved, growing in both size and impact.

A key highlight in this journey has been Steve Mullins stepping into the role of Director, bringing fresh energy and vision to the business. Under his leadership, ActionCOACH Portsmouth has become recognised as one of the top-performing coaching firms globally, with several world-class business coaches now operating from the Portsmouth office.

The last 18 years have been marked by consistent growth, strong client partnerships and a commitment to excellence and the team looks forward to continuing this trajectory in the years to come.

GrowthCLUB: September – Planning Workshop

Date: Thursday, 11 September 2025
Location: Marriott Hotel, Portsmouth

Our next GrowthCLUB: 90 Day Planning Workshop will take place on Thursday, 11 September.

This full-day business strategy session is designed to help owners and leaders step out of the day-to-day and take a focused look at their next 90 days in business.

Key features include:

A structured planning session alongside over 60 local business professionals
Guidance from experienced business coaches
A chance to reconnect with your business purpose, mission, and goals

This event is ideal for business owners who want clarity, direction and a strategic plan to finish 2025 strong.

Book your tickets here.

Shaping Portsmouth: Supporting Start-Ups and Entrepreneurs

Over the past year, Matt has continued his involvement with Shaping Portsmouth, a key initiative dedicated to empowering local business communities.

In July, Matt delivered another tailored 6 Steps to Building a Better Business Masterclass, designed specifically for start-up businesses and self-employed professionals in Portsmouth. These sessions provide accessible, practical strategies to help new business owners gain momentum and avoid early-stage pitfalls.

Matt’s ongoing partnership with Shaping Portsmouth reflects our long-term commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and economic growth in the region.

Sarah Completes CEO Certified Training Programme

We are pleased to announce that Sarah has recently completed the ActionCOACH CEO Certified Training Programme, further expanding her executive coaching capabilities.

This rigorous programme equips coaches with advanced tools and methodologies specifically designed for CEOs and leadership teams. Sarah’s new qualifications enable her to support business leaders in driving exponential growth through strategic development and organisational alignment.

To learn more about Sarah’s CEO certification and her work with leadership teams, visit her post on LinkedIn: Click here to view

Stay Connected

At ActionCOACH Portsmouth and Chichester, we are committed to helping business owners achieve their full potential.

If you would like to learn more about how our coaching programmes can support you or your team, please don’t hesitate to book a complimentary discovery call, just click here.

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How Solent Mobility Transformed Their Business with ActionCOACH Portsmouth & Chichester

Ellie Lovell — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 16:35:38 +0000

Solent Mobility Centre, which is based in Gosport, is a well-established, family-run business providing mobility equipment and support to customers across Hampshire. Originally founded by Ben’s parents, the company has strong roots in the local community. As Ben and his brother stepped into leadership roles, they recognised that the business needed a clearer direction if it was going to grow and succeed in a changing market.

“If we didn’t join ActionCOACH Portsmouth & Chichester, we’d still be in the same position we were seven or eight years ago. No direction, still out on the road working on the tools,” Ben explains.

At that stage, Ben was heavily involved in day-to-day operations. Like many business owners, he had little time for strategic planning, system development or long-term business growth. That is when he began working with Steve, a certified ActionCOACH business coach who has been in the industry for over 15 years.

A Flexible Coaching Relationship That Fits the Business

Steve’s approach to coaching is highly flexible and tailored to each client’s needs. For Solent Mobility, this means sessions are held where and when they’re most effective, whether that’s via Zoom, on-site at their premises in Gosport or at our office in Havant. This ensures that coaching fits around Ben’s schedule, rather than the other way around.

Ben also actively participates in wider ActionCOACH programmes, including:

GrowthCLUB: Which is our quarterly planning sessions for Hampshire and West Sussex businesses
Monthly Business Workshops: Such as our Sales and Marketing Day held in March
The BizX Conference: An annual business seminar, which Ben attends each year with ActionCOACH Portsmouth and Chichester and our clients.

