Real business stories | Be The Business

Find out how a wide variety of UK businesses are tackling the issues, problems and challenges central to business improvement.

We've spoken to leaders who have taken the steps to improve their businesses and, in each case, provided three key takeaways to shape your own efforts.

We encourage you to use them as the inspiration to kickstart your own improvement efforts, taking their experience and shaping the right change for your business

Avoid common pitfalls by learning from the experience of others who have been there before
Find out how your peers worked through similar problems – each story has three key takeaways
Read stories from businesses in the same sector or size as you

External agencies can deliver immediate expertise and fast results

An external agency helped Maxwell Scott double revenue, but software company Softwire warns SMEs to only trust results.

Find a CRM system that delivers value for your business

After implementing two unsuitable CRM systems, rural recruitment agency Fortem People learned to approach technology investments much more strategically.

Develop a process for identifying the right tech for your business

At RapidSpike, CEO Gav Winter ensures possible new technology investments answer at least one of four key questions if they are to be taken forward.

Find the right technology by testing and learning quickly

For snacks business Outdoor Provisions, adopting the right technology has allowed the company to scale quickly, keep costs down and manufacture sustainably.

Do your research before investing in new tech

Get technology investment right and the benefits can be huge. The wrong choice, however, can waste money and hinder growth. See how Dunsters Farm approached the process.

Be pragmatic about technology to align investments with business needs

Translation service Locale used customer feedback to kickstart its thinking about new developments and ensure they fit genuine business needs.

Check technology meets your standards before automating processes

Animation business leader Peter Saunders shares the research he did before automating a process and the impact new technology has had.

Use data to improve decision making at all levels of your business

Find out why Freespace CEO Raj Krishnamurthy believes that providing employees with a clear benefit is the best way to get them comfortable with using data.

Data can inform decisions and improve your business

Technology has helped businesses like Housekeep collect data from multiple sources and collate it into usable information.

A strong digital presence has never been more important

As Integrated Estate Management has shown, building a good digital presence has increased brand awareness, demonstrated trust and, ultimately, generated new business.

Develop a data collection process to inform your business strategy

For Empire Engineering, changing the way it collected data on potential clients has been critical in helping the company survive tough economic times.

Staff perform better when they’re engaged with your company’s vision and values

Engaging staff with the company vision and values has driven significant improvements for both Snaffling Pig and Sellick Partnership.

How to work with staff to create and codify company values

Find out how defining and codifying the company's unique culture helped retain staff and drive business forward at Extract Coffee.

A hands-off approach to leadership empowers staff to make decisions and innovate

Employees that are empowered to make decisions are more productive, loyal and happier. That's exactly what Pete Fraser has done at his restaurant, Harbour Lights.

Delegation empowers staff and allows business leaders to focus on growth

Giving staff autonomy and accountability has been pivotal in the growth of Left Handed Giant, a Bristol-based beer brewing business.

Outside perspectives helped us seize opportunities for improvement

Getting outside perspectives and focusing on learning has opened the eyes of leaders at Crowdcube and LG Davis to the untapped potential of the companies.

How one accidental business leader learnt to successfully guide her company

When Little Soap Company became a high street brand, CEO Emma Heathcote-Jones became an accidental business leader and had to learn to lead fast.

Effective people management is key to safeguarding your business

Safeguarding a business and the quality of products or services being provided is critical to financial security, as telemarketing firm Konnexx proves.