Meet the Boost team: Mike Reece

Whether you’re starting a new business, in the early stages, looking to scale-up an established business or simply looking for some great business support, the Boost Business Advice team can help.

Today Mike Reece, a chartered engineer with an impressive track record of building growth business, talks about his role in supporting Lancashire businesses.

What motivated you to want to help other people in business and to become a business adviser?

Having worked in industry for many years and within the corporate sector, I feel having the opportunity to help and support other business leaders leaves a great feeling. I enjoy being able to offer guidance and support to people on their business journey, I feel it is a way of passing on my knowledge and experience.

Looking back over the years as well it’s a good thing to see how supporting a business or a person can give back to the community as a whole.

Who has been your biggest business inspiration and why?

I have worked with a lot of very inspiring people over the years and have taken a little from all of them to hopefully form what I have become. It is essential to open yourself up to take notes from others as no one person is complete and life is after all, always about learning.

Why is Lancashire a great location for a business?

We have some absolutely brilliant business and entrepreneurs in Lancashire who are outstanding but they are a “best kept secret” we just need to tell the world what they have done and are going to do.

How do you like to start your working day?

I always try to start the day with a cup of tea and produce a to-do list for the day. Of course things will get in the way, but making a list to start the day is always a good way of getting my mind working in a good way.

What do you consider to be the greatest challenge for Lancashire businesses in the current economic climate?

Finding the right team, the right premises and also having a support mechanism in place – be that colleagues or team or even just an outside mentor or coach to call on. Running a business can be a lonely thing.

What are your three top tips for anyone looking to start or grow a business?

1. Have a plan – What are you going to do, what do you need to do it, where are you going to do it, who are your customers going to be, is your business scalable, are there any barriers to entry?
2. Test your ideas – Is there a need or want for what you are going to do, is it fit for purpose?
3. Surround yourself with people – In particular who have a ‘positive’ energy. Consider getting a mentor or business coach.

About the author

Mike has had a highly successful career in management, domestic and global sales and marketing with a broad engineering and business background. He has worked for global corporates as well as running his own company for ten years offering business coaching and consultancy.

A chartered engineer with an impressive track record of building growth business, Mike can advise start-ups and growing businesses on leadership skills and team management, strategic planning and growth objectives as well as on sales and marketing strategy.

If you’re looking to grow, scale or start your business, use Boost; Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub. We offer a range of funded business support services.
Call our Business Support Helpdesk on 0800 488 0057 to find out more or complete our enquiry form.