This mix of one-to-one coaching, group learning and ongoing support has played a key role in Solent Mobility’s progress.

Measurable Business Growth

Since beginning their coaching journey, Solent Mobility has experienced substantial improvements across the board:

Turnover increased from £500,000 to £750,000
The team grew from 9 to 15 employees
Gross profit rose from £250,000 to £325,000
Net profit more than tripled, rising from £30,000 to over £100,000

These results are underpinned by a clear shift in mindset. Coaching has helped Ben move away from being absorbed in operational tasks to becoming a strategic business leader.

“My hours are probably the same but now I’m working on the business, not in it. I get more time with my children and that’s something you can’t get back.” – Ben, Director

With strong systems in place and a focus on tracking performance, Solent Mobility is better organised, more efficient and more focused on long-term goals.

Plans for the Future

With one successful site in Gosport, Ben is now planning further expansion. Current goals include:

Launching a national e-commerce platform to reach more customers across the UK
Opening a second premises in the local area

These ambitions are supported by structured planning and the confidence that comes from years of consistent coaching and development.

Solent Mobility’s Business Coach, Steve Mullins Says:

“Ben is a great example of what can happen when a business owner commits fully to their growth journey. Over the past 10 years, he’s taken real ownership of his development and that of his business… and the results speak for themselves.”
— Steve, ActionCOACH Portsmouth & Chichester

Supporting Businesses Across Hampshire

Whether you’re in retail, professional services, construction or any other sector, business coaching can help you create a stronger, more scalable company. From Fareham to Chichester, Southampton to Winchester, we support ambitious business owners across Hampshire and West Sussex who are ready to grow, improve performance and reclaim their time.

If you’re ready to take the next step, get in touch with ActionCOACH Portsmouth & Chichester to learn how we can support your business success.

Book a complimentary strategy call with one of our business coaches today and discover how transformational business coaching can be – Just click here.

The post How Solent Mobility Transformed Their Business with ActionCOACH Portsmouth & Chichester first appeared on Action Coach Portsmouth.

The post How Solent Mobility Transformed Their Business with ActionCOACH Portsmouth & Chichester appeared first on Action Coach Portsmouth.

Why Business Strategy Is Important?

Sarah Williams — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 10:18:39 +0000

And Why It Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

At ActionCOACH Portsmouth and Chichester, one of the most asked questions our business coaches get is ‘Why Business Strategy Is Important?‘

More often than not, the word strategy is met with hesitation.

Many business owners immediately associate business strategy with complexity, endless presentations, high-priced consultants and layers of vague, technical jargon. It can feel more like a corporate buzzword than something genuinely useful.

But in our experience working with our clients based in Hampshire and West Sussex, the reality is much simpler:

The most successful business strategies aren’t the most complex, they’re the most clear.

A good business plan will cut through the noise as the strategic planning with help give direction, creates alignment and makes decision-making easier.

A strong and successful business strategy doesn’t need to be overwhelming. It just needs to make sense to the people who use it every day to help with sustainable growth, customer loyalty, competitive advantage and the company’s success.

Creating a business strategy is crucial for long term success and will be one of the most important things you do for your business.

What Is Business Strategy?

At its core, a strong business strategy is simply a clear and practical plan of action.

It’s not about complicated frameworks or flashy presentations, it’s about creating a shared understanding of where your business is going and how you’re going to get there.

A good and clear strategy brings focus and alignment by answering three fundamental questions:

What Are We Building?

Business strategy will be your vision and overall business goals for a set period of time.

This could be a 3 month quarter or over the whole year. This strategic approach will lay out what you are working towards in your business. This could be a great product, service, your customer experience or how you would like to cause an impact in your industry.

By getting a clear idea and creating a long term vision, it will help everyone who involved understand the bigger picture and how they can hep as they will know the long term objectives of the company.

What Are We Focusing On?

Every business, no matter its size or industry, operates with limited time, resources and capacity.

