Vision for my business and vision of a better life.My decision to break free from the 9-to-5 (or 7-to-6, as was more often the case) was borne from both the successful business I envisioned running and the better life I wanted for myself.
Flourishing start-ups occupy niches in the market, and my business model is no different, providing much-needed bespoke tuition for students with a variety of needs, but at the core of its success is me.
While this sounds self-congratulatory, what I mean by this is the change in my lifestyle that has allowed me, and therefore the business, to prosper. No more grind. No more early mornings, no more dishwater-dull meetings, no more raging in rush hour traffic.
Instead, I run my life. I have creative control over the business, I make the decisions, I reap the benefits, and I find that rather than constantly feeling that I’m wasting time, I have more time. More time for my family, my friends, and myself, and infinitely more freedom.
This wonderful balance is central to the success of Crescent Tuition. I was attentive to startup costs, and the decisions I made were all investment based, including opting for a succinct and beautiful website.
The website builder I worked with; Blue Web, realised my vision for my business and now their framework allows me to continue to market and expand the business. It’s the lynchpin that brings the clients to the service, the work to the tutors and gives the business a streamlined online presence. In a sense, the website is the face of the business, and is fundamental to it's success.
Now, I find myself in a fortunate position, having checked three boxes I feel were crucial in the realisation of what was once an idea; firstly, the removal of whichever mental barriers that had held me in a grey day-job for so long; secondly, the quiet determination to be in control of my future; and finally, the materialisation of a platform – in my case, Crescent Tuition’s website – to enable the business to run smoothly.
The rewards are plenty; including a life that runs smoother, too. I recommend you contact Blue Web if you have a vision you want to become a reality.
Henry Pike,
Founder and Director, Crescent Tuition
New website design process.Blue Web is chosen by many businesses from start ups to established, to deliver new websites based on our experience and knowledge in business, this ensures the new website is effective and delivers the agreed business goals. A website shouldn't just look good, it should deliver new customers and business growth, in line with the aims of the business owner(s).
Blue web utilises a consultancy process in the design and development of all the website's we design. The aim is to deliver highly profitable business that delivers value to the client. For commercial reasons, we can't reveal the full detail, however, the process brings together the following:
Your website is potentially the greatest investment you can make in your business, don't leave it in the hands of inexperienced web designers or DIY tools. Test your ideas and website plans with us to check you're website will really support your business growth.
You can read more about how we help new business start ups and particularly consulting businesses grow their brand and business here. Below are example of some businesses we've helped so far.
Business Consultancy Website Design
Veterinary Website Design, Kitchen Cleaning Website
Furniture Company Website Design
Educational Consultant Website Design
Fire and Safety Website Design
Financial Advisers Website Design
Solicitor and Notary Website Design
Many business executives offer a great deal of experience and knowledge that they can impart to other companies and it makes sense that they start their own consultancy business.
In today's rapidly changing world, companies require expertise and support from consultants that can cast an objective eye over an organisation's opportunities, threats, staff and technical issues to name a few.
Markets are changing more quickly that ever before and new, flexible resources are required to meet this demand. The old established model of full time, long term employment does not fit the new market dynamic and can slow an organisations' progress. Often, staff suffer from the 'can't see the wood for the trees' or are 'too close to a project' to see what is plain to an external consultant.
Clearly there is a level of security in working for an established employer and stepping out on your own can be a risky business. Ultimately though, it is a question of control, who is in control of your working life and even potentially your whole life? It takes a certain level of courage to step out on your own, but it's worth remembering that an employer can not only direct you to do work you might not enjoy, but can pull the rug from underneath your feet at any time. Many people in fact spend their whole working life wondering if they could set out on their own but never take the plunge.
Working as a business consultant or business coach or in any consultative capacity is not all plain sailing though, your income will vary from low to high rather than a fixed amount per month. So it's worth having a financial buffer, maybe savings or sometimes a redundancy package from a previous job can be valuable. The upside, though is that you get to keep the rewards of work rather than your employer, so the income potential is a lot greater.
Consultancy Career Choice?
As a kind of half way house between employment and setting out on your own, as self employed or through your own limited company, the option of taking on a consulting franchise exists. We don't recommend this route, for the following reasons; The pros are that you are taking on an established brand, however, is the brand reputation good? And most importantly it will never be your brand. All your efforts will go towards supporting and representing the brand, which may help you whilst you effectively work for the brand, but this brand value will be lost when you eventually break away and will have to start from scratch building your own brand reputation.
Franchises can be very expensive, in the multiple tens of thousands to buy plus ongoing marketing fees, but what do you really get for this expense? Franchises, particularly the USA based ones tend to follow a formula, which means you have to follow this formula, this can stifle individual flair and it's clear that for businesses receiving consulting services, one size does not fit all. They key with good consulting is to listen to the clients issues and provide a bespoke service that fits the requirement. This can be better done when you are in full control, not applying a pre-described format to every company.
It's far better to create your own brand and build your reputation, based on client results, who will be happy to sing your and your own brand's praises. This is the path to a successful consultancy. Your business will grow by recommendation and your website will reflect your professionalism, services and satisfied clients.
You can see examples of consultancy websites by Blue Web below.
Tuition Consultancy Website A case study in breaking free from the 9 to 5.
Technology Business Consultancy website.
Nudging Business Consultancy website.
Statistical Consultancy website.
Educational Consultancy website.
In designing and developing websites for its customers Blue Web employs it's own consultative approach to maximise the value of the website to the client. This consultative approach particularly lends itself to new Business Consultancy start-ups and new Business Coaching businesses. Contact us now for a preliminary discussion on how we can help with your business vision.
Based on years of business and consultancy experience, Clearwater Advantage is a new business that helps potentially high growth technology start up companies reach the next level of performance and business growth. Blue Web was chosen to work with Clearwater Advantage to deliver a new website that would demonstrate the key benefits of working with the new consultancy.
Blue Web's experience in business and the ability to facilitate discussions on website effectiveness inside the consultancy sector were key factors in delivering the new website.
For customers that need a professional consultative approach to web design and development, Blue Web differentiates itself from many web agencies based on knowledge and experience in business and often acts as a good sounding board for new ideas and businesses. Read more about Blue Web's consultative approach to website design and development here.
Read about other Consultant Website Designs.
Steel Fusion is a new bespoke Steel Furniture company that provides individually designed steel furniture. Tables and chairs made from steel with gold and silver leaf finishes and many other finishes and materials including glass bubble tops. Everything is hand made in a local steel forge to the clients specifications and drawings. The website includes a blog which is updated with new products and events where you can meet Steel Fusion.
As mentioned in our previous post, we have been working on the vet's website, a local band that appeared at Glastonbury this summer, a kitchen cleaning company and a business consultant's website.
The vet's website is now live and will be further enhanced over time, the veterinary surgeon focuses on bovine (cows) endoscopy and provides training to dairy farmers throughout the south west and UK wide. He is also a qualified helicopter pilot so getting to any location is not a problem!
The second website to go live is a commercial kitchen cleaning company based in London. Usually we meet our customers' face to face to discuss their specific requirements, on this occasion we worked entirely remotely and we all like the final result. This enquiry was initially received from another website customer, where they were so impressed with our work they referred us on to this new client. In fact we receive most of our business by referrals from existing clients to new clients. We must be doing something right!
