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MENTA (The Mid-Anglian
Enterprise Agency) provides free access to business support services,
start-up advice, training and networking events to both new and established
small businesses in Mid-Anglia.
Over the past 23 years, MENTA
have assisted over 13,000 people who were either thinking of starting a new
business or sought assistance in expanding an existing business.
Lee-Anne Francis was initially
a client of MENTA when she first set up Crystal Clear Training in early
2004. She received some invaluable advice from the MENTA team, which helped
develop her objectives to become a more commercial business.
MENTA first approached
Crystal Clear Training in March 2005, to run a workshop on
Time Management
for New Businesses.
Time Management is often one of the most challenging tasks when starting a
new business. Frequently, budding entrepreneurs are pulled in so many
different directions at once; they just don’t know where to begin. Between
developing a business strategy, learning new skills, marketing, working with
clients, and having a family life, how do you fit it all in? This workshop
was written specifically for them.
Business Planning is part of MENTA’s core Business Skills workshop programme. The
Business Plan is an essential tool to help assess the viability of any
business. It helps to focus on business strategy and development and helps
to prepare for any problems that may
occur. Crystal Clear Training
run this workshop as a
full day session, where we concentrate on the key areas needed to write a
powerful Business Plan. We also look at budgeting for the future, and
cash-flow forecasting, where we show how to anticipate any cash shortfalls.
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“Focussed me on what I need to do to get up & running. Shown me how to do
a Cashflow. Clarified a number of concepts which I was vague about.
Very useful course, knowledgeable presenter with good presentation style &
excellent clarity”
Clem Bruning
“Great course - wet my appetite to learn more about business skills.
Really useful course, clear & precise”
Valarie Halbinger
“Made
me realise that it's not all beyond someone coming from a non-business
background. Opened my eyes to what information and assistance is
available”
Patricia Harris
“I found the course to be informative and presented in a relaxed fashion.
Thank you”
Ian Parry
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Another
successful workshop that was very popular with MENTA clients was
Microsoft Tips & Tricks.
We demonstrated some of our favourite functions, hidden options, unknown
features, and quick shortcuts, which go unused and undiscovered by the
majority of people. This session concentrated on showing people how to make
Microsoft Office easier and quicker, and the most of their computer skills.
Effective Networking Skills
are essential in business, especially for entrepreneurs. Many new
businesspeople worry about networking and shy away from it, however it’s a
valuable and cost effective way of promoting your business. We decided to
run an “Effective Networking Skills” workshop to help people understand the
process of Networking. The success of the workshop was highlighted at
MENTA’s regular networking event, “Sharing Good Practices”, where several
people successfully put their new skills into practice.
Amanda Sturgeon, Chief
Executive of MENTA said,
“Having a strong business
background herself, Lee-Anne Francis from Crystal Clear Training,
understands the key issues that effect new businesses, and recognizes the
key skills that are essential to run a successful business. Lee-Anne is able
to relate to specific business issues with empathy and understanding,
calling on real experiences for examples and illustrations. Our clients have
found the workshops extremely useful and have found them informative and
encouraging, without being overwhelming or disheartening. They have enjoyed
the relaxed atmosphere that workshops are delivered in." |