No company can do everything all at once. This is where a good business strategy comes in. At it’s heart a business strategy is the discipline of focus and it’s about making informed decisions based on what the company needs to do right at that moment to ensure that the long term goals are met.

To get this clear direction, you need to ask: What are the key goals that will drive growth? Which initiatives are worth your time and investment? What opportunities align with your long term vision and which ones are distractions, no matter how appealing they might seem in the moment?

A well-defined business strategy gives you the confidence to say yes to the right things as you will be able to make better decision because there will be a better and thorough understanding of why you should be making these decisions

With a well crafted business strategy in place, you and your team are equipped to make smarter, faster decisions grounded in strategic thinking. Instead of reacting to every new challenge or trend, you stay focused on what will truly move the business forward. That alignment can be the difference between chasing growth and achieving it.

How Are We Aligning The Team To Make It Happen?

Even the best ideas fall flat without a business plan. A strong business strategy connects the dots between the big picture and day-to-day actions. It ensures everyone on your team knows how their work contributes to the goals and feels empowered to deliver.

To align your team you need is clarity, focus and a commitment to consistent, purposeful execution.

When you have a team focused on the same end goal and heading in the same direction, progress becomes inevitable

Vision: What Are You Building and Why Are You Building That Small Business?

Every effective business strategy starts with a well-defined vision.

Whether you’re a start-up navigating your early steps or an established business looking to scale, one thing remains constant: If you can’t clearly articulate what you’re building along with a comprehensive plan and communicate why it matters, your team won’t be able to help you achieve your overall business goals.

A clear, meaningful business plan is more than just a sentence in a presentation or a line on your website. It’s the foundation for every strategic decision you make. It sets direction, sharpens focus and helps your team understand not just what they’re doing, but why it matters because their strategic goals are anchored in a shared purpose.

A strong business vision should be short, specific and compelling. It’s not about buzzwords or lofty statements it’s about defining a real, tangible future that everyone can rally behind. When your vision is clearly communicated, it acts as an anchor as it guides priorities, filters distractions and fuels motivation across the organisation.

At ActionCOACH Portsmouth and Chichester, we’ve seen this play out repeatedly.

Teams that struggled with alignment, energy or results weren’t lacking talent or resources, they were missing clarity. Once the vision was sharpened and communicated consistently, performance improved, sometimes dramatically and often within just a few weeks. People work better when they know what they’re working toward.

So Ask Yourself:

Can I clearly describe our business vision in one sentence without jargon?
Can my leadership team and every team member do the same?
Do we all genuinely believe in it?

If the answer to any of those is “no” or “not sure,” then this is where your business strategy work must begin. Because without a shared, compelling vision, even the best-laid plans will struggle to gain traction.

Focus: What Are Your Top Three Priorities?

In many cases, business owners don’t have a strategy problem they have a focus problem.

The modern business landscape is full of noise. Ideas, opportunities and competing priorities come in fast and it’s easy to feel like you’re making progress simply by staying busy. But activity isn’t the same as impact.

What’s often missing is clarity. A sharp understanding of which few things truly matter right now.

Without that, even the best business strategies get diluted and teams become reactive rather than proactive. Clarity helps with providing direction and ensures your team focused on the overall goals.

At ActionCOACH Portsmouth & Chichester, we’ve found that most breakthroughs don’t come from doing more, they come from doing less but better. That’s why we help clients identify and commit to just three core strategic priorities at a time. No more than that. These priorities become the lens through which all decisions are made and actions are aligned. When they’re clear, visible and consistently reinforced, meaningful progress often follows quickly.

Recently, Sarah worked with a business owner whose business had hit a plateau. The team was busy, but results had stalled and morale was dipping due to the fact there was no strategic direction. By stripping everything back to three well-defined objectives, each linked to measurable outcomes, we saw a dramatic shift. Within weeks, sales productivity and revenue was climbing, the team was energised and confidence in the company’s direction returned.

Ask Yourself:

What are our top three strategic priorities this quarter?
Are they consistently communicated across the business?
Can every team member clearly connect their work to at least one of them?

When focus improves, so does performance which ultimately helps drive sustainable growth in a business. It’s not about having more ideas, it’s about knowing which ones deserve your full attention right now.

Even The Best Business Strategy Will Fail Without Alignment

One of the most common pitfalls for growing businesses is assuming that just because an overall strategy exists, the team understands it and is acting on it. But clarity at the top doesn’t guarantee clarity across the organisation.

Alignment doesn’t happen by default. It’s not a one-time presentation or an email announcement. It’s an ongoing discipline that requires the business leaders and senior executives to actively communicate, reinforce and recalibrate the plan as the business evolves. This is especially critical in fast-paced environments, where priorities shift quickly and messages can easily become fragmented or misunderstood.

Without alignment, teams drift, you are unable to allocate resources effectively, miss out on new business and new markets and the overall direction of the company will fail to stay on track. People start working on different interpretations of the same goals, marketing strategy doesn’t deliver results and momentum stalls. This is not because the overall business strategy is flawed, but because it isn’t consistently understood or applied within the company.

That’s why alignment must be built into the rhythm of the business. Simple routines, like weekly check-ins, monthly reviews or daily huddles. This help keep the strategy front and centre. These regular touchpoints are opportunities to connect day-to-day work to bigger goals, clarify expectations, make well-informed everyday decisions and course-correct when needed. When strategy becomes part of everyday conversations, performance metrics and meeting agendas, it moves from being a static document to a shared focus.

Ask Yourself:

Is my team genuinely aligned behind our strategy?
How do I know—what evidence can I see in behaviour, decisions, and results?
Where might communication be breaking down, and what can I do to fix it?

The most successful organisations don’t treat alignment as a one-off event. They make it a habit.

Why Business Strategy Matters for Local Businesses

Business strategy is often seen as something reserved for large corporations but it’s just as critical for small and mid-sized businesses.

Whether you’re leading a tight-knit team, building a local service-based business or growing a regional brand, the need for clear strategic objectives and direction is universal. Without it, even the most talented teams can lose momentum, make reactive decisions or spread themselves too thin.

A well-defined strategy doesn’t have to be complex but it does need to be deliberate. It provides the structure and discipline to guide your business forward, especially when resources are limited and priorities compete for your attention.

A Strong Strategy Gives You:

Clarity on where you’re going. So every action has purpose and direction.
Focus on what matters most. Helping you say no to distractions and yes to what moves the needle.
Confidence in your decisions. Knowing they align with a bigger plan.
Consistency in your team’s execution… Because everyone understands the vision and their role in achieving it.

No matter your size or stage, a clear strategy is what turns everyday actions into long-term progress.

So, if you are feeling stuck, start by asking:

What’s one part of our business strategy we could simplify today?

Because progress doesn’t come from complexity, It comes from clarity, focus and consistent action.

How ActionCOACH Portsmouth & Chichester Can Help Your Business Strategy

We have been providing award-winning business coaching in Portsmouth and surrounding for nearly 20 years. Helping local businesses who want to grow with their strategic planning. At ActionCOACH Portsmouth and Chichester, our approach is practical, tailored and simple. If you are wishing to:

Gain clarity on your overall vision
Identify and commit to strategic priorities
Align your team for better execution

If strategy feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be. At ActionCOACH Portsmouth and Chichester, we work with businesses across Hampshire and West Sussex to build practical, actionable strategies that drive real progress.

To find out more about how we can support your business, get in touch today to arrange an initial conversation.

Click here to organise a discovery call with Sarah Williams, who is one of the top business coaches in the UK.

The post Why Business Strategy Is Important? first appeared on Action Coach Portsmouth.

The post Why Business Strategy Is Important? appeared first on Action Coach Portsmouth.

Empowering Business Growth Across Portsmouth: How ActionCOACH Portsmouth Is Supporting Local Success

Ellie Lovell — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 08:46:22 +0000

As we head into the second half of the year, business owners across Portsmouth are making bold moves to strengthen their operations, improve leadership and plan for the future.

At ActionCOACH Portsmouth and Chichester, we’ve been proud to support that journey delivering powerful workshops, forming strategic partnerships and launching new coaching opportunities to help local businesses grow with purpose.

Here’s a look at what’s been happening and what’s coming next.

Strategic Planning in Action: GrowthCLUB at the Marriott Hotel

In June, we hosted another energising GrowthCLUB 90-Day Planning event at the Marriott Hotel. This full-day session brought together ambitious business owners from a variety of industries for a day of strategic reflection and planning.

Led by Steve, Matt and Sarah, the workshop helped attendees define clear goals for the next quarter, understand the importance of cashflow clarity and create an actionable roadmap for building a profitable business. The workshop wasn’t just about planning, it was about shifting mindset from reactive management to proactive leadership.

Our next GrowthCLUB: 90 Day Planning workshop will take place in September and it’s shaping up to be an essential reset point for the final quarter of 2025.

Sharing The Foundations of Success: 6 Steps to a More Profitable Business

Also in June, we delivered our popular 6 Steps Masterclass at the Arena Business Centre in Havant. This masterclass gave participants access to a tried-and-tested framework designed to help business owners build a commercial, profitable enterprise that runs without relying solely on them.

From mastering time and money to building strong teams and creating robust systems, the 6 Steps framework provides a practical pathway for long-term success. Attendees left with greater clarity and confidence in their business direction.

Strength in Collaboration: Matt & Our Partnership with Shaping Portsmouth

For the past year, Matt has been working closely with Shaping Portsmouth, aligning with their mission to drive economic development and support businesses throughout the PO postcode area.

In June, this partnership took another big step forward as Matt delivered a dedicated business workshop for local companies. The session focused on overcoming business challenges and identifying growth opportunities using actionable strategies.

Matt is passionate about supporting the local community and is proud of the relationship he has built with Shaping Portsmouth. He is excited to see how this partnership continues to evolve and contribute to the success of businesses across the region.

Experience Coaching: Sarah’s Two-Week Application Is Now Open

Sarah is now offering a free two-week coaching experience, giving business owners the opportunity to trial high-impact coaching without a long-term commitment.

This offer includes:

One-to-one tailored sessions
A personalised action plan for business improvement
Access to premium tools and resources

It’s an ideal chance to experience the value of coaching first-hand and take a confident step toward business transformation. But places are limited so if you’re interested, we recommend applying soon.

Click here to apply.

What’s Coming Up: Events to Watch

We’ve got a strong line-up of events this summer and autumn, including:

Leadership & Team Workshop – July

This workshop is designed for business owners and managers who want to build strong, high-performing teams. We’ll focus on mindset, accountability, team structure and creating a leadership culture that delivers results.

Grab your FREE ticket here.

GrowthCLUB 90-Day Planning – September

Our next GrowthCLUB session returns in September, offering a powerful opportunity to plan, prioritise and push toward your Q4 goals with intention and structure.

Find out more about GrowthCLUB: 90 Day Planning here.

Helping You Build a Business That Works for You

At ActionCOACH Portsmouth and Chichester, our mission is simple: to help you grow a business that gives you more life, not less. Whether it’s through strategy days like GrowthCLUB, workshops on team and leadership or personal coaching support, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your business journey or just want to explore what support might look like we’d love to have a discovery call.

The post Empowering Business Growth Across Portsmouth: How ActionCOACH Portsmouth Is Supporting Local Success first appeared on Action Coach Portsmouth.

The post Empowering Business Growth Across Portsmouth: How ActionCOACH Portsmouth Is Supporting Local Success appeared first on Action Coach Portsmouth.